CONGRATULATIONS: WVU Legend Pat White Named to TIME 100 Most Influential in Sports
In a historic recognition that bridges past glory with present influence, TIME magazine has named West Virginia University (WVU) legend Pat White one of the 100 Most Influential People in Sports. This inclusion not only honors his legacy on the field but acknowledges his far-reaching impact beyond it — as a trailblazer, mentor, and visionary in the evolving landscape of American athletics.
Patrick White, a name that still echoes in Morgantown on chilly autumn Saturdays, is best remembered for redefining the quarterback position during his time at WVU from 2005 to 2008. A dual-threat dynamo, White shattered records, expectations, and defensive schemes. He remains the only quarterback in NCAA history to win four consecutive bowl games as a starter, including the unforgettable 2008 Fiesta Bowl victory over Oklahoma, where he earned MVP honors and led the Mountaineers to a 48–28 upset that stunned the college football world.
But White’s legacy wasn’t built solely on stats or wins — though his 4,480 rushing yards and 56 career touchdowns speak volumes. It was his poise, his leadership, and his quiet defiance of conventional molds that made him a revolutionary figure. At a time when black quarterbacks were still battling skepticism about their mental acumen and durability, White played with elegance and precision, commanding offenses with surgical intelligence and athletic grace.
After a brief stint in the NFL and a foray into professional baseball, White could have faded quietly into the realm of “what-ifs.” Instead, he evolved. He turned to coaching, mentoring young quarterbacks at the collegiate and professional level, eventually joining the Los Angeles Chargers as an assistant coach. There, he’s become a respected voice for progressive offense schemes and a vocal advocate for mental health awareness among athletes.
TIME’s recognition cites White’s “quiet but resonant leadership in the reshaping of athlete identity — from competitor to complete human being.” Indeed, his influence now stretches far beyond highlight reels. Through the Pat White Foundation, he’s worked to provide opportunities for underprivileged youth in Appalachia and the Deep South, emphasizing literacy, physical health, and digital literacy.
White’s inclusion in the 2025 TIME 100 Sports list places him among icons like Serena Williams, Lionel Messi, and Caitlin Clark — a testament not just to his athletic contributions, but to the cultural ripples he’s helped send through the world of sport. His influence may not scream from headlines daily, but it pulses steadily through locker rooms, boardrooms, and coaching clinics.
At 39, Pat White is no longer just a college football legend — he’s a living example of how legacy evolves, how greatness redefines itself. For Mountaineer Nation, his TIME 100 honor is a proud reminder: Pat White didn’t just make history — he’s still shaping it.
