White dies at 43

Report indicates NFL great may have died because of respiratory disease

Reggie White Dies at 43 AP SI Writers • King: White had biggest heart in the game • Dr. Z: Top 10 pass-rushers of all time • Photo Gallery Images from White's career Latest news • White dies at 43, possibly from lung ailment • Disease cited in White's death usually not lethal • White's Urban Hope started over 400 businesses

CORNELIUS, N.C. (AP) -- 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 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 his 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.

The disease killed a man who had earned the respect of other NFL players both on and off the field.

"He may have been best player I've ever seen and certainly was the best I've ever played with or against," Green Bay quarterback Brett Favre said.

"Off the field, he did so much for so many people. He really reached a lot of people. ... He was a great friend on and off the field. We'll all miss him."

The fearsome Philadelphia and Green Bay defensive end was 43.

"It just seems so odd, so surreal," said former Packers teammate Eugene Robinson, now a commentator for Carolina, where White spent his final season. "I'm still like, 'I don't believe it.' When I saw it flash on the television -- 1961 to 2004 -- I was just like, 'I'm not going to try to fight back any more tears. I'm just going to cry."'

Sara White said in a statement Sunday: "Today our beloved husband, father and friend passed away. 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."

A police officer was outside White's Tudor-style home in a gated community and would not let a reporter approach the house.

A two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year and ordained minister who was known as the "Minister of Defense," White played 15 seasons with Philadelphia, Green Bay and Carolina. He retired after the 2000 season as the NFL's career sacks leader with 198. The mark has since been passed by Bruce Smith.

"Reggie White was a gentle warrior who will be remembered as one of the greatest defensive players in NFL history," NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue said. "Equally as impressive as his achievements on the field was the positive impact he made off the field and the way he served as a positive influence on so many young people."

A member of the NFL's 75th anniversary team, White was elected to the Pro Bowl a record 13 straight times from 1986-98. He was the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year in 1987 and 1998.

"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.

White and his wife had a son and a daughter: Jeremy, a freshman at Elon University, and Jecolia, a junior in high school.

After an All-America senior season at Tennessee, White began his pro career with the USFL's Memphis Showboats in 1984. He joined the Eagles, who held his NFL rights, after the USFL folded in 1985. For eight years, he was as an integral piece in Philadelphia's "Gang Green Defense."

Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie called White "one of the greatest men ever to play the game of football" and said his "legacy on and off the football field will never be forgotten."

White played a key role in free agency -- he was one of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit that led to the current system.

"He meant as much to us off the field as much as on it," said Gene Upshaw, executive director of the NFL Players Association. "He had his name on the lawsuit and he didn't get one penny. That's just the type of guy he was. His character, his integrity was everything any NFL player should aspire to be."

White signed as a free agent with Green Bay in 1993 for $17 million over four years. His signing, along with a trade for Favre, helped make the Packers champions again.

"That's what changed the football fortunes of this franchise. It was huge," Packers president Bob Harlan said Sunday. "He sent a message to the rest of the NFL that Green Bay was a great place to play."

The Packers made consecutive Super Bowl appearances, including a win over New England in 1997, when White set a Super Bowl record with three sacks.

"He was just a wonderful player, first of all," said Seattle coach Mike Holmgren, who coached White in Green Bay. "Then, as a person, he was just the best. ... I'm a better person for having been around Reggie White."

White worked tirelessly in the offseason with inner-city youths. But his image was tarnished when he gave a speech in which he denounced homosexuality and used ethnic stereotypes. White later apologized.

White was 39 when he finished his NFL career with Carolina -- his third retirement. He retired for one day before the 1998 season, but then said God had told him he needed to play again, and he returned to the Packers.

White retired again after the 1998 season and took a year off from football. After the Packers allowed him out of his contract, he returned to play for the Panthers and recorded a career-low 51/2 sacks and had only 27 tackles.

Wayne Russell, a manager at A.L. Jinwright Funeral Service in Charlotte, said funeral arrangements were still incomplete early Monday.

Reaction to the death of Reggie White

"Reggie White was a gentle warrior who will be remembered as one of the greatest defensive players in NFL history. Equally as impressive as his achievements on the field was the positive impact he made off the field and the way he served as a positive influence on so many young people."
  -- NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue

"He was just a wonderful player, first of all. Then, as a person, he was just the best. He was one of the leaders, along with Brett Favre, of our football team in Green Bay. I'm a better person for having been around Reggie White."
  -- Seattle coach Mike Holmgren, who coached White at Green Bay

"That's what changed the football fortunes of this franchise. It was huge. Everyone thought the last place he would sign was Green Bay and it was monumental because not only did he sign but he recruited for Green Bay and got guys like Sean Jones to come here. He sent a message to the rest of the NFL that Green Bay was a great place to play."
  -- Green Bay president Bob Harlan

"This is such a loss. About two months ago, Reggie was in town on business and he stopped by the practice facility. We chatted, and then I went to get [Detroit defensive tackle] Shaun Rogers. Reggie showed him every aspect of his hump move, and when he was done, he gave Shaun his phone number and told him to call if he could ever help him. That's the kind of guy Reggie was -- he could have kept all his knowledge to himself, but he wanted to share it with everyone and help make them better players. I'm shocked and disappointed."
  -- former Detroit defensive end Robert Porcher

"At times, you would get a little frustrated with Reggie because he was always goofing around on the practice field. He goofed around all the time. He loved the game and rarely got serious. Now on Sundays, he'd get serious and he would have fun."
  -- Tennessee Titans coach Jeff Fisher, who was with White for five seasons in Philadelphia, the last three as defensive coordinator

"I knew him very well, on and off the field. He was one of my idols before I went to Tennessee and I was lucky to get the chance to play with him at Carolina before he retired."
  -- Jacksonville Jaguars safety Deon Grant, who played college football at Tennessee, White's alma mater, and played with White in Carolina

"I'll have to use that old Bum Phillips line: I don't know if he was the best, but it won't take long to call the roll. In the history of the NFL, there's been two dominant free agents: Reggie White and Deion Sanders. From that standpoint, he was as good as they come."
  -- Former Green Bay GM Ron Wolf

"He was one of the greatest players who ever put on a uniform at his position. I once referred to him as the Tony Dorsett of defensive linemen. There's never been a better one."
  -- Johnny Majors, White's former coach at Tennessee

"Reggie's records and accomplishments say it all. He is a Hall of Fame player and possibly the best defensive lineman ever to play the game."
  -- George Seifert, who coached him in Carolina

"Even though he was nearing the end of his career, and you don't do this much, but I remember when he walked out of our offices at Wofford at training camp after he signed the contract, I remember you just sit back and say 'Man, we just signed Reggie White.' I mean, he had that kind of impact, he was that kind of player and that kind of individual."
  -- Carolina GM Marty Hurney on White's impact during his one season with the Panthers

"It's no coincidence he passed on football Sunday. Reggie loved the game, and he loved the people associated with the game. I'm glad that as the entire NFL was preparing to play, they could honor Reggie. You say Reggie's name, and people just have an immediate respect for him."
  -- Keith Johnson, head of CAUSE ministry, Christian Athletes United for Spiritual Empowerment, of which White was one of the founders