Green Bay Packers countdown to NFL football season 2017 – #92

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Reggie White did more for the Green Bay Packers‘ storied franchise as any player in the past 50 years.

His game-changing decision to sign with the Packers in free agency’s infancy left the league dumbfounded and the franchise bolstered for years to come.

It was his decision to come to Green Bay that helped bring a new attitude of winning to the league’s northern outpost, but also helped other players see this franchise as a viable option for enhancing their careers.

Because of Reggie White, the Packers were also able to bring in other free agents like Santana Dotson and Sean Jones – two players who also made their marks in Green Bay.

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This continuing countdown of the numbers and the players who wore them in Packers News continues today with a stop at #92 – and a look at the late, great Reggie White.

The name, the legend.

In his book, “Packers by the Numbers: Jersey Numbers and the Players Who Wore Them,” John Maxymuk remembers White.

The first to wear the number since 1950, according to Maxymuk, was defensive tackle Rich Dimler. He was acquired from Cleveland and spent the 1980 season with the Packers. 

In addition to Dimler, John Jurkovich wore the number in 1991 and 1992 before White came to Green Bay in 1993. White wore 92 and Jurkovic wore 64 for the remainder of his time in Green Bay – through the 1995 season.

White was to be the last to wear the number.

White made the lucrative jump in free agency and then helped bring a championship to the team. He was a key piece of the Packers domination in the mid-1990s as they went to three straight conference championships and two straight Super Bowls, winning one title.

Maxymuk says this about Reggie in his book:

"Eagles owner Norman Braman was adamant that he would not overpay to retain Reggie White, asserting that White’s best years were behind him. Reggie went on a well-publicized 37-day free agency tour before shocking the sports world by signing with Green Bay. Reggie said that God told him to go to Green Bay; cynics figured that money had more to do with the decision …Braman was right, Reggie was not as good a player as he was in Philadelphia, but he was still among the best linemen in the game, would still make big plays that no one else could, and was an unquestioned, respectable leader in the clubhouse and on the field. Braman was penny-wise and pound-foolish. He saved some money, but his football team never went to the Super Bowl."

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Reggie helped lead the way to those two Super Bowl appearances and the single title.

Being in the NFL and Packers Halls of Fame was earned through years of work and White’s uncanny way of making the plays when they counted most. He was one of the most clutch of all players who have ever worn a Packers uniform.

His untimely death was mourned by all football fans …

And while he was the best ever to wear #92 in Green Bay, he should be in the "best Packer of all-time" conversation.

You want statistics?

In his six years in Green Bay, White helped lead the Packers to two NFC Conference Championships, two Super Bowls and one NFL title.

He had 68.5 of his 198 career sacks while in Green Bay, 239 tackles and 62 assists.

But it was his leadership that was most important for the Packers, and the reason the team was so successful during his years in town.

Reggie White’s career statistics

Provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com: View Original Table

Next: Top 30 moments in Green Bay Packers history

According to ProFootballReference.com, these are the players who have worn #92.

The countdown, from the beginning:

• Number 99
• Number 98
• Number 97
• Number 96
• Number 95
• Number 94
• Number 93