FIVE IMAGES OF THE 'MINISTER'
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By PAUL VIGNA
vignap@phillynews.com
Reggie White's 8-year career as a member of the Eagles was a series of highlights. Here are five games that we remember vividly:
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Sept. 29, 1985
Veterans Stadium
Giants 16, Eagles 10, OT
The memory: It was White's debut, and he made it memorable, recording 10 tackles and 2 ½ sacks against the Giants.
What we wrote: He also tipped a pass that cornerback Herman Edwards intercepted and returned for the Eagles' only touchdown. By the fourth quarter, the crowd was chanting the big guy's name. Reg-gie, Reg-gie... A new era in Eagles football was born.
- Ray Didinger, Daily News sports writer
What was said: "I think [the players] all were taken aback at just how dominant Reggie was. We had heard his name and read good things about him, but most of us took a wait-and-see attitude. Once he stepped on the field, though, it was clear he was something special. I remember standing on the sidelines, watching that [Giants] game and thinking: 'Boy, I'm glad this guy is on our side.' "
- Eagles TE John Spagnola
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Sept. 13, 1987
RFK Stadium
Washington 34, Eagles 24
The memory: White knocked out quarterback Jay Schroeder with a hit early in the game, then pulled the ball out of quarterback Doug Williams' hands late in the third quarter and ran 70 yards for a score. He also knocked center Russ Grimm out of the game with a second-quarter tackle.
What was said: "I knew they wouldn't catch Reggie. The man is fast. He's a big-play guy and that was a big play."
- Eagles LB Dwayne Jiles
What White said: "I felt fasssst. I saw that end zone, I was determined to get there. Praise Jesus, I got there. Be sure and put that in there. I scored a touchdown in Memphis, also on a fumble recovery. But this was as far as I've ever run."
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Dec. 18, 1988
Texas Stadium
Eagles 23, Dallas 7
The memory: White chased quarterback Steve Pelluer all over Texas Stadium, sacking him twice. He also had a game-high 10 tackles in a game that clinched the NFC East title for the Birds.
What we wrote: All game long White (two sacks, to lead the NFL with 18) and the rest of the defensive line ravaged the Dallas offensive line and had quarterback Steve Pelluer scampering like a rabbit. The offense, while not all-powerful, chugged along respectably enough... And it was the consensus opinion of the Eagles that this is the way things will go as long as their season continues. Anything is possible when Buddy Ryan is your coach and Lady Luck is your mistress and Reggie White is eating people alive...
- Tim Kawakami, Daily News sports writer
What White said: ""We wanted to get it for Buddy [Ryan]. He's worked hard at it. He's been under a lot of fire by a lot of people. But he deserves it. And we did it for him."
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Oct. 25, 1992
Veterans Stadium
Eagles 7, Phoenix 3
The memory: This is the game best remembered for the famous goal-line stand, when the Cardinals were stopped from scoring on seven chances inside the 3. Six of those opportunities came from a yard away. White and linebacker Seth Joyner stopped the last one, knocking back running back Johnny Bailey.
What White said: "I wanted them to come toward me, and they did. That play, he gave me the inside, and I went inside. Everybody kept their concentration... . I'm surprised they didn't try a field goal. Shutting them down on fourth-and-1 had to take everything out of them."
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Jan. 3, 1993
Louisiana Superdome
Eagles 36, New Orleans 20
The memory: The Eagles never had won a playoff game during White's tenure in Philly, but that streak ended at the Louisiana Superdome. White had a hand in the victory, tackling quarterback Bobby Hebert in the end zone for a safety, giving the Eagles a 26-20 lead. Earlier, he stuffed a run to keep the Saints from building on a 20-10 lead.
What we wrote: A touchdown and we may not have heard from the Eagles again. The give is to Vaughn Dunbar up the middle. Eagles end Reggie White, stunting with Mike Golic, collapses the pocket and forces Dunbar to cut outside. Ken Rose, in on short yardage, fills the gap, gets a piece of Dunbar. Just as Dunbar lowers to drive for the first down, William Frizzell drills him, knocking his legs out from under him, stopping him shy of the sticks. The Saints' offense was never the same. It was one of two great plays by White when it counted. The second was a fourth-quarter safety that made it 26-20.
Kevin Mulligan, Daily News sports writer What White said: "When we got the safety I knew we won. I knew that was it."
<b>"You got me all wrong Mudd...i don't like anyone.</b><img src=newicons/saevil.gif border=0 align=middle>"
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