Former Chattanoogan Played For UT, Packers, Eagles
posted December 26, 2004
Reggie White, the Chattanoogan who starred for the University of Tennessee and then became a famed pro football player, may have died from a respiratory problem coupled with other health ailments, the medical examiner in Mecklenburg County, N.C., said.
Reggie White died Sunday morning at age 43 after an ambulance was summoned to his home.
He had suffered from sleep apnea for several years.
Members of the White family were gathered Sunday at the home of his mother, Thelma Collier, in East Brainerd. They included his brother, Julius.
The family issued a statement saying, "We are deeply saddened by Reggie's unexpected demise and request the prayers of the righteous. We know you are concerned and any acts of kindness are greatly appreciated."
The family said he died at his home at Cornelius, N.C.
He is survived by a son and daughter, as well as his wife.
Mr. White had piled up numerous football records and gained the nickname of “Minister of Defense” in his career with the Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles after playing two years in the old United States Football League.
He retired in 1998, then played with the Carolina Panthers in 2000 before retiring again.
He was also known as an evangelical Christian who raised controversy when he condemned the homosexual lifestyle.
Reggie White was born Dec. 19, 1961, in Chattanooga.
At Howard High School, he was All-State in both football and basketball.
He was an imposing presence at 6'5" and 300 pounds.
The following story was attributed to Mr. White on the Ultimate Answers Christian web site and gives insight into the kind of man that he was:
I was playing in a controlled scrimmage against the Detroit Lions on hot, muggy summer day in Detroit. I had outmaneuvered a frustrated Detroit rookie for most of the day from my left defensive end position. Then our helmets accidentally locked together on a play.
This guy used foul language that I would not let my dogs hear. I can take losing a game, but I cannot tolerate being cussed out to my face.
I looked him right in the eye and announced, "Jesus is coming back soon, and I hope you're ready." But he just tossed more choice words into my face and returned to his huddle.
I was angry. Again I shouted to him across the field, "Jesus is coming back soon, and I hope you're ready."
My teammates were urging me back to our defensive huddle. But instead I eyeballed this rookie and shouted to my teammates, "Jesus is coming back soon, and I hope he's ready."
The next play, I lined up in front of this same rookie and said, "Jesus is coming back soon, and I don't think you're ready."
The ball snapped, and I announced, "Here comes Jesus!"
I thrust my entire 6'6", two hundred-and-eighty-five-pound body right into his chest and drove him back about five yards. He plopped to the turf just in time to see me sack his quarterback. My teammates and coach often asked me after that if Jesus was coming back on the next play!
I'm still not sure why I said what I did that steamy day in Detroit. Maybe it was just that I desire to live my life glorifying Jesus Christ.
The following information about Mr. White's football career was obtained on the Internet at gopackers92@yahoo.com:
School & College
Graduated from Howard High School winning All-State in Basketball and All-American in Football and Basketball.
Player of the Year in Chattanooga Tennessee, 2-Sport Player of the Year in the nation with Patrick Ewing 1st runner-up.
Nicknamed 'Minister of Defense' Reggie enjoyed what is regarded as a legendary career at the University of Tennessee.
Still holds the Tennessee records for sacks in a career, a single-season and a game.
Selected as a consensus All-American and SEC Player of the Year as a senior.
He was also selected in his final season as a finalist for the Lombardi Award, which is awarded on an annual basis to the country's outstanding college lineman.
Played in both the Hula Bowl and the Japan Bowl after his senior season. Named MVP of the Japan Bowl.
USFL
Pro career commenced 1984 with the Memphis Showboats.
Registering 11 sacks in his first season landed him on the all-rookie team.
In 34 starts he registered 23.5 sacks, 192 tackles (120 unassisted) and forced 7 fumbles.
NFL
In eight years with the Philadelphia Eagles, he finished with more sacks, 124, than games played, 121, the only player in NFL history to have done that.
1985 Named NFL Defensive Rookie of the year.
In Dec 1990 Reggie was a significant participant in one of the low points of the Packer's "Gory Years" registering 1 1/2 sacks, six knockdowns, two passes batted at the line and a forced fumble (Philly-31: GBP-0).
Eagles all-time sack leader: 124.
Joining the Packers in 1993, Reggie had an immediate impact, steering the team's defense ranking from 23 to 2 in a single season.
Selected in 1994 to the 75th anniversary NFL 'All Time Team'
Missed his only non-strike game of his NFL career Dec. 10, 1995 vs. Tampa Bay due to a hamstring injury.
At the time of his retirement was the NFL all time sack leader with 198 from 15 seasons (Note: Bruce Smith in his 19th season overtook Reggie in Dec 2003 when he tackled New York Giants QB Jesse Palmer for a 7-yard loss).
Packers all time sack leader: 68.5 (up till 14 Dec '98).
Only player to have 10 or more sacks in 9 consecutive seasons.
Reached 100 sacks in 93 games, 21 games quicker than #2 Lawrence Taylor.
Has sacked 73 different quarter backs.
Tied for most consecutive seasons as sack leader: 2 (1987-88).
Second most sacks in a season: 21.
Tied for most post season sacks: 12.
Super Bowl Record: 3 sacks.
Tied for Pro Bowl Record: 4 sacks (Elway x 3 & Marino x 1).
Selection to a record 14 consecutive Pro Bowls.
Awarded UPI NFC Defensive Player of the Year a record 3 times (1987, 1991 & 1995).
In his final season with the Packers he finished second in the NFL with 16 sacks and was selected for the seventh time in the Associated Press All-Pro team.
Reggie was also selected as the Associated Press NFL Defensive Player of the year an honor he was also awarded in 1987 with Philadelphia.
In his six seasons with the Packers they enjoyed a 66-30 regular-season record. In the previous six seasons, the team was 38-56-1.
After a year off in 1999 Reggie signed with the Carolina Panthers for the 2000 season but after a lackluster season notching only 5.5 sacks announced his retirement once again.
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