1979 Heisman Trophy winner Charles White dies at age 64

Former USC tailback and 1979 Heisman Trophy winner Charles White passed away Wednesday. He was 64. White’s death was announced by USC; he held the Trojans’ all-time record with 6,245 yards. The school reported that the nine-year NFL veteran in Newport Beach, California, had died of cancer.

John Robinson, White’s former head coach at USC and with the Los Angeles Rams, said of White, “He was the strongest player I ever coached.” “He was really unusual in that regard. He was a great player and just loved the game. Those are the things I remember the most. He was a really tough guy and he was an extremely gifted athlete. But the toughness… wow!”

#FightOnForeverCharles White.

The 1979 Heisman Trophy winner, who won a national championship with USC in 1978 and went on to induct into the College Football Hall of Fame, died today in Newport Beach. He was 64. pic.twitter.com/iH0ANvslSM

— USC Trojans (@USC_Athletics) January 12, 2023

A two-time All-American and native of Los Angeles, White won a national title in 1978 before claiming the Heisman the following season, when he led the Trojans and led the nation in yards rushing. White led the Trojans in each of his last three seasons. He also won Walter Camp, Maxwell, and Pop Warner awards after his final season.

He was named MVP of the Rose Bowl in both games following the 1978 and 1979 seasons. White was the third of USC’s record eight Heisman winners, and he is still held in reverence at the school long known as Tailback U. “Charles White was one of the greatest Trojans of all time”, 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 by donning the Cardinal and Gold.”

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Cleveland selected White with the 27th overall pick in the 1980 NFL Provisional version. White played for the Browns for five years until an injury forced him to miss the entire 1983 season. He signed with the Rams in 1985 and finished his NFL career with 3,075 yards running after playing four more seasons under Robinson.

After retiring from the NFL, he worked for Robinson again USC as a running backs coach from 1993 to 1997. He also worked at the administrative offices of the Trojans. Judianne White-Basch, their five children and a granddaughter are all very much alive after White’s death. Details about the memorial ceremony are yet to be determined.

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Last lines

Charles White, a former USC traffic jam and 1979 Heisman Trophy winner, passed away Wednesday. He was 64. USC announced his passing; White was the Trojans’ all-time leading rusher with 6,245 yards. The school said the former NFL player died of cancer in Newport Beach, California, where he had lived for the past nine years.

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