ESPN (espn.go.com) reports that Reggie White has died of a massive heart attack at the age of 43. His birthday was December 19. The Minister of Defense was a 13-time Pro Bowler and is the all-time NFL sacks leader with 198.
I don't want to be the one to really say it, but steroids may come up pretty quickly here.
I don't want to be the one to really say it, but steroids may come up pretty quickly here.
Maybe, there's a history of heart trouble in the family ... maybe. Then again with the new era of Athlete it might not just be wrestlers that die young of early heart trouble.
One thing I'm sure of is the man could really change the face of the game when he wanted to.
Reggie White on Steroids is probably the most proposterous thing I have ever seen even suggested. His body type is just a big, heavy, thick bodied guy. His body basicly stayed the same throughout his career, with only his mid section growing any.
Sad day in Philly, Green Bay and Carolina I am sure.
He and Jerome Brown are probably giving Johnny Unitas fits up in heaven now.
Originally posted by StaggerLeeReggie White on Steroids is probably the most proposterous thing I have ever seen even suggested.
Really? Dominant pro athlete of the modern era using steroids? Preposterous!
His body type is just a big, heavy, thick bodied guy. His body basicly stayed the same throughout his career, with only his mid section growing any.
Yet he died at the age of 43 of a massive heart attack. I think he was a hell of a player and a positively great human being as far as I know, but the question of steroids or other performance-enhancing drugs possibly playing a role in the young death of a professional athlete is just sort of how it's going to be from now on, sadly. I do hope it's not the case, to make that clear.
I also hope he didnt partake in any steroids. However, his body shape didnt indicate any steroid use. AND, as large as he was, and being a Black male, I am sure his blood pressure was WAY up. Being from the south, he probably didnt partake in the healthiest of diets either. And, a noted family history of heart disease.
Either way, its a sad loss. His performace that one season with basicly a torn hamstring was nothing short of inspirational.
This just sucks. Reggie White was the first player I fell in love with as a kid and I still remember the way he left town even though I was just 6 when it happened. To me he was more then just the best Eagle of all time he was a great player who I could still root for after he left us. The sight of Reggie running around the field with the Lombardi trophy is a sight I will never forget as long as I live.
I don't really care about how he died or if it was steroid related its just sad right now. I think Scott made a point that you have to think about. You have to question every young death in sports no matter how hard to swallow it is. Sure he wasn't ripped but thats not a sure fire sign that he wasn't taking anything at all. I hope this isn't going to be a trend in sports especially with football linemen but it sure looks like its going to be. RIP Reggie.
Considering the NFL has the strongest and strictest drug-testing program of all the major professional sports, I'd think it would be highly unlikely that steroids played any role in this damned tragic event, especially with such a classy individual as Reggie was.
It's just as well: The being in charge up there always sees fit to take the good guys from us too soon and let the scum linger. Her quirky sense of humor, I guess.
It was also reported by Mort this morning that White might have died from respiratory failure due to sleep apnea, a condition he's had for a number of years. It wouldn't surprise me, considering how dangerous the disease is.
As reported during the Packer's Press Conference this afternoon - The Packers had had discussions with Reggie recently regarding officially retiring his number. The Packers told Reggie to let them know when would work well for him, because they wanted to make sure that he was honored on his own day. On the flight home from Minnesota Friday night, Mike Sherman and Bob Harlan pretty much decided that they were going to ask Reggie if next year's home opener would be an ok time for him. Unfortunately, he won't make it.
I am heartbroken. I grew up watching the Eagles pound the Giants, Cowboys and Redskins. Reggie White was the most dominant DL ever. He invented a pass rush move that is damn near impossible to replicate. He seemed genuine and it is a dark day in football
I still remember how in football practice, my coach used to tell all of us defensive linemen to pay attention to Reggie and the way he played the game (we'd get laps or worse for bringing up Gilbert Brown). He was truly one of the best, if not the best ever, stats or no stats, defensive linemen in history. While his sense of morality is debatable to some, nobody would consider him despicable. This is a sad day.
Hold nothing sacred and you'll never be dissapointed. Especially not this statement.
We heard this news yesterday as we were heading out to enjoy a holiday double feature with the kids. Kind of a bummer, but I was glad that we had something light hearted to do after hearing this.
Reggie was special to me...the guy was a freaking super hero! He played with injuries that either healed very quickly, or he ignored outright. His presence in '96 was equally responsible for the Super Bowl victory as Brett Favre's, if not more so.
Truly a decent man no matter what you thought of his views...it's hard to lose someone of quality like that.
Also...just found out, preliminary results indicate a lung disease that restricts lung function, eventually causing fatal cardiac arrythmia.
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Some folks thought of Reggie as racist, some as a true man of God. To quote Van Helsing, perhaps "it's a bit of both."
IMHO, Reggie was the kind of guy who had very strong stands, especially on race and morality. If you disagreed with him, that kind of made you a heathen in his eyes. Even the whole church-burning-down episode...in my mind, Reggie got fooled by a crooked pastor, just like we all did, and he didn't want to admit the mistake (shades of Ron Wolf).
But on the other hand, as former Packer TE Keith Jackson once said, "The walk Reggie has with God is scary." He really was a man of God, and sincerely believed in helping others and spreading the Gospel.
Some media members may not shed a tear over his passing, but Cheesehead Nation certainly will.
RIP, Reggie.
Star wipe, and...we're out. Thrillin' ain't easy.
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