NFL Player's Wife Criticizes CBS

by Associated Press and Los Angeles Times Staff

NEW YORK -- Reggie White's wife said CBS was "too scared" to hire her husband as a football commentator because of his controversial speech to the Wisconsin Assembly.

White, the Green Bay Packers' defensive lineman who first retired last week and then said he would play one more year, used ethnic stereotypes in his remarks last month and called homosexuality "one of the biggest sins" in the Bible.

"They were too scared of the Sodomite community is what they said," Sara White told ABC's "20/20," according to excerpts of the interview to be broadcast tonight. "Well, you know what? Shame on them. I feel sorry for them because they can't stand the truth."

CBS had been talking to White about becoming an analyst, but the network said outside groups had no bearing on their decision to not hire him.

White, an ordained Baptist minister, said he does not regret his speech.

"My intent was not to humiliate anyone," White told ABC. "It was to get people to realize, `OK ... we are different, we have different cultures. If we come together, we will have more of an impact on the world."'

White said he stands by his remarks regarding gays.

"I am going to speak the truth and I am going to speak out against things that's hurting our children, that's killing off our people," White said. "If people think that's a contradiction and that's hate, they need to take them up with God, not with Reggie White."

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