Black History Month Profiles: Reggie White

Note: In celebration of Black History Month, Athletes in Action is profiling 28 African American athletes who are believers in Christ.

It could be said that Reggie White was known as much for his faith in Christ as for his role in professional football. Nicknamed “The Minister of Defense,” White spent 15 years in the National Football League as a defensive end.

White attended the University of Tennessee, then played for two seasons in the USFL for the Memphis Showboats. He was selected in the first round of the NFL’s supplemental draft in 1985, chosen by the Philadelphia Eagles. He also played for the Green Bay Packers – helping lead the team to a Super Bowl XXXI victory – and retired in 1998. He came out of retirement for one season in 2000, playing for the Carolina Panthers.

He holds the NFL record for nine consecutive seasons with at least 10 sacks. He was all-pro for 13 of his 15 seasons, and is part of the College Football Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame, added in 2006. He was presented the Bart Starr Award by AIA at the Super Bowl Breakfast in 1992 while with Green Bay.

White died in 2004 at age 43.

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