Bucs’ Devin White named NFC Defensive Player of the Week after poignant performance

Three days after his inspired performance in the Bucs’ 21-16 triumph against the Seahawks in Germany, Bucs inside linebacker Devin White has been named NFC Defensive Player of the Week.

White, who learned of the sudden death of his 45-year-old father while en route to the airport on Nov. 10, responded with arguably his best game of the season. The highlight: a third-quarter strip sack of Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith that Anthony Nelson recovered at the Bucs’ 13-yard line. Tampa Bay scored a touchdown on the ensuing drive for an 18-point lead.

White led the team with nine tackles, three quarterback hits, two sacks and the forced fumble. It was the sixth multi-sack performance of his career; his three quarterback hits were the most by any NFC linebacker in Week 10.

“I was really trying to focus on the game, because I know at the end of the day I’m the man with the mic in the middle; I’ve got to execute everything,” said White, who has won defensive player-of-the-week honors three times in his career.

“I’ve got to get all the proper calls in. I was just trying to keep a level head, but the minute I made a big play, I just knew I was going to honor (his father). It is what it is. I had my head on straight.”

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