Charles White, the winner of the 1979 Heisman Trophy has passed away this week.
The College Football Hall of Famer, who went on to play in the NFL for nine seasons, lost a battle to cancer this Wednesday in Newport Beach, California at the age of 64.
The former USC running back was a member of the Trojans’ 1978 National Championship-winning team and remains the program’s leading rusher with 6,245 yards. He also scored 49 touchdowns for the school.
White was a two-time unanimous All-American who set 22 NCAA, Pac-10, USC and Rose Bowl records, having captained the Trojans while leading the nation in rushing in 1979.
“Charles White was one of the all-time great Trojans,” USC athletic director Mike Bohn said of the college star. “A Rose Bowl legend, a two-time unanimous All-American and a NCAA record-setter, he made USC proud donning the Cardinal and Gold. He will always be remembered by the Trojan Family for the history he made on the football field and the legacy he left at Troy. Fight On Forever!”
A three-time All-Conference First-Team entrant, White was USC’s team MVP in 1978 and 1979, also winning the Voit Trophy in 1978. He finished fourth in the Heisman voting as a junior that year.
Charles played for the Cleveland Browns and Los Angeles Rams in the NFL. He was the league’s rushing yards leader and rushing touchdowns co-leader in 1987.
He also served as a running backs coach at USC from 1993-1997.
The former RB is survived by his ex-wife Judianne White-Basch, as well as their children Nicole, Julian, Tara, Ashton, Sophia, and granddaughter Giovanna Hemmen.
TotalProSports.com extends our deepest sympathies to White’s family and loved ones.
Rest In Peace, Charles White – 1958-2023
