money Charles White: USC Heisman Trophy profile
O.J. Simpson created what most experts believe is the greatest, most famous play in USC football history, the 64-yard run against UCLA in 1967 to beat the Bruins in a matchup of top-four teams. That game propelled USC to a national championship, which makes O.J.’s play more significant than 4th and 9 or the Bush Push in 2005 versus Notre Dame.
However, while O.J. has the greatest play in USC football history, and while O.J. created a much bigger national name for himself, USC’s best running back ever is probably Charles White. O.J. had the better pro career, but strictly within their collegiate careers, White played more seasons and had a best season (his 1979 Heisman year) which was better than O.J.’s best season, his majestic 1968 Heisman conquest.
Charles White is simply the greatest workhorse running back at a school known for workhorse running backs. Pound for pound, no USC running back was tougher than Charles White. That statement speaks to how great he was in college. That statement also has a dark side: White’s on-field fearlessness carried a great price. The effects of the pounding White took are evident today. White has suffered brain damage and is a sad reminder of the toll this sport takes on the people who play it. It’s not something to be ignored.
In this Heisman profile, we’ll include a Bill Plaschke story from the Los Angeles Times which we noted earlier in 2022 at Trojans Wire:
1979 HEISMAN
University of Southern California running back Charles White gestures at the Heisman Trophy Monday December 4, 1979 during a news conference in Los Angeles. It was annouced that White was selected the 1979 recipient of the sward as college football’s premier player. The trophy shown was awarded to anther USC back, Mike Garrett, in 1965. White will get his trophy in New York later. (AP Photo/Fong)
Charles White became USC’s third Heisman winner and ended his career as the second-leading Trojan all time in rushing yards.
BACKUP BEFORE A STAR
Nov 20, 1976; Los Angeles, CA, USA: FILE PHOTO; Southern California Trojans running back Ricky Bell (42) carries the ball against the UCLA Bruins at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Long Photography-USA TODAY Sports
White ran for 858 yards and 10 touchdowns in his freshman year while backing up Ricky Bell.
PRODUCTIVE
USC Toby Brenner (89) catches a pass in the end zone for the first USC touchdown in the first few moments of the 65th Rose Bowl game in Pasadena, Calif. Jan. 1, 1979. USC’s Charles White (12) raises his hands for the touchdown as Michigan Mike Jolly (16) runs into the action. (AP Photo)
White had a total of 5,598 yards and scored 53 touchdowns in his USC career.
NFL
Who is the ultimate Cardinal killer?
The great Charles White. pic.twitter.com/zDI0LxTJ33
— USC Trojans (@USC_Athletics) September 8, 2022
White was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in 1980 with the 27th pick of the first round. He also played for the L.A. Rams.
NFL RUSHING CHAMPION
Unknown date 1985; Anaheim, CA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Los Angeles Rams running back Charles White (33) in action during the 1985 season at Anaheim Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Brouillet-USA TODAY Sports
White won the NFL rushing title in 1987.
HALL OF FAME
Charles White — Getty Images
White was elected to the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame in 1996.
ELITE ATHLETE
Jan 1, 1979; Pasadena, CA, USA: FILE PHOTO; Southern California Trojans running back Charles White (12) carries the ball against the Michigan Wolverines at the 1979 Rose Bowl. The Trojans defeated the Wolverines 17-10 to win the National Championship. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
White attended San Fernando High, where he was an all-star football player and a state-champion 330-yard hurdler.
NUMBERS
Tailback Charles White (12) of USC Trojans steps his way through the defense of UCLA, including UCLA’s Jeff Muro (81) during the third quarter for seven yards in Los Angeles, Calif., Nov. 18, 1978. White became USC’s all-time leader in rushing carrying the Trojans to a 17-10 victory over UCLA for a spot in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1, 1979. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)
In his final high school season, White had 1,118 yards, 14 touchdowns and averaged an eye-popping 9.4 yards per carry.
A GIANT
Jan 1, 1980; Pasadena, CA, USA: FILE PHOTO; Southern California Trojans running Charles White (12) waits for the snap against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the 1980 Rose Bowl game where USC defeated OSU 17-16 at the Rose Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Long Photography-USA TODAY Sports
The 1979 season was an unreal year for White. Here are some of his accolades that season:
Heisman Trophy winner
1,803 yards and 18 touchdowns (missed a game and a half)
Led Trojans to a No. 2 national ranking
Four 200-yard efforts
Three other games with 185 or more yards
247 yards on 39 carries in the Rose Bowl win over Ohio State
1978 WAS SPECIAL AS WELL (BILLY SIMS OF OKLAHOMA WON THAT YEAR'S HEISMAN)
Sep 23, 1978; USC Trojans RB Charles White (12) vs Alabama. Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
White was named an All-American in his junior year with 1,760 yards and 13 touchdowns.
BILL PLASCHKE ON CHARLES WHITE: MEMORIES
HEARTBREAK
HOPE
USC ALL-TIME OFFENSE -- CHARLES WHITE IS IN OUR STARTING LINEUP
FROM OUR ARTICLE ON USC'S GREATEST OFFENSIVE PLAYERS
We wrote the following:
USC’s toughest and most productive running back of all time, playing in an era without spread offenses and lower numbers of defenders in the tackle box. Charles White blended speed and power at a level no one — not even O.J. Simpson — managed to do. Strictly in college, no USC running back was harder to bring down or was more of a freight train than Charles White. The greatest running back at a school known for producing great running backs? White deserves the honor.
