Tennessee honoring Reggie White prior to home opener against East Tennessee State

Tennessee fans will want to be in their seats at Neyland Stadium well before kickoff of Saturday’s home opener against East Tennessee State.

On Friday, director of athletics Phillip Fulmer announced that Reggie White will be the first “Legend of the Game” for the 2018 season, and that the Vols will honor White before kickoff. White’s widow, Sara, who attended East Tennessee State, will be on the field before the game, along with White’s former Tennessee teammates Phil Stewart and Bruce Wilkerson.

White played for the Vols from 1980-83. He went on to have a remarkable NFL career, playing predominantly for the Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers.

Please arrive early tomorrow to help us honor a very special member of our Tennessee Family, the late Reggie White, during pregame. Reggie’s widow, Sara – who attended ETSU – will be joined on the field by Reggie’s UT teammates Phil Stewart and Bruce Wilkerson. pic.twitter.com/ihANOBQCSA

— Phillip Fulmer (@phillipfulmer) September 7, 2018

White, who was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame and College Football Hall of Fame, recorded 198 sacks in his NFL career, being named first-team All-Pro 10 times.

Before that, White was the SEC Player of the Year during his senior season at Tennessee in 1983. His No. 92 was later retired by the Vols.

White died on Dec. 26, 2004, at the age of 43.

Tennessee and East Tennessee State are set to kick off at 4 p.m. ET on Saturday.

Jake Rill

Jake Rill contributes to news coverage for Saturday Down South. He has covered the SEC since 2016.