Nearly 22 years after he played his last game here, Reggie White came back to Neyland Stadium to stay.

At least his memory did.

Tennessee recognized the first of its three newly retired numbers Saturday, unveiling a banner honoring White and his retired "No. 92" that will hang on the south end zone balcony.

White's family was on the field for a pregame ceremony accompanied by a moving video on the Jumbotron scoreboard.

Peyton Manning and Doug Atkins will be recognized in a similar fashion later this year.

White, an All-America defensive tackle in 1983, died last December at age 43.

"This is a big honor,'' said White's father, Charles White, "because of the fact he was a great ballplayer, a super kid and everybody loved him, but God loved him the most.

"I just thank God he was in my life.''

White, an ordained minister, was in UT's life from 1980-83, and went on to become one of the best defensive linemen to play in the NFL.

"I'm sure there's people out there that were inspired by his words,'' said former UT teammate Bruce Wilkerson, "but he inspired us by his actions.

"I remember his senior year Reggie hurt his ankle. Some of his relatives came up from Chattanooga and packed red clay on his ankle. He wasn't supposed to play the LSU game. They had a great guard, Lance Smith, but Reggie goes down there and ate his lunch.''

Sara White, Reggie's wife, and his two daughters attended.

"I'm just wishing Reggie would have been here today to enjoy the ceremonies with all the fans of UT, and especially the staff here,'' Sara White said.

While White's relationship with the university was strained at one time, he was back in the family at the time of his death.

"I think with help of (athletic director) Mike Hamilton, and (associate athletic director) Carmen Tegano and (alumnus) Mark Dyer, those three components helped Reggie understand the past and move forward,'' Sara White said.