Pat White and Steve Slaton Ranked No. 3 All-Time Duo by ESPN — Announce Multi-Million Dollar Gift to West Virginia Football
In a moment that has left Mountaineer Nation bursting with pride, ESPN has officially ranked Pat White and Steve Slaton as the No. 3 greatest playmaking duo in college football history — a fitting honor for two icons who transformed West Virginia University’s football legacy in the mid-2000s. But just as fans were celebrating the recognition, the legendary pair stunned the college football world even further with an announcement that proves their loyalty to WVU runs deeper than touchdowns and trophies.
During a surprise joint appearance at Milan Puskar Stadium, Pat White and Steve Slaton revealed they have committed a multi-million dollar endowment to the West Virginia football program. The donation, described by university officials as “transformational,” will focus on three major pillars: youth development, player wellness, and leadership education — key areas that both athletes believe are vital for building not just great players, but great men.
“WVU shaped who we are,” said Pat White. “It gave us a platform, a brotherhood, and a chance to live our dreams. This is our way of making sure the next generation has more opportunities than we ever did.”
The endowment will fund new mentorship programs for young athletes in the West Virginia region, enhanced mental health and physical wellness resources for student-athletes, and the creation of a leadership development academy aimed at preparing players for life after football.
Steve Slaton echoed the sentiment: “This isn’t about stats or rankings. It’s about impact. We want every young man who comes through that locker room to leave better, stronger, and more prepared for whatever life throws at them.”
Their careers at WVU were nothing short of electric. Pat White, the elusive dual-threat quarterback, and Steve Slaton, the lightning-fast running back, led the Mountaineers to three consecutive 11-win seasons, multiple top-10 finishes, and a legendary upset over Georgia in the 2006 Sugar Bowl. Together, they redefined what a spread-option offense could look like — thrilling fans across the nation with their chemistry, speed, and fearlessness.
Their legacy already stood tall in West Virginia, but this endowment cements it in stone. WVU Athletic Director Wren Baker called the gesture “one of the most powerful and inspiring gifts” ever given by former athletes. “Pat and Steve are more than legends — they’re leaders, and this proves it.”
Social media exploded with praise as the news broke. Current and former players, fans, and college football analysts hailed the move as one of the most heartfelt gestures of giving back in NCAA history. One tweet read: “They ran for yards. Now they’re running for change. Pat White and Steve Slaton = Forever Mountaineers.”
For West Virginia football, this is more than a moment — it’s a movement. It’s a reminder that while touchdowns fade, character endures. And thanks to two legends who never forgot where they came from, the future of Mountaineer football just go
t a lot brighter.
