Sorry I didn’t post a story last Thursday. I tried to line up enough guys in advance so I wouldn’t run out of subjects but summer plans take over and guys have obligations far more important than answering my questions. I have an idea for next week’s entry, but that’ll probably be it for the year since fall camp starts and OT season officially ends. We’ll see how it goes with the remaining responses I’m waiting on.
Previously: Clay Miller Tim Williams Mike Dames David Key Mike Reinhold
*********************

If I told you Harbaugh just beat out MSU and OSU for a 6’ 5” 4-star defensive tackle out of Ohio who could run like a rabbit, you’d probably be reading daily tweets and threads about this new star recruit. But if I also told you he weighed 213 pounds, you’d either think it was a typo or something was wrong. 213 pound defensive tackles don’t exist. Not good ones, anyway.  Well, it wasn’t a typo, and it’s exactly what Bo did. He snagged one of the best out of Ohio, and when heard that he landed the "skinny minny" from Dayton, he ran up and down the halls of the coach’s offices like he just won the lottery.

Brent White grew up in Dayton Ohio. He was a highly recruited athlete who was heavily pursued by his home state Buckeyes and George Perles’ Michigan State Spartans, among others. As the intensity of recruiting amped up, Brent and his family were feeling the pressure every day. Coaches would call the house or drop by the school, classmates would throw in their two cents, and co-workers of his parents would ask every day, “Where’s Brent going to school?” As you can imagine, it got to be a little too much.

All of the schools provided excellent opportunities and first class educations (some more than others, of course).  It was going to be a tough decision.  Brent always sort of assumed he'd end up at Ohio State.  It was a good school, great football tradition, and close enough for all his friends and family to see him play.

The pressure from everyone got to the point where Brent asked all the schools to take a step back for two weeks so he could gather his thoughts, talk it over with his family and make a choice. His dad fielded all the calls and acted as a buffer between Brent and the suitors. Despite his pleas, coaches from every school disregarded Brent’s wishes and continued to call. Every school except one. The only time Michigan called was when Mr. White requested a call on a specific day at a specific time. Sure enough, Bo dialed the phone at the exact moment. He didn’t speak to Brent. He only talked to dad to see how everyone was holding up. It was cordial, polite, respectful, and most of all, sincere. As Mr. White spoke to Bo, Brent asked if he could ask some questions of the old man. Bo obliged and the two had an excellent conversation about what Michigan could offer in terms of academics and life after football.

A couple days later, a snow storm would shut down schools in Dayton for the day. Brent woke up and had come to a decision. He phoned the two other schools that were finalists to thank them for their interest but he was choosing another school. One of the coaches wished him well while the other spouted off something about being able to do more for Brent than any other school and blah blah blah disrespekt. Brent then called the Michigan coaches office to inform him of his decision. Longtime executive assistant (and greatest lady of Michigan football) Mary Passink answered the phone and immediately recognized the caller. “Hi Brent!” (this was before caller ID). Mary got Bo on the line and Brent asked, “Do you still want me?” to which Bo replied, “Can I still get you?” When Bo got his answer he set the phone down and went up and down the coach’s hallway hootin and hollering to all the other coaches that they landed Brent White. It was one of those moments a person never, ever forgets.

There was one coach who was slightly less enthused about the new addition to the family. Speed, skill, technique, number of tackles, TFLs, sacks….. none of that matter to this guy as much as one glaring number: 213. Mike Gittleson was beside himself. A 213 pound defensive lineman? “Are you *&^%$#@ kidding me?” Mike didn’t wait until Brent got on campus before he launched into his crusade. He unloaded both barrels on him when he came for his official visit. “Who the hell are you? How can you possibly think you’re able to play in the Big 10? I’ve seen skeletons with more meat on them.” Mike Gittleson was an intimidating guy. To this day he scares the hell out of me. He could be a fun guy to be around after workouts but when it was time to go to work, that dude was all business. You did not want to be on his wrong side unless you enjoyed puking and being wobbly. Brent White was gonna be Mike’s pet project for the next 5 years.

Once Brent was on campus, Mike would stalk him before and after every practice. He’d wait for him outside the football building in his old, restored pickup truck. As we’d leave the building we’d warn Brent to take a side door to avoid Gittleson, who was ready to pounce. It was to no avail. As we came out the door, Mike would bark at Brent to “get in” and then he’d launch into another tirade about not gaining weight. I’m telling you, man, it was relentless. (If I’m being 100% honest, a weaker man probably would have quit).
Brent was able to find his way and slowly gain the necessary muscle and weight to be effective. His first game action was on special teams against Notre Dame. He was amped up to make a play. He was what they used to call the “wedge buster”. He came flying down the field and split two would-be blockers and made a bee line for Tim Brown. Brent’s eyes lit up as he put the cross-hairs on the eventual Heisman winner. As his adrenaline rose and the gap closed, White prepared for impact. Unfortunately, Brown was just a little more shifty and he was able to easily slip the tackle of the out-of-control gunner. The result was a 35 yard return for the Irish. The next day, as Bo reviewed the special team’s film, he scolded his young ham-and-egger for not knowing how to run properly. “You’d have done more good standing on the sideline.”

In the summer between his sophomore and junior year, Brent suffered a horrible accident while driving home from teammate and close friend, Matt McCoy’s house (RIP). It was late, and an old lady ran a red light and broadsided his car. As Brent woke up from emergency surgery, Bo stood over him with that glaring look. “Nothing good ever happens after 10 o’clock.” Brent tried to explain but Bo wasn’t keen to hear what happened late at night. After some sincere pleading and a few choice words, Bo was able to come around and find that compassion that he’s become famous for. He told Brent they’d get through it together and get him back on the field.

Over the course of his career at Michigan, Brent would be a part of 3 Big Ten Champion teams, 3 Rose Bowls, 3 Top 10 finishes, and ultimately become an 11th round draft pick of the Chicago Bears. The team would go a combined 48-11-2. He would graduate with a degree in Sports Management and Communications while trying his hand at pro football. After a training camp cut from the Bears, he went to Barcelona Spain where he led the Dragons in tackles for loss and sacks. He was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs (and reunited with former Wolverine teammates Mike Evans and Erick Anderson) but was cut after training camp again. From there he hooked up with the CFL expansion Sacramento Goldminers, then finished his football career in the Arena League with the San Jose SaberCats. Following football, he remained in northern California to take care of his young family.

He’s got two great kids with his ex-wife whom he still shares a strong relationship with. His daughter is one of those “left brain” types who enjoys art, music, and singing. She has a wonderful voice and performs with an ensemble that sings at various venues. She’s also taking guitar lessons.

His son is playing football at the junior college level, where he’s become a heck of a running back. He doesn’t have his dad’s size but he certainly has the talent and speed. Brent has coached football ever since he stopped playing. Although, not making it in the NFL was a little disappointing, he had an opportunity to suit up next to some of his childhoold idols – guys from the Super Bowl Champion 85 Bears who were still with the team when he got drafted in 1990.

Brent still resides in California where he recently took a position with a pharmaceutical device manufacturer. His experience at Michigan and beyond taught him how to effectively interact with people of different skill and communication levels. Everyone who ever played for Bo remembers his uncanny knack for dealing with different players from different backgrounds. One minute, he could help a freshman from the inner city, and the next, have a rip roaring conversation with a millionaire businessman from New York City. You can’t help but take certain things away from that.

Brent tells one particular story that he’s never forgotten and even made it part of his senior speech. While he was recovering from his surgery, he had to crutch on over to the stadium on game day from the training room at the practice facility. Back in those days, the stadium locker room was super small and cramped. There really wasn’t enough room for all the guys on the team. To help alleviate the cramp, some of the walk ons had to dress over at the practice facility and walked to the stadium. One of those guys was defensive back, Mark Gutzwiller. Mark was probably one of the smallest guys on the team -even some of the kickers were bigger. Anyway, while fans heaped encouraging words on the hobbled Brent, they weren’t quite so kind to short little kid walking over to the stadium in full gear. Some fans can be so goddamn cruel. They have no idea how much effort, toughness, and resolve it takes to go to practice every day against some of the best college players in the country, knowing you’re going to lose nearly every single battle, receive little to no recognition, AND pay for the privilege to do it. It takes a special person to do that.

As they reached the stadium, Brent asked Gutz if that happened often. With glassy eyes, Mark replied, “Every. Single. Time.”

That stuck with Brent for the remainder of his career. He apologized on behalf of those “fans” and vowed to use that experience as a learning lesson to never take anything for granted. “You don’t see the struggles of others until it hits you right in the face.”

That walk to the stadium still hits Brent right in his soul. Unless you see it in person, you’d never understand what each man goes through. Brent says that still inspires him. Think about that for a second. Few, if any, fans remember who Mark Gutzweiler is, yet here’s a heralded recruit and multi-year starter who was drafted by the Bears that still credits him for keeping him grounded and humble 25 years later.

There were a lot of other people Brent wishes to acknowledge. Coaches and teammates who helped keep his feet planted firmly on the ground while never taking anything for granted and always putting the team first. First and foremost is the late Matt McCoy. He and his family took Brent in while he recovered from his surgery. They were family and Matt was like a brother. Sadly, Matt was taken way too early from Lymphatic Cancer.  There's also 3 other important people in Brent's life who left this earth entirely too soon: Billy Harris, Trey Walker, and Vada Murray. Brent thinks of those 4 often.

Gerald "G" White took Brent under his wing as a young kid trying to find his way. JJ Grant, Bobby Abrams, Jeff Brown, Anthony Mitchell, Rick Hassell, Mike Hammerstein, TJ Osman, Tim Williams, Alex Marshall, and Warde Manuel. All close friends to this day, and all great Michigan Men who helped this skinny kid from Dayton Ohio become one of the Leaders and Best.

Those who stay…..

*********************
Brent played from 1985 to 1989 and wore #88

His favorite restaurant was Cottage Inn Pizza. I suspect it was because we used to get coupons for every Friday and Saturday night dinner because training table was closed.

The best dish he makes Chicken Spaghetti and chili.

Obviously he would let his son play football since he’s a defensive back for Sacramento City College. Thanfully the only inuries so far have been an ankle and a hand.

Front: Warde Manuel, Mike Teeter

Back: Brent, Mark Messner, John Hermann, Billy Harris, Dave Folkersma, Jack Walker

Trey Walker and Matt McCoy.  Rest in Peace, fellas.