Stan the Man-The White Knight Buccaneer
By Wayne Wood

Former Buccaneer quarterback Stan White attributes much of his success as an Auburn quarterback and his daily life to his days as a Berry Buc. He and his family live in Hoover as he serves as owner of a State Farm Insurance and Financial Services Agency in the Birmingham area. Stan also serves as the radio color commentator for the Auburn University Football Network and has made several appearances around the South as a public speaker.

White began his athletic days in the Bessemer area near Hoover playing youth sports before taking his skills to Davis Junior High School where his teams went unbeaten for 2 seasons in 1983 and 1984. His older brothers, Pat and Roger, played for Bessemer's Jess Lanier High School. However, at the time Stan was going into the 9th grade, Lanier was running the wishbone offense which didn't fit his passing talents. So he and his parents decided to move to Hoover where he could play for Berry and Coach Bob Finley who would utilize his skills more to his liking. He left many old friends but gained several new ones beginning that season of 1985.

During his sophomore year of 1986, Stan was the backup quarterback behind a highly touted senior transfer from Mobile. However, the Bucs struggled early to a 0-4 record. The struggles continued the next game against Mountain Brook and at halftime Finley decided to play his backup. The young skinny White did not disappoint as he led the Bucs from behind to a 24-17 win. They won 3 of their remaining 5 games. The season of 1987 turned out to be a 6-4 record and they didn't make the playoffs.

Going into the 1988 season, the Bucs returned a few defensive starters but only White on the offensive side as a starter. The Bucs began the season with 2 road losses. They rebounded with 2 wins against equally talented teams before losing another game on the road. They got on a winning track be defeating Vestavia at the first game held at the Met and proceeded to win their remaining 4 regular season games. In the playoffs, they won four straight before losing to powerhouse Vigor of Mobile in the state title game.

White gained several all star honors and was highly recruited before signing with Auburn. He redshirted his first year in 1989. In 1990, he gained the starting quarterback position as a redshirt freshman and started for 45 straight games through his senior year of 1993. His final college season was special as the Tigers went 11-0 and he was named permanent captain. He finished his career as Auburn's all-time leading passer with 8016 yards and was later named to Auburn's Team of the Decade for the 1990's.

He was signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 1994 and remained with the team until 1997 when was allocated by the Giants to the WLAF London Monarchs for a year. In 1998, he returned home to the Birmingham area. Although he played college and pro football, Stan still regards his high school days as a Buccaneer as very special and one game in particular-the Minor game in the state playoffs which Berry won 21-17 his senior year.

He explained, "The semi-final game at Finley Stadium that 1988 year was one of the most exciting games that Berry fans and players have ever been a part of. Against a superior team that manhandled us earlier in the year, we were able to come back and score a late touchdown against Minor to go to the state championship game. I've played against Alabama four times, I've played in Giants Stadium and in every NFL stadium in the league, but that game against Minor will always be one of the most precious memories I'll ever have."

Stan also attributes much to his former Buccaneer coach Bob Finley. "I've had the great fortune to have been coached and been involved with many respected people not only in our community but in the entire country. People such as Pat Dye, Pat Sullivan, Dan Reeves and Tony Dungy just to name a few. Coach Bob Finley had as much or more of an impact on me than any other coach I was involved with. His incredible work ethic, attention to detail, and sincerity towards his players showed what Bob Finley was made of."

Stan White was part of a long list of great Buccaneer players who went on to success in college and life afterwards.