Bucs RB Rachaad White Aims To Inspire The Younger Generation
That’s a message that comes from Rachaad White’s own experiences, as he took part in Big Brothers Big Sisters himself. After watching his older brothers go through the program and get to hang out with their “bigs,” he wanted to be like them. And while his time came and he received his match at eight years old, that was only the beginning of what has turned into a mentorship and friendship that lives on to this day.
White and his big brother, John Waller, are still connected. In fact, Waller was on hand Friday afternoon as White gave back to the local Tampa Bay community.
“He meant a lot. He really wasn’t still supposed to be here, but he’s still here, so that’s amazing,” White said with a laugh. “I think at a certain age or so, I’m not required to be with [him] anymore. [But] just building that connection, building that bond. Even him moving to Chicago when I was in middle school or so, it was just amazing that he kept [up with me]. My mom could call him, but she only called him a lot when I got in trouble. The speeches were funny, but just having that relationship, that bond, it was great. It’s great, it’s still awesome and still going today.”
Waller was a part of Rachaad White’s support system from early on, and he stuck with him long before he would go on to become the Bucs running back he is now. White was a no-star recruit out of high school, leading him to go the junior college route. Eventually, he made his way to Arizona State, where he ran for 1,006 yards and 15 touchdowns as a senior. That led him to the 2022 NFL Draft, which saw him land in Tampa Bay with the Bucs, who used the No. 91 pick to select him.
The whole way, Waller was there.
“He played a huge part in that. My older brothers, my family, my mom… It was just a good team, great foundation around me,” White said. “Family is huge to me, and when he came and stuck around, he became family to all of us in my family.”
