RedskinsSuperBowl21 Posted October 18, 2008 Share Posted October 18, 2008 Redskin Running Back Bust Turns into Home Town Hero Redskin fans love their most recent UCLA draftee. That seventh round gift from the Bruins, Safety Chris Horton, has proven to be the jewel of the Washington draft class so far in 2008. He is tied for second in the league in interceptions, logged 10 tackles last week alone, and has become a force in the defensive backfield, already winning an NFL rookie of the week honor. Trivia time: Who remembers the last UCLA alum the 'skins picked before Horton? Hint: it was in 2005 and it didn't turn out nearly so well for Washington. That year the Redskins had two first round picks, which they used on Auburn's finest, cornerback Carlos Rogers and quarterback Jason Campbell. Both have blossomed this year—becoming genuine Redskin Heroes. The next man selected is no longer on the team—nor in football. Manuel White was a 6'2" 240-pound tailback who proved injury prone and ineffective in the pros. To add insult to ineptness, White was a fourth rounder, as the skins had traded away their second and third round choices. After a couple of unsuccessful years on the team, and a broken leg, he gave up football. White became an official Redskin "Bust." So...why bring up a guy who went from hometown hero to Redskin zero? Because Manuel White is once again a hero. No, he doesn't fight for Old DC, he puts it on the line out here on the Left Coast--near LA. How can that be? We all know the City of Angels has no pro football team—if you don't count USC. In football, White was an offensive specialist. His new job puts him both on the offensive, or when called for, defending against a relentless enemy. There's no more cheers from hometown throngs. Instead he's more likely to be hugged out by grateful local homeowners. (And he's not a Mortgage Bailout expert. ) And these are not three hour, once on Sunday outings. This week, for instance, White was at it for 48 hours straight. No stays in luxury hotels, either--he grabbed sleep when he could on the ground, or sprawled out over the tools of his trade. Not alone, of course. He was joined by hundreds of fellow members of LA's most appreciated heroes. White spent the week ready to defend a most precious possession belonging to people he'd never met before. He no longer takes it to the house, he saves the house--and the apartments and places of work. The former running back is now a Pasadena firefighter. Firefighters risk more than a blown out knee or broken limbs when they go to work. They quite literally put their lives on the line--and for considerably less pay and significantly less glory. Firefighters in LA and surrounding communities fought two major brush fires earlier this week that were at times propelled by wind gusts exceeding 80 MPH. As a news junkie who once briefly covered some fires, and who now watches the aerial and ground battles as avidly as a Redskin game, I can tell you Southern California firefighters are as good, and brave, and honorable as anyone gets. The interplay between ground units and aerial assets is as precise and coordinated and exciting to watch as any football play. White is a rookie at his profession, but the day may come when he will literally save lives. Said White to KABC-TV News, Wednesday: "This is my first time being deployed on a strike team. It's a learning experience for me…eyes open the whole night and just ready to go if the fire was to come our way." And while a great runner would have been oh-so-nice for the Burgundy and Gold, somehow I suspect this is one football bust who has moved on to a greater calling. http://www.nfldraftdog.com/NFL%20Team%20Columns/washington_redskins_nfl_team_col.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CRobi21 Posted October 18, 2008 Share Posted October 18, 2008 Wow. Good for him. He could never stay healthy when he was here with us, which seemed just like yesterday. I'm glad he's doing ok for himself now, and hope he remains safe when called to a job! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RIPSean Posted October 18, 2008 Share Posted October 18, 2008 Good to see he's done something with his life even though foorball didn't work out. I hope to one day be a fire fighter as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
georgiaredskin Posted October 18, 2008 Share Posted October 18, 2008 Nice article, thanks for sharing. Good for you, Manuel! You're getting your stars in heaven. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedskinDaddy Posted October 18, 2008 Share Posted October 18, 2008 Anything involving Redskins and UCLA alumni is a good thing in my book. Nice read. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dfitzo53 Posted October 18, 2008 Share Posted October 18, 2008 Good for him, but a frustrating article to read. He's not this... He's not this... He's not this... He's not this... He's not this... He's a firefighter! Seriously, stop trying to be the world's most incredible writer and just get to the point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squatch66 Posted October 18, 2008 Share Posted October 18, 2008 Good for him, but a frustrating article to read.He's not this... He's not this... He's not this... He's not this... He's not this... He's a firefighter! Seriously, stop trying to be the world's most incredible writer and just get to the point. haha i was saying the same thing to myself too. good for manuel to go into such a selfless calling as being a firefighter. hopefully he goes his entire career without major incident or injury. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fire3fighter4 Posted October 18, 2008 Share Posted October 18, 2008 Good for him...Firefighters are awesome. I think we should pay them all the same salary most NFL players get. :2cents: :thumbsup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cubanl81 Posted October 18, 2008 Share Posted October 18, 2008 Yeah happy his doing something good with himself. I was thinking the same thing about the article. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robotfire Posted October 18, 2008 Share Posted October 18, 2008 I have a hard time declaring a fourth round player a "bust". A bust is someone you expect to be awesome and then ends up being worthless. I never expected him to be awesome, and I can't help but wonder if he would have had value without the injuries. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkinsMaster88 Posted October 18, 2008 Share Posted October 18, 2008 I remember his scouting report. He had amazing stats in HS. "During his career, he rushed for 6,746 yards, fourth-best in California state history, averaged 7.8 yards per carry and scored 84 touchdowns ... He ran for at least 100 yards on 31 occasions and at least 200 in 16 games ... As a senior, he rushed for 2,515 yards on 302 carries and 38 rushing touchdowns, averaging 8.3 yards per attempt ... He also made 16 receptions for 196 yards and two touchdowns" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Califan007 The Constipated Posted October 18, 2008 Share Posted October 18, 2008 Kudos, Manuel :applause:... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Califan007 The Constipated Posted October 18, 2008 Share Posted October 18, 2008 Good for him, but a frustrating article to read.He's not this... He's not this... He's not this... He's not this... He's not this... He's a firefighter! Seriously, stop trying to be the world's most incredible writer and just get to the point. Seriously...I was getting frustrated while just trying to figure out who they were talking about lol ...I didn't need the hints and the guessing games. Just tell me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOVA2Tampa Posted October 18, 2008 Share Posted October 18, 2008 Good for him, but a frustrating article to read.He's not this... He's not this... He's not this... He's not this... He's not this... He's a firefighter! Seriously, stop trying to be the world's most incredible writer and just get to the point. +1 It was like hearing a woman talk... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ljs Posted October 19, 2008 Share Posted October 19, 2008 cool for him....never even remember the guy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leonard Washington Posted October 19, 2008 Share Posted October 19, 2008 Good story but poorly written. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIGGS_DADDY Posted October 19, 2008 Share Posted October 19, 2008 We could have had Chris Canty right now instead of that story. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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