Northwestern CB Dwight White learns he has only one kidney, retires
Northwestern cornerback Dwight White started six games as a redshirt freshman in 2013 and was expected to make an impact for the Wildcats defense in 2014 until one trip to the doctor changed everything.
According to the Chicago Tribune, White learned in June that he had only one kidney. Thursday, four months after the discovery, White officially decided to retire from football.
“Being a member of the football program at Northwestern University has been a huge blessing,” White said in a statement. “This football family is part of who I am, and that won't change with this decision I've had to make for my long-term health. It hurts knowing I will no longer wear my family name across my back and Northwestern across the front of my jersey on a national level, but I will always support my friends and my second family on and off the field.
“As I get older, I will be able to look back on this decision and feel good about the time I have had here as a student-athlete. I'm so grateful to be here at Northwestern where I'm able to continue my education at this prestigious University. I would like to thank my family, friends, coaches, teammates and especially the Northwestern Sports Medicine staff for all of their support."
After the discovery, which affects an estimated one in 750 children, White and his parents met with many medical professionals and decided he could continue to play. That decision eventually changed when White “took a blow from a teammate during practice” and was rushed to the hospital. Doctors discovered that White had blood in his urine stemming from a kidney contusion.
Though the decision was difficult, after further consulting with his parents, coaches and medical professionals, White decided to retire. Tory Lindley, Northwestern’s head athletic trainer, said the kidney bruise “left doubt in White’s mind.”
“In our world,” Lindley said, “a doubt means no.”
When White saw the fear his mother had at the idea of him returning to the field, it was a “wakeup call” that helped him make his decision.
“We were trying to think of a way to keep me on the field. But when I saw it was hurting other people, that was a wakeup call,” White said. “I saw my mom break down a little bit.”
White is on schedule to graduate in June 2016 with a degree in Communications and will remain on full scholarship. He’s now helping the football program with its recruiting and marketing teams by designing digital posters.
"We love Dwight and we're proud to have him as a part of the Wildcats football family,” head coach Pat Fitzgerald said. “It's disappointing to lose a great teammate from the field but I'm excited he's able to remain involved in the program, and I'm looking forward to his continuing development as a student, a leader and a professional at Northwestern."
For more Northwestern news, visit WildcatReport.com.
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Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
