Former NFL star White dies
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John Czarnecki / FOX Sports
Posted: 39 minutes ago
Reggie White, the former Green Bay Packer and Philadelphia Eagle defensive star, died today at the age of 43.
White, whose free-agent signing with the Packers in 1993 altered the NFL landscape, died of respiratory failure due to sleep apnea, according to White's widow, Sara. Sara White spoke this morning with Fox studio co-host James Brown.
Reggie White, 1961-2004
"Today our beloved husband, father and friend passed away," Sara White said in a statement through a family 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."
White's arrival in Green Bay, orchestrated by then-general manager Ron Wolf, proved to be the main defensive ingredient, coupled with quarterback Brett Favre on offense, to the Packers' run to victory in Super Bowl XXXI. Green Bay was upset the following season, 1997, in the Super Bowl by the Denver Broncos.
White, whose NFL career began in Philadelphia, played six seasons in Green Bay. He came out of retirement in 2000 to play for the Carolina Panthers. He finished his NFL career with 198 quarterback sacks. He is the only NFL player to have recorded nine consecutive seasons of double-digit sack totals.
Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie called White "one of the greatest men ever to play the game of football."
"His legacy on and off the football field will never be forgotten," Lurie said in a statement.
A member of the NFL's 75th anniversary team, White was elected to the Pro Bowl a record 13 straight times from 1986-98. He was the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year in 1987 and 1998.
"As great a player as Reggie was, he was a better person, and it isn't close," Detroit Lions CEO Matt Millen said. "Every life that Reggie touched is better for it. This is a very depressing day." White, who technically will be eligible for Hall of Fame induction next year, is survived by his wife and two children.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Latest news has it that Reggie died in his sleep of Sleep Apnea
aka deltacent aka deltater
Life may not be the party I had hoped for.......
But while I'm here I might just as well listen to the music and dance..
12-26-2004 10:43 PM
