The man who lived out his childhood ambitions
This edition’s Classic Class Act may be the most disruptive person to have ever put on pads in the history of football. Reggie White, known as the “Minister of Defense” was a nightmare for offensive coordinators and lineman as his strength and technique was unsurpassed by anyone.
According to Pro-Football Reference Reginal Howard White was born on December 19, 1961 in Chattanooga, Tennessee to his parents Charles White and Thelma Dod Collier. We don’t know alot about his early childhood but his Wikipedia Bio tells that when he was 12 years old, according to his mother Thelma, he wanted to grow up to be both a football player and a minister. That takes a special person and a special supporting family for a child to have a dream, this one doubled up, and to live out their youthful aspirations to the great success that Reggie White did.
Wikipedia goes on to say that the young White attended highschool at Howard High, where he became the number one recruit in his state, and then after graduation attended the University of Tennessee. His collegiate career saw him get awarded with an All American status and he was quickly drafted into the USFL by the Memphis Showboats. After the USFL folded Reggie entered the NFL supplemental draft in 1984 where he was picked by the Philadelphia Eagles and led their defense to 8 seasons. Later in his NFL career Mr White also played six seasons for the Green Bay Packers and then a season as a member of the Carolina Panthers.
The Minister of Defense moniker was brandished upon him by teammates at Tennessee as he fulfilled his childhood dream of becoming an Ordained Evangelical Christian Minister. He was ordained while in college and became involved with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He studied the laws of the Torah to further his beliefs in the foundations of his religious knowledge.
Reggie White finished up his football career with great accolades. He was a 2 time NFL player of the year, 13 time Pro-Bowl and the same number of seasons of being an All-Pro. His 198 sacks put him tied for second in League history, only 2 behind leader Bruce Smith. We place an asterix on this 2nd place finish though because in the USFL he had another 13.5 sacks with Memphis which makes him the Pro Football player as the most sacks in history. Mr. White also made the NFL 75th Anniversary All-time Team and the NFL’s 1980’s and 1990’s All Decade Teams.
Sadly Reggie passed away unexpectedly in his sleep just 7 days after his 43rd birthday. He is remembered by the world not only as a great football defensive lineman but as an even greater man who served his creator while teaching others to do so as well. Reginald Howard White is indeed a Class Act. We at PigskinDispatch.com salute him and his legacy of efforts for giving back to his community.
