#92 – Reggie White :: 1961-2004
They called him the Minister of Defense.
He was the foundation of the Gang Green defensive line.
Quarterbacks feared his name, and even worse, feared his footsteps.
He was epitomized with a poster, I saw in a college dorm room.
“This man is Reggie White.”
“He leads the NFL in sacks.”
“You can’t stop him.”
“You can’t run away from him.”
“Do you hear footsteps?”
“… I do.”
So in tribute, sports fans, I give you, Reggie White
Do you want to know why I like football?
Do you want to know why I enjoy the game so much?
Do you want to know why I always appreciate a good defense stuffing a mighty-mighty offense?
Cause the reason, the single individual, the single lone man died today.
I couldn’t call Reggie White a hero. I could never be anything like him. He was big, he was fast, and he was a true athelete.
His job was to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks, and if possible, tackle them.
(it was not only possible. Reggie set NFL records. – Like sacking 73 Different Quarterbacks)
Reggie White was so good, he didn’t need a last name anymore. “Reggie” was all you needed to say, and EVERYONE knew who you were talking about.
The Jersey said #92 – White, or “R. White”, but everyone in the stands and watching from home screamed his real name… Reggie.
My favorite Reggie Moment was on Thanksgiving. The Eagles were playing the most-hated-team-in-Football, the Dallas Cowboys.
Troy Aikman was a rookie quarterback. (Throughout their careers, he and Reggie met in the backfield 7 times, all those times, Reggie won)
Emmitt Smith was a rookie running back.
The Eagles smoked them in that Thanksgiving Game, IN Dallas, in a large part to the on-field play of Reggie White.
John Madden was the color man for Fox Sports at the time, and he started a gimmick about giving the Player of the Game a turkey leg from a Roasted Turkey in his Madden Cruiser.
Reggie White was the first ever, receipient of the Turkey Leg.
Madden presented it to Reggie on the field, after celebrating his victory.
Most players, when they receive the turkey leg, looked at it in disgust. Here they are, standing in the cold, wanting to get cleaned up in the locker room, and some reporter hands them a giant dripping juicy turkey leg. The first thing they wanted to do was throw the peice of meat into the nearest garbage can. (and most did just that.)
Reggie White was not one of those people.
No, Reggie White took one look at this trophy of animal flesh and took a bite out of it, right on camera.
“It’s Good!” he exclaimed and continued eating; thus ending the on field interview.
Reggie is eating now, no more questions.
To this day, networks are trying to recreate that Thanksgiving moment with their own gimmick trophys; but to no avail. That moment required two people; a crazy announcer like John Madden, and a REAL football player like Reggie White.
That moment has not been duplicated.
One of the most memorable things about Reggie White, the man, was his faith.
He loved Jesus.
After each game, Reggie White would gather players together, from both sides of the field, offense, defense, good-guys, bad-guys, and they would kneel in a circle and Reggie would lead the group in prayer.
Some times the cameras would show it, sometimes the microphones would catch his words.
He would thank Jesus for a good game, for his teammates, for his opponents, and for no injuries.
If someone was hurt and left the game, he prayed for them.
Everytime I saw it, he was flanked by people wearing a different jersey than his own.
It was sportsmanship.
When you saw it, you felt something.
Opponents on the field, pausing after the game, win or lose, to praise and thank God.
For this, he earned the nickname, “The Minister of Defense”
I can’t speak for his heart, but Jesus told us to judge a tree by its fruit.
And Reggie White had some good fruit.
Godspeed, Reggie. This earth will miss you.
Reggie’s heart had to be the size of his body since he was all heart.
Comment by Dad — December 26, 2004 @ 2:09:32 PM
Hey Jeremy .. I liked your comments and tribute to Reggie. Like many others I was particularly saddened to read about Reggie’s untimely death.
While I live in Australia and never actually saw Reggie in person, I have none the less maintained for the last 6 years or so the ONLY fan site dedicated to Reggie on the net. I could never really figure out
that anomaly. (I even noticed your 73 QB-hitlist link to my site)
http://olympia.fortunecity.com/white/225/1white.html
Reggie is the reason I’m such a big Packers fan. In 1993, when Reggie signed with Green Bay an Australian commentator at the time said that Reggie was obviously heading there for the money to see out his playing career. I didn’t believe it so started to keep an eye on the results of my newly adopted team. By the time the internet had made its way into my home in 1998 I was able to keep up with the latest news and came to appreciate that this team was really a great team for me to follow. History, tradition, fan base, small town big league etc etc. Hence my 4 different web sites (see signature below).
In terms of a reaction I must say I was shocked and saddened. I’ve put an official statement on my web-site but it’s not easy putting into words the legacy of the man (especially considering how divided
opinion appears to be about him particulary with his off-field comments and actions). I’ve chosen to ignore this side of Reggie as I don’t really know the facts living so far away. The vitriol of some people that I’ve received both via email and through my web site guest book certainly indictaes that feelinings are mixed. All I can say his that his on-field leadership, his numerous records and his outstanding accomplishments say it all in my mind.
Anyway life goes on. I suppose we need to put things into some perspective by remembering that around the time of Reggie’s daeth there was an earth quake in the Indonesia area which has subsequently lead to over 15,000 deaths and thousands still missing. At the end of the day, like us all, Reggie was just one man.
regards
Peter
Packer Backer from Downunder
Comment by downunder — December 27, 2004 @ 5:30:02 PM
Thanks Peter,
I thought we wouldn’t hear any of that old news being dredged up, but apparently, the New York Times and the Associated Press need to re-mention that Reggie had some opinions which differed from theirs.
But, as with all opinions, we all have them, and pretty much all of them are wrong. (Including mine) – Its funny how opinions work.
As for knowing the facts of public opinion towards Reggie, I wouldn’t worry about it. (Cause I don’t) Most of it was just a trumped-up story anyways.
Remember Reggie.
Remember the man.
Remember why he was great, and why you like him. Cause that is what matters.
That is his real legacy. On and off the field.
Thanks for visiting.
Comment by Jeremy — December 28, 2004 @ 11:42:30 AM
As they say … never let the truth get in the way of a good story.
Thanks for the ‘opinion’ on why we shouldnt’t get caught up in the hype … I agree that we just need to let that stuff wash over you and don’t waste energy with fuelling the negativity around.
regards
Comment by downunder — December 29, 2004 @ 8:46:49 PM
Reggie White was a person who stood up for his beliefs, which were true and real, whether people agreed with him or not. In spite of opposition, he spoke from his heartfelt belief that God’s Bible teaches truth, whether we want to heart it or not, whether we agree or not. That’s extremely admirable to speak up for RIGHT, against political correctness, without bitterness or hatred. Thanks to Reggie White for showing us what real strength is.
Comment by Maria — March 22, 2005 @ 10:21:59 PM
Reggie is now in the Hall of Fame. And he just keeps on going.
Comment by Dad — February 4, 2006 @ 4:23:06 PM