Late Carolina Panthers DE Reggie White’s Marriage To Sara, Lasted 19 Years Before His Passing In 2004

First Meeting in a Knoxville Church

December 23, 2026

This article was last updated by Pranaya Poudel on December 23, 2026

Reggie White, an American professional football defensive end who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 15 seasons, was married to Sara.

Born on December 19, 1961, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, White began his illustrious football career at Howard High School and then moved on to play collegiately for the Tennessee Volunteers.

As a college player, he earned unanimous All-American honors, which paved the way for his professional start with the Memphis Showboats in the 1984 USFL Territorial Draft.

After the USFL collapsed, he transitioned to the NFL, where the Philadelphia Eagles signed him to a four-year deal in 1985.

He played with the Eagles until 1992, setting records as the franchise’s all-time sack leader.

In 1993, he joined the Green Bay Packers, making a significant impact on their Super Bowl XXXI victory and becoming renowned for his game-changing defensive abilities.

He briefly retired after his stint with the Packers but returned to play one season for the Carolina Panthers in 2000 before retiring permanently.

Reggie’s athletic prowess wasn’t confined to football; he also made a mark in professional wrestling.

He first appeared at WrestleMania XI in 1995 as part of Lawrence Taylor’s “All-Stars.”

His involvement in wrestling continued with a match at WCW’s Slamboree in 1997 against Steve McMichael, where his participation was warmly received by the crowd in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Throughout his career, White was a fearsome defensive end and an ordained evangelical minister, earning him the nickname “the Minister of Defense.”

He left a profound legacy both on and off the field, remembered as one of the greatest defensive players in NFL history and a man of strong faith and character.

Reggie White Met Sara in Church During College

Reggie White married Sara on January 5, 1985.

They in a church after Sara moved to Knoxville as a high school junior while Reggie was a college freshman.

Their relationship blossomed, leading them to start dating soon after and culminating in marriage.

Their marriage lasted 19 years until Reggie passed away unexpectedly from cardiac arrhythmia triggered by sarcoidosis on December 26, 2004.

In an interview following his death, Sara expressed deep gratitude for their time together. She said,

We got close to God and to each other. I just feel so blessed that I knew him.

Via

A year before losing Reggie, Sara was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, which affects the central nervous system and can impair muscle coordination, strength, and sensation.

Despite these challenges, Sara remained resilient.

After Reggie’s passing, Sara did not remarry. Instead, she found solace and purpose in her work.

Reggie White and Sara tied a knot in 1985

Originally from Mooresville, North Carolina, Sara has kept details of her early life and education private.

Turning her focus to new ventures, Sara entered the real estate industry. She now owns CLT Residentials, a real estate business based in Charlotte.

Additionally, she has made her mark in the entertainment industry.

She is recognized for her in “Reggie’s Prayer” (1996), “The Game” (2006), “Forever,” and “The Parkers vs. the Universe” (2019).

Sara also co-produced “Minister of Defense: The Reggie White Story,” a documentary celebrating Reggie’s life and legacy in faith, football, and family.

Highlighting her dedication to preserving Reggie’s legacy, Sara played a pivotal role when Reggie was posthumously inducted into the Professional Football Hall of Fame on his first ballot on February 4, 2006.

He was enshrined at a ceremony on August 5, 2006, in Canton, Ohio, where Sara delivered a heartfelt acceptance speech on his behalf.

Furthermore, Sara co-founded the Reggie White Sleep Disorders Research and Education Foundation.

This foundation commits to ensuring that everyone has access to sleep disorder treatments, regardless of their financial situation.

Reggie White’s Legacy Lives On Through His Children with Sara

Sara White and her late husband, Reggie, are blessed with two children: their son, Jeremy, and daughter, Jecolia.

While at university, Jeremy was active in college football, though he chose not to enter the NFL post-graduation.

To honor his father’s legacy, Jeremy released his , “In His Shadow: Growing Up With Reggie White,” during the Hall of Fame weekend.

In his introduction, he thanked the “God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,” reflecting his father’s profound faith.

Jeremy lives just a few blocks away from Sara in Mooresville with his wife.

He contributes to his community by teaching in a kindergarten in the Charlotte area.

Reggie White with her two kids, Jeremy and Jecolia

Jecolia, on the other hand, has recently taken a practical step in her finances by moving into her mother’s basement to save money.

She works as a teacher at a local high school and has also served as an agent in her mother’s real estate business, CLT Residentials.

Both children have joined their mother in the film “Reggie’s Prayer,” showcasing a family united in both personal and professional spheres.

As of now, Sara, who is now in her late 50s, along with her children, continues to reside in Mooresville, North Carolina.

In Case You Didn’t Know

His name at birth was Reginald Howard White.
Thelma Collier, his mother, shared with Sports Illustrated that her son declared his ambition to become a football player and minister at 12.

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