RB James White retiring from NFL, says it was 'an honor to represent' New England Patriots

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — New England Patriots running back James White, a three-time Super Bowl champion, announced his retirement from the NFL on Thursday after eight seasons.

White, who re-signed with the Patriots on a two-year deal in the offseason, is on the team's physically unable to perform list. He suffered a hip injury last September that ended his season and required surgery.

White said in a statement posted to social media that «it has been an honor to represent my family, my teammates and the people of New England as a Patriot!»

A post shared by James White (@sweetfeet)

«Thank you to Mr. Kraft, Coach Belichick, and the entire Patriots organization for giving me the opportunity to live out my childhood dream. To be able to play my entire career for one franchise, in front of the best fans in the NFL, has been a tremendous blessing and honor,» he added in the statement.

White, 30, has spent his entire eight-year career with the Patriots, who selected him in the fourth round of the 2014 draft out of Wisconsin.

He played sparingly as a rookie in 2014 when the Patriots beat the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX, but quickly elevated into a key contributor from 2015-2020 — a stretch in which the Patriots played in three more Super Bowls, winning two.

«James White has always been one of the most reliable and dependable players on the field,» Patriots owner Robert Kraft said in a statement. «He's a soft-spoken leader who has led by example… As great of a player as James has been for us, he's an even better person. He is a man of great character and integrity and earned everyone's respect through his work ethic, professionalism and positive daily demeanor.»

His role as the pass-catching back in the Patriots' offense has