Packer/Eagle Great Reggie White has died!

[sheldonm]

Packer/Eagle great Reggie White has died from a massive heart attack earlier today . Only 43 years old.

Very sad!

[JSngry]

Wow...

[Dan Gould]

Sad, shocking news.

FWIW, ESPN is reporting it was respiratory failure related to sleep apnea, not a coronary, massive or otherwise.

[7/4]

That's too young!

[Christiern]

Wasn't he the outspoken born-again homophobe?

[sheldonm]

Wasn't he the outspoken born-again homophobe?

...not sure. He was a fantastic football player and a human being. Too young to die at 43.

[cannonball-addict]

Wasn't he the outspoken born-again homophobe?

He raised controversy in 1998 when he publicly condemned homosexuality. White, an ordained minister, spoke before the Wisconsin State Assembly, saying, "We've allowed this sin [homosexuality] to run rampant in our nation, and because it has run rampant in our nation, our nation is in the condition it's in today." He claimed that homosexuality was "hurting kids" and "killing our people", and also appeared in advertisements for ex-gay groups, and made a number of statements (http://my.execpc.com/~dross/aw/regwhite.html) which were construed to be racist, such as "you can see a Hispanic person and they can put 20 or 30 people in one home," and, "when you look at the Asians, the Asian is very gifted in creation, creativity and inventions. If you go to Japan or any Asian country, they can turn a television into a watch." The press coverage following White's death mostly ignored these remarks and activities.

note: care of wikipedia

[Dan Gould]

The press coverage following White's death mostly ignored these remarks and activities.

Not what I saw. It was a part of the ESPN report I saw, and a prominent part of the NBC national broadcast.

And who cares that he said a few things that caused an outcry, years ago? He was a great football player, and judging from everything I heard today, a helluva person. That's what he should be remembered for.

Edited December 27, 2004 by Dan Gould

[JSngry]

This bothers me, since I have pretty bad sleep apnea and am somewhat overweight. Has there been any further exposition of exactly what happened to kill him and how?

[Christiern]

A helluva person, Dan? A misguided bigot is more like it. One cannot hide ugliness behind a veil of religion--it is still ugliness.

I am sorry for his family that he died at such an early age, but it's too bad that he didn't see the light first.

[BERIGAN]

Oh, no doubt, he said some dumb things in the past...but the overall picture of him is quite positive.....From his peers...

Memories of No. 92

ESPN.com

As towering a presence as Reggie White was on the field, he was that much more impressive off the field. ESPN.com believes those who knew him are the best to truly describe White. Here are just some of the many things they had to say about the "Minister of Defense."

Mike Golic

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. I will miss Reggie, and my thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, Sara, and his two lovely children."

Eric Allen

Allen

"You probably know we were teammates from 1988-1992. 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."

Paul Tagliabue

Tagliabue

"Reggie White was a gentle warrior who will be remembered as one of the greatest defensive players in NFL history. Equally as impressive as his achievements on the field was the positive impact he made off the field and the way he served as a positive influence on so many young people. We are deeply saddened by his loss and extend our deepest sympathy to Reggie's wife Sara and his entire family."

Mark Schlereth

Schlereth

"Reggie White was one of the greatest football players I've ever seen or lined up against. He was amazingly dominant and someone that a team spent a week preparing for. When an offensive line stepped onto the field, it was imperative to locate where White was lined up to have some semblance of a chance at figuring out how he was going to disrupt your offense.

I'll never forget one of the first times I ever had to face White on the field. I was playing for the Washington Redskins at the time, and I didn't really expect to have to face him. At the time, the Eagles would switch him all over the line so that he'd occasionally face a guard. I'll never forget how I felt when I came out of the huddle and realized he was lining up to face me. I immediately started wondering what I'd done to deserve this butt whupping.

Off the field, there wasn't a hypocritical bone in his body. He affected many people with his personality, beliefs and the stewardship of his life. He was one of the greatest and noblest men I've ever been around. Regardless of where you were in your walk in life, he was going to treat you with kindness, compassion, love and respect. We've lost a great man today."

Joe Theismann

Theismann

"I knew Reggie White for many years during and after his playing career and I was fortunate to know and spend time with such an amazing human being. The last time I spent time with him was last year during a trip to Indianapolis and I only wish I'd spent more time with him because he was one of the dearest souls to ever put on a uniform. He was committed and outspoken in his beliefs, feared nothing and his commitment to God was No. 1 in his life.

I'll never forget his last season in Green Bay when I was broadcasting a game for Sunday Night Football. He'd torn his hamstring and I remember in the meeting I actually put my fingers in his leg where the hamstring was supposed to be. I expressed shock that he'd be able to play and he told me he put his faith in God that it'd be alright. He went out and had a great game and it was one of the greatest sights I've ever seen. His play that day convinced me of divine intervention. That was typical of the type of faith that Reggie White had. He knew God would take care of the situation.

On the football field, White was a rare combination of size, power and speed. He was one of those guys who stepped up and made special plays when his team needed him to come through. Like all great players he had a great sense of knowing when to seize the moment. That sense of the moment and greatness extended off the field as witnessed by those in his church's congregation. In 1999 White came to the rescue when an arsonist burned down his church. He knew his congregation needed him and he came through leading the fund raising drive to get the church rebuilt. That's his legacy.

It's a tragedy to lose someone so valuable to society at such a young age. I won't remember the passing of Reggie White, but I will remember his contributions and I'll celebrate his life because I had a chance to know the man."

Michael Irvin

Irvin

"When a football player passes away everyone talks about how great he was as a player. But if you just talked about how great Reggie White was on the football field you fell well short of who he was as a person.

As a player the first thing I thought when I first saw him was that he's one of the greatest of all time. I honestly couldn't wait to get to the Pro Bowl just so I could talk to him about football. I wanted to know what it was like to get to that level of greatness and what it took to stay there.

When we met he wouldn't even address those things because he wanted to know how I was spiritually. We sat and talked a good while about those things and I was touched at how great a person he was. We recently talked three months ago and he asked about my family and how I was doing as a person. He was truly a great guy and people realized that when they were in his presence. He was a gift from God and that's all you need to know about Reggie White."

Tom Jackson

Jackson

"On every occasion I had to meet Reggie, it was evident how good a player and person he was. He was as good a defensive player as I've ever seen and I know it sounds clichéd to say it, but he was a much better person. His great work in the ministry, how good he was around children coupled with how great a family man he was shows what a loss we've suffered. He knew what it meant to be a friend and leaves behind a great legacy. He was taken too soon, but his inspiration will survive."

Mike Ditka

Ditka

"As great as Reggie White was as a player, what I remember the most is that he was the best example of what being a pro athlete is all about. He was pure class on and off the field. He was always tolerant of his opponent and never tried to hurt or embarrass anyone. I loved him as a player and I loved him even more as a person."

Dwight Freeney

"If you're a defensive end, a guy who loves to sack the quarterback, how could you not admire Reggie White and everything he accomplished? I've watched a lot of pass rushers and he was special. He did things his way, invented moves to get him to the quarterback, and was just a great player. Sure I've studied him. But I could never be so bold as to say I could duplicate him. He was just a great player and, from what I understand about him, a great person, too."

Duce Staley

"I remember when I was rookie with the Eagles filling in for Ricky Watters and I was playing against Reggie. I gave him a cut block and then got in his face and said some things to him out of emotion. He came over to me and said, 'Rookie, that was a good block, but remember what you are saying is to a Child of God.' That floored me and I wasn't the same the rest of the game. He was a remarkable person along with being a remarkable player."

Wilbert Montgomery

"Reggie White was a man who stood large in stature as a man, and in his beliefs. He was a guy that stood up for what he believed was right. Here is a guy that was so disruptive on the field and changed the game from a defensive end standpoint, but also had the softer side to stand up for what he believed in outside the game."

J.D. Gibbs

"On behalf of my dad (Washington Redskins head coach Joe Gibbs) and the entire Joe Gibbs Racing family, I would like to express my deepest sympathy to Sara and the White family for their loss. He was much more than a great football player. He excelled as a husband and father and he honored the Lord with his life. It was a true pleasure to collaborate with him on the Joe Gibbs Racing Diversity Program. I know that my father and I, as well as all the employees of JGR, were looking forward to a long relationship with Reggie through this program. All of us at Joe Gibbs Racing will ensure that his vision to cultivate a diversity program within NASCAR will continue. Our thoughts and our prayers are with his family during this difficult time."

Jeffrey Lurie

"We are deeply saddened by the passing of one of the greatest men ever to play the game of football. 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."

http://espn.go.com/classic/s/Whitememories.html

[Jim Alfredson]

Yeah, blaming homosexuals for the downfall of society is saying "some dumb things".

While it's too bad he died so young, his beliefs are what's wrong with society, not homosexuals.

[Shawn]

Well, I'm not going to focus on those things he said, it was unfortunate but that's not what he should be remembered for.

He was one of the best football players to ever hit the field. He was a loving/caring person and a tribute to how professional athletes should behave. We need more Reggie Whites in the era of loud mouthed jerks like Terrell Owens.

When asked why he went to Green Bay he responded. "I came to sack sin & quarterbacks".

[Big Al]

Well, I'm not going to focus on those things he said, it was unfortunate but that's not what he should be remembered for.

He was one of the best football players to ever hit the field. He was a loving/caring person and a tribute to how professional athletes should behave. We need more Reggie Whites in the era of loud mouthed jerks like Terrell Owens.

When asked why he went to Green Bay he responded. "I came to sack sin & quarterbacks".

Word!

[Jim Alfredson]

When asked why he went to Green Bay he responded. "I came to sack sin & quarterbacks".

And that's exactly the attitude that I find repulsive. "Sack sin"?

[7/4]

When asked why he went to Green Bay he responded. "I came to sack sin & quarterbacks". 

And that's exactly the attitude that I find repulsive. "Sack sin"?

We are in the time of the stoopid people.

They vote for stoopid people and steal entire elections. They agree with dumb shit other stoopid people say, don't think twice about it and when you call them on this thoughtless behavior, they see nothing wrong with their mindlessness.

Where's the next tailgate party? Yeah team and praise the lord!

[sheldonm]

We all say things that appears stupid to others while seeming to be "right" to us. I'm don't believe that everything Reggie said was right but I am sure he was a good person (according to people that knew him better than I did). I don't agree with many statements made by many of our board members either (knowing we are all not the same and don't see things the same way) but don't think you are less of a person because of it.........

Mark

[Craig23]

Maybe he was a good person to his friends. We are all good to our friends and our friends would say good things about us. While everyone is entitled to say what they believe and feel that what they say is “for the good” of whatever, some ideas and some beliefs hurt or harm other people. He is a person who thought he was doing good but hurt groups of people while he was at it. I guess that can’t be avoided, but just because someone is really, really good at a sport doesn’t make him/her a good person.

A biggoted guy who was good to people who felt the same way as him and was a Great Football Player died young.

[Shawn]

I just thought it was a funny quote.

I'm the most "anti-organized religion" guy you're ever likely to meet. I don't believe in sin...it's a crock o' shit.

[sheldonm]

Maybe he was a good person to his friends.  We are all good to our friends and our friends would say good things about us.  While everyone is entitled to say what they believe and feel that what they say is “for the good” of whatever, some ideas and some beliefs hurt or harm other people.  He is a person who thought he was doing good but hurt groups of people while he was at it.  I guess that can’t be avoided, but just because someone is really, really good at a sport doesn’t make him/her a good person. 

A biggoted guy who was good to people who felt the same way as him and was a Great Football Player died young.

Almost all references made to him above mention him as a person, not just a sports star. As I mentioned in my post, I'm not defending him, just stating that we all make statements or have beliefs that may hurt other people but somehow we find a way to justify them for our own good. Life (to me) is a work in progress; there are many things I have said, thought or done in the past that I wish I hadn't and there are many times I wish I had said or done something and didin't.

Mark

Edited December 27, 2004 by sheldonm

[porcy62]

I didn't know anything about Reggie White, and football ( I mean american football, we play "real" football, that you call erroneously "soccer", as every UK member of this board can explain you ), but this thread confirms me that the good old times of Mohamed Alì and Tommy Smith are gone.

[7/4]

How long before someone mentions how Hitler was probably a swell guy and kind to his friends too?

[Big Al]

Good gravy, this is just damn hilarious: people saying vicious and hurtful things about a dead man who said vicious and hurtful things while he was living. May we all hold our tongues when it’s your turn.

My God, some of you sound as if he was going after “sinners” with fire and brimstone. And you judge him based on the sound bites. This from folks who never even met the man or spent even a second with the man. Did you not read the quotes from those that did?

Some of you sound damn glad he’s gone. Unbelievable.

[7/4]

Good gravy, this is just damn hilarious: people saying vicious and hurtful things about a dead man who said vicious and hurtful things while he was living. May we all hold our tongues when it’s your turn.

My God, some of you sound as if he was going after “sinners” with fire and brimstone. And you judge him based on the sound bites. This from folks who never even met the man or spent even a second with the man. Did you not read the quotes from those that did?

Some of you sound damn glad he’s gone. Unbelievable.

Eh? He said some dumb shit.

[sheldonm]

How long before someone mentions how Hitler was probably a swell guy and kind to his friends too?

I'm sure you're not comparing Reggie White to Hitler !