Quick Facts
LeoBiography
Stylez G. White (born Gregory Alphonso White, Jr. on July 25, 1979) is a former American football defensive end. He was drafted by the Houston Texans in the seventh round of the 2002 NFL Draft. He played college football at Minnesota.
White was also a member of the Minnesota Vikings, Atlanta Falcons, Tennessee Titans, New Orleans Saints, Washington Redskins, Chicago Bears, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Orlando Predators.
Professional career
College career
White left New Jersey to attend the University of Minnesota. White played for the Gophers from 1998-2001; recording 132 total tackles and 11 quarterback sacks. He led the team with eight tackles-for- loss, five quarterback sacks and five forced fumbles his senior year and earned honorable mention All-Big Ten by both the coaches and media. White played defensive end and line backer which is what he was known for in college. White was drafted in the seventh round of the 2002 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans.
Orlando Predators
In January 2006, White signed a contract to play for the Orlando Predators of the Arena Football League. In his 2-year stint in Orlando, White compiled 17 sacks, including an AFL-record 15 in 2007. He was named the ADT Defensive Player of the Year in 2007.
Second stint with Buccaneers
After the Predators were eliminated from the 2007 playoffs, Head Coach Jay Gruden (the younger brother of Tampa Bay Buccaneers Head Coach Jon Gruden) recommended White to the Buccaneers head coach, who promptly invited him to training camp with the team.
After making the cut at training camp, White was instantly thrust into the limelight on the Buccaneers defensive line. The release of veteran Pro Bowl end Simeon Rice shortly before the start of the pre-season, injuries to free agent acquisition Patrick Chukwurah and the fact that top five 2007 NFL Draft pick Gaines Adams was deemed not ready led to White seeing extended playing time on the field.
In the game against the Atlanta Falcons in November 2007 White turned in a career performance. Starting opposite fellow rookie Adams, he sacked Falcons QB Byron Leftwich twice and forced two fumbles, one of which was returned for a touchdown by Ronde Barber. The Bucs won the game 31-7 to take a 2-game lead at the top of the NFC South. After the game, Coach Jon Gruden was quoted as saying:
"Every time he makes a play, I can hear my brother up in the press box saying: 'I told you so.' But he's a good kid, a good guy, a hard worker, and he does have natural pass-rush ability. He's raw a little bit in terms of the big picture, but I give a lot of credit to Greg White. We got him late in training camp, and he's made a real impression on all of us."
An exclusive-rights free agent in the 2008 offseason, White signed his one-year, $370,000 tender offer on July 26. White later signed a new three-year, $2.845 million contract on September 15, 2008. He can make more money on incentives. White will become a free agent in 2011.
Minnesota Vikings
On August 22, 2011, White signed with the Minnesota Vikings. He was released on September 2, 2011.
Virginia Destroyers
White was signed by the Virginia Destroyers of the United Football League on October 12, 2011.
Personal life
On December 15, 2008, it was revealed that the Hillsborough County Circuit Court had approved White's request to legally change his name from Gregory Alphonso White, Jr. to Stylez G. White. According to White, the inspiration for the change came from a character in the 1985 Michael J. Fox film Teen Wolf.