Update from ESPN's website: CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- NFL great Reggie White may have died because of a respiratory disease combined with other health problems, a preliminary autopsy report said Monday. White most likely had a condition that affected the amount of air his lungs could hold, resulting in "fatal cardiac arrhythmia," said Dr. Mike Sullivan, the medical examiner for Mecklenburg County and a forensic pathologist. The report issued by Sullivan's office also said sleep apnea may have been a factor. The fearsome Philadelphia and Green Bay defensive end was 43. The report is a preliminary one; determining a final cause of death could take up to three months, Sullivan's office said. White died Sunday at Presbyterian Hospital in Huntersville after being taken there from his home in nearby Cornelius. His wife, Sara, called 911. White had the disease, known as sarcoidosis, for several years, family spokesman Keith Johnson said Sunday. He described it as a respiratory ailment that affected White's sleep. On its Web site, the American Lung Association describes sarcoidosis as a disease characterized by the presence of small areas of inflamed cells that can attack any organ of the body but is most frequently found in the lungs. The cause of the disease, which is most common among blacks and white northern Europeans, is not known. Sleep apnea causes people to stop breathing repeatedly -- in some cases, hundreds of times -- during their sleep. "A 43-year-old is not supposed to die in his sleep," Johnson said. "It was not only unexpected, but it was also a complete surprise. Reggie wasn't a sick man ... he was vibrant. He had lots and lots of energy, lots of passion." Johnson is the head of Christian Athletes United for Spiritual Empowerment, a ministry that White helped found. He said White had gone to see the movie "Fat Albert" on Christmas night with family and friends. link:
pgabriel - You are absolutley right, he went right up to the young punk bigots who burned down his church and calmly told them he forgave them for what they did. Another thing about Reggie's comments, he was a known practical joker and was never very serious in practice or the locker room. Jeff Fisher (Who was on the coaching staff in Philly) said that sometimes it was frustrating for the coaches in practice because Reggie was always clowning around. He realized what he said was not taken in a light way and he apologized. RM95 - I try to respect you because I have talked to many people who have met you and say you are a stand up guy. I'm not debating that, In fact I appreciate that you try to keep some of the D&D crap civil especially when it's in the hangout. But you just told a man who you know wouldn't hurt a fly, and who just lost a close family member that he shouldn't be surprised if the deceased's character flaws are dragged up barely posthumously. The fact that you think Reggie White is a great football player really has no relevance here, because nobody is questioning his football talent. The whole "I'm the victim here" routine isn't working in this thread, I called DonnyMost on it and I'll do the same to you, because this time you are blatantly on the offensive and it's plain as day for everyone to see. I suggest you get your head out of your ass because I'm not standing for it.
Thanks for the update, Manny. What a tragedy. We need to keep our prayers with the family... imagine having something like that happen and not seeing it coming. I guess our bodies can just betray us sometimes. We're not as invincible as we think we are. At least it sounds like he was still involved with that ministry group, since that guy was his spokesperson. Hopefully (IMO) those rumors of him losing his faith are unfounded.
Yet its accurate. Reggie White's legacy shouldn't be seperated from the fact that he held some pretty ignorant and bigotted views anymore than Ken Caminatti's legacy was that he abused drugs. This is an unfortunate fact that these people while being phenomenal athletes were still flawed humans. Another example that Barkley was right about sports stars being role models. IMO its more of a disservice to simply remember the person two-dimensionally than to consider that his life and legacy in its fullness.
as an aside...and off-topic...he wasn't right. athletes are role models. not necessarily postive ones...but they're role models, nonetheless. one doesn't choose or not choose to be a role model...the person who holds you as his/her role model does.
Manny; I posted my last post in reply and you've stated what I was saying. I wouldn't go up to Reggie's wife at his visitation and tell her right away that I feel that he had some very biggoted views but in a general discussion on Reggie White's life and legacy I will say that and stand by it.
I'm not trying to be argumentative. But I don't know that I'd make that blanket statement, either. I don't think because a guy plays sports that he necessarily is NOT role model material. i always thought charles' statements were a cop-out...you don't have control over who idolizes you...so you absolutely have a responsibility, whether you want it or not.
Sishir, Thanks for the clarification and sorry for the flippant response earlier. I see where you are coming from and agree that we should not sweep under the rug, so to speak, the bad things that our heroes and people we admire did. However, it comes across as judging and who are we to judge Reggie White, especially for one ill-informed remark? I guess what I am saying is let God judge him. However, that is easier said than done as we are all guilty (me especially), to a degree I think, of being judgmental. It's just that I think the good things that Reggie did far outweigh the bad or negative.
thank you I been saying this for years It is a copp out on the side of athletes to say this bullsh*t Rocket River
I've been reading as many of the stories as I can find, and one thing that I keep seeing on the stories that go into any depth is repeated references to the man's kindness and thoughtfulness. Ultimately, IMHO, these are the traits that will be remembered by those who actually knew him, and those are the only people who really count when it comes down to it. For the rest of us, I think he's more of a paradigm or a symbol or an archetype for various ideas and virtues. I think that the combination of infamous comments and his role as a preacher strike a particular chord of concern based on the history of this country. I speak particularly of the way that people like George Wallace tried to invoke God as the source of their indefensable segrigationist racial hatred in the 60's. I don't think that anybody who has looked closely at Reggie White can argue that White's statements were made with any of the malice that guided Wallace, but the echo of the memory is too strong. Furthermore, I would suggest that for most Americans, and the way that they integrate the narrative of history, it is probably enough to view Wallace as the architype of the way in which racism can twist the souls of the people of this country, and to understand everyting both good and bad about the man would only tend to cloud the narrative of history. I'm not sure if your familiar with the psychological defense mechanism known as splitting, but it's one of the most primal mechanisms and I think if you look you will see it alot when people think about public figures. One quick defination I found online follows: Furthermore, in the same way that many people will always remember Wallace for his history in the 60's and not for the amazing transformation he made before his death, people will remember Reggie White's most infamous moment, not the whole picture. As a Christian (though I'm sure I wouldn't qualify by some standards), I would suggest that the biggest enemy of Christianity are the people who drape themselves in the words and symbols of Christianity, but don't act from the true love and compassion of faith. For those on the outside these people inspire a sort of contempt that is difficult to bypass in order to see the true message, unfortunately.
PREACH ON PREACHER!!! Very well said. I could not agree more! I did not know that about Wallace...great stuff!
Here is an article from Rick Joyner, a pastor in North Carolina who was a close friend of Reggie. http://www.morningstarministries.org/pages/special_bulletins/december_2004/SB42_Dec_27.html I think it gives an awesome depiction of the man he was, and addresses some of the issues discussed in this thread.
