NFL: Selecting the best player in each franchise’s history
By Brad Rowland
Philadelphia Eagles – Reggie White
Reggie White no longer holds the all-time record for career NFL sacks, but for my money, he is the best defensive end in the game’s history. That, in turn, qualifies him for this particular honor.
White, who racked up 198 sacks during a 16-year career, was surpassed by Buffalo’s Bruce Smith for the all-time record, but during his time with the Eagles, the former Tennessee Volunteer was utterly dominant. White led the NFL in sacks in both 1987 and 1988, compiling 39 (!) sacks over the two-year period, and he reached double-digits sack numbers in 12 different seasons, including a stretch of nine straight years to begin his career.
That is, of course, a ridiculous pace, but White was equally effective against the run, and was far from a one-dimensional player. Some remember him for his time in Green Bay, which included a Super Bowl victory, but White’s “prime” took place in Philadelphia, where he compiled 124 of his sacks.
Being a first-team All-Pro selection in six seasons (eight overall) or being a first-ballot Hall of Fame selection would be good enough, but the “best ever” tag clinches things for White when compared with the rest of the Eagles’ historical roster.
Next: Pittsburgh Steelers