LOS ANGELES – Charles White, the Southern California traffic jammer who won the 1979 Heisman Trophy, died Wednesday. He was 64.
USC announced the death of White, who is still the Trojans’ career rushing leader with 6,245 yards. The nine-year NFL veteran died of cancer in Newport Beach, California, the school said.
“He was the toughest player I’ve ever coached,” said John Robinson, White’s former head coach at USC and the Los Angeles Rams. “He was really unusual in that regard. He was a great player and just loved playing 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!”
White, a two-time All-American and a Los Angeles native, won a national title in 1978 before winning the Heisman the following season when he captained the Trojans and led the nation in yards rushing. White has led the Trojans in each of his last three seasons. He also won the Walter Camp, Maxwell, and Pop Warner Awards after his senior season.
After the 1978 and 1979 seasons, he was named the Rose Bowl’s Most Valuable Player in both games. White was the third of USC’s record eight Heisman winners, and he’s still held in awe at the school long known as Tailback U.
“Charles White was one of the greatest Trojans of all time,” said USC athletic director Mike Bohn. “A Rose Bowl legend, a two-time unanimous All-American and an NCAA record-holder, he made USC proud to don the cardinal and gold.”
White was the 27th overall pick in Cleveland’s 1980 draft, and he spent five years with the Browns, missing the entire 1983 season through injury. He joined the Rams in 1985 and played four more seasons under Robinson, finishing his NFL career with 3,075 rushing yards.
After retiring from the NFL, he coached USC’s running backs from 1993 to 1997 while returning to work for Robinson, who had returned to the Trojans. He also held administrative responsibilities in the Trojans’ athletic department.
White is survived by his ex-wife Judianne White-Basch, their five children and one granddaughter. Details of the memorial service are yet to be announced.
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