Reggie White
The Minister of Defense
via Wikipedia: Reggie White · see source
Reginald Howard White (December 19, 1961 – December 26, 2004) was an American professional football defensive end who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 15 seasons. White played college football for the Tennessee Volunteers, earning unanimous All-American honors. After playing two seasons for the Memphis Showboats of the United States Football League (USFL), he was selected in the first round of the 1984 NFL Supplemental Draft, and then played for the Philadelphia Eagles, the Green Bay Packers and the Carolina Panthers, becoming one of the most awarded defensive players in NFL history.
Quick Facts
- Position
- Defensive end
- Born
- 19 December 1961
- Birthplace
- Chattanooga, Tennessee, U.S.
- Died
- 26 December 2004
- Place of death
- Cornelius, North Carolina, U.S.
- High school
- Howard (Chattanooga)
- College
- Tennessee (1980–1983)
Lore & Background
White was born and raised in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He was raised by his mother until age eight when he was placed with his grandmother, Mildred Dodd. He played high school football at Howard High School under Coach Robert Pulliam. During his senior year, White recorded 140 tackles (88 solo) and 10 sacks, and received All-American honors. He was rated the number one recruit in Tennessee by the Knoxville News Sentinel. His mother, Thelma Collier, told Sports Illustrated that when he was 12 years old he announced he wanted to be a football player and a minister.
Reader's Guide
White played college football at Tennessee from 1980 to 1983. He registered 293 tackles (201 solo), 32 sacks, 19 tackles-for-loss, four fumble recoveries, and seven batted-down passes. His 15 sacks in a season (1983) remain a school record. He was a consensus All-American, SEC Player of the Year, and a Lombardi Award finalist. In the USFL, he played for the Memphis Showboats for 2 seasons, starting in 36 games, with 23.5 sacks, one safety, and one forced fumble recovered for a touchdown. In the NFL, he played for the Philadelphia Eagles (8 seasons, 121 games, 124 sacks), Green Bay Packers (6 seasons, 68.5 sacks), and Carolina Panthers (1 season, 5.5 sacks). He won Super Bowl XXXI with the Packers and was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year twice.
Did You Know?
- White holds second place all-time among NFL career sack leaders with 198.
- He was selected to the NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team and the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team.
- White is credited with pioneering free agency in sports.
- White is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Reggie White and what was his role in the NFL?
Reggie White was a legendary defensive end who revolutionized pass rushing with a unique combination of size, speed, and power that allowed him to consistently dismantle offensive lines. Nicknamed the 'Minister of Defense,' he played from 1984 to 2000, earning 13 Pro Bowl selections while establishing himself as one of the most dominant forces in football history.
What were Reggie White's biggest achievements and records?
He retired as the NFL's all-time leader in career sacks, a record that highlighted his relentless ability to pressure quarterbacks throughout two decades. His accolades include 13 Pro Bowl honors and a Super Bowl victory with the Green Bay Packers, cementing his status as an all-time great defensive player.
Which teams did Reggie White play for during his career?
White began in the USFL with the Memphis Showboats before becoming a cornerstone of the Philadelphia Eagles' defense and finishing as a franchise icon with the Green Bay Packers. His journey culminated in leading the Packers to a Super Bowl XXXI championship, where he delivered a historic performance to secure the title.
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