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From the Sports Deskwith Carey Phillips: 7/27/00 |
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The Minister of Defense is back in the NFL.
Isn't it nice to finally have some positive news reported about a North Carolina professional athlete? That's what resulted from Reggie White's decision to come out of retirement and play for the Carolina Panthers. White is the NFL's career leader in sacks. Professional athletes in our state had seemed to draw nothing but negative attention. That was especially true of those based in Charlotte. Most recently we had former Panther running back Fred Lane shot to death in an apparent domestic dispute. The incident occurred in Charlotte. That followed closely on the heels of the latest arrest of Hornet forward Anthony Mason. He was charged with resisting arrest and inciting a riot in New Orleans. Around the same time, Hornet guard David Wesley was found guilty of reckless driving in connection with an accident that killed teammate Bobby Phills. During this past basketball season, Hornet forward Derrick Coleman was charged with driving while impaired following an accident, and fellow Hornet Eldridge Recasner faced charges relating to a dispute with an airline employee. Although Coleman was cleared of the DWI charge, he and Recasner still have problems relating to the accident in which Recasner was a passenger in Coleman's vehicle and sustained serious injuries. Hornet owner George Shinn was cleared in a sexual harassment civil lawsuit, but details of his private life did not paint a pretty picture. Given all those factors, it's no wonder the Hornets are having trouble gaining approval for a new downtown arena. Meanwhile, former Panther wide receiver Rae Curruth continues to await trial on murder in connection with the death of the mother of his child. All of the problems with Charlotte area athletes had focused unwanted national attention on the Queen City. That's why it was so refreshing to see ESPN start its Monday evening "Sportscenter" with a story on White reporting to the Panthers' preseason camp. At age 38, White's ability on the field is being questioned by some. Clearly he won't be the same player he was in his younger days, but you can bet White will still strike fear into the hearts of opposing quarterbacks and offensive linemen. The Panthers plan to use him mainly in pass rushing situations when he will be most effective. The biggest things White will bring to the team are character and leadership. He will command respect from his teammates when he walks into the locker room or out on the field. White also will bring respect from the fans and community. He's building a house in the Lake Norman area and plans to be part of the community. Maybe things will be like they were in the early days of North Carolina's professional sports. That's when players represented themselves well on and off the playing fields and courts and were viewed as ambassadors for the community. If White can help lead the Panthers deep into the playoffs, so much the better. NOTES...A benefit softball tournament for burn victim Duane "Cookie" Cook is planned for Aug. 4-6 at the Swain County Recreation Park. Entry fee is $110 per team with the deadline Tuesday, Aug. 1. For more information, call Randy or Lisa Barker at (828) 488-9024 (evenings) or (828) 488-8689 (days). |
Back to Sports: 07/27/00. |