But the triple premiership star’s Lions legacy may yet live on through his children who are beginning to show promising signs among Queensland’s junior football ranks.
Despite their keen involvement in basketball, White’s two oldest sons - 14 year-old Darryl Jnr and 13 year-old William - are also part of the Hyundai Lions Academy program which aims at developing local AFL talent.
White said sport plays a big role in his boys’ lives.
“They’re State basketballers and State athletes, but they’ve also been in the Lions development program,” White told The Courier Mail last month.
“They’ve kicked a footy since they were three, so they’ve definitely got the skills.”
Darryl Jnr is currently representing the Queensland State team at the AFL Indigenous KickStart U15 championships on the Gold Coast, with his father presiding over him as coach.
Part of the State team selection process included a two-day camp for Indigenous hopefuls at Yeronga where injured Lions player Xavier Clarke helped conduct a leadership session.
Hyundai Lions Academy Manager Luke Curran and Academy Coach Ben Dyer were also involved in the camp’s skills and fitness testing last month, and got to witness first-hand the potential future Father/Son selections.
“Darryl Jnr has very good hands and awareness of what’s around him,” Curran said.
“He’s very good at putting his team-mates into a good position, which might stem from his involvement with basketball.”
“William’s a year younger, but is already taller than Darryl Jnr. At 6’1, he’s a good overhead mark and has nice right foot skills.”
“The boys generally play basketball in summer and then get stuck in football during the winter months,” he said.
“Being part of the Academy provides both boys with a good opportunity to potentially follow a pathway into the AFL with the Lions.”
