Falcons wide receiver Roddy White is closing in on becoming the 42nd player in the league history to reach the 10,000 yards receiving mark.
White needs 73 yards receiving when the Falcons face the Carolina Panthers at 1 p.m. Sunday in Charlotte.
White was a first-round pick by the Falcons out of Alabama-Birmingham in 2005. After a ragged start to his career, White developed in to a four-time Pro Bowler and perennial 1,000-yard receiver. He led the lead in catches with 115 during the 2010 season.
“There were a couple of bumps in the road at the beginning,” White said. “After going through that stretch of it, it’s been good. It’s been real good. It just speaks volumes for how consistent I’ve been over the last couple of years in this league.“
White also recognizes the team aspect that’s involved in reaching such a high plateau.
“It speaks to how good we’ve been as a team and the opportunity that has been there for me to make plays,” White said.
White passed former Falcons wide receiver Terance Mathis’ franchise record of 7,349 yards in 2012.
He broke Mathis’ franchise record with his 58th career touchdown catch against Baltimore on Oct. 19.
White needs three touchdowns to pass running back Michael Turner for most touchdowns in franchise history.
White, 33, who signed a four-year contract extension before the season, doesn’t think about retirement much.
“You never want to think about that when you’re playing football,” White said. “I think I can play 10 more years. You think about it and all of your accomplishments and the things that you’ve done in the league and every year, it’s a struggle. I just put on my hard hat and try to go to work every week.”
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