Steelers News

Steelers Exec to Attend NFL GM Accelerator Program

Published

5 months ago

December 7, 2023

Pittsburgh Steelers director of pro scouting Sheldon White has been selected to attend the NFL front office and general manager accelerator program, the league announced on Thursday.

The NFL will hold the program for the fourth time since the initiative was launched in 2022. It will take place Dec. 11-13 at the league’s winter meetings in Dallas. This is the second consecutive season that While will attend as a representative of the Steelers.

A coaching version of the event was held in May. Defensive coordinator Teryl Austin and wide receivers coach Frisman Jackson represented the Steelers at that event.

“The NFL is committed to improving diversity throughout the league, and a large part of that is providing leadership opportunities to diverse candidates,” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in a press release. “The Accelerator Program provides our clubs and owners an opportunity to connect directly with some of the finest candidates in the league who they may not know. Our intent is that these efforts translate into more diversity in leadership roles across the League.”

A total of 42 candidates of diverse backgrounds were chosen, representing all 32 NFL teams.

White joined the Steelers in the spring of 2022 to take charge of personnel in the team’s front office as part of the changeover from Kevin Colbert to Omar Khan.

“Sheldon’s participation in NFL’s Front Office & General Manager Accelerator program is certainly valuable to him, but more importantly, I think his involvement furthers the long-term growth of the program,” Khan said Ian a press release. “Sheldon has served in executive roles at multiple franchises in this League, so he brings a unique knowledge and experience-level to the event that maybe other participants still need at this point of their career. He really brings an aptitude on the process that will benefit everyone.”

Before joining the Steelers, White served in a number of different posts with the Detroit Lions, starting as a scout in 1997 and later becoming the Lions’ Director of Pro Personnel, Vice President of Pro Personnel, and interim general manager.

White worked in the college game with Michigan State from 2016-20, acting as the executive director of player personnel and recruiting. In 2021, he was a scout for the Washington Commanders.

White’s son, Cody White, was formerly wide receiver on the Steelers’ roster. He is currently on the practice squad of the Seattle Seahawks.