On the Field and In the Headlines
It's not often a player dominates two entirely different news cycles in the same week. For Georgia Tech defensive end Keion White, that's exactly where things stand.
The football first: White delivered a fourth-quarter sack of Sam Darnold in San Francisco's 32-29 road win over the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday — a pivotal contribution for a 49ers team that remains undefeated. It's also a meaningful personal statement. New England cut White last offseason when Mike Vrabel overhauled the Patriots' defense. Now he's making plays for one of the NFL's contenders, proving the door marked "former second-round pick" can still swing both ways.
Then the off-field news: On Wednesday, authorities announced that four men had been arrested in connection with the February shooting of White at a San Francisco nightclub during a Super Bowl party. Two of the four have been formally charged. White was wounded in the ankle during the incident — a party that, according to the LA Times, also involved rapper Lil Baby. That he's healthy, producing, and part of an unbeaten team eight months later is, by any measure, a remarkable arc.
Harrison Butker Gets His Flowers
While White was generating most of the GT buzz, Kansas City kicker Harrison Butker picked up a prestigious honor during the Chiefs' bye week — an induction into the Georgia Tech Athletics Hall of Fame. Butker, who has been one of the most accurate and decorated kickers in NFL history during Kansas City's dynasty run, was recognized by his alma mater before returning to prep the Chiefs for a Week 6 matchup against the Chargers.
Jordan Mason Watching the Clock
Over in Minnesota, former Georgia Tech running back Jordan Mason is trending toward a return after landing on injured reserve earlier this season. Multiple reports point to a potential Week 7 return. Mason had been a key piece of Minnesota's backfield — the Vikings grinded to 5-0 without him, a stretch that underscores both how good that team is and how much they want their Georgia Tech product back on the field.
Darren Waller, now a Panther, made a different kind of noise this week — sharing a freestyle rap video during Carolina's bye that drew, generously, mixed reviews from NFL fans. No stats to file there, but points for effort.
The headline of the week belongs to White, without question. A sack for an undefeated team and justice — at least partially — served for a crime that could have ended his season before it started. Not a bad seven days to be a Yellow Jacket in the NFL.
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