Several causes in White’s death

NFL great Reggie White may have died because of a respiratory disease combined with other health problems, a preliminary autopsy report said Monday.

White most likely had a condition that affected the amount of air his lungs could hold, resulting in “fatal cardiac arrhythmia,” said Dr. Mike Sullivan, the medical examiner for Mecklenburg County and a forensic pathologist.

The report issued by Sullivan’s office also said sleep apnea may have been a factor.

The report is a preliminary one; determining a final cause of death could take up to three months.

White died Sunday at Presbyterian Hospital in Huntersville, N.C., after being taken there from his home in nearby Cornelius. His wife, Sara, called 911.

White had the disease, known as sarcoidosis, for several years, family spokesman Keith Johnson said.

On its Web site, the American Lung Association describes sarcoidosis as a disease characterized by the presence of small areas of inflamed cells that can attack any organ, but is most frequently found in the lungs.

Sleep apnea causes people to stop breathing repeatedly – in some cases, hundreds of times – during their sleep.

“He may have been the best player I’ve ever seen and certainly was the best I’ve ever played with or against,” Green Bay quarterback Brett Favre said.

“Off the field, he did so much for so many people. He really reached a lot of people. … He was a great friend on and off the field. We’ll all miss him.”

The fearsome former Philadelphia and Green Bay defensive end was 43.

Bears say they were robbed

No matter how many times Chicago Bears coach Lovie Smith watches the replay – and he’s watched it a lot – he’s still convinced Bernard Berrian had a touchdown.

Officials wiped out Berrian’s 43-yard, game-tying TD reception with 1:26 left Sunday, calling it an incomplete pass even though replays showed it was a good catch. The Bears went on to lose 19-13 to the Detroit Lions, their fifth loss in six games.

“I saw, and with my great vision that I have, two feet in with possession as he went down,” Smith said. “That’s what I think I saw. That’s what I think a lot of Bears fans saw. I still say the same thing.”

Tice will return next season

Minnesota Vikings coach Mike Tice will return for at least one more year, and nothing short of a lucrative contract extension could make him happier.

Despite a second straight late-season slide, the Vikings picked up Tice’s $1 million option for 2005, ending much speculation about the coach’s future.

“I’m pleased,” Tice said. “I want to remain the football coach of this football team because we’ve come a long way in three years.”

Colts to keep football

The Indianapolis Colts will hold onto the football with which Peyton Manning threw his record-breaking 49th touchdown pass unless he tosses another one against Denver.

The Colts said if Manning doesn’t throw another TD pass this season, the franchise will display the ball in the team’s Hall of Fame.

If Manning throws another one, the 49th ball will be sent to the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the Colts will keep the final touchdown ball.