Nfl Title Wait Over For Minister Of Defense 12-Year Veteran And Career Sacks Leader Overcomes Sluggish Start To Dominate 2nd Half

They saved him for last in the pregame introductions. So Reggie White saved his best for last in the Super Bowl.

White, the career sacks leader and leader of Green Bay’s defense, admitted he was struggling in the first half Sunday. What better way to overcome that then with some sacks? He got three in the final 18 minutes as the Packers beat the New England Patriots 35-21, giving White his first NFL title.

“You strive so long and so hard to get to this point,” the 12-year veteran said. “You want to put out your best effort when you get there.

“In the first half, I didn’t feel too good. They were chipping me, doing a lot of cutting. Then the second half came around, and I think Desmond (Howard, the game’s MVP for his kickoff and punt returns) really broke the game loose for us. He gave us some confidence, and I was able to end up the game with an excellent game.”

The Packers held the Patriots to seven second-half points, and got consistent pressure on quarterback Drew Bledsoe. White was at the center of the pass rush, and he trapped Bledsoe on consecutive plays in the third quarter.

Packers fans in the crowd chanted “Reg-gie” “Reg-gie” and several teammates rushed to hug him as he came off the field.

But his work wasn’t done. Green Bay did little offensively the rest of the way, so the Minister of Defense and his minions had to keep the pressure on.

“We had to keep calm and keep our poise,” the 35-year-old White said. “When you play against Bill Parcells, Bill usually wants to run a lot. Today he wanted to pass a lot.

“I thank God I was able to step up when I did,” added White, a Baptist minister. “They ran the ball well, ran for a touchdown, and they sure did an excellent job throwing the ball. We were able to come back in the second half and get the break we needed to get to get it done.”