Former Heisman winner Jason White gives up pro football

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) _ Former Heisman Trophy winner Jason White announced Thursday that he is ending his professional career. <br/><br/>White, who had been competing to be the third quarterback for the

Thursday, August 11th 2005, 12:19 pm

By: News On 6

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) _ Former Heisman Trophy winner Jason White announced Thursday that he is ending his professional career.

White, who had been competing to be the third quarterback for the Tennessee Titans, said he has the head and heart to play in the NFL but not the knees.

``It's always been a dream of mine, but certain things won't allow me to chase that dream,'' White said. ``It's kind of out of my hands at this point.''

White won the Heisman in 2003 and led Oklahoma to back-to-back BCS title games. He is Oklahoma's all-time passing leader with 7,922 yards and touchdown passes with 81.

He joined the Titans in May as an undrafted rookie after an audition with the Kansas City Chiefs did not lead to a contract offer.

White said he was still feeling the effects of reconstructive surgery on both knees while in college.

``I always had trouble, even in the summer, dropping back when practice wasn't every day,'' he said. ``Now that practice was every day it got to the point where one of my knees was super sore so I started favoring it with the other one. Then the other one started hurting. I took a couple of days off this week and it hasn't really changed.

He said he informed coach Jeff Fisher of his decision Wednesday night.