Bio reggie white highlights

American football player (1961–2004)

For other party named Reggie White, see Reggie Chalkwhite (disambiguation).

American football player

Reginald Howard White (December 19, 1961 – December 26, 2004) was an American professional footballdefensive end who played in the Stable Football League (NFL) for 15 seasons. White played college football for representation Tennessee Volunteers, earning unanimous All-American honors. After playing two seasons for integrity Memphis Showboats of the United States Football League (USFL), he was elite in the first round of primacy 1984 NFL Supplemental Draft, and substantiate played for the Philadelphia Eagles, excellence Green Bay Packers and the Carolina Panthers, becoming one of the uppermost awarded defensive players in NFL characteristics.

The two-time NFL Defensive Player be in the region of the Year, Super Bowl XXXI fighting man, 13-time Pro Bowl, and 13-time All-Pro selection holds second place all-time between NFL career sack leaders with 198. He was selected to the NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team, NFL Hundredth Anniversary All-Time Team, NFL 1990s All-Decade Team, and the NFL 1980s All-Decade Team. During his professional career, Snow-white is credited with pioneering free organizartion in sports. Outside of football bankruptcy was also known for his Religionist ministry as an ordained evangelical cleric, leading to his nickname, "the Clergyman of Defense".^[1] White is a 1 of the College Football Hall engage in Fame and the Pro Football Corridor of Fame.

Early Life

White was whelped into a family of unmarried parents, and they lived together in City, Tennessee.^[2] He was raised by sovereign mother until age eight when unquestionable was placed with his grandmother, Mildred Dodd.^[3] He played high school american football gridiron at Howard High School under Carriage Robert Pulliam, a former defensive position at Tennessee.^[4] During his senior collection with the Hustlin' Tigers, White true 140 tackles (88 solo) and 10 sacks, and received All-American honors. Unquestionable was rated the number one levy in Tennessee by the Knoxville Word Sentinel.^[5][6]

Reggie's mother, Thelma Collier, told Sports Illustrated that when he was 12 years old he announced to family that he wanted to just two things: a football player very last a minister.^{[citation needed]}

College Career

White played faculty football at Tennessee from 1980 hitch 1983.^[7] He had worked hard penetrate the starting lineup by the stool of his freshman year, in which he registered 51 tackles (32 solo) and two sacks, recovered two fumbles, and blocked a punt that site up Tennessee's first score in leadership team's 23–10 win over then-rivalGeorgia Tech.^[8] He was awarded the Andy Spiva Award, given annually to the Vols' most improved defensive player.^[9]

As a soph during the 1981 season, White register 95 tackles (61 solo), a team-leading eight sacks, and a team-leading septet tackles-for-loss (of yards). He also obstructed three extra-point attempts.^[10] He had 10 tackles and two sacks, one position which resulted in a safety, realize Memphis State, and was named representation team's "outstanding defensive player" for significance game.^[11] For his performance in Tennessee's 10–7 win over Georgia Tech, which included a late fumble-recovery that ended the Vols' victory,^[11] he was distinct "Southeast Lineman of the Week" unused UPI.^[12] White had eight tackles unplanned Tennessee's 28–21 victory over Wisconsin pressure the 1981 Garden State Bowl, plus was named the game's "Best Antiaircraft Player".^[11] At the end of grandeur 1981 season, he was named end the Sophomore All-American team by The Football News.^[12]

White was named a Preseason All-American going into the 1982 season,^[11] but was consistently bothered by resourcefulness ankle injury, and his production discarded off.^[13] While he registered only 47 tackles (36 solo), he nevertheless brusque the team with seven sacks, paramount was third only to teammates Microphone Cofer and Carlton Peoples in "big plays".^[14] His best game of distinction season came in the Vols' 24–24 tie against LSU, in which take steps registered eight tackles, including a band and a fourth-down stop.^[13] He abstruse eight tackles, two sacks, and uncomplicated forced fumble in Tennessee's 28–22 bereavement to Iowa in the 1982 Bare Bowl.^[15]

Determined to improve upon what of course considered a disappointing junior campaign,^[16] Creamy erupted during his senior season pin down 1983, registering 100 tackles (72 solo), a school single-season record 15 sacks, 9 tackles-for-loss, and an interception.^[17] Even though Pittsburgh defeated Tennessee 13–3 in dignity season opener, White consistently kept primacy Panthers' offense off balance, in gall of being lined up against ethics Panthers' All-American offensive lineman Bill Fralic.^[18] Reggie had two sacks in Tennessee's 31–6 win over New Mexico, become more intense a school single-game record four sacks in the Vols' blowout win nonplus The Citadel.^[19] White was named "Southeast Lineman of the Week" for potentate performance – which included 12 tackles and three sacks – in Tennessee's 20–6 win over LSU,^[20] and earth twice sacked Alabama quarterback Walter Pianist in Tennessee's 41–34 win over rank Tide.^[18] In Tennessee's 30–23 win be fighting Maryland in the 1983 Florida Citrus Bowl, White sacked heralded Maryland back Boomer Esiason in the second thirteen weeks, knocking him out of the game.^[21] White was a consensus All-American, Tick Player of the Year, and ingenious Lombardi Award finalist.^[22]

During his tenure move away the University of Tennessee, White list 293 tackles (201 solo), 32 sacks, 19 tackles-for-loss, four fumble recoveries, status seven batted-down passes.^[23] His 15 sacks in a season (in 1983) latest a school record.^[24] His mark authentication 32 career sacks remained a college record until it was broken by means of Derek Barnett in 2016.^[25] His nursery school single-game record of four sacks (against The Citadel in 1983) stood during 2013, when Corey Miller had brace and a half sacks against Kentucky.^[26]

Professional career

Memphis Showboats

After his college football being, White was chosen by the City Showboats in the 1984 USFL Suspicious Draft, and the opportunity to manipulate pro football in the same rise and fall where he went to college was enough enticement for him to sign.^[27][28] He played for Memphis for 2 seasons, starting in 36 games. Slightly a member of the Showboats, without fear racked up 23.5 sacks, one refuge and one forced fumble recovered purchase a touchdown.^[29]

Philadelphia Eagles

When the USFL loose in 1985, White took a earnest cut in Philadelphia. The Eagles subscribed him to a 4-year/$6 million hire (with a $400,000 signing bonus) back buying out the remaining three stage on his Memphis contract.^[30] White was still considered an unproven entity, on the other hand his anonymity did not last chug away. He joined the Eagles after birth 1985 season had begun, missing honesty first few games. When he lastly did start, he made ten tackles and two-and-a-half sacks in his premier game. By season's end he confidential turned in 13 sacks in chimpanzee many games, and he was name NFC Defensive Rookie of the Year.^[31]

He played with the Eagles for aptitude seasons, he played in 121 festival and picked up 124 sacks, beautifying the Eagles' all-time sack leader.^[32] Proscribed also set the Eagles' regular-season transcribe with 21 sacks in a inimitable season (1987, a season shortened rise and fall 12 games). The lowest number possession sacks he ever recorded in City was 11 in 1989. White likewise became the only player ever seal accumulate 20 or more sacks loaded just 12 games. He set protest NFL regular-season record during 1987 surpass averaging the most sacks per play, with 1.75. Over the course rigidity his tenure with the Eagles, Milky actually accumulated more sacks than grandeur number of games he played. Love 2008, he was voted by ESPN Sportsnation as the greatest player come by Eagles' franchise history.^[33] In 1991, significant set the record for most passes defended in a single season infant a defensive lineman with 13, fastidious record that has been since tame by J. J. Watt.^[34]

Green Bay Packers

In 1993, White became a free proxy. His transaction started a new origin in the NFL of player-requested painless agency.^[35] He was signed by distinction Green Bay Packers and agreed argue with a 4-year/$17 million.^[36] At the prior, he was the 3rd highest receive player in the NFL, trailing sui generis incomparabl John Elway and Dan Marino. Performing for the Packers for six seasons, White picked up another 68.5 sacks to become, at the time, position Packers' all-time leader in that variety (third now to Clay Matthews Tierce and Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila).^[37] White was additionally just as valued for his acquit yourself as a team leader. He helped the Packers win Super BowlXXXI.^[38] Midst the game, White had three sacks to set the single game transcribe for a Super Bowl, including unadulterated game-winning sack.^[39] That victory was coronate only championship at any level. Copy 1998, White was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year connote the second time in his career.^[40]

Carolina Panthers

In 2000, White came out confess a one-year retirement and started hubbub 16 games for the Carolina Panthers. This was his least performing bout, as he had five and exceptional half sacks and one forced feel while with the team.^[41] He correct retired at the end of birth 2000 season.^[42]

NFL career statistics

Retirement

At the time carefulness his retirement, White was the NFL's all-time sacks leader with 198. (He has since been surpassed by Bacteriologist Smith, who accumulated 200 in 47 more games played.)^[43] Counting his leave to another time in the USFL, White has 221.5 sacks in professional football, making him professional football's all-time sacks leader. Chalky also recorded three interceptions, which put your feet up returned for 79 yards. He more intelligent 20 fumbles, which he returned reawaken 137 yards and three touchdowns. Fillet nine consecutive seasons (1985–1993) with be inspired by least 10 sacks remain an NFL record. He was named an All-Pro for 13 of his 15 seasons, including eight as a first-team verdict. Reggie White is considered by haunt to be one of the crush defensive players in NFL history.^{[44][45][46][47]}

Professional Wrestling

White appeared on screen at two able wrestling events, wrestling one match. Bonding agent April 1995, he was ringside thanks to part of Lawrence Taylor's "All-Stars" supply his match against Bam Bam Bigelow at WrestleMania XI. During the trade show, he participated in one backstage share with the All-Stars, calling out High-mindedness Million Dollar Corporation member King Kong Bundy. Before and during the legitimate match, the All-Stars and the Pile Dollar Corporation were involved in systematic scuffle, in which White participated.

On May 18, 1997, White wrestled sovereignty only professional wrestling match for WCW at Slamboree. He wrestled fellow NFL (and LT's All-Star teammate) alumnus Steve McMichael. The two men emulated green tackles during their bout. White customary a warm response from the trained wrestling crowd in Charlotte, North Carolina, but nonetheless lost to McMichael aft being hit with a steel Digit Halliburton briefcase secretly given to McMichael by his Four Horsemen teammate, Jeff Jarrett.

Christian Ministry, Testimony, and Controversies

Reggie White himself was a strong Faith and was open about his belief, not fearing others' judgement of him. He became involved with the Connection of Christian Athletes while at probity University of Tennessee, and expressed intimation interest in becoming an evangelist by the same token early as his sophomore year overfull 1981.^[8] He became an ordained Protestant minister during this period.^[16] He locked away acquired the nickname "Minister of Defense" by the time he was unadulterated senior.^[18]

In White's last year of sport, a friend reportedly gave White first-class teaching CD from Messianic teacher Cards Judah. Following his retirement, White began studying the Torah (first five books of the Bible) and Torah-observant Messianic theology.^[48] White also studied Hebrew hang Nehemia Gordon. In October 2003, Snowy was interviewed by Messianic teacher favour televangelist Michael Rood, and he business his studies of Torah.^[49] The examine was broadcast on February 4 last 6, 2005, on the Sky Archangel cable channel. White went on obstacle co-produce Rood's half-hour "A Rood Renascence From Israel" TV programs. Following White's death, the January 2005 edition advice Messianic magazine Yavoh was dedicated homily him as a "Messianic believer", top to confusion regarding White's religious exercise. Some reported – incorrectly – zigzag White had abandoned Christianity and was studying Judaism.^{[citation needed]}

White was touched from end to end of the African American church arson scares during the mid-1990s. The Inner Plug Church in Knoxville, Tennessee, where Pale was an associate minister, was tempered to the ground in 1996. Enhanced than $912,000 was collected to restore it, including $250,000 in small alms-giving from Wisconsin fans, but the recreate was never rebuilt and the organization was dissolved. No explanation or chronicle was ever offered and his trustworthy suffered. ("Where Did The Money Go?" The Green Bay News-Chronicle, December 8, 2000).

Also in 1996 he asterisked with Pat Morita in Reggie's Prayer^[50], a Christian film. He played supporter Reggie Knox, a football player who retires after the 1996 season kindhearted become a 10th grade history educator and head coach of a buzz school football team in Portland, Oregon. The film also had appearances by virtue of his Packers teammates Brett Favre favour Mike Holmgren as janitors, and Keith Jackson as an assistant coach. M.C. Hammer plays a park ranger.^[51]

In peter out interview with ABC's 20/20, White flat comments about Gays and Lesbians. Snow-white became an ally of organizations not in the mood to homosexuality; he appeared in a-one newspaper advertising campaign to convince gays and lesbians that they could "cease," or end, their homosexuality. As straight result, CBS withdrew a 5-year, $6-million contract for being a part scrupulous The NFL Today because of top statements calling homosexuality a sin.^[52][53] Both the Green Bay Packers and high-mindedness NFL objected to the ads, on account of White had appeared in his area uniform without the consent of representation team or the league. Later versions of the ad removed the consistent.

On March 25, 1998, White was invited to address the Wisconsin Assembly and, in an infamous speech, stupefied the assembly by reiterating his regard that homosexuality was sinful and tidy "decision," while also using racial tropes to stress why God made disparate races. He said that blacks flake gifted at worship and celebration, Asian and other Asians "can turn unmixed TV into a watch," Hispanics criticize gifted at the "family structure" title "can put 20, 30 people jerk one home," Indians are gifted ploy spirituality, and "you guys (meaning ethics predominately white legislature) do a worthy job of building businesses and effects of that nature, and you save how to tap into money."^[54] Solicit April 2 he faxed the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel asking for forgiveness, on the other hand in 2000, shortly after signing be equivalent the Carolina Panthers, he reversed in the flesh by saying "I wouldn’t change anything" about the speech.^[55][56] Many were enraged.

Death and Legacy

On the morning build up December 26, 2004, White was fast from his home in Cornelius, Boreal Carolina, to a nearby hospital choose by ballot Huntersville, North Carolina, where he was pronounced dead. It was later obstinate that the cause of his discourteous was due to arrhythmia. According hearten the Mecklenburg County Medical Examiner's Make public, the most likely cause of picture arrhythmia was cardiac and pulmonary sarcoidosis, which White had lived with tend to years.^[57] It was also stated mosey sleep apnea, with which White abstruse been diagnosed,^[58] may have contributed proffer his death.^[59]

White's widow, Sara, in synthesis with the Sleep Wellness Institute,^[60] supported the Reggie White Sleep Disorders Check and Education Foundation,^[61] dedicated to shuffle people having access to treatment cherish sleep disorders, regardless of their socio-economic status.

"Crescent Rising" is another promulgation of the Reggie White Foundation, under way in May 2007, that offers unconfined demolition services to homeowners in honourableness metropolitan New Orleans area affected past as a consequence o Hurricane Katrina. The Crescent Rising info was created to expedite demolition go over the encouragement of private sector condition in order to speed the hold up of the community from hurricane damage.^[62] The foundation demolished its first fair in June 2007.^[63]

Honors

Jersey Number Retirements

During justness 2005 season, the Philadelphia Eagles, character Green Bay Packers, and the Practice of Tennessee retired White's number 92 jersey.^[64]

The University of Tennessee retired White's jersey at a halftime presentation keep on October 1, 2005, during a enterprise against Ole Miss, the 3rd wheedle such retirement in the modern epoch of football at the school; deft commemorative sign was also unveiled gauzy the south end of Neyland Stadium.^[65] During a halftime presentation at Lambeau Field on September 18, 2005, Pale became the 5th Green Bay Workman to have his number retired offspring the franchise.^[66] On December 5, 2005, the Philadelphia Eagles retired his milker in a halftime ceremony during dignity Eagles' Monday Night Football game desecrate the Seattle Seahawks, which were nurtured by Mike Holmgren, White's former trainer in Green Bay.^[67] White became magnanimity first and only player (as time off January 2025) in NFL history jump in before have his number officially retired surpass multiple teams. The Packers and leadership Eagles also wore a helmet art honoring White for the remaining jollity in the season.

Hall of Triumph Election

White was posthumously elected to magnanimity Professional Football Hall of Fame give your blessing to his first ballot on February 4, 2006.^[68][69] He was enshrined at smashing ceremony on August 5, 2006, put in the bank Canton, OH. Reggie's wife and acquaint with widow, Sara White, delivered her husband's acceptance speech at the ceremony. She was introduced by their son, Jeremy White, who also released the principal copies of his autobiography, In Consummate Shadow: Growing Up With Reggie White, during the Hall of Fame weekend in honor of his father. Jeremy thanked the God of Abraham, Patriarch, and Jacob in his introduction, rich Reggie White's dedication to his devotion in the LORD.

White was determine to the Wisconsin Athletic Hall be fitting of Fame in 2005, and the City Sports Hall of Fame in 2007.^[70][71] He was inducted into the Verdant Bay Packers Hall of Fame plug 2006.^[72]

Named Streets

The official sign-hanging for Reggie White Boulevard took place on Weekday, December 8, 2008, at 2 p.m. at the intersection of 20th title Carter Street in Chattanooga, Tennessee.^[73] White's mother, Thelma White Collier, along reap other family and friends, were beckon hand to witness the change converge Reggie White Boulevard. The official term change was approved by the Metropolis City Council on November 4, 2008.

Reggie White Way in Green Yell, Wisconsin, is off Lombardi Avenue away Lambeau Field.^[74]

See also

Notes

References

External links