On Tuesday, the Bills activated Pro Bowl cornerback Tredavius White from their physically unable to perform (PUP) list. White, who has been sidelined since breaking his ACL last Thanksgiving against New Orleans, has been practicing with the team for the past few weeks, but qualified for Sunday’s game with the Jets.
While the Bills and their fans are eagerly awaiting the cornerback’s return to the field, White himself is trying to make his comeback one day at a time.
“It feels so good to be with my teammates,” he said after Wednesday’s practice. “It’s been a blessing. It’s been a long road. It’s just a blessing to be moving around.”
Head coach Sean McDermott, who calls White his day job, didn’t rule out the cornerback after seeing his snap against the Jets on Sunday. , taking a long-term approach towards his recovery.
“I basically had to rebuild my body from scratch,” White said. It was a different challenge. That’s what I wake up to every day ready to kick that ass…so it’s no surprise to me when I come back and perform well. The effort you put into this rehab, and the blood, sweat, and tears, they know.”
But White has been open about how hard the rehab process has been for him, not just physically, but mentally.
“Whenever I get hurt, I think it’s mental,” he admitted. “The first few months were a very difficult, very depressing time. I was locked in my basement. The facility had to drag me out. The first few weeks were tough.”
For White, being out of injury for so long felt like He was forced to live another life for a while.
“It was the first time I’d ever had an experience like this. I’ve been playing soccer, basketball, track and field for the last 20 years, since I was six or seven. This is the first time I’ve had to sit down. It gives me a different perspective.” It gave me more than just knocking down passes and intercepting balls.For the first time in my life I sat down as Tredavius White.”
That led White to ask himself what he could bring other than his talent on the field.
“What more could I offer people? I started reading and entered another space. has more to offer people than football.”
Recovery time hasn’t always been easy, but White has been able to spend more time with her family and loved ones.
“I was able to take my son to school and do things I wouldn’t be able to do if I was playing football normally,” he said. “I got to spend time with my little guys, my two little boys…My kids are the best thing for me. It was hard for them to see me. I got through it, every day, good days and bad days, I see them walking through that door and I’m still a dad and they still love me.
Even one step closer to a comeback, White still has his sights set on recovery. Getting to where I am now. There is still a long way to go, but I am looking forward to it. “
If he can step onto MetLife’s field against the Jets, the next step toward full recovery could come Sunday.
“It’s going to be great. I’m sure my teammates will be more excited than I am. I haven’t been in a game since November 26th or 24th (it was November 25th). It’s been a while. I’m looking forward to it. I’m looking forward to it.”
