Editing Reggie White (section)

== Departure and Legacy ==

White's departure to Green Bay through free agency in 1993 created controversy that time has not entirely resolved. His decision to leave Philadelphia, framed as following God's guidance, generated resentment among fans who felt abandoned. The Super Bowl championship he won with the Packers confirmed that his abilities remained elite while raising questions about what might have been achieved had he remained in Philadelphia.<ref name="white"/>

His death on December 26, 2004, from cardiac arrhythmia at age 43, ended a life that had influenced football and Philadelphia deeply. The Eagles retired his number 92, honoring a player whose career in Philadelphia—despite its premature end—ranked among the franchise's greatest. His Hall of Fame induction in 2006 recognized achievements that his Philadelphia years had established and his subsequent career had confirmed.<ref name="didinger"/>

Reggie White's legacy encompasses the sacks, the dominance, the leadership, and the questions about what more might have been accomplished had his Philadelphia career continued. His influence on the Eagles—both during his tenure and through the example he established—shapes how the franchise understands defensive excellence. White represented Philadelphia football at its most dominant, his career demonstrating what individual greatness could achieve when physical gifts met dedication and faith.<ref name="white"/>