Jason White Seeks Return to Gridiron

by Senior Editor Joe Huff
Norman, OK (LTP) - Sources close to both parties indicate that Sooner great Jason White has indicated he wishes to come out of retirement and return to the gridiron in 2008.

A person close to the situation spoke with Coach Bob Stoops earlier today about Jason’s desire to return to the Sooners. The Sooners were very pleased with how Sam Bradford performed last year, and are hesitant to disrupt Bradford’s continued development by welcoming the legend back to the program. White has been out of football for several yeas now, and the Sooners offense has evolved around quarterbacks that can get from the couch to the refrigerator without aid from a roommate or spouse. Coach Stoops is on vacation, and intends to speak with Jason when he returns.

Several media outlets reported Jason sent a text message to athletic director Joe Castiglione this weekend expressing interest in coming back.

White would not respond to numerous interview requests for this story. Many close to the situation say he looking to improve upon his legacy. Although the Sooner fought back from debilitating injuries to both knees, and holds most Sooner passing records, many Sooners are quick to forget about his Oklahoma pedigree, the Heisman trophy and gritty determination. Those same fans are quick to remember his 0-2 record in BCS national championship games, capped off with a three interception, two touchdown performance in a 55-19 loss in the 2005 Orange Bowl.

Jason has completed an application for job as window washer at Big Red Sports and Imports, which is a formality in the process for Sooner footballers to be reinstated to the program. Big Red Sports and Imports indicated an application was provided to the Sooner legend, but receptionist Jarrod Reese indicated it has not been returned to the Human Resources department for consideration.

If Jason is to take this pivotal step toward his return, the Sooners will be faced with a public relations and strategic dilemma. Their options appear to be: a) clear room in the graduate program for Jason to pursue his PhD in kinesiology, where his thesis would be. “Knees, Overrated”; b) discourage White from pursuing his doctorate; c) release him from his scholarship, which would free Jason up to pursue his PhD at another university.

One of the Sooners biggest fears is that should they release him he would return to the field as an Oklahoma State Cowboy, taking advantage of the new athletic facility funded by corporate raider Boone Pickens.

One unconventional scenario the Sooners are rumored to be considering is bailing Jamelle Holieway out of jail in Eufaula, bringing him to Norman to dine with Jason, and getting both of them arrested. Some Sooner insiders believe this would be enough to discourage Jason from returning to the program for a seventh year.

College football writer N. Somnia contributed to this report.