Patriots Country

Keion White Explains 'Chill' Reaction to Patriots Drafting

Georgia Tech pass-rusher Keion White raised eyebrows with his subdued reaction to being drafted by the New England Patriots.

Richie Whitt

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From Domino's to Old Dominion to ... deep and dark?

Keion White's journey to the New England Patriots was one of the most fascinating stories over the NFL Draft weekend. Before the Georgia Tech defensive end was selected in the second round to be a ferocious pass-rusher in Foxboro, he delivered pizzas, played tight end at a tiny school and along the way developed a serious demeanor that was on full display.

When ESPN's cameras caught White's reaction to the news he had drafted by the Pats, he looked less like a player who was realizing his dreams and becoming an instant millionaire and more like a kid told to take out the trash before starting his homework.

As a first-round projection, White was invited to Kansas City. When he wasn't picked on Day 1, he returned home to Atlanta to watch Day 2 with friends and family.

In his first interviews with Patriots media, however, White said the reaction wasn't disappointment, but rather simply his demeanor.

“My phone’s going crazy so I haven’t even checked the notifications,” White said from Atlanta after being asked whether he’d heard from any New England players. “Like, I don’t know if y’all seen on TV, but I’m a pretty chill person. So, I’m not very explosive in excitement in any form. So, I’ve just kinda been taking it in.”

According to some NFL scouts, White's ultra-serious nature makes connecting with him challenging. More than his lack of experience - he's played only two full seasons on defense - his personality led to him dropping from first-round talent to the 46th overall pick.

Another mystery involving White seems to have solved as well.

Remember when Pats Nation - guilty - got into a tizzy over a photo of what appeared to be Bill Belichick and Robert Kraft looking at tape of North Carolina receiver Josh Downs?

Turns out it was true. Sorta.

If you look closer at at the still image of the computer screen, it is indeed Downs. But he's being tackled - chased down by a 6-foot-5, 285-pound defensive end - named Keion White.

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Richie Whitt
RICHIE WHITT

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