Kansas City, Mo. — Rachaad White had his long-awaited moment when he stepped into Arrowhead Stadium, just a short drive from his childhood home. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers faced off against the Kansas City Chiefs, where White had a chance to shine. While the Buccaneers ultimately fell to the Chiefs in a thrilling 30-24 overtime game, White’s performance was a highlight of the night. He made the most of his limited opportunities, turning one of his three carries into a 19-yard touchdown during the match, which was a dream come true for the 25-year-old running back.
Growing up in a challenging environment with three brothers and a single mother, White’s family struggled financially, which meant he never had the chance to attend a Chiefs game. Instead, he would recreate the action in his yard, envisioning himself evading defenders as he imitated his idol, Jamaal Charles. White’s athletic talent emerged early at Center High School, where he excelled in both basketball and football, solidifying his status as the team’s star player. Unfortunately, despite his skills, he did not receive any Division I scholarship offers, prompting him to join the Division II program at Nebraska-Kearney. However, his time there was initially disappointing, as he redshirted due to limited playing time. This led him to transfer to a junior college in California to pursue more opportunities.
His fortunes changed at Mt. San Jacinto College, where he truly began to excel and earned a scholarship to Arizona State University. His progression continued at ASU, and by the 2022 NFL Draft, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers recognized his talent and selected him in the third round. Returning to his hometown during the summer, White hosted a football camp for young athletes at Center High School, though he had yet to experience a game at Arrowhead Stadium until that fateful Monday night.
When Rachaad White scored in the second quarter, putting the Buccaneers ahead with a 7-3 lead, he celebrated by tossing the ball into the stands, sharing the moment with the fans. As the game progressed, both teams exchanged leads, with the Buccaneers initially going ahead 17-10 in the second half. The Chiefs clawed back with two fourth-quarter touchdowns, taking a 24-17 lead, only for Mayfield to orchestrate a late-game touchdown pass to Ryan Miller, bringing the game to overtime.
Despite White’s impressive night, his team did not get a chance to shine offensively in the overtime period. The Chiefs won the coin toss and took possession. Patrick Mahomes efficiently led the drive, completing all five of his passes. The decisive moment came when Kareem Hunt, after a strong rushing performance accumulating 106 yards, bulldozed his way into the end zone from two yards out, sealing the victory for Kansas City.