SEATTLE (AP)—The uncle for running back LenDale White says his nephew is “confused” and “broken up” over the Seahawks’ decision to unexpectedly waive the running back just weeks after a draft-day trade that brought him to Seattle from Tennessee.
Herman White told The Associated Press in a phone interview Friday night that he had been speaking with the former USC star throughout the day.
“I have no idea what happened.”
The uncle said he does not know what’s behind a report that White was facing a four-game suspension for violating the league’s drug policy. He said he was due to speak to the Titans’ former leading rusher later Friday night or Saturday to find out more.
“He was surprised,” Herman White said, adding LenDale told him this week how great his second NFL chance was going with his former college coach, Pete Carroll. “I’m pretty shocked, based on what he’s been telling me.
“His emotions and all … he wasn’t doing good (Friday).”
Seahawks general manager John Schneider announced the surprise move just over a month after he traded a couple of lower-round draft picks for White and defensive tackle Kevin Veickerson.
“It became apparent at this time that LenDale was not ready to be a member of the Seattle Seahawks,” Schneider said.
He did not elaborate.
NFL Network, citing unidentified sources, reported that White was “likely” facing a four-game suspension.
“We have not announced any such suspension,” league spokesman Greg Aiello told the AP Friday night. “I have no other information on it.”
The list of players enrolled in the league’s substance-abuse program for a prior incident, and therefore subject to discipline, is confidential.
The 25-year-old White set touchdown records and won two national championships with Carroll at USC. He was seemingly getting a second chance as a pro in Seattle—maybe to even become a starter again—while being reunited with his college coach.
Issues with weight, work ethic and the emergence last season of Chris Johnson cost him his job with the Titans.
“I was a lot younger in my mind, honestly,” White said Monday of his early seasons in the NFL. “I put myself in a lot of situations.”
Now he’s in another one.
“He understands what position he’s now in,” Herman White said. “He’s got to recommit to rectify what’s happened.”
The Seahawks gave up on White after he had only limited chances to display his work ethic—and months before he was even going to put on full pads. He participated in just one minicamp and a handful of organized team activities on the practice field before the team waived him.
White had lost more than 45 pounds over the last year and a half. He was down to 220 in his brief stay with the Seahawks.
White said he wanted to get back up to 228 pounds for this season. Seattle’s starting job seemed within his reach as Carroll opened every position to competition.
He missed one day of organized team activities this month. He said on Monday there was some “family stuff I had to take care of.
“I think in the last six months I’ve grown up a lot more,” he said.
Agent Drew Rosenhaus did not return phone and e-mail messages.
Earlier this week, White said he felt great. He again thanked Carroll for rescuing him from his dead end in Tennessee.
“Going from ‘SC, back-to-back national championships to not playing at all, it’s a life-changing thing,” White said Monday. “But I’m still here. Pete gave me another chance. I don’t think I’ve been this healthy since I was 18 years old.”
Carroll had said Monday that the team would see how everything fit together with White.
“He’s got a long ways to go to get back in here with this club, but we’re going to certainly wait it out and see how it does,” he said.
The wait lasted all of four days.
“It just did not appear to be the right fit at this point in our program,” Schneider said. “We wish LenDale all the best with his future.
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