CANTON, Ohio -- Eagles chairman/CEO Jeffrey Lurie admitted Saturday that he used to dream of the success the Eagles could have enjoyed if Reggie White was an Eagle when he owned the team.

Who wouldn't want the defensive end that changed the position and is now one of the newest members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame?

Defensive end Reggie White redefined the position

White played for the Eagles from 1985-1992. He amassed 124 sacks including a franchise single-season record in 21 in 1987. White had at least 10 sacks in every season as an Eagle. White may have never suited up in an Eagles uniform when Lurie was the owner. But Lurie has the utmost respect for White, who he said might have been the greatest player in the history of the franchise.

"It's a huge day for the franchise," said Lurie. "Maybe the greatest player in the history of the franchise is being inducted into the Hall of Fame. He's someone who was unanimously loved and respected as a player, as a person, as a father, as a husband. On the field and off the field, what more can you ask of a person than Reggie White."

Lurie did not arrive at White's induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame alone. Lurie was flanked by current Eagles Donovan McNabb, Brian Dawkins, Jevon Kearse, Jeremiah Trotter, Mike Bartrum, William Thomas, Jon Runyan and David Akers - all players who Lurie believes could be in the Hall of Fame someday. Lurie recalled a conversation earlier in the week with Dawkins, who Lurie is confident will conclude his career as an Eagle.

"This will be my first trip, but I think my second trip will be you're inducted," said Lurie to Dawkins. "I truly believe that. I know safety is not a position that gets a lot of votes, but in today's football, being a centerfielder and a guy who can jump into the box and do what Brian can do is very special."

White was a part of the "Gang Green" defense that was one of the best in the history of the NFL. But even with a defense that was ranked No. 1 across the board in 1991, they were not able to bring the City of Philadelphia a Super Bowl championship.

"If they could have only built up that offensive line a little more, I really think they could have gone far," said Lurie. "If you have that kind of dominating defense led by Reggie and Jerome (Brown) ...why shouldn't you go very far? A real obvious weakness from afar (was the offensive line). You have to, as (head coach) Andy (Reid) does, is focus on both lines not just the defensive line. You have to have a great offensive line. With an outstanding athletic quarterback like Randall, that's crucial. You can't rely on his legs.

"I feel bad for the fans that it did not cumulate in a Super Bowl appearance or a championship."

White may have never brought Philadelphia a title, but Lurie made sure that no one would ever wear White's number again. In 2004, the Eagles drafted Bruce Walker in the second round. The equipment manager gave Walker the jersey number worn by White, No. 92. Lurie immediately had the number removed, a gesture that White called Lurie personally to thank for. On December 5, 2005, the Eagles made it official that no one would ever wear that number again when they retired it.

"I feel so bad that when I bought the team, he was on his way to Green Bay already," said Lurie. "This is a culmination of his whole career."