Steelers Receiver Cody White Details Unique Relationship With Front Office Father Sheldon White

It's a strategy that's worked so well, Cody said recently to Dale Lolley, a writer or the team's official website, that some of his teammates didn't even come to him until Week 16 in 2022 asking about it. They have family dinners and catch up usually on Thursdays or Fridays, but they keep their football lives detached from their family relationship for the most part. 

"We make sure we keep it separate," Sheldon said via Lolley. "I'm not a helicopter (parent) at all. I asked him, 'where are you living?' So, I can live somewhere else."

Cody also likes the idea of keeping a bit of a wall between the two worlds right now, but that hasn't always been the case. When his father was the Interim General Manager for the Detroit Lions in 2015, Cody was a junior in high school at Walled Lake Western High School in Detroit and reaping the benefits.

"Growing up, I was around some of the greats, watching Calvin Johnson, watching Nate Burleson, dudes like that," he said. "I got to see their work ethic, how they go about it. Seeing the guys that stick, how they do it. Seeing guys who are good but don't stick, seeing how they do it. You just pick up on things in football because of him, because I have been around it."

Steelers' Whites Taking Different Paths But Enjoying It Together

The younger White was undrafted in 2020 after compiling 1,967 yards and 12 touchdowns on 143 receptions in three seasons with Michigan State, where he joked he'd also got his dad a job. Sheldon had served as a consultant for the Spartans in 2016 after being relieved by the Lions and was hired full-time in May 2017 during Cody's freshman year. Despite keeping the professional and the personal separate, Sheldon realizes how unique the opportunity is. 

"Every moment is a special moment," Sheldon said. "I was able to do that at Michigan State. I look at college and pro football as bonus for any parent. I always tell people (at the high school level), 'Everybody just stop. You're missing the moment. Your kid is probably going to be playing just a little longer and you're missing the moment. If he plays in college, that's bonus.' This is a double bonus. Being able to be that close is special."     

Cody spent time with the Kansas City Chiefs, New York Giants and Denver Broncos in the 2020 offseason before landing in Pittsburgh. He's been on an off the practice squad since joining the franchise, but made his first-ever start in 2022 in a Week 12 Steelers win over the Indianapolis Colts. That was one of the even more memorable memories for both of them. 

"We're in Indianapolis and I told him, 'You might not think about this now, but when you're done, you started a game on Monday Night Football,' " Sheldon said. "That's pretty cool. The average is three years. You're in Year 3."     

Sheldon is also given some special privileges that the parents of most NFL players don't have. He can get film of any of his son's plays whether it be from practice, training camp or in games. There's one play Cody made that stands out for Sheldon from his impressive 2022 training camp showing in Latrobe that he'll pull up on a rough day to cheer him up. 

"As a dad, it's something you keep for your own," Sheldon said. "If I'm having a bad day or need a little break, I save that. You don't miss the moments. Enjoy it all."        

Cody realizes too just how unique it is to have his father following him on his path, even though they're taking different ones. And anytime he gets to put a smile on his dad's face is just an extra bonus. 

"Anything that can bring joy," he said. "He's able to watch me in practice, watch me throughout the day. It's just cool to have him around."

Steeler Nation, what do you think of this special father-son combo on the team? How do you share your love of the game with your dad?