Reggie White Comes Out of Retirement

S P A R T A N B U R G, S.C., July 22, 2000 -- Reggie White, the NFL’s career sacksleader, agreed in principle Friday with the Carolina Panthers tocome out of retirement and play again this season.

“We’ve got most of it worked out,” White said outside of thePanthers’ training camp facility. “Hopefully it will all be doneby Monday.”

White, 38, met with Panthers all day today. He passed aphysical in Charlotte, then traveled the 80 miles to training campfor a workout and a meeting with coach George Seifert.

His agent, Jimmy Sexton, said several procedural issues stillneeded to be worked out with the Panthers, and the Green BayPackers still had to release him. Because White had one year lefton his contract with the Packers when he retired after the 1998season, they still hold his rights.

Still Has Paperwork to Complete

Sexton said the deal with Carolina was worked out after theNFL’s 4 p.m. deadline for the Packers to release him. He said heexpected all the formalities to be taken care over the weekend andwould be “shocked” if White wasn’t in uniform Monday morning.

The deal is a five-year contract worth about $20 million withseveral performance incentives based on Carolina’s defensiveimprovement.

The Panthers’ defense ranked 26th in the league last year andhad only 35 sacks. White has 192½ sacks in 14 seasons.

Adding White was Seifert’s latest attempt to bolster thedefensive line. White will join newcomers Chuck Smith from Atlantaand Jay Williams from St. Louis to add quarterback pressure.

“I just felt that this was the right opportunity,” White said.“I think we can do something here and I can make a difference.”