REGGIE SHOULD HAVE WHITED OUT UNIFORM BEFORE SPEAKING FREELY

          The NFL "plans to talk" to Reggie White about a full-
     page ad in USA TODAY in which he spoke out against
     homosexuality while wearing his uniform, according to USA
     TODAY's Steve Hershey.  NFL VP/Communications Greg Aiello:
     "No permission was asked for or given to use the Green Bay
     uniform.  We feel that it is inappropriate for a player to
     appear in the NFL uniform in this type of ad."  The ad was
     paid for by a coalition of 15 Christian groups.  A Packers
     spokesperson said neither White nor any group asked the
     team's permission to use the uniform (USA TODAY, 7/17).
          FREE AGENT LEDGER: During the NFL's unrestricted free
     agency period, 113 veteran free agents re-signed with the
     old teams, while 113 signed with new teams.  The Falcons and
     the Panthers signed the most unrestricted free agents from
     other teams with eight each.  There were a total of 305
     unrestricted free agents this year (NFL).