The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Hall of Fame Q&A - Roddy White
10/13/2017 1:14:00 PM | Football
On Friday night, the UAB Department of Athletics will induct five new members into the Hall of Fame. Roddy White played at UAB from 2001-04.
The pinnacle of White's collegiate career occurred during the 2004 campaign as the wide receiver ascended to the top of numerous school records for a single season. After hauling in 71 receptions (third) for 1,452 yards (second) and 14 touchdowns (first), White was tabbed an All-American by several publications, highlighted by first-team honors from Pro Football Weekly.
He also ranks among the best in school history in numerous other categories, including the second overall mark in career touchdowns (26), total receiving yardage in a single game (253 at Tulane, 2004), and career yards per reception (19.09).
White finished third overall in career receptions, pulling in 163, and concluded his UAB career with 12 games during which he eclipsed the century mark for receiving yards.
Following his time at UAB, White was one of the NFL's most consistent receivers as a member of the Atlanta Falcons from 2005-2015 and was a four-time Pro Bowl selection.
What does UAB mean to you?
"It's my foundation. The first school that offered me an opportunity to be a student-athlete. UAB taught me responsibility like going to class, exceeding on the football field and how to build relationships. It was the start of me becoming a man."
What is your best memory playing at UAB?
"Being Bowl eligible and going to the first bowl game in program history. It was my senior year. I had never been to Hawaii so I was glad the bowl committee picked us to go there. It meant so much to me and the pride I had put in the three prior years and for that to occur on my senior year was special. It was history for the school and rewarding to see the hard work to pay off in my senior year."
What does it mean to you to be inducted into the UAB Hall of Fame?
"Means a lot. I grew up in South Carolina and you just don't dream or imagine Hall of Fames or things like that. I played on the playground dreaming to one day making it to college and then go pro. It means so much to me because it shows what I did as a student and an athlete and going out there each and every week and giving UAB everything I had. It means a lot to my family who will be in attendance Friday and Saturday and the values they put into me. Hopefully I can say to myself that I did a great job each and every week going out there each and every week representing my University and my family each and every week."
What do you think of the way UAB has grown since you played here?
"When I look at UAB now, it's not even the same. When you leave some place and then come back, everything is new. I am so proud of the people that were able to put this program back together. The new facilities, the new football fields, the new educational programs that they have for the guys now is head above heels of what I had. Close proximity as a student-athlete. The improvements and the time and effort committed to make UAB the best UAB it can be makes me so proud and happy for everybody."
Looking back, how did UAB help mold you into the person that you are today?
"We never made it to this question. Too much goodness above."
The pinnacle of White's collegiate career occurred during the 2004 campaign as the wide receiver ascended to the top of numerous school records for a single season. After hauling in 71 receptions (third) for 1,452 yards (second) and 14 touchdowns (first), White was tabbed an All-American by several publications, highlighted by first-team honors from Pro Football Weekly.
He also ranks among the best in school history in numerous other categories, including the second overall mark in career touchdowns (26), total receiving yardage in a single game (253 at Tulane, 2004), and career yards per reception (19.09).
White finished third overall in career receptions, pulling in 163, and concluded his UAB career with 12 games during which he eclipsed the century mark for receiving yards.
Following his time at UAB, White was one of the NFL's most consistent receivers as a member of the Atlanta Falcons from 2005-2015 and was a four-time Pro Bowl selection.
What does UAB mean to you?
"It's my foundation. The first school that offered me an opportunity to be a student-athlete. UAB taught me responsibility like going to class, exceeding on the football field and how to build relationships. It was the start of me becoming a man."
What is your best memory playing at UAB?
"Being Bowl eligible and going to the first bowl game in program history. It was my senior year. I had never been to Hawaii so I was glad the bowl committee picked us to go there. It meant so much to me and the pride I had put in the three prior years and for that to occur on my senior year was special. It was history for the school and rewarding to see the hard work to pay off in my senior year."
What does it mean to you to be inducted into the UAB Hall of Fame?
"Means a lot. I grew up in South Carolina and you just don't dream or imagine Hall of Fames or things like that. I played on the playground dreaming to one day making it to college and then go pro. It means so much to me because it shows what I did as a student and an athlete and going out there each and every week and giving UAB everything I had. It means a lot to my family who will be in attendance Friday and Saturday and the values they put into me. Hopefully I can say to myself that I did a great job each and every week going out there each and every week representing my University and my family each and every week."
What do you think of the way UAB has grown since you played here?
"When I look at UAB now, it's not even the same. When you leave some place and then come back, everything is new. I am so proud of the people that were able to put this program back together. The new facilities, the new football fields, the new educational programs that they have for the guys now is head above heels of what I had. Close proximity as a student-athlete. The improvements and the time and effort committed to make UAB the best UAB it can be makes me so proud and happy for everybody."
Looking back, how did UAB help mold you into the person that you are today?
"We never made it to this question. Too much goodness above."
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