-
- Schedule Homepage
- Gameday
- Eagles Television Network
- Radio Schedule
- Webcasts
- Events Calendar
- 2009 Schedule
@ 
FOX, 1:00 PM ETRadio: 94 WYSP/610 WIP
Sirius: 153
Field Pass: Real | Win
Weather: 6abc Forecast
Notes: Game Release | Preview
 |
PhiladelphiaEagles.com
» Novacare
» Novacare Reggie
|
| Return of A Great White By Chris Mcpherson The opening of the NovaCare Complex may be signaling towards the Eagles future, but the Eagles took a moment to reflect on its past. Former Eagle and future Hall of Fame defensive end Reggie White returned to the city where he started his career to unveil a picture of where he shines, on the football field. "It's an honor, when [owner] [Jeffrey] Lurie called me and told me about [the presentation]," said White. "Not allowing anyone else to wear my jersey either, I don't know how to express myself." White solemnly pulled down the drape over the picture that showed him running to block for a teammate after an interception. White, who retired from football March 1 as the league's all-time sack leader with 198 spanning a 15-year career, was left speechless by the Eagles' display of respect. "That's just an expression of respect for me," said White. "A lot of times that's hard for me to express in words. I really appreciate what he [Lurie] did. "I think he really preserved my position here [in Philadelphia] as a player. And that's something I really appreciate." Despite the Eagles expression of gratitude for White's eight years of service, he is still going to enter the Hall of Fame as a Green Bay Packer. "I've retired as a Packer and that's one of the things I said when I got to Green Bay, that if I won a championship I would go in the Hall of Fame as a Packer," said White. If only White hadn't made the promise back then. "If I would have never said that, I would have definitely did it now with the Eagles," said White. "Mr. Lurie has done his best to preserve the history, not only of myself, but many of the other players. "But I have to keep my word. I hope that I can keep some kind of connection with the team because when I left here [following the '92 season] I didn't leave here because of the fans. I just felt like at the time, and not to be critical of the ownership at the time, I wanted to go somewhere there was a commitment to winning." White doesn't know what capacity he would like to return to the Eagles in, but it definitely wouldn't be as a coach. "No, not coaching," said White. "My wife wouldn't allow me." No matter what his future lies with the Eagles organization, his picture and contributions will always remain with the team. "I wish we could have done a few more things. We had good enough players to win a championship," said White. "It's always going to be a part of me no matter what." White acknowledged that having something as prestigious as the NovaCare Complex could have helped Eagles teams of the past. "This is tremendous. Maybe if we had this we would have won the Super Bowl," said White. "I think this helps the team build." Hopefully, the Eagles can build upon the memories and friendships that White forged with his Eagles teammates over the years. "To be able to play with the guys I had. It was sad because we had such great players and could never get over the hump," said White. "The relationships we were able to build here: me and Keith Jackson, Eric Allen, Mike Quick. That's the hardest thing about leaving the game." ………………………………….While White presence was big news, equally important were the other legendary Eagles players that had their accomplishments carved into the Eagles new home. White was joined by Steve Van Buren, Chuck Bednarik and Tommy McDonald, who each unveiled photos in the 189-seat auditorium that saluted their playing days. Each player pulled down the curtain on immortality. "It's a great honor to be here," said McDonald, a superstar wide receiver in his day and a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. "This is a great place, a country place. It's unreal." Said fellow Hall of Famer, Van Buren: "It's great. I feel like playing again." |
