NFL player's devastating family tragedy hours before game
New England Patriots running back James White was inactive for Sunday's NFL game against the Seattle Seahawks following the death of his father.
Tyrone White, a captain with the Miami-Dade Police Department, was killed in a car crash on Sunday, while his mother Lisa was in critical condition.
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“I'm extremely saddened after learning of the passing of MDPD Captain Tyrone White earlier today as a result of an off-duty traffic crash in Broward County,” Miami-Dade Police Department Director Alfredo Ramirez III posted on Twitter.
NBC reported that Patriots owner Robert Kraft had offered to fly White to Miami but the 28-year-old elected to remain with the team in Seattle.
Sad news to report. Patriots' RB James White's father was in a car crash today and did not survive. His mother was also in the car and is in critical condition.
White's father, Tyrone, was a captain with the Miami-Dade Police Department.
James was told and is inactive tonight.— Andy Slater (@AndySlater) September 20, 2020
NFL world in shock over Tyrone White’s tragic loss
Messages of support poured in for White before the game.
Tampa Bay quarterback Tom Brady, who played with White for six seasons at New England, said he was heartbroken for his “forever teammate”.
Patriots safety Devin McCourty, who returned an interception for a touchdown on the Seahawks' opening drive, held up two fingers in the air and then eight as he referenced White's jersey number, saying, “28, we love you bro.”
Seattle’s Russell Wilson, quarterback for the Patriots’ opponent and White’s teammate at Wisconsin, also sent a message of support.
“My heart is heavy because one of my teammates, James White, from Wisconsin, one of the nicest guys, teammates, one of the hardest workers, one of the best people I know, had a tough one,” Wilson said to NBC’s Michele Tafoya.
“My heart’s been heavy all day thinking about him ... James, I’m praying for you man if you can hear me.”
Praying for you bro @SweetFeet_White 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
— Russell Wilson (@DangeRussWilson) September 20, 2020
Many more of White’s former teammates in New England and Wisconsin, plus some other NFL players, took to Twitter to support White.
Former Patriots quarterback Brady was particularly effusive about a running back who caught many of his passes in the last six years.
“There are few people that come into your life that do EVERYTHING the right way,” Brady tweeted.
“James is one of them. Kind, gentle, loving, fiercely competitive and hardworking.
“His parents raised an amazing son. And we are all grieving with James as he is going through this difficult time. Love you my friend.”
James is one of them. Kind, gentle, loving, fiercely competitive and hardworking. His parents raised an amazing son. And we are all grieving with James as he is going through this difficult time. Love you my friend
— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) September 21, 2020
Terribly saddened to hear such heartbreaking news @SweetFeet_White.
We’re all thinking about you tonight.
🙏🏼🙏🏼— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) September 21, 2020
Praying for the family of James White. 🙏🏾
— Patrick Peterson /P2 (@P2) September 21, 2020
Prayers up for James White and his family 🙏🏿
— Torrey Smith (@TorreySmithWR) September 20, 2020
White, in his seventh season with the Patriots, has won three Super Bowls.
with Yahoo Sports US and agencies