black history Riggie White :: essays research papers

Riggie White Minister of Defense      Riggie White was not only an outstanding Football player scarce 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.      aft(prenominal) an All-American senior season at Tennessee, White began his pro career with the Memphis Showboats of the USFL in 1984. He conjugated the Philadelphia Eagles, who held his NFL rights, after the USFL folded in 1985. For eight years, he played a major role in Philadelphias "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 stri ke many b/c he want to be in a large city where he could minister to young black youth. time 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 Whites third retirement. He retired for one day before the 1998 season, scarce 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 any harm his comments may have caused. He tack together his fame and star powers to less controversial use in 1996 after his Tennessee church was burned down.