Card: Upper Deck College Legends 2011
Acquired: EBay, 2020

It’s an interesting footnote that Jason White is the last Heisman Trophy Winner since the 40s not to be drafted to play professionally in the NFL. Largely though, most of his accomplishments are embodied in his college career, where he won the National Championship in 2001, and then he later won the Heisman in 2003, and multiple other trophies and accolades throughout his playing time in both 2003 and 2004. Much of White’s lack of NFL interest could be attributed to his injury history, pertaining to his knees, losing both his 2001 and 2002 campaigns largely to ACL injuries.

Jason threw for 3,846 yards on 278 of 451 passing, with 40 TDs to 10 interceptions in his Heisman season of 2003. He attempted to become one of the rare back to back Heisman winners in 2004, throwing for 35 TDs and 3,205 yards- but ultimately lost out to Matt Leinart.

Although going undrafted, Jason eventually was signed by the Tennessee Titans, but thanks in part to his injury history opted not to play. Jason continues to stay close to the sport. He has run a memorabilia and a shoe store for sometime, and his alma mater has honored him with a bronze statue on campus. Eventually Jason has expressed a desire to go into coaching. Largely however, White has flown under the radar.

I like this set, not only because it has a lot of great players in it otherwise not covered, but because it’s really a companion piece to me of Upper Deck Legends 1997. This card didn’t set me back any to acquire, which was surprising because Jason was a Heisman winner.