MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Reggie White, the All-America tackle from Tennessee,Thursday signed a $4 million contract with the Memphis Showboats.
'The 6-foot-5, 265-pound tackle drew applause from a crowd of several hundred people as he signed the contract with the USFL expansion franchise in the lobby of the Peabody Hotel.
'I can't tell you how delighted I am,' said team owner Logan Young. 'We're delighted to have him.'
Known as the 'Minister of Defense' while playing for the Vols, White is also an ordained Baptist minister who said before signing the right place for his ministry was in the Memphis area.
'The main reason I'm in Memphis, Tennessee, is not to play football, but to tell people about Jesus Christ,' White said. 'My desire to come here is to spread the gospel.'
White said he wanted to show drug problems associated with some professional athletes are not the norm. 'I myself and other Christian athletes want to show people they really love God and want to set a good example.'
White's five-year contract reportedly calls for him to receive a $550,000 bonus plus $300,000. Another $250,000 will be paid out in five yearly installments of $50,000. There is also a $5,000 per month annuity that White will receive for life.
White received a number of gifts from civic and political leaders, including a key to the city of Memphis. Shelby County Mayor Bill Morris, however, drew the biggest laugh when he presented a money clip to White.
'The key to the city means nothing, but this money clip will come in handy,' Morris said.
Including performance incentives, White is guaranteed a total of $4 million, according to his attorney, Bob Fargarson.
Showboats coach Pepper Rodgers was beaming at the contract signing.
'This young man is going to do a lot for our program,' Rodgers said.
One of those things, Rodgers said, will be to try and convince former Alabama quarterback Walter Lewis to sign with the Showboats.
'The job I have is to work with Reggie to get Walter Lewis here,' the coach said.
There was pressure exerted on White by National Football League teams that wanted a shot at signing him after the NFL college draft on May 1. Their arguments were basically that with more than one bidder, the ante for White's services was bound to go up.
But White decided not to prolong the decision and took the Showboats' offer. The signing gives the first-year USFL team an All-America performer who was a moving nightmare for offensive linemen and running backs across the Southeastern Conference.
White anchored the Tennessee defensive front with 201 unassisted tackles, 92 assists, 32 quarterback sacks, four fumble recoveries and a pass interception during his career with the Vols.
Fans can get their first look at White in league play when the Showboats open the season at home Feb. 26 against Philadelphia.
