Home > Reggie White’s Mixed Legacy

Reggie White’s Mixed Legacy

by Open-Publishing - Wednesday 29 December 2004
30 comments

Edito Discriminations-Minorit. USA Sports Wayne Besen


by Wayne Besen

Reggie White, a former football star and preacher who took part in a 1998 ad
campaign that said gay people have short life spans, died this week. He was 43
years old.

According to most news reports, White was the equivalent of Mother Teresa in
football pads. His beatification includes gushing testimonials about how he was
a wonderful “Man of God” who was a great role model to children.

“As great a player as Reggie was, he was a better person. Every life that he
touched is better for it,” said Detroit Lions CEO Matt Millen.

Oh, really?

As a gay football fan, I looked up to White until he made it clear that he frowned
down on me and anyone else who did not share his fire and brimstone religious
beliefs.

Known as the “Minister of Defense”, I remember him as an offensive minister who allowed thousands of young athletes to justify their hatred toward homosexuals in the name of God.

We now hear a lot about how he helped inner-city youth, but how many young lives did he potentially destroy with his forceful condemnations of homosexuality? To listen to the cooing media, one would think that these gay children were expendable in White’s war against homosexuals. And make no mistake, White was as homophobic as they come.

“Gay activists are trying to force their agenda on our children and society and it bothers me,” White said in an interview with Citizen Magazine. “When you look at the gay agenda, their thing is that they deserve the same rights as other minorities, particularly black people. That is very offensive.”

When asked why he picked gay bashing as his personal crusade, White compared homosexuality to unflattering behaviors.

“You don’t have men and women who commit adultery who are activists for adultery, or liars who are activists for lying,” White told Citizen.

In 1998, White appeared in a full-page ad in USA Today sponsored by 15 groups including the Christian Coalition and The Family Research Council. The ad claimed to tell the “truth” about homosexuality including:

· The truth about homosexual recruitment in public schools and how AIDS activists have misused AIDS funding to promote homosexuality to elementary kids.
· The truth about raw political power and how homosexual activists are creating new laws to mandate acceptance of homosexual behavior in every facet of life from work to school to religion and making it a criminal offense to dissent.

The ad ended with an explosive quote from White.

“I’ve been called homophobic...and I’ve been called a nigger by so-called gay activists,” said White, without naming the alleged offenders.

White’s ad flat out lied about gay “recruitment” and was untruthful in its claim that gay advocates wanted to make it a “criminal offense to dissent”.

Fortunately, by the time White appeared in this ad, much of the public already viewed him as an embarrassing ignoramus. In an infamous speech to the Wisconsin State Legislature, White proclaimed that Asians can turn a TV into a watch, Blacks excel at celebration and dance, Latinos can fit 20 or 30 people into one house, and whites are great with money.

White can also be attributed with helping accelerate the growing trend of tying sports performance to fundamentalist religious belief. Now one can’t turn on the TV without some egocentric millionaire jock giving God credit for his touchdown. It seems half the NFL players have cheapened religion to the point where God is a giant, invisible quarterback who rewards victories to the team that says the loudest prayers.

Don’t get me wrong, I think it is great when athletes live their faith and do kind, humble deeds to help humanity. This should be universally applauded.

But the Reggie White school of prayer seemed to focus on chest thumping as much as Bible thumping. He was the high priest in the Temple of Intolerance, where his muscle-bound flock read from the Book of Testosterone. The anti-gay attitude exemplified by White and his holy-steamrollers can still be seen today in abusive high school locker rooms across America.

Towards the end of White’s life he seemed to regret how he sometimes misused religion.

“Really, in many respects I’ve been prostituted,” White recently told NFL Films. “God don’t need football to proclaim who He is.”

As reported in USA Today, White told ESPN’s Andrea Kremer that he had stopped going to church four years ago and started studying Hebrew. Former Green Bay Packers teammate Shannon Sharpe said that White told him that he, ‘moved away from Christianity and started studying Hebrew because I need to know for myself what my life holds for me.’

It is a shame that White did not live long enough to complete his religious journey. As great an athlete as he was, his supreme triumph might have been undoing the spiritual damage he had inflicted on gay and lesbian Americans. Unfortunately, many people will remember White as much for his disgraceful conduct off the field, as for his supreme grace on it.

http://www.outletradio.com/besen/archives/001445.php

Forum posts

  • Could you not have waited until his funeral was over to start decrying Mr. White?

    • Why wait? Gary Webb wasn’t granted that courtesy.

      Besides, his homophobia was White’s defining characteristic. Long after his football achievements are forgotten, the hate that he put into the heads of hundreds will keep "paying off". No respect for the dead when the dead didn’t show any respect in return.

    • Not sure if you consider yourself a Christian or not, but Reggie White is not even concerned with any of your bashing, he has gone from labor to reward, and guest what "He didn’t sell out" maybe that is why your so angry. He stood for what he believed in and that is what the bible taught…”Homosexuality is a sin”.

  • Gays are not immune from being racist.

    • And what was the point of that remark? I suspect your intent is to make gays look like the bad guys when the opposite is true.

    • one more thing.

      Racists aren’t immune from being homophobic. White was both.

    • None of these responses answer the question why this had to be done now, before the man was in the ground. For the record, I don’t agree with what White’s opinion was.

    • The reason it had to be done now? Because there are dozens of profiles on White from the networks to ESPN examining his life. Many of these profiles are forgetting important details of his anti-gay past. If it is fair to portray him as a "Man of God" and a "hero" the day after he dies, it is only fair to set the record straight at the same time.

      Wayne Besen

    • The 10:00 o’clock news on WCCO TV (MN) last night had a teaser that controversy had crept into the Reggie White story. I thought, finally we are going to hear a bit about his homophobia. Hardly. The controversy is that the Packers are flying the flag at half-staff, something to be done only at the behest of the President or the Governor.

    • How is being decent enough person to wait until the funeral is over before examining ONE FACET of a man’s entire life not "fair"? I think you are missing what my point is - do we have to criticize someone’s opinions immediately after their death because they disagree with us? Or is it not more tactful to give it a week or so before we start bashing him? Just because other people act like jerks, does that mean you or I should? Finally, if you are watching an ESPN profile - would you not expect that profile to be dedicated to his SPORTS acheivements, and how he was a great athlete?

    • In other words, the ONE FACET of his life - his performance on the football field - is more important and deserving of coverage than ANOTHER FACET - his hatred of homosexuals.

    • Well, I don’t agree that he HATED homosexuals, but let’s say that is true. To answer the question, yes, it is more important to focus on the good parts of one’s life (football) immediately after passing than to focus on the bad (his intolerance). After the funeral, maybe after the memorial (of the good things in his life), then go ahead - criticize the person’s opinions. We all have people in our lives that show this intolerance toward homosexuals, but I would not want to hear about that before, at, or immediately after their funerals. The point is (and has been) that criticizing him now actually diminishes the impact of your viewpoint - because of the freshness of the wounds of those who admired him as a football player. I am not criticizing that viewpoint here - that’s a whole other discussion. That and I don’t disagree much with many of the statements. But would it have hurt to have waited until after the funeral to write this? Would the impact of the statements been any less next week? P.S. I am absolutely flattered that you responded.

    • Gays as racist? In this context a classic logical fallacy known as the red herring!

    • Don’t hate. Try Jesus and be free and then you won’t be so easily offended

    • Why is it that just because someone disagree with something someone does is interpreted as hatred. Homosexuals are committing a sin and that is clearly pointed out in the bible, and Reggie White is a minister and is committed to teaching the truth according to the word of God recorded in the book we call the Holy Bible, and he did it as a true man of God not caring what anyone else thought.......uh just like Jesus who was also called a teacher of hatred.

    • Webster’s Definitions

      Homophobic-irrational fear of, aversion to, or discrimination against homosexuality or homosexuals

      Homosexual-
      1 : of, relating to, or characterized by a tendency to direct sexual desire toward another of the same sex
      2 : of, relating to, or involving sexual intercourse between persons of the same sex

      How can one not have an aversion even thinking about two people of the same sex being itimate. It’s just nasty. It is not the individual but the acts that they "choose" to commit that people have an aversion to.

  • That guy had big balls. In a country where you are called a wierdo or religious fundamentalist if you haven’t tried the "gay thing" . Facts cannot be denied a higher percentage of disease not just AIDS comes from men perfoming homosexual acts on each other. Everywhere you look there are gay programmes with proper queenies on pretending to be normal. Queer eye for the straight guy ( why don’t you fuck off and leave me alone) Any body who sticks things up their asses must be mad. Look how American soldiers raped poor Iraqis with oil lamps, this would not have happened should the USA had chosen not to promote batti-man love. And to the writer wot the fok have you done for humanity in the last 20 years aprat from bitch bitch bitch ooh look at him, he’s homophobic. Nobody would care, but it is in our faces all the time.. Larry Grayson

  • Homosexuality is a blatant crime never mind the bloody bible.

    Read my lips IT AINT NORMAL FOLKS...people need treatment for this... both Lesbians and Gays they are sick and need help.

    Don’t let them brain wash you into this live and let live sick twisted perversion lifestyle of theirs.

    I am sick of the constant attacks on people who are opposed to gay’s not just on religious grounds but bloody common sense decency and naturalism.

    Good on Mr White…he had the god damned guts to say or point out when something was wrong and his crime was only to defend common normal folk from the sexual excesses of the middle and ruling classes by setting an example of how a man (a true man) should live.

    Homophobia…that bloody word you use like a kind of cosh to attack people who just don’t and should not accept the lifestyle of gay’s of either gender.

    The promiscuous behaviour of these people is spreading disease and death around the globe and surely this alone should tell you that it’s not right surely this does not tell you this is the normal thing to do?

    I am not going to be intimidated by the label of Homophobic.If that’s what I am then I am proud of it and proud that I can stand for my family and its values against the cheap perverted sexual practises of you so called normal people.

    The worst bloody thing is I can’t take my own daughter to the Zoo without Lesbians and bloody gays feeling each other right in front of my daughter’s eyes…I ask you.

    Have a good day from Pete in the UK

  • The fact that Minister White spoke about homosexuality shows just how much he loved and trusted the Lord. He placed his reverent fear of the Lord above what anyone would say about him. He spoke the truth in love. You see, it is the will of the Lord that none should perish but that all should come to him by repenting and receiving the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ. Mr. White shared the truth so people like you would know that homosexuality is a choice and it is an abomination to God. God is the one you are really disappointed in, not Mr. White. Mr. White has inherited eternal life by trusting in the Lord. Certainly an earthly life of 43 years and dying in the will of God is much better than living a hundred years out of the will of God only to go to hell that was created for the devil and his angels. God is so loving and so merciful and loves you so much. Contact Focus on the Family and find out how to be free of the perversion that homosexuality represents. God is able to set you free. Don’t hate and revel in the fact that Mr. White died young. You too can have eternal life-the reward Mr. White received simply by loving God enough to tell the truth.

  • Two points struck me. First, I couldn’t help but notice how much your rudeness overshadowed any aspersions you intended to cast upon Mr. White. I can’t speak with any authority as to whether or not he was homophobic. The word itself is a source of controvercy. But, while I can’t speak to that, I can attest that you were a rude ass. In a time when many are mourning the loss of a mans life, you are busy attempting to make political hay over some minor issue he had with gays and their lifestyles. And, yes, I know your shocked, but to most of us, it simply is NOT that big of an issue. Imagine how outraged you would be if some leader of the gay community had died, and during the midst of your mourning, some idiot started ranting how God-awful this person was, due to their intolerance of some other group. I respected Mr. White’s ability to play football, but cannot say that I am a huge fan of the man. However, your lack of common decency offends me much more than anything you wrote about Mr. White.

    Secondly, as somone else pointed out, what have YOU done to better the world. Sorry, most of us wouldn’t count shamelessly badmouthing somone who’s recently deceased as having any value. No, I don’t assume to know you, or your life. I’m just saying, I know that Mr. White was active in the community, charitable, and a man who wasn’t afraid to proclaim his faith in a time when it’s not socially popular to do so. These are facts. I’m not proclaiming him to be a saint, I’m merely saying that I know he did good works as well. I’m afraid I can’t say that I’ve ever heard the same about you, sir. Your intolerance to somone else disagreeing with your opinions or lifestyle choices is what most leads me to view you, (and, sadly, our society in general), as the one who truly is to be ashamed. I think your time would be better served helping our world in some way, than in attempting to slur the name of someone who many looked up to.

    Marion Amick

  • Besen’s denunciation of Reggie White represents the worst kind of ill-timed opportunism I’ve seen on BellaCiao in quite some time. In the scheme of things, Mr. White’s alleged homophobia is inconsequential.

  • I stumbled in here from a link and decided to take a look around. After digesting much of your rantings I have concluded that...........You really should start taking your medication again!!!!!!

    It’s a shame you have so much hatred and bitterness in your heart.

    Stumbling on back out...... looking for something worthwhile to read......................
    Dan/Tucson,Az

    • I to stumbled in here from a link and took a look around. Please, I’m am so tired of hearing about this gay thing. Your sexual preference should stay in the bedroom, I don’t want to hear about it. This whole subject should just stay in the closet where it belongs.

  • Reggie would have been the first one to admit he was a sinner. He never claimed to be perfect, just forgiven.

    • How convenient. I’m new to this conversation and there are a lot of good points here. I’m not gay but I know that to many, it is an important issue. Whenever people feel hated, it’s a problem! And obviously, from what I’ve read here, they feel hated for a good reason. Wow. Don’t minimize other people’s suffering or right not to be treated with cruelty.

      If God wants you to hate and persecute gays, why did s/he make them? Is God that cruel? I think not. I teach young children and sometimes I can see body language very early that indicates a difference. This is not always chosen, believe it or not. The Bible is incomplete and can be interpreted in many many different ways. Try finding the love in it.

      Also if a Christian’s faith, family, and foundation is so strong, why are they so threatened by gay marriage (two people loving each other)? With all the hatred, war, violence, child abuse, rape, neglect, etc. in the world, love is the last thing we should be attacking. Besides it’s good for population growth, which in case you haven’t noticed is a very real problem in the world. Exponential growth is the result of the outdated belief that we should be fruitful and multiply and the lack of birth control and education. It results in pain, hunger, starvation, depletion of natural resources, etc. Take a moment to understand exponential growth. Let’s say a family of 5 each has 5 children and their children do the same, etc. In 5 generations that’s 3,125 people. In 10 generations that’s 9,765,625. Do you see where this is headed? I don’t believe that we are being good stewards of our beautiful earth or loving brothers and sisters if we continue to ignore population growth problems.

      A little off point, but I truly believe hatred will not be rewarded in heaven or on earth.
      Peace and Love, Michelle

    • You need to read the comments and get a full understanding. I read a lot of the comments as well as posted a few and did not read any comment where hate was espoused. Love is the right, but not loving the sin that a person commits. Sin is sin, understood, and as Christians yes we love the sinner but not the sin. The bible is complete enough for us to clearly see that the life style you are supporting is wrong. Hate is not because you disagree with some one, or because you point out there sins. Not judging, but a tree is known by the fruit it bears. God does not make mistakes, He stated that He made male and female….Don’t throw hate around so freely, I believe it is love that makes a person point out my faults, that I may correct them.

    • I looked back through the comments and there are many statements that sound nothing like love. In fact, very hateful. Perhaps yours is not among them.
      Michelle

    • Correction-God created Adam and Eve (not Adam and Steve)to be fruitful and multiply and replenish the earth. Male and female he created for the purpose of procreation. He loves gay people as he loves all sinners. In fact, he loves them so much that He sent His only begotten Son Jesus Christ to die for their sins...so they could be free to love as God created them to love. It is just our desire to have what we want the way we want it that makes people desire to lay with someone of the same sex. NOT GOD. The act is no different than any other sin man or woman chooses to commit. The good news is that it does not have to stay that way and all one needs to do is invite the true and living Savior into their hearts and He will make you free. His mercies are new every morning so we can make it one day at a time trusting in the Lord and leaning on His Word. The same God that saves drug addicts, prostitutes, alcoholics, bigots, racist, the list goes on is the same God that can save homosexuals, because His LOVE is that great for ALL of us. Just don’t take that love for granted. His mercy is everlasting but when does it run out for you... It is appointed to all men to die.

    • Correction -Man Created God -not God created Man, and homosexuality is predominantly genetic. As an aside, will one of you christian types please explain why the bible not once mentions DINOSAURS ? Were they invisble ?

  • Why is it that whenever anyone disagrees with anything gay groups do or say, it immediately becomes homophobia or hatred of gays?