December 26, 2004

Reggie! Reggie! Reggie!

Reggie White is dead. His stay in Green Bay wasn't as long and his time in Philadephia. But his six seasons helped bring a title back to Titletown and made the Packers one of the most beloved franchises in all of sports.

Brett Favre's golden arm and incredible toughness will be what is most remember about this Packers revival, but I feel safe claiming that a third Super Bowl title wouldn't have happened without #92. It wasn't just that Reggie White was the most dominating defensive end in NFL history. By White coming to Green Bay it told the rest of the league that the Packers were serious about winning. As Tom Silverstein writes, "Soon after his arrival, the Packers were able to recruit free agents from all walks of life because they had the great Reggie White recruiting for them."

Reggie was a leader on the field and for the most part was a good man off the field. Packers fans gave generously to rebuild a burned out church White was a part of. The church was never rebuilt and questions about where the money went weren't answered.

White took flack for a March 1998 speech before the Wisconsin State Legislature where he mentioned racial stereotypes. The overblown attention to his remarks cost him a CBS sports analyst position.

What I'll most remember about Reggie was one play against the Vikings (I think). Reggie was lined up again a big, hulking offensive tackle. The ball was snapped. Reggie didn't run around him, cut to the inside, or try to spin on him. He just got his arm underneath the tackle's armpit and tossed him aside like a rag doll. I don't even remember if Reggie ended up sacking the quarterback. It doesn't matter because I was in awe of such strength and leverage.

If there's a version of Lambeau Field in heaven--and you know there it--all the fans there are chanting "Reggie! Reggie! Reggie!"

I knew Michele was a Favre fan, but I'm not surprised she liked Reggie too.

Godspeed, Reggie.

"Reggie White Dies of Heart Attack"

UPDATE:

Here's some blogospheric reaction:

Glenn Reynolds, who rarely posts on sports items, speaks kindly of Reggie.

Steve at Lake View "can't believe it."

Philip Winn, a Vikings fan, shows Reggie some love.

James Joyner links to a story on how influential Reggie was to one teammate.

And then there are also asses like this.