Reggie heads class to be enshrined tonight

Author: Ed Barkowitz

It took Reggie White all of one game to become an Eagles legend. 

The day was Sept. 29, 1985, when White made his highly anticipated
debut. In his first game since defecting from the USFL, White
registered 2 1/2 sacks of Giants quarterback Phil Simms and deflected
a pass that Eagles defensive back Herm Edwards returned for a
touchdown.

Chants of Reg-gie, Reg-gie rocked Veterans Stadium for the first time.

White played eight seasons for the Eagles and 15 in the NFL overall
before retiring after the 2000 season as the league's all-time sack
leader with 198.

White, who died Dec. 26, 2004 at age 43, will posthumously join the
fourth class to be enshrined in the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame
at today's induction at the Penn's Landing Hyatt Regency. Sara White,
Reggie's widow, is expected to attend in his honor.

Also inducted will be Bill Barber, Greasy Neale, Earl Monroe, Theresa
Grentz, Beth Anders, Walter Bahr, Mickey Cochrane, Chuck Klein, Harry
Litwack, Bucko Kilroy and the 1980 Phillies - as well as broadcaster
Jack Whitaker and former Inquirer sports writer Bill Lyon.

Cocktail reception is at 5:30 p.m., with dinner and ceremonies to
follow. Former Sixers GM Pat Williams will again be the master of
ceremonies. For ticket information, call 215-886-6657, extension 1.