Shanahan said release of Roddy White ‘not personal’
Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan spoke for the first time since wide receiver Roddy White, the franchise’s all-time leading receiver was released.
Back in March, White's representatives blamed Shanahan for his release. Falcons coach Dan Quinn has vehemently denied that was the case.
“That’s part of our job,” Shanahan said Wednesday. “It’s something that’s a really tough situation. It’s probably the toughest thing in our profession that we have to deal with. Fortunately, I’ve been in the league long enough to have been through situations like that.
“Anytime that you have to move on from a veteran, especially one like Roddy, who’s been so good and has meant so much to the organization, it very rarely goes smoothly. You’re talking about a guy’s lively hood and stuff.”
Shanahan understood the connection and the finger-pointing by White’s agent.
“Things get somewhat personal,” Shanahan said. “I know it wasn’t personal. I’m not going to make it personal. I respect the hell out of Roddy. I understand the situation.
“It’s just a tough thing that we have to do. It’s a tough decision that the organization had to make. I hope as time passes, it can get a little easier. I do respect Roddy as a player and as a guy. I hope as time goes, he understands that.”
About the Author
Honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in recognition of his "long and distinguished reporting in the field of pro football," D. Orlando Ledbetter, Esq. has covered the NFL 28 seasons. A graduate of Howard University, he's a winner of Georgia Sportswriter of the Year and three Associated Press Sports Editor awards.
