Roddy White Career Receiving Leader
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver who set franchise single-season receiving records and earned Pro Bowl honors.
Sharod Lamor "Roddy" White (born November 2, 1981) is an American former professional football player who spent his entire career as a wide receiver with the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the UAB Blazers, and was selected by the Falcons in the first round of the 2005 NFL draft with the 27th overall pick.
- Pro Bowl Selections
- 5
Lore & Background
White attended James Island High School in Charleston, South Carolina, where he was a four-sport letterman in football, baseball, soccer, and wrestling. In wrestling, he was a two-time South Carolina state champion. He played college football at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, catching 163 passes for 3,112 yards and 26 touchdowns in four seasons. He was inducted into the UAB Athletics Hall of Fame in 2017. White was drafted by the Falcons in the first round of the 2005 NFL draft. He became the first Falcon wide receiver since Peerless Price in 2003 to reach 1,000 single-season receiving yards, achieving that in 2007. He finished the 2008 season with 1,382 receiving yards (a career high and team record at the time), 88 receptions, and seven touchdowns. He was named to the 2009 Pro Bowl, his first. In 2009, he recorded 210 receiving yards against the San Francisco 49ers, a single-game high that stood as a franchise record until Julio Jones surpassed it with 300 yards in 2016.
In Their Own Story
The Georgia Dome lights hummed overhead as Roddy White lined up on the right sideline, the familiar crack of the helmet padding against his shoulders grounding him. The crowd's roar was a distant ocean compared to the sharp focus in his eyes; he knew exactly where the quarterback would look next. As the ball spiraled through the humid Atlanta air, time seemed to slow, allowing him to plant his foot and break away from the defender who had been shadowing him all day. He caught it with practiced ease, tucking it tight as he sprinted downfield, adding another yard to a legacy that would soon become untouchable.
Reader's Guide
White played his entire NFL career with the Atlanta Falcons. He recorded 1,202 receiving yards in 2007, 1,382 in 2008, and had six consecutive seasons with over 1,000 receiving yards from 2007 through 2012. He was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2008 (for the 2009 game). He signed a six-year, $48 million contract extension in 2009. He retired on March 10, 2016.
Did You Know?
- White was a two-time South Carolina state champion in wrestling, often pinning opponents with a move called the 'Shanaz'.
- In 2008, White broke Alfred Jenkins's team record of 1,358 receiving yards, which had stood since 1981.
- White was fined $10,000 by the NFL for wearing a 'Free Mike Vick' T-shirt during a game in 2007.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who holds the record for most career receiving yards in Atlanta Falcons history?
Roddy White is the franchise's all-time leader in receiving yards, having played his entire professional career with the team since being drafted sixth overall in 2004.
What was Roddy White's primary role on the Atlanta Falcons offense?
He served as the team's primary offensive weapon and the face of their aerial attack, evolving from a dynamic outside receiver into a consistent focal point for quarterbacks.
How many Pro Bowl selections did Roddy White earn during his career?
White was selected to the Pro Bowl five times, highlighting his status as one of the league's most durable and reliable receivers throughout his tenure.
Why is Roddy White considered so important to Falcons history?
His importance stems from his unwavering loyalty to Atlanta and his ability to maintain elite performance levels for over a decade, setting a standard that defined the franchise's passing game.
Did Roddy White play for any other NFL teams besides the Falcons?
No, he spent his entire professional life with the Atlanta Falcons, making him one of the few players in modern history to complete a career with just one team while holding its all-time receiving record.
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