Motivation is a powerful tool. Like a force, it drives us forward in pursuit of our dreams. Unique and personal, one's source of motivation can take many forms. And for Bills first-round draft pick Tre'Davious White, the recent birth of his son has sparked within him a renewed and great motivation.
Photos of Buffalo Bills first-round draft pick CB Tre'Davious White on his first day at One Bills Drive.
A go-getter from an early age, White has always drawn inspiration from his family to help him achieve his goals. Determined and focused, White became the first member of his family to graduate from college. The feat, while remarkable and life-altering, was just one of many to come for White – in a very short period of time.
On Thursday, April 27, the first night of the 2017 NFL Draft, as White and hopefuls from around the country anxiously waited for their name to be called, the proven LSU cornerback was also awaiting the birth of his first child. A boy who would not only inherit his last name, but his first as well.
In what seemed like a blink of an eye, White went from the draft stage in Philadelphia to board a plane that would take him to Buffalo. Humble and grateful, White cherished every second of his first day at One Bills Drive – all the while knowing that in just a few short hours he would again find himself on a plane. Only this time it would bring him to Baton Rouge, La. to welcome his little boy.
As he sat anticipating his son's arrival, while still contemplating the promise of his new career, White was flooded with emotion. So much so, that he admittedly almost passed out.
"You know what? I was close [to passing out]," said White. "I had to leave the room for 10 or 15 minutes to get myself back together. Once I got myself back together I can tell you this. I was at the head of the bed, not the foot of the bed."
However, the pure joy of holding his son overshadowed anything else that he was feeling.
"…I have nephews and little cousins, I never held babies in that stage, when they're that little," said White. "The doctor, she sort of put me on the spot. She cleaned him up and swaddled him up and said 'here dad.' I had no choice but to grab him. I was extra cautious. I am used to it now. He doesn't want to be anywhere but on my chest to go to sleep."
Though it still feels surreal, White explained that he wouldn't have changed a thing about the whirlwind of a weekend that has changed his life forever.
"I can tell you this, it's been sleepless nights," said White. "You know the week of the draft, I didn't sleep at all. Then flying to Buffalo that morning, back to Baton Rouge and being in the hospital for two straight days, well four or five – it's been something I'll never forget [and] I wouldn't want it any other way."
Inspired by fatherhood, White is hoping that his accomplishments will serve as motivation for Tre'Davious Jr.
"I think it was something that I wanted to put that pressure on him," said White in explaining the reason behind his son's name. "His dad has a college degree, so he has to get a college degree at least…He has a standard now. He has to strive for something. That's all I wanted. I wanted to change that cycle of how my family was. I was the first from my family to graduate from college and I feel like everybody that is coming after me, they can strive to at least get a college degree and that's what I want my son to be. And my girl she is graduating from nursing school in a couple of months too, so it's going to be both parents that graduated from college."
Although he's only been a dad for a few short weeks, White has already noticed positive changes in himself.
"I always had a fire to be motivated and play for – something other than myself," said White. "But I feel like it just helped me with patience. I never for once had to just stay at home…but now I need sit there and be calm [and] be a dad. It's the best feeling ever. "
Proud and overjoyed, White shared a heartfelt message to his newborn son – his motivator.
"Daddy loves you," said White. "You're the best thing to ever happen to me, and the 11-12 days that you've been here, have been the best in my life. You're going to have a guy that is very accountable, he's never going to leave you, he's always going to be there and I'm going to be the best dad ever."
