MISSOULA — Keelan White realized it was time to showcase something new after he broke an ankle tackle against Sacramento State last November.
The Montana wide receiver high-stepped past a diving defender around the opponent’s 40-yard line and sped down the right sideline for a 97-yard touchdown, the longest play in school history. He crossed the South end zone, dropped the ball by the goal post, and leaped into the air, mimicking Spider-Man shooting webs from his wrist.
This was White’s first opportunity to reveal his alter ego, Spider-Man. He felt that superhero within him but hadn’t fully embraced that identity until making that impressive play.
“I really enjoyed giving myself an identity on the field,” he stated ahead of Montana’s game against North Dakota at 5 p.m. MT on Saturday in Grand Forks. “I may not be the fastest, biggest, or strongest player, but I run solid routes and have great hands.”
I initially embraced this persona to align with my identity, and it simultaneously boosts my confidence, as I recognize that this character is part of who I am. It resonated with me and helped me gain more confidence while discovering my true self.
White has been a devoted Spider-Man enthusiast for years, donning the superhero costume for Halloween multiple times during his childhood. He believes “The Amazing Spider-Man 2” is the best film in the franchise, a topic he’s not open to debate. Additionally, he’s played all three Spider-Man video games on PlayStation and is an avid reader of the comics.
Recently, he earned the nickname “Canadian Spider” from Braden Wormke, a design intern at UM. After observing White’s Spider-Man festivities during the last season and knowing he was from Canada, Wormke combined the two elements to create a unique graphic that he shared on Instagram in January.
His teammates, Junior Bergen and Aaron Fontes, joined in on the Spider-Man theme; they famously recreated the pointing meme during a touchdown against Delaware in the FCS playoffs last year.
“They really get into it,” he said. “I’m constantly hearing, ‘Hey, what’s up, Spidey?’ And if I miss a catch in practice, they’ll say, ‘Spider-Man wouldn’t have let that happen.'”
Like any successful film franchise, White has ventured into merchandising due to Name, Image, and Likeness opportunities. He published a 60-page coloring book in June, available on Amazon, featuring the nickname “Canadian Spider” on its cover.
This coloring book idea was inspired by White’s stepmother, Wendy Boulter, after his half-brother Derrick Barbour created a similar project. A professor and five students at Capilano University transformed football images of White, many of him striking Spider-Man poses, into illustrations for the book.
The coloring book serves to promote his brand, a key goal of sharing his Spider-Man persona on the field. It also offers a way for young kids to connect with him during his volunteer work at youth football camps back home.
“Coming from Canada and always playing with a chip on my shoulder, I wanted something that would grab attention—like, ‘Hey, look at me,'” he shared. “It provided me with an identity and drew some attention my way.
“I feel like every place I’ve played football, I’ve had to prove myself and earn respect, especially as a walk-on from Canada.”
Born in Vancouver, BC, the backdrop for his personal franchise’s prequel, White grew up in a football-loving family.
His father, Richard, played linebacker in the Canadian Football League for the Saskatchewan Roughriders and BC Lions.
“That’s where Keelan got his toughness, not from catching,” Richard joked. “They never paid me to catch.”
White’s mother, Tracy, was a national-level receiver in an adult women’s flag football league, which might explain Keelan’s catching ability.
“She’d like to think that,” Richard chuckled, adding, “She was pretty good—she could catch.”
His siblings, Lynita, Jackson, and Pyper, all played football. Keelan attended practices from a very young age while his father coached his siblings, starting his own football journey at age four.
Keelan initially played running back to showcase his playmaking skills, only transitioning to receiver in high school at Windsor Secondary and Handsworth.
“Once he got older, we had some good quarterbacks, so he could finally play the position where he really shines,” explained Jay Prepchuk, White’s coach in his sophomore year at Handsworth.
White enhanced his skills by playing with GameReady Elite, a 7-on-7 football team during the offseason. Former CFL wideout Paris Jackson coached him, focusing on route running and breaks.
Competing against American opponents in 7-on-7 helped White develop, earning him spots on Canada’s U16 and U18 junior national teams. By senior year, he was often double- and triple-teamed.
“He was one of those kids who would call and say, ‘Coach, are you free?'” Jackson recalled. “Typically, coaches get the calls. He stood out—a raw talent with a strong work ethic.”
By the end of his first season, he’d become the star player and face of GameReady for two years. Having coached countless kids, Jackson deemed him the most exceptional in terms of athleticism and dedication.
White didn’t limit himself to just football; he also excelled in hockey, soccer, lacrosse, and even track. In his junior year, he chose to pursue football, visiting numerous West Coast schools with his family. However, recruiting was tough.
He often heard recruiters say they would offer if he weren’t Canadian. His father explained that coaches viewed him as a high-risk prospect due to the uncertainty of his background and competition level.
White caught his break when Brent Pease, UM’s receiver coach then, visited his school. He impressed Pease by running routes in his school clothes and received an offer—but had to walk on due to other commitments.
“We came to him late in the process,” said Montana head coach Bobby Hauck. “In other years, he would have been a scholarship player. His ability is that strong. We had high expectations.”
White redshirted his first year at UM in 2019, learning from professional players Samori Toure and Sammy Akem. He participated in three games as a true freshman, yet almost lost his spot due to academic struggles.
As a walk-on, he and his family faced tuition costs of about $ 25,000 for his first semester. Despite improving on the field, his grades jeopardized his chance for a scholarship.
“That was a very low point for me,” he admitted. “I was really down.”
With the family’s help, he improved his grades after the first semester. That summer, he was called to the football offices and told to sign paperwork—his scholarship confirmation was delivered casually.
His debut film at UM? He named it “New World,” encapsulating all the new experiences he faced, from not being coached by his father to navigating college football and academics.
The sequel was postponed due to the 2020 pandemic. As a redshirt freshman the following year, he embodied “Redemption,” solidifying his on-field presence after addressing initial setbacks.
Third season brought “Trials and Tribulations,” with a new player vying for his position. Ironically, his grades represented a low point off the field, while he experienced a slump on the field despite later achieving his most productive season.
“I wasn’t feeling my best,” he reflected. “I dropped passes, and with Junior getting more reps, I felt frustrated and confused. But near the end of the season, I turned it around.”
Then he transformed into Spider-Man during his breakout fourth season, achieving career highs in every category except touchdown receptions. It’s no surprise he titled this chapter “Emergence.”
White hasn’t decided on a title for his fifth installment as the story continues to unfold this season. His franchise recently reached a peak, and his father’s connection to the Spider-Man moniker makes sense given Keelan’s knack for making tough catches in clutch moments, including a game-winner against Sac State.
He also caught the game-sealing touchdown in overtime during the quarterfinal win, plus the game-winning two-point conversion on a tipped ball in the semifinal match last year. Talk about cinematic moments! He even enjoyed some red carpet treatment as the team’s offensive MVP.
“There was always this idea that there’s some Stickum or glue on his hands,” Richard noted. “When the Spider-Man comparison came up, it felt totally fitting. He’s been pulling the ball into his hands like that his whole life.”
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