FORT WORTH, Texas – From his legendary days at DeSoto High School to his decorated time as a TCU Horned Frog, Desmon White has always been a football player. But once his NFL dreams didn’t materialize, he was left at a crossroad.
What You Need To Know
- Desmon White is a former TCU football player. In his final game as a Horned Frog, he accounted for three total touchdowns to help lead TCU to an 18-point comeback against Stanford in the 2017 Alamo Bowl
- Des didn’t receive a single phone call from the NFL. So he took his talent up north to play in the CFL. After he was released, however, Des was in a limbo of what to do next
- Des found a local gym to stay in shape for football. After a sparring session, he was hooked on the sport of boxing. Des also coaches football and track & field at Brewer High School
- Des is 1-0-1 in his professional boxing career
“It’s a dark place, man. I really didn’t know what to do,” he said candidly. “I’ve been playing football my whole life. Playing in the NFL is something I thought I’d be doing right now. That was one of my dreams. Once it didn’t happen, I’m not going to lie, it sent me back. I cut off ties with some of my friends. Didn’t really want to talk to nobody. But boxing brought me back to life.”
FHG boxing coach Antonio Guajardo saw what very few didn’t: Des’ raw, powerful potential.
“He’s gifted, he’s determined, he’s strong and he hits like an ox,” Guajardo said. “I told him now it’s time to go shine. You didn’t get your opportunity at that other level but you were meant for this one.”
“I’m quick, I’m an athlete, I’m elusive,” Des said with a smile. “I got power too from lifting weights my whole life. That’s what a lot of fighters tell me is that I hit hard.”
Boxing was never on the Desmon White bingo card. Stepping inside the ring just happened organically when he came to the gym to stay in football shape, but he left wanting to throw hands. After he got a taste for it in a sparring session, there was no going back.
“I’m behind compared to the guys who have been boxing since they were kids,” said Des. “But once we get in the ring, I don’t even think about that. It’s about competing. It’s me or you. I train and work hard.”
And he does it all while coaching football and track at Brewer High School.
“During football season, I was up at 5 a.m. to coach the freshmen football team. I’d go through a full day of school. Then when school was over, I’d go right to the gym.”
All that preparation led to him dominating his second professional fight in front of his friends and family.
“That felt good for my second fight. Can only go up from here,” he said. “And to do it in front of them, that’s love. We always here for one another so just to have their support pushes me a lot.”
The win propels Des to a bright future in the ring.
“It’s a start,” he said. “Anything I do, I’m going to give it my best. That’ll be competing for a world title. Hopefully that day will come because I’ll be ready for it.”