Charles White, who won the Heisman Trophy at USC in 1979 and went on to become an NFL first-round pick, died Wednesday.
White, 64, succumbed to cancer in Newport Beach, California.
A two-time All-American and Los Angeles native, White won a national title in 1978 before claiming the Heisman the following season, when he captained the Trojans and led the nation in yards rushing.
In 1979, White rushed for 2.050 yards in winning the Heisman. He also scored 19 rushing touchdowns.
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 the toughest player I’ve ever coached,” said John Robinson, White’s former USC and Rams head coach. “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 was USC’s third Heisman Trophy winner and is the school’s career rushing leader (6,245 yard) while scoring 49 touchdowns.
White was the 27th overall pick in the 1980 draft by Cleveland, and 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.
He led the NFL in rushing in 1988 with 1,374 rushing yards.
