Since he was drafted in the third round of the 2022 Draft, Rachaad White’s personality and character off the field is something that has stood out to Bucs fans just as much as his rushing and receiving ability on the field. That’s why it was no surprise when the 24-year-old running back was presented with a “Defender of Potential” award from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay on Friday afternoon.

Hosting the fourth annual Tampa General Hospital Strikes for Kids event at Pin Chasers Midtown to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters, White had the chance to interact with kids from the local community and provide them with what he called “positivity and belief.”

“I think it’s huge when it comes to the youth. They just need to see inspiration, guys that do the right thing growing up,” White said. “I think it’s huge for the kids to see some positivity, see some belief and have self-confidence to believe that they can be whatever they want to be in life.”

Bucs RB Rachaad White, his daughter Nevaeh and his big, John Waller Photo By: Bailey Adams/PR

That’s a message that comes from Rachaad White’s own experiences, as he took part in Big Brothers Big Sisters himself. After watching his older brothers go through the program and get to hang out with their “bigs,” he wanted to be like them. And while his time came and he received his match at eight years old, that was only the beginning of what has turned into a mentorship and friendship that lives on to this day.

White and his big brother, John Waller, are still connected. In fact, Waller was on hand Friday afternoon as White gave back to the local Tampa Bay community.

“He meant a lot. He really wasn’t still supposed to be here, but he’s still here, so that’s amazing,” White said with a laugh. “I think at a certain age or so, I’m not required to be with [him] anymore. [But] just building that connection, building that bond. Even him moving to Chicago when I was in middle school or so, it was just amazing that he kept [up with me]. My mom could call him, but she only called him a lot when I got in trouble. The speeches were funny, but just having that relationship, that bond, it was great. It’s great, it’s still awesome and still going today.”

Waller was a part of Rachaad White’s support system from early on, and he stuck with him long before he would go on to become the Bucs running back he is now. White was a no-star recruit out of high school, leading him to go the junior college route. Eventually, he made his way to Arizona State, where he ran for 1,006 yards and 15 touchdowns as a senior. That led him to the 2022 NFL Draft, which saw him land in Tampa Bay with the Bucs, who used the No. 91 pick to select him.

The whole way, Waller was there.

“He played a huge part in that. My older brothers, my family, my mom… It was just a good team, great foundation around me,” White said. “Family is huge to me, and when he came and stuck around, he became family to all of us in my family.”

Amid His Success, Rachaad White Wants To Lead The Younger Generation

Bucs RB Rachaad White poses with members of Big Brothers Big Sisters Tampa Bay Photo By: Scott Reynolds/PR

As positive of an impact as John Waller has made on him, Rachaad White wants to leave that kind of impression on the next generation. That’s what Friday’s event at Pin Chasers was about, as the Bucs’ No. 1 surely became the No. 1 for every kid in the building. He’s a starting running back in the NFL, but Rachaad White still plans to do things the right way and serve as an example for everyone.

“In life, that’s what it’s about. How can you inspire and impact someone else’s life?” White said. “That’s a big thing. You just wanna pass it down, show people the right way to do things, and even when you have a high level of success, you can still lead the younger generation.”

Rachaad White has been through a lot during his journey to the NFL, but one thing that stands out about him is his smile. It’s the same smile that John Waller says White had when he was just 8 years old. And now, the Bucs’ young running back is turning around and looking to put smiles on faces as much as he can.

“The biggest thing is the smile,” White said. “You can’t ever take away from a genuine smile. You can just see that you made that person’s day, so that’s the biggest thing about events like this and just in life in general.”