Throughout the ’80s and ’90s, Reginald Howard White played 15 seasons as a professional defensive end for the NFL. While playing college football for the Volunteers of Tennessee, White was named an All-American without a single vote.
After two years of professional football with the USFL’s Memphis Showboats, he was drafted in the first round of the 1984 Supplemental Draft by the NFL. He went on to play for the Eagles, Packers, and Panthers, earning more awards than any defensive player in NFL history. Do you know what happened to Reggie White and how did he die? Know all the details below:
Reggie White Cause Of Death
On December 26, 2004, Reggie White was sleeping with his family in their Cornelius, North Carolina, home. Reggie started to have trouble breathing early that morning, and he was taken to a hospital in Huntersville, North Carolina, where doctors declared him dead.
After years of living with cardiac and pulmonary sarcoidosis, White’s fatal arrhythmia was most likely caused by it. Also, White had trouble breathing while he slept due to his sleep apnea. At the age of 44, the former defensive passed away.
Take a look at the below tweet for Reggie White death:
His number is retired in Green Bay, Philadelphia and right here in Knoxville.
We remember The Minister of Defense today on the anniversary of his death.
A true #VFL.
RIP Reggie White (December 19, 1961 – December 26, 2004) pic.twitter.com/IGyrnqssc5
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) December 26, 2019
Sarcoidosis, an inflammatory disease that often affects the lungs, caused White, 43, to develop small lumps. But sometimes, as seems to have happened with White, it can also happen in the heart.
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What Were The Reasons For Reggie White’s Death Found In His Autopsy?
The Mayo Clinic defines sleep apnea as episodes of interrupted breathing while sleeping. It was a contributing factor in the demise of the football great. Pathologist Dr. J. Michael Sullivan provided five reasons for Reggie White’s demise in the autopsy. The initial diagnosis was “sarcoidosis with involvement of heart, lungs, and liver.”It was followed by “cardiomegaly with left ventricular concentric hypertrophy.” In third place, there was a “history of sleep apnea.” There was a fourth category, “moderate coronary atherosclerosis.” No. 5 was “mild aortic atherosclerosis.” As stated, the cause of death was “cardiac: pulmonary sarcoidosis.”
White was given a CPAP machine to help with his breathing issues caused by sleep apnea, which he was aware of. However, he was not a fan and flat-out refused to wear it. White was unaware that oral appliances were an additional treatment option for sleep apnea. That choice may have spared his life and averted the complications that proved fatal in the end.
For those who suffer from sleep apnea nowadays, White is a cautionary tale. Those in need can get CPAP machines from his foundation. Lives are being saved as a result of his actions.
The NFL Career of Reggie White
Throughout his career, White was a two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award winner and an All-Pro selection every year. In his twilight years, White was a revered veteran in the locker room and a model teammate. Notable among White’s NFL achievements are thirteen consecutive Pro Bowl selections, one Super Bowl ring, thirteen first-team All-Pro nominations, five second-team All-Pro selections, and three UPI NFC Defensive Player of the Year Awards.
In addition, White has been named to several distinguished teams, including the NFL’s All-Decade Teams from the 1980s and 1990s as well as the NFL’s 75th Anniversary All-Time Team. As a tribute to White’s steadfast dedication to greatness, the Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles retired his jersey numbers.
White exemplified the epitome of professionalism and gentlemanly conduct both on and off the gridiron. No one ever doubted White’s character during his fifteen years of professional baseball, and his name remained free of scandal even after he retired.
Veterans Criticized the Packers’ Half-Staff Flag
In the wake of White’s tragic death, the Packers came under fire for a decision to have the flags at half-staff at Lambeau Field. Following a policy shift, the Green Bay Packers will not fly the United States flag at half-staff at Lambeau Field in memory of team members, as was done following Reggie White’s passing.
Team president Bob Harlan ordered the flags lowered in honor of White following his death on Sunday in North Carolina. White was an integral part of the Packers’ 1993–1998 Super Bowl-winning team.
The club announced a policy change on Wednesday that states in such a situation, rather than lowering the American flag, it will drop a Packers flag as a sign of respect.
According to the United States Flag Code, which details proper flag etiquette, the flying of the flag at half-staff is reserved for official government figures. It should only occur on Memorial Day and in response to a directive from the president or governor.
To learn details relating to more celebrities who have passed recently, you can visit our site, Thetecheducation.com. Here, we cover all the latest updates.
