Bloodshot eyes and a runny nose make this one tough.

I'm not sick from taking pictures of the sad Titans' defeat in the bitter cold Saturday night.

But, I am hurting from the passing of a legend.

Reggie White passed in his sleep at age 43 Sunday.

The exact reason is yet to be determined. Some have suggested a heart attack and others have said respiratory complications due to sleep apnea.

"A 43-year-old is not supposed to die in his sleep," said Keith Johnson, a pastor serving as family spokesman. "It was not only unexpected, but it was also a complete surprise. Reggie wasn't a sick man. ... He was vibrant. He had lots and lots of energy, lots of passion."

White is survived by his wife Sara and two kids.

Every athlete I have ever heard talk of White only had the best things to say about him. And, that is long before they even get to his accolades on the field of play.

He was one of those guys that would rather sit down and talk with you about how things were working out and wonder what he could do to help rather than reminisce about his best games rushing off the end in the NFL for the Eagles, Packers or Panthers.

I wish they handed out stapled packets of statistics on the great things professional athletes had done in their community that week in the press box after the game. Men like Reggie are heroes both on and off the field.

"Reggie White was a gentle warrior who will be remembered as one of the greatest defensive players in NFL history," NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue said. "Equally as impressive as his achievements on the field was the positive impact he made off the field and the way he served as a positive influence on so many young people."

When most players are cussing, taunting, spitting and looking for new ways to draw attention to themselves, White was asking players if they were ready for when Jesus came.

He is the kind of athlete that makes kids like me desire to go into a career involving sports. It is a great privilege to meet and write about special people if only every once in a while rather than just reporting wins, losses and shooting percentages all the time.

Having been ordained as a Baptist minister at the age of 17, White brought something different to the table from most.

When people burned down his church, he didn't ask for heads on a platter.

Saying whatever was on his mind kind of came with the territory with White. Some liked it, some hated it.

White, who played for the University of Tennessee from 1980-83, holds records for sacking more quarterbacks in one season (15), one game (4 vs. The Citadel in 1983) and is the all-time sack leader (32).

But, when other people talk about him, I hope they don't call him a former Vol. White never forgot his roots and never quit being a Tennessean. He will always be a Vol.

"He was one of the greatest players who ever put on a uniform at his position," Johnny Majors said. "I once referred to him as the Tony Dorsett of defensive linemen. There's never been a better one."

White, known as the Minister of Defense in his heyday, was All-State in both basketball and football at Howard High School in Chattanooga.

He also was an All-American and Southeastern Conference Player of the Year in his senior season at UT.

He was inducted to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2002 and the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame in 2004.

I could write all day and night about his honors, statistics and highlights.

Some will remember him for his stereotypical remarks to the Wisconsin State Legislature about homosexuals and the differences in various races of people.

Some will remember him for having retired as the NFL's all-time sack leader with 192, which has since been eclipsed by Bruce Smith.

I will simply remember him as an icon on and off the field. A man who saw the big picture.

He is one person I had always hoped to get to meet at least in passing at some point while covering an event in Knoxville. Perhaps that day will come in another destination.

Likely somewhere up above Sunday, an angel leaned over to Jesus and told him that Reggie is coming.

I hope He is ready.

I know Reggie is.