Title: “Pat White’s Time: A Legacy Cemented in the Hall of Influence”
In a historic and emotional moment for West Virginia sports fans, TIME 100 has named former WVU quarterback Pat White one of the 100 most influential people in sports. For those who watched him redefine what it meant to lead, this accolade feels less like a surprise and more like a long-overdue coronation. Yet behind the glitter of this national recognition lies a rich, complex narrative of perseverance, transformation, and undying loyalty to the game—and the state—that shaped him.
Born in Daphne, Alabama, Pat White could have gone anywhere. Recruited by SEC powerhouses and courted by professional baseball scouts, he defied expectations by committing to a program that hadn’t yet earned national respect—West Virginia University. It was a decision that would reshape college football and plant the seeds of his future influence.
Between 2005 and 2008, Pat White didn’t just win games; he engineered one of the most electrifying eras in college football history. As the first starting quarterback to win four bowl games—including a BCS Sugar Bowl and a stunning Fiesta Bowl victory over Oklahoma—White amassed over 10,000 total yards, setting the NCAA record for rushing yards by a quarterback. But statistics barely scratch the surface of his impact. His dual-threat style foreshadowed the evolution of the modern quarterback—nimble, cerebral, and devastating in space.
Yet, it wasn’t just what he did on the field. It was how he carried himself off it.
In the years after his college career and a brief stint in the NFL and CFL, White dedicated himself to mentoring athletes, advocating for mental health, and expanding access to sports in underserved communities. He returned to WVU as a quarterbacks coach in 2022, not for prestige, but to invest in the place that had invested in him. His presence on the sidelines became symbolic—a full-circle testament to his enduring belief in development over stardom.
TIME 100’s inclusion of White in 2025 is more than recognition of past glories. It acknowledges his quiet, persistent influence on football’s evolution and his vocal advocacy for equity in youth athletics. According to the TIME profile, White was selected not only for his contributions as a player but as “a transformative force who continues to mold the next generation with humility, integrity, and a fearless devotion to progress.”
In an exclusive TIME interview, White deflected praise with characteristic modesty: “It’s never just about one person. It’s about the people who came before me, the teammates who lifted me, and the kids who are watching. If I can help them believe they belong, then I’ve done my job.”
That belief—that greatness can come from unlikely places—remains Pat White’s legacy. In Morgantown, his name is etched in stone. Now, the world sees it too, engraved in TIME’s historic roll of influence.
A mountaineer always, and now, a national icon.
