Whitner Becoming Bills' Team Leader

June 26, 2008

Entering his third season, Buffalo Bills safety Donte Whitner has come to be known as a team leader by Bills head coach Dick Jauron. Safeties are known for being leaders of the secondary and Whitner has not taken his role lightly.

In offseason workouts, Whitner took the Bills’ first-round draft choice in 2008, cornerback Leodis McKelvin (No. 11, Troy) under his wing to ease his NFL transition. Whitner even offered his home as a place for McKelvin to stay until he finds his own in Buffalo.

“When I came into the NFL two years ago, I didn’t know what to expect,” says Whitner, who was a first-round selection (No. 8) in 2006. “Leodis is a rookie in a similar situation that I was in. I know what he’s going through, so I want to help him get through the process as quick and as painless as possible.”

Whitner, who has a theater in the basement of his house, goes over the finer details of the Bills’ defensive scheme through one-one-one film sessions with McKelvin.

“Donte didn’t have to do this, but it shows what kind of guy he is,” says McKelvin. “It’s a great feeling to have guys on the team that care about you. He’s trying to help me learn my plays so I can get on the field faster.”