Raiders RB Zamir White Honors His Debt of Gratitude With a 15-Year Promise
Not every NFL story is written on the field. For Las Vegas Raiders running back Zamir White, one of the most meaningful chapters of his life has unfolded quietly off the gridiron.
Years ago, as a teenager growing up in poverty in Laurinburg, North Carolina, facing financial hardship and a challenging family situation, White nearly gave up on his dream of playing professional football. During this time, the family of a childhood friend stepped in. The friend’s mother not only helped cover essential expenses like sports equipment and tuition but also gave him something far more valuable: the belief that he could overcome adversity and succeed.
For many, it might have been just financial support. For Zamir White, it was a lifeline and an act of faith he vowed never to forget.
Since signing his first NFL contract, White has kept that promise. For five years, he has quietly sent
$10,000 every month to the family who helped him through his struggles. To date, he has given over $600,000, far surpassing the initial support he received.
“She didn’t just give me money. She gave me the belief that I could do something great,” White recalled. “I promised myself that if I ever made it, I’d make sure her family never had to worry again. And I’ll keep that promise for as long as I can.”
Even more surprising is that White’s childhood friend, the son of the woman who helped him, has been at every Raiders game, quietly cheering from the stands. Yet, this story of loyalty and unwavering support remained unknown to the public until now.
White has gone further to show his gratitude. He hired his childhood friend as a personal driver for his own family, a gesture to maintain their close bond and express his appreciation. For White, this isn’t just about repaying a debt—it’s about honoring those who believed in him when the world doubted.
Zamir White’s story is a testament to loyalty, gratitude, and the power of relationships that have shaped who he is today, both on and off the field.
Steelers Acquire Rival’s $58 Million Safety With DeShon Elliott Injured: Report
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ESPN's Adam Schefter reported the Pittsburgh Steelers have acquired New England Patriots safety Kyle Dugger.
The Pittsburgh Steelers wasted no time filling the hole created from DeShon Elliott’s injury.
Schefter posted on X the Steelers agreed to send a 2026 sixth-round pick to the Patriots for Dugger and a 2026 seventh-rounder.
The Patriots signed S Kyle Dugger to a 4-year, $58M deal just last year, but that was before Mike Vrabel arrived with his new defensive scheme.
Dugger has started 69 games and recorded 9 INTs in his career.
https://t.co/RoQsh7lW1v— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 28, 2025
The Steelers traded for Dugger just hours after the team reported signed veteran safety Darrick Forrest to the practice squad.
Head coach Mike Tomlin
The knee injury initially appeared to be significant. Tomlin referred to the starting safety as week-to-week.
The Patriots traded Dugger less than two seasons into the four-year, $58 million extension he signed with the team before 2024.
Steelers Acquire Patriots Safety Kyle Dugger
On Tuesday, Tomlin left open the possibility of Elliott not landing on injured reserve because of his knee issue. Whether that’s the case or not, the Steelers are clearly not taking any chances.
With Dugger, Tomlin’s defense has added an experienced, veteran starter. As Schefter indicated, Dugger fell out of favor in New England under new head coach Mike Vrabel.
At the end of the Bill Belichick era and under Jerod Mayo,
Dugger also played 44% of the Patriots’ special teams snaps before the trade.
Last season, Dugger lined up for 90% of New England’s defensive snaps in 13 contests. He played a career high 1,115 defensive snaps (98% of the team’s defensive plays) during 2023.
How Quickly Will Dugger Play for Steelers?
The Steelers adding two safeties Tuesday could be an indication they expect Elliott to miss significant time. If that’s the case, the Steelers defense will lose a safety that has experienced success in his career as both a run stopper and pass defender.
Tomlin addressed what the team will lose without Elliott, who will at least miss Week 9 against the Indianapolis Colts.
“He’s a significant component of what we do, particularly relative to some of the things that Indy does well,” Tomlin told reporters Tuesday. “He is a central figure in our secondary in terms of run defense for example. He covers tight ens in passing circumstances, so certainly, we have some adapting to do in terms of how we divide the labor up this week.
“But that’s always the case when you lose someone, particularly someone significant. It’s not a one-person job. It’s a multiple-person job.”
The Steelers likely see Dugger as a potential starter replacement for Elliott. But given those Tomlin comments (which were made before the trade), Dugger is probably not going to step right into Elliott’s role in less than a week.
As Dugger learns the Steelers defensive system, the team will probably lean on Chuck Clark and Jabrill Peppers to play next to Juan Thornhill at safety.
In 81 career NFL
His best statistical season was in 2023 when he had 109 combined tackles, seven pass defenses, 1.5 sacks and two interceptions.
