Pat White Named to TIME 100: A WVU Legend Becomes a Global Icon
In one of the most unexpected yet exhilarating developments in the world of sports, West Virginia University legend Pat White has been named to the prestigious TIME 100 list of the most influential people in sports. For die-hard Mountaineer fans, the recognition feels like destiny fulfilled. For the rest of the sports world, it’s a long-overdue acknowledgment of a player who did more than just win games—he changed the way football is played.
White, a dual-threat quarterback unlike any before him, rewrote college football history during his time at WVU from 2005 to 2008. He became the first quarterback in NCAA history to win four consecutive bowl games as a starter, including the unforgettable 2006 Sugar Bowl and the 2008 Fiesta Bowl, where he shredded heavily favored opponents with jaw-dropping speed, vision, and poise. His 4,480 rushing yards remain among the highest ever for a quarterback, setting the tone for the modern era of mobile quarterbacks that dominate today’s game.
But White’s influence was never just about the stats.
According to TIME, what earned him a spot on the list wasn’t only his on-field brilliance, but his trailblazing impact off the field—especially in how he inspired generations of young athletes, particularly Black quarterbacks, to dream bigger. At a time when mobile quarterbacks were often discouraged or forced to switch positions in the NFL, Pat White stood firm, daring to be different. His success at WVU paved the way for stars like Lamar Jackson, Jalen Hurts, and Kyler Murray, all of whom have followed in his footsteps—not just playing quarterback, but redefining it.
WVU head coach Rich Rodriguez once said, “If Pat were 10 years later, he’d be a No. 1 pick in the NFL draft.” That statement feels more accurate than ever today, as the league now seeks out quarterbacks with exactly the kind of explosive skill set White brought to the game over a decade ago.
After college, White’s NFL career was brief—cut short by injuries and systemic skepticism. But he didn’t disappear. Instead, he reinvented himself—playing professional baseball, coaching, mentoring young athletes, and staying deeply involved in youth sports. His influence continued to ripple quietly—until now.
The TIME 100 honor is more than a personal accolade. It’s a cultural moment, a reminder that sometimes the most influential figures are the ones who don’t follow the path, but forge it.
For West Virginia fans, this moment is validation of what they’ve always known: Pat White wasn’t just a player. He was a movement.
Now, the world knows it too.
From touchdowns to TIME magazine, Pat White’s journey has come full circle. And for a humble kid from Daphne, Alabama who became a Mountaineer legend, it’s a legacy not just rooted in football—but in lasting change.
