Former Tennessee defensive end, who played 7 NFL seasons, dies at 48

Steve White, a sixth-round NFL Draft pick out Tennessee in 1996, has died. He was 48.

Tyoka Jackson, a former Bucs and Rams defensive lineman, shared on social media on Tuesday night that White had died.

He played 7 NFL seasons, and most of them were with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

White, who was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia eight years ago, announced in April that he needed a bone marrow transplant, the Tampa Bay Times reported.

“Hi. Many of you know that I have been dealing with a cancer (CLL) diagnosis over the last 8 years,” White wrote on Twitter. “I am now at a point where I need to go through a bone marrow transplant. It is something I knew would eventually have to happen since 2017 and now that day is actually here.”

#RIP to my road game roommate @sgw94. My condolences go out to his wife, children, family and friends. The memories, the fun, the conversations will never be forgotten. ??

— Tyoka Jackson (@Tyknowsfootball) August 31, 2022

Bucs Hall of Fame defensive tackle Warren Sapp said White was among the best teammates he had in Tampa Bay.

“He was the best,” Sapp said. “Smart, tough and willing to listen.”

Hi. Many of you know that I have been dealing with a cancer (CLL) diagnosis over the last 8 years. I am now at a point where I need to go through a bone marrow transplant. It is something I knew would eventually have to happen since 2017 and now that day is actually here.

— Stephen White (@sgw94) April 6, 2022