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Northwestern DB Retires After Learning He Has Only 1 Kidney

By Phil Watson

Aug 31, 2013; Berkeley, CA, USA; Northwestern Wildcats head coach Pat Fitzgerald speaks with cornerback Dwight White (2) after allowing a touchdown catch by the California Golden Bears during the third quarter at Memorial Stadium. The Northwestern Wildcats defeated the California Golden Bears 44-30. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 31, 2013; Berkeley, CA, USA; Northwestern Wildcats head coach Pat Fitzgerald speaks with cornerback Dwight White (2) after allowing a touchdown catch by the California Golden Bears during the third quarter at Memorial Stadium. The Northwestern Wildcats defeated the California Golden Bears 44-30. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dwight White, who started six games at cornerback for Northwestern in 2013, has retired from football after his family learned he has just one kidney.

Northwestern cornerback Dwight White announced he is giving up football after learning earlier this year he had been born with just one kidney.

According to the Chicago Tribune, White learned in June of the condition—called renal agenesis—when he went to see a doctor about some abdominal pain he had been experiencing.

The pain turned out to be not a big deal, but the doctor asked White an odd question at the end of the visit:

"“Are you aware you have only one kidney?”"

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It was the first White had heard of it and his mother, LaWanda was apoplectic at the news, wondering how it was possible they had never been told before.

But kids are only tested when there is a health issue and White was, by his mother’s admission, an extremely healthy child.

"“I don’t think he ever even had a sprained ankle,” White’s mother said. “An ear infection was the most Dwight had as a baby.”"

The doctor told White he would be fine, so long as he stopped playing football.

White will continue his education at Northwestern.

Through the university, White said:

"“This football family is part of who I am and that won’t change with this decision I’ve had to make for my long-term health. It hurts knowing I will no longer wear my family name across my back and Northwestern across the front of my jersey on a national level, but I will always support my friends and my second family on and off the field.”"

Coach Pat Fitzgerald said he was disappointed for the program to lose White.

"“We love Dwight and we’re proud to have him as part of the Wildcats football family. It’s disappointing to lose a great teammate from the field but I’m excited he’s able to remain involved in the program and I’m looking forward to his continuing development as a student, a leader and a professional at Northwestern.”"

As a redshirt freshman in 2013, White played in 12 games—starting six—and had 26 tackles, two passes defensed, a tackle for loss and an interception.

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