The Memphis Showboats, like the Panthers, Bandits, Generals, Stallions and the Gold (first year), were among the teams that drew more than 30,000 fans to their games.

 

The Liberty Bowl was their home and Reggie White was the star player.  Known as the “ Minister of Defense,” White was an All Star player the moment he stepped on an NFL field  -- making 13 Pro Bowl appearances in 15 seasons.

 

White went to the postseason 10 times as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles and the Green Bay Packers. The culmination came in January of 1997 when the Packers beat the Patriots in Super Bowl XXI – White set a Super Bowl record with three sacks. White recorded 198 sacks in his 15-year career.

 

He held the sack record until Bruce Smith broke it in 2003 as a member of the Redskins. White passed away in December of 2004 due to a respiratory ailment. The ordained minister was only 43.