A Quiet End to a Journey
The Chicago Bears announced on May 11 that wide receiver Squirrel White has been placed on the reserve/retired list, effectively ending his NFL career after a brief professional stint.
White’s college years were marked by resilience; at Florida State he contributed as a punt returner and occasional receiver while battling a series of injuries, and he earned a place on the All‑ACC Academic Team.
After three seasons at Tennessee, where he recorded 1,665 receiving yards and six touchdowns, White entered the 2026 NFL Draft and signed with the Bears as an undrafted free agent, appearing in ten games and catching five passes for 52 yards.
His reliability on special teams was evident in college, where he averaged 12.9 yards per punt return, a skill that initially attracted the Bears’ attention.
Hailing from Birmingham, Alabama, White balanced athletic pursuits with academic achievement, a combination that defined his collegiate identity and underscored his dedication both on and off the field.
Though his time in the league was short, White’s story reflects the perseverance of many undrafted players who carve out roles through special‑teams contributions and academic excellence.