The man who traded his MVP trophy for a truck
In short: In the aftermath of one of the NFL's greatest comebacks, James White achieved a feat never before seen in Super Bowl history. Yet, despite being hailed by teammates and analysts as the game's true hero, he walked away from the highest individual honor to give it to his quarterback.
During Super Bowl LI, running back James White orchestrated a historic turnaround for the New England Patriots. After trailing 28–3 midway through the third quarter, White accounted for 139 yards from scrimmage—including 110 receiving yards, which remains the record for most receiving yards by a running back in a Super Bowl. He scored three touchdowns and a two-point conversion, totaling 20 points to lead the team to a 34–28 overtime victory.
White's performance was statistically unprecedented. He became the first player in Super Bowl history to record both a touchdown and a two-point conversion in a single game. Furthermore, his contributions helped the Patriots become the first team in 134 tries to win a postseason game after trailing by more than 17 points following three quarters of play. His role as a versatile threat was solidified during this era; he became one of only four running backs to surpass 500 receiving yards in the 2016 season.
Despite the overwhelming evidence for his dominance, Tom Brady won the Super Bowl MVP award. To express his appreciation, Brady handed over his MVP award—a pick-up truck—to White, a humble move felt throughout the league. This move was echoed by several commentators and fellow players, including Le'Veon Bell, who argued that White was the rightful recipient of the honor. White eventually retired in 2022 after an eight-season career defined by versatility, record-breaking catches, and high-stakes resilience.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: James White (running back)
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