Reggie White, that is. Died at a mere 43 years. An NFL legend and fellow
Tennessean. He questioned the status quo. Zane
------------------------
I glory in what God called me to do. I don't want to obey man's
teachings.''
In 1998, during a rambling address to the Wisconsin legislature, he gave a
speech that decried homo***uality and stereotyped races. It was Reggie
White
Unplugged.
African-Americans, he said, ''are very gifted in what we call wor****p and
celebration.'' White people are ''blessed with the gift of structure and
organization.'' Hispanics ''can put 20 or 30 people in one home.'' Asians
know how to ''turn a television into a watch.''
Some applauded him for stating his beliefs. Others, including me,
lampooned
him as a misguided commentator on the human condition.
That speech and his later attempts to defend his comments are what many
people will remember most about him.
And it's a shame. Because those words don't define Reggie White.
Instead of living comfortably in a world of strict, unyielding beliefs, he
decided to continue to pursue the truth. After retiring from football in
2000, White began to question some of the tenets of organized religion. He
wondered why so many millions were spent on church buildings instead of
channeling that money directly to the poor and disenfranchised.
He remained a Christian but sought to expand his horizons to better
understand his God and himself.
White went to Israel. He studied Hebrew. He said he wanted to be able to
read
the scriptures and decide for himself what they meant.
He was a big man. But he never stopped trying to grow. Reggie White died
too
young. He still had many, many miles to walk.
http://www.tennessean.com/s****ts/columnists/climer/archives/04/12/63361541.sht
ml?Element_ID=63361541
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