PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Former Steelers Joe Greene and John Kolb embrace after Dwight White's funeral at Calvary Episcopal Church in Shadyside, June 11, 2008.
Chaz Palla/Tribune-Review
There were tears, and there were testimonials, including those given by Pro Football Hall of Famer Joe Greene and Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell.
Just as telling of the kind of life led by Dwight White, to whom friends, family members and former teammates said goodbye Wednesday, is what happened after a two-hour funeral service at Calvary Episcopal Church in Shadyside.
As he talked about the former Steelers defensive end who had been his teammate for only two seasons, Dwayne Woodruff dabbed at his eyes and struggled to find words. That scene proved to an eloquent summation of White's impact on people. It also was in sync with the sermon, in which the Rev. Harold T. Lewis said a person's life shouldn't be measured in years, but by what he or she does with those years.
"Is the planet a better place because we have trod on its surface?" Lewis asked during the service.
In the case of White, who died unexpectedly Friday at the age of 58 due to complications from back surgery, that question did not need to go beyond the rhetorical.
Former Steelers running back Rocky Bleier shares stories about Dwight White after his funeral at Calvary Episcopal Church in Shadyside, June 11, 2008.
Chaz Palla/Tribune-Review
White carved out a name if not a legend for himself on the Steelers' vaunted "Steel Curtain" defense, making teammates laugh as much as he made opposing quarterbacks cringe.
His success went far beyond football. After his playing days were over, White became a successful businessman and community leader. He was involved with a number of charities and was remembered as someone who endlessly gave back to the city that became his adopted home.
Steelers president Art Rooney II said when the team makes its selections every year in the NFL Draft, it hopes to get players such as White, a fourth-round pick in 1971.
"The icing on the cake would be that you make the team, have a great career, make your home in Pittsburgh and become a part of the community," Rooney said. "That's exactly what Dwight did."
Hundreds of people filled the spacious Shadyside church to remember White and celebrate his life, including a number of his former teammates and current Steelers coach Mike Tomlin.
Former Steelers wide receiver Lynn Swann looks on at Dwight White's funeral at Calvary Episcopal Church in Shadyside, June 11, 2008.
Chaz Palla/Tribune-Review
Greene, Mel Blount, Larry Brown, L.C. Greenwood, Franco Harris, J.T. Thomas and Mike Wagner served as honorary pallbearers (there was no burial, since White was cremated). John Stallworth, Jack Ham, Donnie Shell, Lynn Swann and Rocky Bleier also were among the former Steelers players who attended the service.
They could have spent the day swapping White stories, and Bleier relayed one that showed why White became such a beloved figure on the team that dominated the 1970s, winning four Super Bowls in a span of six seasons.
Before a playoff game against the Buffalo Bills one year, White started calling Bleier "Prune Juice," since Buffalo's electrifying running back, O.J. Simpson, went by the nickname "Juice."
Asked why the name "Prune Juice," which stuck among his Steeler teammates, Bleier smiled.
"Slow but steady," he said.
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin attends Dwight White's funeral at Calvary Episcopal Church, June 11, 2008.
Chaz Palla/Tribune-Review
White was anything but slow, whether he was chasing opposing quarterbacks -- he finished his career with 46 sacks and two Pro Bowl appearances -- or corralling support or a pair of helping hands for one of the charitable organizations with which he was involved.
And even though he spoke with a Texas drawl, his mouth could be characterized as anything but slow.
"Before the snap he was talking. During the snap he was talking. When (the play) was over he was talking," Greene said.
Those who loved White remembered him as a larger-than-life figure, a devoted husband and a doting father.
"It's great to see how passionate he was about life," Woodruff said.
Scott Brown can be reached at sbrown@tribweb.com or 412-481-5432.
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