Post by Tim Wescott on Dec 26, 2004 12:53:16 GMT -5
Sunday, December 26, 2004
White dies Sunday morning
ESPN.com news services
Former NFL star Reggie White died Sunday morning at his home near Huntersville, N.C., his wife said.
Eulogy from Mike Golic:
"Reggie White was the greatest defensive end of all time, but as great as he was on the field, he was that much greater off the field. I'd like to take a moment to tell you what kind of person Reggie White was. I had the pleasure to play with Reggie from 1987-1992, and those were five wonderful years because he was there. He was a man who led wherever he went whether it was on the football field or off it. When he chose a path, he stuck to it, and that's part of the reason why he was great on and off the field.
"He was one of my closest friends off the field, and I'm extremely sad that I'm here to have to eulogize such a great man. White is the second member of that defensive line who was taken too quickly from us. Jerome Brown was the first, and their friendship proves the beauty and power of football. Jerome and Reggie couldn't have been more different. While one was a religious man, the other was not quite as religious, but off the field they were great friends. Football was the common denominator that brought us all together, but it isn't what made us great friends.
"I will miss Reggie, and my thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, Sara, and his two lovely children." -- Mike Golic of ESPN Radio's "Mike & Mike"
The former Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles defensive end, a lock for the Pro Football Hall of Fame who retired as the NFL's all-time sacks leader in 2000, turned 43 on Dec. 19.
Through the family pastor, Sara White confirmed her husband's death, saying that she believes White died of respiratory failure related to his sleep apnea. An autopsy is to be performed to determine the exact cause of death.
"Today our beloved husband, father and friend passed away," Sara White said through the pastor. "His family appreciates your thoughts and prayers as we mourn the loss of Reggie White. We want to thank you in advance for honoring our privacy."
Nicknamed "The Minister of Defense," White had 198 career sacks with the Eagles (1985-92), Packers (1993-98) and Carolina Panthers (2000). He went to two Super Bowls with Green Bay, winning a ring after the 1996 season.
White's sacks mark has since been passed by Bruce Smith, but he hasn't been forgotten.
Former teammate Mike Golic was visibly emotional as he remembered White on ESPN's Sunday NFL Countdown.
"Reggie White was the greatest defensive end of all time, but as great as he was on the field he was that much greater off the field," Golic said.
Eric Allen wrapped up his Sunday chat on ESPN.com with a few words about his former teammate.
"You probably know we were teammates from 1988-1992," Allen said. "What you probably don't know is he was probably the biggest influence on me from the time I stepped foot into Philadelphia until now. More so off the field than on. We continued to stay in touch throughout my 17 years since being a rookie in Philadelphia, and I have a great amount of love for him and his family. So like he would do, please say a prayer for him and his family."
"We are deeply saddened by the passing of one of the greatest men ever to play the game of football," Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie said in a statement. "On behalf of the entire Eagles family, our condolences go out to his wife, Sara, to his children, and to all those who have been touched by Reggie throughout his life. His legacy on and off the football field will never be forgotten."
"[White] was a quality guy, a good man," Chargers quarterback Doug Flutie said. "He broke my collarbone my rookie year in the USFL, but he was always a peaceful guy, never arrogant, never a showboat."
White dies Sunday morning
ESPN.com news services
Former NFL star Reggie White died Sunday morning at his home near Huntersville, N.C., his wife said.
Eulogy from Mike Golic:
"Reggie White was the greatest defensive end of all time, but as great as he was on the field, he was that much greater off the field. I'd like to take a moment to tell you what kind of person Reggie White was. I had the pleasure to play with Reggie from 1987-1992, and those were five wonderful years because he was there. He was a man who led wherever he went whether it was on the football field or off it. When he chose a path, he stuck to it, and that's part of the reason why he was great on and off the field.
"He was one of my closest friends off the field, and I'm extremely sad that I'm here to have to eulogize such a great man. White is the second member of that defensive line who was taken too quickly from us. Jerome Brown was the first, and their friendship proves the beauty and power of football. Jerome and Reggie couldn't have been more different. While one was a religious man, the other was not quite as religious, but off the field they were great friends. Football was the common denominator that brought us all together, but it isn't what made us great friends.
"I will miss Reggie, and my thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, Sara, and his two lovely children." -- Mike Golic of ESPN Radio's "Mike & Mike"
The former Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles defensive end, a lock for the Pro Football Hall of Fame who retired as the NFL's all-time sacks leader in 2000, turned 43 on Dec. 19.
Through the family pastor, Sara White confirmed her husband's death, saying that she believes White died of respiratory failure related to his sleep apnea. An autopsy is to be performed to determine the exact cause of death.
"Today our beloved husband, father and friend passed away," Sara White said through the pastor. "His family appreciates your thoughts and prayers as we mourn the loss of Reggie White. We want to thank you in advance for honoring our privacy."
Nicknamed "The Minister of Defense," White had 198 career sacks with the Eagles (1985-92), Packers (1993-98) and Carolina Panthers (2000). He went to two Super Bowls with Green Bay, winning a ring after the 1996 season.
White's sacks mark has since been passed by Bruce Smith, but he hasn't been forgotten.
Former teammate Mike Golic was visibly emotional as he remembered White on ESPN's Sunday NFL Countdown.
"Reggie White was the greatest defensive end of all time, but as great as he was on the field he was that much greater off the field," Golic said.
Eric Allen wrapped up his Sunday chat on ESPN.com with a few words about his former teammate.
"You probably know we were teammates from 1988-1992," Allen said. "What you probably don't know is he was probably the biggest influence on me from the time I stepped foot into Philadelphia until now. More so off the field than on. We continued to stay in touch throughout my 17 years since being a rookie in Philadelphia, and I have a great amount of love for him and his family. So like he would do, please say a prayer for him and his family."
"We are deeply saddened by the passing of one of the greatest men ever to play the game of football," Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie said in a statement. "On behalf of the entire Eagles family, our condolences go out to his wife, Sara, to his children, and to all those who have been touched by Reggie throughout his life. His legacy on and off the football field will never be forgotten."
"[White] was a quality guy, a good man," Chargers quarterback Doug Flutie said. "He broke my collarbone my rookie year in the USFL, but he was always a peaceful guy, never arrogant, never a showboat."
