Wide receiver Squirrel White appeared to have been handed an NFL career lifeline when the Chicago Bears signed him after he went undrafted last month.
But only 16 days later, the 22-year-old has abruptly retired from football.
A reason why has not yet been given but the ESPN reporter for the Bears, Courtney Cronin, said she saw him leaving the practice field with a trainer on Saturday and that he didn’t come back.
White played for FSU at college level in 2025, and had three seasons with the Tennessee Volunteers before that.
Last season, he recorded five passes for 52 yards in 10 appearances as well as featuring as a punt returner. For the Volunteers he played in 38 games, catching 131 passes for 1,665 yards and six touchdowns.
His real name is Marquarius but got the nickname ‘Squirrel’ from his great-grandmother, who joked about him copying the movements of a squirrel he saw in her garden when he was an infant.
Wide receiver Squirrel White has retired from the NFL, days after signing with Chicago Bears
But after a promising college career, it appears White is moving on from the game.
The Bears did, however, place White on the team’s reserve/retired list. It means that if he changes his mind in the future, the organization will retain his rights.
In the meantime, attention within the Bears organization on the new season is sharpening ahead of Thursday’s schedule announcement.
They could be in line to play in the first game of the season against Super Bowl champions Seattle Seahawks, too.
The Seahawks will host one of the Bears, Arizona Cardinals, New England Patriots or Los Angeles Chargers.
The Bears are widely expected to be the first opponent but official confirmation has not yet been given.