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Remembering Reggie White

MediaSoul notes the Focus on the Family Reggie White special currently being broadcast. White was a key member of the 1997 Super Bowl-winning Green Bay Packers team, a formidable defensive lineman and an ordained minister. He and his wife were devoted to inner-city ministry and founded the organization Urban Hope, a program that has assisted in starting 400 businesses.

At age 43, Reggie recently passed away as a result of health problems on December 26, 2004.

One of the controversial momements in his life came after he offended the gay rights community by calling homosexualtiy a sin and stating, "Homosexuality is a decision. It’s not a race." The media was appalled leading to an uproar and heavy criticism of the Minister of Defense.

Through it all, Reggie has stood firm. "I’m not going to sell out," he says. "I’m not going to back off what I know God has put on my heart to share. God owns a whole lot more than CBS could ever give me." [Tom Neven, Focus on the Family]

Tuesday night, Jan. 4, 2005, a tribute service was held for White at Memorial Auditorium. Here is the report:

Reggie White was only 43 when he died, but during his tribute service at Memorial Auditorium Tuesday night, those who knew the football star best said he lived more in those years than many do in a lifetime. Reverend Lurone Jennings helped coach Reggie at Howard High. He said, "God has a way of doing things that we don't understand, but what Reggie did on the face of this earth has impacted us all in so many ways."

Reggie began making an impact long before he began making tackles. Old school friends described him a boy with a constant smile on his face and a bible tucked under his arm. Reggie's faith didn't have much of an impact on Juan Hansford when he was younger, but Hansford said Reggie was an inspiration to him, especially, as he grew older.

While Reggie's friends filled Memorial Auditorium for the tribute, there were also many people who never knew him personally. These fans just felt the need to pay tribute. The fans said they admired Reggie for his strength on the field and for his selflessness off the field. The football great donated his time and money to causes close to his heart, such as inner-city youth centers and camps.

With a character like that, it was only fitting that the video tribute to Reggie end with this biblical passage, "I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith."

Posted by tim at January 4, 2005 11:49 PM

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