The era officially ended last Sunday
night, thankfully. Not only should National
Football League fans be thankful to Reggie
White for his years of service to the game,
but he should also be thanked for his style.
Many have disagreed with his
Proselytizing, his mission to convert, but
nobody can knock his commitment to the
game and to the fans.
What he has brought to the NFL scene
over the past 15 years has been a renewed
sense of dedication, desire, and belief in
achievement. White not only elevated the
game to new heights, he did it consistently
and with class.
What's best is that he retired for the
same reasons he played the game. Sure he
has been miffed over the past month
because he couldn't have his recognition
day with his former coaching staff, but he
understood why.
He also rightly expressed his
dissatisfaction with the clear lines of race
drawn by the league and broadcast moguls
who control so much of what we see on the
field and television screens.
John Elway had his big night in front of
millions on Monday Night Football -
Reggie's recognition ceremony was on a
Sunday night in front of a much smaller
ESPN congregation. While he said he
thought it was unfair, Reggie understood
and felt honored being back in Lambeau
Field in front of the fans who have adored
him over the past seven years.
All NFL fans should also thank Reggie
for knowing when the time was right to
retire. He stepped aside to be with his
family after being named defensive player
of the year in 1998 - something which may
have been incentive enough for other play
ers to use as a calling to play one more
year.
What Reggie spared us from was
watching an aging player going through the
motions. Sure, an aging Reggie White is
probably a mile better than any other over-
the-hill player trying to hang on for one
more season.
It was time and Reggie knew it, his
coaches knew it, and the fans knew it.
Sometimes it's better to move on, to let
others have their chance.
Compare Reggie's retirement with that
of Barry Sanders. While Sanders was con
sidered one of the class players in the
league, never celebrating excessively and
providing years of Hall of Fame perfor
mances, his decision to step away from the
field was met with consternation.
Everyone knew Barry wasn't happy in
Detroit, but why didn't he try to work
something out with the team? His "It's my
ball and I'm going home" attitude soured
every fan of the game - not to mention team
coaches and administration.
White's retirement is permanent - we
understood just by looking at Reggie. His
weight gain was enough to tell us he is
enjoying life away from football.
Sander's "retirement" is a false front,
many believe. Once he is cleared from his
commitments to the Lions, many are saying
he will be back with a new multi-million
dollar contract with another team.
It's hard to believe Sanders can walk
away from the game a single season away
from breaking the all-time NFL rushing
record.
He may come back and capture the
record, but he has already broken the hearts
of millions of fans and spoiled his image.
His record will be hollow - as stained as his
"retirement".
What White has taught us with his
retirement is that all good things do come to
an end. We must accept it. What Sanders
has taught us is that greed is a corrupting
deed. He is teaching our children that if
they throw a big enough tantrum they will
be rewarded.
Sorry, Barry. That's the wrong message.
It's clear your parents didn't teach you how
wrong it is.
Thanks, Reggie. We all appreciate your candor, your efforts, and your beliefs in the power of faith. You will always be remem bered for being yourself and dedicating your talents to the greater good.