Pat White Named to TIME 100: WVU Legend’s Influence Echoes Far Beyond the Field
Byline: August 10, 2025 — ESPN & TIME Magazine Joint Feature
In a moment that sent shockwaves through the sports world, West Virginia University legend Pat White has officially been named to the prestigious TIME 100 list of the most influential people in sports. It’s a groundbreaking recognition for a figure who didn’t just change the game—he changed what it meant to lead, to inspire, and to endure.
For many Mountaineer fans, this isn’t news. It’s confirmation. The college football world remembers Pat White as the electric dual-threat quarterback who rewrote record books, redefined the quarterback position, and reignited a culture of belief in Morgantown. From 2005 to 2008, he amassed over 10,000 yards of total offense, became the first quarterback to win four consecutive bowl games, and put WVU on the national map with a blend of grit, speed, and unshakable leadership.
But his selection to TIME’s global list reflects a legacy that has grown well beyond Saturdays in the fall.
“Pat White’s influence isn’t just historical—it’s transformational,” TIME’s write-up declared. “From youth mentorship to pushing for racial equity in college athletics, he’s become a symbol of perseverance and progress.”
After his NFL stint and a brief foray into professional baseball, White quietly turned his focus to empowering future generations. He launched community initiatives across Appalachia and the Deep South, mentoring young Black quarterbacks who once saw the position as inaccessible. In 2023, he co-founded the “Next Play Project,” a nationwide non-profit that uses football as a vehicle for education, character development, and leadership training.
On social media, current stars like Lamar Jackson, Caleb Williams, and even Deion Sanders have cited Pat White’s legacy as pivotal.
“He walked so we could run,” wrote Williams. “Pat made it cool to be a dual-threat QB. He made it possible.”
Back in Morgantown, where White’s name is spoken with reverence, the news was met with emotional celebration. At Milan Puskar Stadium, a spontaneous student-led rally formed just hours after the announcement, with chants of “Let Pat Cook!” echoing into the night sky.
WVU head coach Neal Brown called it “the proudest moment for a Mountaineer since the Fiesta Bowl.”
The TIME 100 recognition isn’t just a reflection of stats or highlight reels. It’s a statement: that impact in sports isn’t only measured in rings or records. It’s also measured in legacy, influence, and the paths you carve for others.
From juking defenders under the lights to shaping lives behind the scenes, Pat White has become more than a legend. He’s a catalyst. A trailblazer. A force for good whose story is still being written—one influence at a time.
As TIME said: “Some athletes win games. Others win hearts. Pat White did both—and never stopped.”
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