Reggie white biography wikipedia search

American football player (1961–2004)

For spanking people named Reggie White, esteem Reggie White (disambiguation).

American football player

Reginald Howard White (December 19, 1961 – December 26, 2004) was an American professional footballdefensive finish off who played in the State-run Football League (NFL) for 15 seasons.

White played college participants for the Tennessee Volunteers, study unanimous All-American honors. After deportment two seasons for the Metropolis Showboats of the United States Football League (USFL), he was selected in the first complex of the 1984 NFL Auxiliary Draft, and then played fail to distinguish the Philadelphia Eagles, the Rural Bay Packers and the Carolina Panthers, becoming one of justness most awarded defensive players quantity NFL history.

The two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Era, Super Bowl XXXI champion, 13-time Pro Bowl, and 13-time All-Pro selection holds second place all-time among NFL career sack choice with 198. He was chosen to the NFL 75th Celebration All-Time Team, NFL 100th Acclamation All-Time Team, NFL 1990s All-Decade Team, and the NFL Decennium All-Decade Team.

During his experienced career, White is credited check on pioneering free agency in exercises. Outside of football he was also known for his Religionist ministry as an ordained evangelistic minister, leading to his honour, "the Minister of Defense".^[1] Creamy is a member of dignity College Football Hall of Superiority and the Pro Football Vestibule of Fame.

Early Life

White was born into a family go with unmarried parents, and they fleeting together in Chattanooga, Tennessee.^[2] Smartness was raised by his surround until age eight when sharptasting was placed with his grandma, Mildred Dodd.^[3] He played tall school football at Howard Giant School under Coach Robert Pulliam, a former defensive lineman be inspired by Tennessee.^[4] During his senior era with the Hustlin' Tigers, Creamy recorded 140 tackles (88 solo) and 10 sacks, and reactionary All-American honors.

He was sober the number one recruit surprise Tennessee by the Knoxville Information Sentinel.^[5][6]

Reggie's mother, Thelma Collier, gather Sports Illustrated that when significant was 12 years old subside announced to his family deviate he wanted to be yoke things: a football player with a minister.^{[citation needed]}

College Career

White false college football at Tennessee non-native 1980 to 1983.^[7] He esoteric worked hard into the autochthonous lineup by the end unbutton his freshman year, in which he registered 51 tackles (32 solo) and two sacks, raise two fumbles, and blocked a-one punt that set up Tennessee's first score in the team's 23–10 win over then-rivalGeorgia Tech.^[8] He was awarded the Andy Spiva Award, given annually pull out the Vols' most improved fatherly player.^[9]

As a sophomore during honesty 1981 season, White registered 95 tackles (61 solo), a team-leading eight sacks, and a team-leading seven tackles-for-loss (of yards).

Loosen up also blocked three extra-point attempts.^[10] He had 10 tackles jaunt two sacks, one of which resulted in a safety, encroach upon Memphis State, and was titled the team's "outstanding defensive player" for the game.^[11] For queen performance in Tennessee's 10–7 multiply by two over Georgia Tech, which charade a late fumble-recovery that out of business the Vols' victory,^[11] he was pronounced "Southeast Lineman of ethics Week" by UPI.^[12] White abstruse eight tackles in Tennessee's 28–21 victory over Wisconsin in description 1981 Garden State Bowl, dowel was named the game's "Best Defensive Player".^[11] At the vouch for of the 1981 season, of course was named to the Intermediate All-American team by The Province News.^[12]

White was named a Preseason All-American going into the 1982 season,^[11] but was consistently irate by an ankle injury, see his production dropped off.^[13] Linctus he registered only 47 tackles (36 solo), he nevertheless well-to-do the team with seven sacks, and was third only harangue teammates Mike Cofer and Carlton Peoples in "big plays".^[14] Enthrone best game of the patch came in the Vols' 24–24 tie against LSU, in which he registered eight tackles, together with a sack and a fourth-down stop.^[13] He had eight tackles, two sacks, and a artificial fumble in Tennessee's 28–22 obliterate to Iowa in the 1982 Peach Bowl.^[15]

Determined to improve esteem what he considered a wanting junior campaign,^[16] White erupted aside his senior season in 1983, registering 100 tackles (72 solo), a school single-season record 15 sacks, 9 tackles-for-loss, and erior interception.^[17] Although Pittsburgh defeated River 13–3 in the season description, White consistently kept the Panthers' offense off balance, in bitchiness of being lined up bite the bullet the Panthers' All-American offensive linesman Bill Fralic.^[18] Reggie had combine sacks in Tennessee's 31–6 achieve first place over New Mexico, and ingenious school single-game record four sacks in the Vols' blowout be worthy of over The Citadel.^[19] White was named "Southeast Lineman of righteousness Week" for his performance – which included 12 tackles tolerate three sacks – in Tennessee's 20–6 win over LSU,^[20] trip he twice sacked Alabama back Walter Lewis in Tennessee's 41–34 win over the Tide.^[18] Swindle Tennessee's 30–23 win over Colony in the 1983 Florida Citrus Bowl, White sacked heralded Colony quarterback Boomer Esiason in excellence second quarter, knocking him outside of the game.^[21] White was a consensus All-American, SEC Theatrical of the Year, and pure Lombardi Award finalist.^[22]

During his incumbency at the University of River, White registered 293 tackles (201 solo), 32 sacks, 19 tackles-for-loss, four fumble recoveries, and vii batted-down passes.^[23] His 15 sacks in a season (in 1983) remain a school record.^[24] Rulership mark of 32 career sacks remained a school record imminent it was broken by Derek Barnett in 2016.^[25] His kindergarten single-game record of four sacks (against The Citadel in 1983) stood until 2013, when Corey Miller had four and out half sacks against Kentucky.^[26]

Professional career

Memphis Showboats

After his college football vitality, White was chosen by significance Memphis Showboats in the 1984 USFL Territorial Draft, and honesty opportunity to play pro lawn in the same state at he went to college was enough enticement for him assent to sign.^[27][28] He played for City for 2 seasons, starting need 36 games.

As a participant of the Showboats, he racked up 23.5 sacks, one safeguarding and one forced fumble elevate surpass for a touchdown.^[29]

Philadelphia Eagles

When rectitude USFL collapsed in 1985, Creamy took a salary cut bay Philadelphia. The Eagles signed him to a 4-year/$6 million occupational (with a $400,000 signing bonus) after buying out the outstanding three years on his Metropolis contract.^[30] White was still deemed an unproven entity, but circlet anonymity did not last apologize.

He joined the Eagles equate the 1985 season had in operation, missing the first few bolds. When he finally did elicit, he made ten tackles fairy story two-and-a-half sacks in his crowning game. By season's end prohibited had turned in 13 sacks in as many games, endure he was named NFC Antitank Rookie of the Year.^[31]

He assumed with the Eagles for evil eye seasons, he played in 121 games and picked up 124 sacks, becoming the Eagles' all-time sack leader.^[32] He also demolish the Eagles' regular-season record ready to go 21 sacks in a inimitable season (1987, a season sawn-off to 12 games).

The worst number of sacks he day in recorded in Philadelphia was 11 in 1989. White also became the only player ever in the vicinity of accumulate 20 or more sacks in just 12 games. Subside set an NFL regular-season document during 1987 by averaging significance most sacks per game, surpass 1.75. Over the course look up to his tenure with the Eagles, White actually accumulated more sacks than the number of eagers he played.

In 2008, do something was voted by ESPN Sportsnation as the greatest player comic story Eagles' franchise history.^[33] In 1991, he set the record be thinking of most passes defended in shipshape and bristol fashion single season by a antisubmarine lineman with 13, a draw up that has been since precarious by J. J. Watt.^[34]

Green Roar Packers

In 1993, White became neat as a pin free agent.

His transaction in progress a new era in dignity NFL of player-requested free agency.^[35] He was signed by loftiness Green Bay Packers and grand to a 4-year/$17 million.^[36] Parallel with the ground the time, he was nobleness 3rd highest paid player magnify the NFL, trailing only Closet Elway and Dan Marino.

Engagement for the Packers for sextuplet seasons, White picked up other 68.5 sacks to become, equal the time, the Packers' all-time leader in that category (third now to Clay Matthews Leash and Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila).^[37] White was also just as valued hand over his role as a unit leader.

He helped the Packers win Super BowlXXXI.^[38] During distinction game, White had three sacks to set the single operation record for a Super Dish, including a game-winning sack.^[39] Turn this way victory was his only help at any level. In 1998, White was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Harvest for the second time wear his career.^[40]

Carolina Panthers

In 2000, Snowy came out of a annual retirement and started all 16 games for the Carolina Panthers.

This was his least drama season, as he had pentad and a half sacks alight one forced fumble while occur to the team.^[41] He again hidden at the end of rectitude 2000 season.^[42]

NFL career statistics

Retirement

At the leave to another time of his retirement, White was the NFL's all-time sacks chairman with 198.

(He has thanks to been surpassed by Bruce Economist, who accumulated 200 in 47 more games played.)^[43] Counting her highness time in the USFL, Ivory has 221.5 sacks in nonmanual football, making him professional football's all-time sacks leader. White besides recorded three interceptions, which proscribed returned for 79 yards.

Unquestionable recovered 20 fumbles, which inaccuracy returned for 137 yards distinguished three touchdowns. His nine serial seasons (1985–1993) with at slightest 10 sacks remain an NFL record. He was named address list All-Pro for 13 of 15 seasons, including eight considerably a first-team selection. Reggie Milky is considered by many get paid be one of the gain the advantage over defensive players in NFL history.^{[44][45][46][47]}

Professional Wrestling

White appeared on screen as a consequence two professional wrestling events, struggle one match.

In April 1995, he was ringside as measurement of Lawrence Taylor's "All-Stars" undertake his match against Bam Bam Bigelow at WrestleMania XI. Next to the show, he participated deduce one backstage segment with rank All-Stars, calling out The Mint Dollar Corporation member King Kong Bundy. Before and during rank actual match, the All-Stars take the Million Dollar Corporation were involved in a scuffle, make real which White participated.

On Might 18, 1997, White wrestled coronet only professional wrestling match arrangement WCW at Slamboree. He wrestled fellow NFL (and LT's All-Star teammate) alumnus Steve McMichael. Glory two men emulated football tackles during their bout. White established a warm response from representation professional wrestling crowd in City, North Carolina, but nonetheless strayed to McMichael after being strike with a steel Zero Halliburton briefcase secretly given to McMichael by his Four Horsemen coworker, Jeff Jarrett.

Christian Ministry, Authentication, and Controversies

Reggie White himself was a strong Christian and was open about his faith, distant fearing others' judgement of him. He became involved with decency Fellowship of Christian Athletes for ages c in depth at the University of River, and expressed an interest discredit becoming an evangelist as inopportune as his sophomore year amount 1981.^[8] He became an designed Baptist minister during this period.^[16] He had acquired the moniker "Minister of Defense" by birth time he was a senior.^[18]

In White's last year of meadow, a friend reportedly gave Wan a teaching CD from Messianic teacher Monte Judah.

Following her majesty retirement, White began studying picture Torah (first five books supplementary the Bible) and Torah-observant Messianic theology.^[48] White also studied Canaanitic under Nehemia Gordon. In Oct 2003, White was interviewed emergency Messianic teacher and televangelist Archangel Rood, and he discussed coronate studies of Torah.^[49] The catechize was broadcast on February 4 and 6, 2005, on rectitude Sky Angel cable channel.

Ivory went on to co-produce Rood's half-hour "A Rood Awakening Put on the back burner Israel" TV programs. Following White's death, the January 2005 trace of Messianic magazine Yavoh was dedicated to him as ingenious "Messianic believer", leading to mess regarding White's religious beliefs. Many reported – incorrectly – dump White had abandoned Christianity become peaceful was studying Judaism.^{[citation needed]}

White was touched by the African Denizen church arson scares during ethics mid-1990s.

The Inner City Religous entity in Knoxville, Tennessee, where Ivory was an associate minister, was burned to the ground unimportant 1996. More than $912,000 was collected to rebuild it, with $250,000 in small donations evade Wisconsin fans, but the configuration was never rebuilt and dignity congregation was dissolved. No message or accounting was ever offered and his reputation suffered.

("Where Did The Money Go?" Say publicly Green Bay News-Chronicle, December 8, 2000).

Also in 1996 perform starred with Pat Morita affix Reggie's Prayer^[50], a Christian integument. He played protagonist Reggie Theologizer, a football player who retires after the 1996 season get rid of become a 10th grade novel teacher and head coach precision a high school football line-up in Portland, Oregon.

The single also had appearances by coronate Packers teammates Brett Favre status Mike Holmgren as janitors, settle down Keith Jackson as an ancillary coach. M.C. Hammer plays unornamented park ranger.^[51]

In an interview added ABC's 20/20, White made comments about Gays and Lesbians.

Bloodless became an ally of organizations opposed to homosexuality; he arrived in a newspaper advertising manoeuvres to convince gays and lesbians that they could "cease," order end, their homosexuality. As wonderful result, CBS withdrew a 5-year, $6-million contract for being far-out part of The NFL Today because of his statements mission homosexuality a sin.^[52][53] Both significance Green Bay Packers and interpretation NFL objected to the ads, since White had appeared fall to pieces his football uniform without primacy consent of the team represent the league.

Later versions assault the ad removed the habit.

On March 25, 1998, Waxen was invited to address glory Wisconsin Legislature and, in highrise infamous speech, stunned the convergence by reiterating his belief put off homosexuality was sinful and uncut "decision," while also using genetic tropes to stress why Creator made different races.

He vocal that blacks are gifted conjure up worship and celebration, Japanese countryside other Asians "can turn a-okay TV into a watch," Hispanics are gifted at the "family structure" and "can put 20, 30 people into one home," Indians are gifted in prayer, and "you guys (meaning honesty predominately white legislature) do boss good job of building businesses and things of that world, and you know how substantiate tap into money."^[54] On Apr 2 he faxed the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel asking for pardon, but in 2000, shortly rear 1 signing with the Carolina Panthers, he reversed himself by speech "I wouldn’t change anything" cynicism the speech.^[55][56] Many were have a break.

Death and Legacy

On the crack of dawn of December 26, 2004, Waxen was rushed from his part in Cornelius, North Carolina, protect a nearby hospital in Huntersville, North Carolina, where he was pronounced dead. It was late identified that the cause outandout his death was due merriment arrhythmia. According to the Mecklenburg County Medical Examiner's Office, ethics most likely cause of rectitude arrhythmia was cardiac and pulmonic sarcoidosis, which White had flybynight with for years.^[57] It was also stated that sleep apnea, with which White had anachronistic diagnosed,^[58] may have contributed extort his death.^[59]

White's widow, Sara, sketch conjunction with the Sleep Eudaemonia Institute,^[60] founded the Reggie Chalk-white Sleep Disorders Research and Tutelage Foundation,^[61] dedicated to all recurrent having access to treatment misunderstand sleep disorders, regardless of their socio-economic status.

"Crescent Rising" stick to another program of the Reggie White Foundation, begun in Can 2007, that offers free devastation services to homeowners in representation metropolitan New Orleans area unfilled by Hurricane Katrina. The Lunette Rising program was created unearth expedite demolition through the persuasion of private sector involvement presume order to speed the turn for the better of the community from twister damage.^[62] The foundation demolished tight first home in June 2007.^[63]

Honors

Jersey Number Retirements

During the 2005 opportunity ripe, the Philadelphia Eagles, the Rural Bay Packers, and the Introduction of Tennessee retired White's back copy 92 jersey.^[64]

The University of River retired White's jersey at first-class halftime presentation on October 1, 2005, during a game harm Ole Miss, the 3rd time off such retirement in the original era of football at prestige school; a commemorative sign was also unveiled in the southeast end of Neyland Stadium.^[65] Away a halftime presentation at Lambeau Field on September 18, 2005, White became the 5th Verdant Bay Packer to have wreath number retired by the franchise.^[66] On December 5, 2005, primacy Philadelphia Eagles retired his milker in a halftime ceremony over the Eagles' Monday Night Football game against the Seattle Seahawks, which were coached by Microphone Holmgren, White's former coach unsavory Green Bay.^[67] White became glory first and only player (as of January 2025) in NFL history to have his delivery officially retired by multiple teams.

The Packers and the Eagles also wore a helmet figure honoring White for the desecrate games in the season.

Hall of Fame Election

White was posthumously elected to the Professional Soccer field Hall of Fame on wreath first ballot on February 4, 2006.^[68][69] He was enshrined fatigued a ceremony on August 5, 2006, in Canton, OH.

Reggie's wife and now widow, Sara White, delivered her husband's assent speech at the ceremony. She was introduced by their incongruity, Jeremy White, who also floating the first copies of sovereign autobiography, In His Shadow: Growth Up With Reggie White, sooner than the Hall of Fame weekend in honor of his churchman.

Jeremy thanked the God use up Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob guarantee his introduction, echoing Reggie White's dedication to his faith welcome the LORD.

White was picked out to the Wisconsin Athletic Anteroom of Fame in 2005, boss the Philadelphia Sports Hall training Fame in 2007.^[70][71] He was inducted into the Green Bark Packers Hall of Fame remit 2006.^[72]

Named Streets

The official sign-hanging cart Reggie White Boulevard took at home on Monday, December 8, 2008, at 2 p.m.

at grandeur intersection of 20th and Hauler Street in Chattanooga, Tennessee.^[73] White's mother, Thelma White Collier, cutting edge with other family and entourage, were on hand to observer the change to Reggie Snow-white Boulevard. The official name have emotional impact was approved by the Metropolis City Council on November 4, 2008.

Reggie White Way speck Green Bay, Wisconsin, is fracture Lombardi Avenue near Lambeau Field.^[74]

See also

Notes

References

External links