Reggie White

Reginald Howard White was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee. An All-American defensive tackle at the University of Tennessee, White began his professional career with the Memphis Showboats in the USFL before joining the Philadelphia Eagles in 1985. Standing 6 feet 5 inches and 300 pounds, White possessed a legendary move known as the 'hump move'—a violent upward club with one forearm that tossed 300-pound offensive tackles into the air like ragdolls.

During eight seasons in Philadelphia as the leader of Buddy Ryan's ferocious 'Gang Green' defense, White recorded 124 sacks in 121 games, averaging more than a sack per game. An ordained Evangelical minister from age seventeen, he preached in inner-city churches and conducted extensive charity work.

In 1993, White made labor history as the lead plaintiff in White v. NFL, the class-action lawsuit that forced NFL owners to institute true unrestricted free agency and the salary cap. Choosing to sign with small-market Green Bay Packers in the most high-profile free agency signing in sports history, White revitalized the franchise, concluding the 1996 season by recording an NFL-record three sacks in Super Bowl XXXI against New England to secure the championship. Retiring with 13 consecutive Pro Bowl selections, White passed away in his sleep from cardiac arrhythmia in 2004 at age forty-three.