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Reggie White Dead at 43

I just heard on ESPN that former Eagle, Packer, and Panther defensive end Reggie White has died of a heart attack a week after his 43rd birthday. White, a sure first ballot Hall of Famer, was almost universally beloved throughout the league. My condolences go out to his family.

No story yet on ESPN.com or GoogleNews.

Update (1100): White dies Sunday morning (ESPN)

Former NFL star Reggie White has died after suffering a massive heart attack Sunday morning at his home near Huntersville, N.C., ESPN’s Chris Mortensen has learned. The former Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles defensive end, a lock for the Pro Football Hall of Fame who retired as the NFL’s all-time sacks leader in 2000, turned 43 on Dec. 19.

“Today our beloved husband, father and friend passed away,” White’s wife, Sara, said through a family pastor. “His family appreciates your thoughts and prayers as we mourn the loss of Reggie White. We want to thank you in advance for honoring our privacy.”

Nicknamed “The Minister of Defense,” White had 198 career sacks with the Eagles (1985-92), Packers (1993-98) and Carolina Panthers (2000). White went to two Super Bowls with Green Bay, winning a ring after the 1996 season.

Eric Allen wrapped up his Sunday chat on ESPN.com with a few words about his former teammate. “You probably know we were teammates from 1988-1992,” Allen said. “What you probably don’t know is he was probably the biggest influence on me from the time I stepped foot into Philadelphia until now. More so off the field than on. We continued to stay in touch throughout my 17 years since being a rookie in Philadelphia, and I have a great amount of love for him and his family. So like he would do, please say a prayer for him and his family.”

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About James Joyner
James Joyner is the publisher of Outside the Beltway and the managing editor of the Atlantic Council. He's a former Army officer, Desert Storm vet, and college professor with a PhD in political science from The University of Alabama. Follow James on Twitter.

Comments

  1. [...] Very sad indeed: he was an awfully young man (just turned 43) to die of a heart attack. James Joyner and Jeff Quinton have more.
    Filed under: Sports

    Click here to go to [...]

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  2. [...] 6/2004

    Reggie White, R.I.P.

    Shocking news that Reggie White is dead at 43. James Joyner has more. Obviously, there was something seriously wrong with the man’s heart. [...]

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  3. Reggie White dead at 43
    Boston.com: Defensive lineman Reggie White, who terrorized quarterbacks for the Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles, has died of a massive heart attack at age 43, according to ESPN. Reporter Andrea Kremer said that since leaving he game, he had…

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  4. Sad News: Reggie White Dead at 43
    Very sad indeed: he was an awfully young man (just turned 43) to die of a heart attack.

    James Joyner and Jeff Quinton have more.

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  5. Rodney Dill says:

    Some more information at the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel Packer site and at the Packer site.

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  6. Reggie! Reggie! Reggie!
    Reggie White is dead. His stay in Green Bay wasn’t as long and his time in Philadephia. But his six…

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  7. bLogicus says:

    Football Player and Minister, Reggie White, is No Longer with Us
    There is no football player that I have more respect for than Reggie White and was surprised when I read the news of his death on PoliBlog. As a man who put his faith in Jesus Christ and lived accordingly,…

    Helpful or Unhelpful: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

  8. Nominal Me says:

    RIP Reggie White
    Here is more information on the early passing of Reggie White.

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