Indy man recalls Houston's kindness

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - When describing someone’s generosity, people often say “he or she” would give you the shirt off their back.

Literally, Eddie White did give someone the shirt off his back. That someone was Whitney Houston.

As the story goes, White, who now is the director of communications for the Pacers, was wearing a championship shirt featuring Super Bowl XXV winners the New York Giants. Houston – who sang the national anthem at the big game that year, wanted it.

“I walked into her suite with it, and she is like, ‘I want that shirt,’” White recalled. “I said, ‘What?’

Houston then told White: “I’m a Giants fan, I’m from New Jersey! I want that shirt’”

To show her appreciation, Houston sent White a replica of the record that went gold, her version of the Star-Spangled Banner. An inscription at the bottom of the plaque says: “Thank you for the shirt off your back.”

The record now hangs in White’s home.

The two had met days before the big game. Then, White was on the pregame production staff for Super Bowl XXV. Over the years, Houston and White kept in touch.

White said working with Houston and receiving that gift was one of the most memorable moments in his life. The other? The birth of his son.