Top Ten All Time - Number 5

Since top ten lists are all the rage these days, the dog days til training camp starts, I thought it was time for one more! Since USA Today is counting down the top 25 players of the last 25 years til camp,(and we will keep you up to date on the Niner notables on that list), I will go one better. Here is number 5 on my list of top ten players of all time, regardless of era or position. And yeah, there might be a 49er or two in here!!

Number 5:

Reggie White, Philadelphia Eagles, 1985-92, Green Bay Packers, 1993-98, Carolina Panthers, 2000

After college, White signed with the Memphis Showboats of the USFL, with whom he played for two seasons, while racking up 23.5 sacks, 192 tackles and seven forced fumbles in 36 starts. After the USFL folded, White moved to the NFL and went to the Philadelphia Eagles because they held his NFL rights. He played with the Eagles for eight seasons, picking up 124 sacks to become the Eagles' all-time sack leader. He also set a then Eagles regular-season record with 21 sacks in 1987. He also became the only player to ever accumulate 20 or more sacks in just 12 games. He also set an NFL regular-season record that season by averaging the most sacks per game, with an amazing 1.75 sacks per game. Over the course of his tenure with the Eagles Reggie actually accumulated more sacks than the number of games that he played.

In 1993, while being wooed by several teams as a free agent, White went to the Green Bay Packers, where he played for six seasons. During his time as a free agent, White said God would tell him where to play. Packers head coach (at the time) Mike Holmgren called Reggie White and said "Reggie, this is God. I want you to play in Green Bay." While not quite as prolific as in his previous years, White still notched up another 68.5 sacks, to become the Packers' all-time leader in that category. He also helped the Packers to two Super Bowls, including a victory in Super Bowl XXXI. That victory was the only championship White ever shared in at any level. White was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1998.

After the 1998 season, White announced his retirement, but in 1999 he spoke to God and was told to "fulfill his commitment", and thereafter signed with the Carolina Panthers for the 2000 season. However, his performance was below his par, and he managed just 15 tackles and 5.5 sacks. Following the season, White again retired.

At the time of his retirement, White was the NFL's all-time sacks leader with 198. He has since been surpassed by Bruce Smith who has 200. White also recorded 3 interceptions, which he returned for 79 yards, and recovered 19 fumbles, which he returned for 137 yards and 3 touchdowns. His 9 consecutive seasons (1985-1993) with at least 10 sacks remain an NFL record. He was named All-Pro 13 of 15 seasons including 10 as first-team selection