New Lions running back John White has suffered two season-ending injuries over the course of his six-year CFL career (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Chad Klassen

LIONS TRAINING CAMP

White hoping for first injury-free season in CFL with Lions

May 31, 2019 | 12:27 PM

KAMLOOPS — John White’s CFL career has been plagued by injuries.

While with Edmonton, White missed the entire 2015 season — the year the Eskimos won the Grey Cup — with a torn achilles tendon. He then tore his ACL two games into the 2017 season.

The running back has never played a full season in the league.

“Slightly frustrating, a little bit depressing because of two season-ending injuries, and possible career-ending injuries,” said White at Hillside Stadium. “I feel this level of ‘I have to get it done.’ I feel like my time is not done yet. I still have much more in the tank.”

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White, after five years in Edmonton, spent last season in Hamilton, but only suited up in seven games. He has followed his former Eskimos GM Ed Hervey to B.C. White sees this as a fresh start for his career.

He also feels the injuries, ironically, have helped him stay fresh.

“It definitely works to my advantage. I’m one of those guys, I play at a high level at any time, injury or not, so the injuries made me better,” said White. “They made me humble and made me appreciate the game a lot more.”

John White isn’t the first John White to play for the Lions. John Henry White, also a running back, played in B.C. from 1978 to 1987.

“I’m on Google looking up pictures of myself at camp, and then John Henry White pops up and I’m like ‘Man, who’s this? My uncle or something like that?’ I’m not sure. I posted it on [Instagram] and got a lot of comments and started looking up John Henry. Turns out he was a great back to play here. It’s just so funny we have the same name.”

White doesn’t exactly know how he fits into Jarious Jackson’s plans offensively. He and Brandon Rutley will likely share the touches as two different styles of runners.

“The plan is to feed him [White] and let him do his thing,” said Jackson, the second-year Lions’ offensive coordinator. “He’s a dynamic player with the ball in his hands — same with Rutley. First and foremost, [White] is great at protecting the quarterback. He’s not afraid to stick his nose in there and do the dirty work.”

Whether White plays a significant role in the Lions offense or not, he just hopes to play all 18 games for the first time in his career.