Black History Riggie White

Riggie White Minister of Defense

Riggie White was not only an outstanding Football player but also a well-established Minister. He had many outstanding achievements during his foot ball career. He has also done a lot for the church. So white was a well-rounded leader in the African American Community.

After an All-American senior season at Tennessee, White began his pro career with the Memphis Showboats of the USFL in 1984. He joined the Philadelphia Eagles, who held his NFL rights, after the USFL folded in 1985. For eight years, he played a major role in Philadelphia's "Gang Green Defense." Which seem to be unstoppable at this time. 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. He was the first major black player to sign with the Packers as a free agent. With this decision he made surprised many b/c he want to be in a large city where he could minister to young black youth. While with the Packers White and the team made consecutive appearances to the Super Bowl where in 1997 with a win over New England White set a record with three sacks.

White was 39 when he finished his NFL career with Carolina, leaving the game with 198 sacks. That was actually White's 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, White returned to play for the Panthers where he finished his football career.

White worked tirelessly in the off season with inner-city youth. But his image was tarnished when he gave a speech to the Wisconsin Legislature in which he denounced homosexuality and used ethnic stereotypes. White later apologized for