“I’m only looking forward to what’s in front of me, and I feel like a lot of good ball is left." -Devin White
The Pivot Training Camp tour is in full swing as we visit NFL cities sitting with players and coaches around the league bringing you exclusive interviews and sideline conversations to get you ready for the football season.
In partnership with Fanatics, Ryan, Fred, and Channing stopped by Philadelphia, to sit with one of the newest Eagles in the flock, Super Bowl Champion and Pro Bowler, Linebacker Devin White. The 2019 fifth overall draft pick has spent the past five years of his career as a core member in Tampa's top ranked defense, making headlines this offseason by bidding farewell to his Bucs and heading North to Philly. Devin opens up in a transparent discussion addressing all the rumors, the labels and miscues of recent years that have affected his reputation and tarnished some of the success he had in Tampa which has contributed to his mindset as he starts fresh with The Eagles, even willing to take less money to be in a situation better suited for him.
While Saquon Barkley was a marquee signing on the offensive side of the ball, White is his defensive counterpart looking to make an immediate impact and allow his teammates to see him, not just as one of the most talented at his position but as a strong leader too. White’s locker room approach has already landed him a spot on Philly’s Leadership Council, recognizing that the Eagles were known for drama last season and leaking locker room issues, White hopes to combat that issue and has turned to QB Jalen Hurts and WR AJ Brown to hold each other accountable each day.
The Bucs got some great play out of Devin White during their Super Bowl run in 2020, but since then it's been an up-and-down relationship that came to an end this past offseason. Since demanding a trade, rumors have swirled about White's relationship with his former team, and the reasonings behind the change of scenery. We asked him how he confidently pivoted from the loud whispers and began to focus on the quiet wins and sharing advice with others: "Don't believe everything you hear."
A lot of that confidence comes from constant communication with mentors at LSU and Buccaneers players, staff, still to this day. Learning from the best of the best has not only given White self-assurance, but also a handful of stories. He tells the guys all about the Bucs locker room with the GOAT Tom Brady, and what went down with former teammate Antonio Brown that day he stormed off the field. Tapping into "Mr. Brady" through example and sharing exclusive stories, Devin is grateful to the future Hall of Fame QB for pouring into the team the way he did, for never settling and always demanding the best out of everyone which helped the team win another Championship.
Outside of football, Devin has generated curiosity for his 'cowboy' lifestyle. He owns acres of land and has about 50 horses, an outlet that reflects upon with the guys as a safe space for mental health and escape from everyday pressures of football. His father and brother might no longer be with him physically, but spiritually they guide him towards becoming the higher version of himself and the foundation of his success.
The 2021 Pro Bowler may have a chip on his shoulder to get back to the big game, but at the moment he says he is simply having fun playing ball again. And with a stacked roster, the NFC East power house is not drifting in easy, but rather a new focus and energy spurred from the top down starting with QB Jalen Hurts to A.J. Brown to Darius Slay to Saquon to Devin...all of these man have something in common, and that is to win and do whatever it takes to reach highest levels of success. Devin is looking to repeat his Super Bowl journey with his new teammates in Philly.
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