West News Wire: Charles White, a tailback for Southern California who won the 1979 Heisman Trophy, passed away on Wednesday. He was 64.
White, who had 6,245 career running yards to lead the Trojans, passed away, according to USC. The nine-year NFL veteran passed away in Newport Beach, California, from cancer, according to the school.
John Robinson, White’s former head coach at USC and with the Los Angeles Rams, said of him, “He was the toughest player I’ve ever taught.” “In that way, he was extremely remarkable. He was a fantastic player who genuinely enjoyed the game. Those are the things I can most clearly recall. He was a really difficult person and a very talented athlete. But oh, the tenacity!
A two-time All-American and Los Angeles native, White won a national title in 1978 before claiming the Heisman in the following season, when he captained the Trojans and led the nation in yards rushing. White led the Trojans in rushing in each of his final three seasons. He also won the Walter Camp, Maxwell and Pop Warner Awards after his senior season.
He was named the Rose Bowl’s most valuable player in both games following the 1978 and 1979 seasons. White was the third of USC’s record eight Heisman winners, and he is still regarded reverently at the school long known as Tailback U.
“Charles White was one of the all-time great Trojans,” USC athletic director Mike Bohn said. “A Rose Bowl legend, a two-time unanimous All-American and an NCAA record setter, he made USC proud donning the Cardinal and Gold.”
White was the 27th overall pick in the 1980 draft by Cleveland, and he spent five years with the Browns, missing the entire 1983 season due to injury. He joined the Rams in 1985 and played four more seasons under Robinson, finishing his NFL career with 3,075 yards rushing.
After his NFL retirement, he coached USC’s running backs from 1993-97 while again working for Robinson, who had returned to the Trojans. He also held administrative jobs in the Trojans’ athletic department.
White is survived by his ex-wife, Judianne White-Basch, their five children and a granddaughter.
