Thursday, August 17, 2006

LV On Sports: Reggie White Hall of Fame


It was nice to see Reggie White get some much deserved recognition. White along with Warren Moon, Troy Aikman, Harry Carson, John Madden and Rayfield Wright were recently inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. I followed White's career from his days at Tennessee. He was like no player I had ever seen. A player of that size, speed and strength with the best technique the game had ever seen. I hate that Reggie never got to experience the post career accolades that he more than earned. He did live to see himself inducted to the College Football Hall of fame in 2002 and to see his number retired by the Packers in 1999. White recorded 32 sacks during his 4 years with the vols. 15 of those coming in his senior year. I know that there was a moratorium on retiring jerseys at UT for awhile but why did it take so long for Tennessee to honor him? Also, why couldn't Peyton Manning's jersey retirement be pushed back a year. I think it was an insult to have Mannings jersey retired the same year as White's after Reggie had to wait for so long. Manning already had a street named after him and so does Tee Martin which I never understood. Manning never won a National championship. Tee Martin did win one but it was far from a mvp season. Matter of fact half of that year they won despite him not because of him. That street should have been Al Wilson/Peerless Price/ Dewayne Goodrich/ Jeff Hall/ Travis Henry/ Travis Stephens Road because these guys plus a few more are the ones who really got the job done. Where is Reggie's street? In my opinion Reggie White is the best player to come out of the University of Tennessee. That's right all you Manningacs. Reggie had two solo mvp seasons and a Super Bowl victory. Manning hasn't even made to one yet and that door is closing fast. Don't get me wrong. I am a big Manning fan. When the Colts play the Titans I root for the Titans to win but for Peyton to look good in defeat. I just wish that the University of Tennessee had done more for Reggie while he was still alive. A former player shouldn't have to give money to his alma mater to get the recognition that he deserves.

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The views of Lewis are his own and do not express the views of his employer or any other organization that he may be affiliated with.