92

Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel writes:
Reggie White joined the Green Bay Packers as an unrestricted free agent in 1992 and over the next seven seasons he became part of the fabric of one of the most storied franchises in professional sports.

On Sunday, he will become only the fifth player in Packers history to have his number retired.

White will long be remembered for the 198 sacks, 13 Pro Bowl selections and Super Bowl XXXI ring he won as a member of the Packers in 1996, but to those who knew him best, he will be measured by the personal moments spent together.


BRETT FAVRE

PACKERS QUARTERBACK, 1992-PRESENT
"I probably have more (personal experiences) with him than any other player, obviously while he was here, but maybe in the league. We spent so much time together. The one thing about Reggie, he kind of changed me, as uncomfortable as it may be. I talked to him four days before he died. I talked to him once a month or whatever, and the last conversation we had was about NASCAR. He was getting involved in a minority racing team. He said, 'I really want your help in NASCAR, I think it's a good opportunity for me.' He wanted me and (agent) Bus (Cook) to go get involved. And I said, 'Reggie, NASCAR?' And we kind of laughed about it and then he said, 'I'm going to be up there in a couple of weeks. I love you.'

"The first time he ever said that I was like, (makes funny face) 'OK, whatever you say, Reggie.' And he would tell me that to my face. My dad never told me he loved me. I knew he did, but that would be awkward. Here's Reggie White, giving me a hug and he'd say, 'I love you.' The first time he did that in person, it was like, 'You too, Reggie.' But after awhile he just made things so easy. I had told him I loved him numerous times. I kind of got used to it. But after a few times you didn't feel as uncomfortable because if Reggie White can tell you he loves you, who gives a damn what anyone else thinks of you."
LeROY BUTLER

PACKERS SAFETY, 1990-2001
"The great thing about Reggie was his sense of humor. That's the reason everyone loved him. He would make us laugh and laugh and laugh. Everyone was respectful of him but he was like one of the guys in the locker room. You could joke about anything. I remember coming home from San Francisco after one of our championship games and we had terrible turbulence on the plane. A lot of guys were really scared.

"Reggie put his arms up and said, 'Young men, come down here with me and everything will be all right. If you want to be saved, come here.' Everyone just died laughing. That's the way he was. And you wouldn't believe it, but the plane leveled out. That was classic."
BOB HARLAN

PACKERS PRESIDENT, 1989-PRESENT
"When he signed with us, I had a chance to sit down and talk to him and he told me that this was one place he was not going to visit. He said, 'I had no thoughts of coming here, but I'm in Detroit on a visit and Green Bay just keeps calling and calling, maybe I should for courtesy's sake, give them a visit.' He said I came here and nothing special was planned and I talked with Mike (Holmgren) and I talked with Ron (Wolf) and we just talked football. He said, 'Once I got here, it grabbed me and as I'm getting back on the plane to leave, I said to (agent) Jimmy Sexton, "Don't be surprised if this is where I wind up." '

"He was so sincere about that story. Just as sincere as when he said he had no thought of coming here. We talked to him about tradition and being a legend and that's what finally appealed to him. It showed how sincere he was about coming here. We didn't do anything fancy for him, but the tradition and impact about what it meant to be a Packer got to him and he admitted it. I like that story."
RON WOLF

PACKERS GM, 1991-2001
"My favorite memory is sitting in a box at the rededication ceremony for Lambeau Field two years ago and spending about 25 minutes talking to him about his experience with the Packers. I think the fact he won a World Championship and played a significant role in being part of that was special. I don't think anyone unless they were a part of the Packers can truly appreciate that.

"How delighted he was being a part of the Green Bay Packers family. He was a guy who was beloved by the entire place. It was kind of like his stadium when he ran out of the tunnel. I do know this: When I was sitting there recruiting him I vividly remember telling him he was a great player, but if you come to Green Bay you'll be a legend. I believe he did that."


Reggie White
By the Numbers
1 - Super Bowl ring.
13 - Pro Bowl appearances.
198 - Career sacks.
3 - Sacks in the Super Bowl XXXI victory over New England.
17 - Million dollars, the worth of his original four-year deal with the Packers.
117 - Streak of non-strike starts, which ended Nov. 20, 1993, against Dallas.
21 - Sacks in a strike-shortened 12-game season in 1987.
2 - NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards.
Andy Nelesen of the Green Bay Press-Gazette writes:
Reggie White’s No. 92 will be added to the short list of numbers never to be worn again in Titletown. White’s number will become the fifth added to the ranks of the retired, which already includes Tony Canadeo’s No. 3, Don Hutson’s No. 14, Bart Starr’s No. 15 and Ray Nitschke’s No. 66.

Here’s a look at Reggie White … by the numbers.

0 — NFL teams with a better overall regular-season record since 1993, when White joined the Green & Gold.

2 — Teams that will retire White’s No. 92 this season. The Philadelphia Eagles will do so at halftime of their game against the Seattle Seahawks on Dec. 5.

3 — Minutes of video montage planned for Sunday’s ceremony to honor White and his family.

3 — Sacks recorded by White during Packers’ Super Bowl XXXI victory, a Super Bowl record.

4 — Packers players with retired numbers who are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. White becomes eligible to be elected in February.

5 — Other players who have worn No. 92 for the Packers. They are: defensive tackle Rich Dimler, defensive ends Matt Koart and Ben Thomas, tackle Steve Collier and nose tackle John Jurkovic.

9 — Digits will hang on Lambeau Field’s north facade after the team unveils White’s “92.”

12/20/1998 — Last time No. 92 was worn in Lambeau Field.

13 — Consecutive years White was selected for the Pro Bowl.

17 — The age of Jecolia White, Reggie’s daughter, who is expected to sing the national anthem Sunday. White’s wife, Sara, and son, Jeremy, also are expected to be on hand.

20 — Dollars per ticket to “Tribute to Reggie White” before the game at ShopKo Hall. The event, sponsored by The Lombardi Legends, begins at 9 a.m. and features appearances by players from the Glory Years and modern era as well as former teammates.

43 — White’s age when he died in December in Huntersville, N.C.

68½ — Sacks recorded as a Packers player.

95 — Games White played with the Green Bay Packers. He started in 94.

198 — Career sacks.
I was privileged to see Reggie White play.

Today, it will be a privilege to be at Lambeau Field when his number is retired.

It really doesn't seem like all that long ago when Reggie helped bring the Vince Lombardi Super Bowl Trophy back home to Green Bay.

I can't find the words to express how it felt when the Packers brought glory to Title Town once again. Maybe you have to be born with green and gold blood in your veins to understand. I don't know.
Reggie's ability as a player and his role as a team leader were pivotal in Green Bay's return to greatness and that magnificent Super Bowl championship season.
Ron Wolf was right when he told Reggie White that if he chose to come to Green Bay, he would be a legend.
Today, Reggie officially takes his place among the greatest of Packer legends.
To be sure, it's a bittersweet celebration.
Thanks, Reggie.