USC RB, Heisman winner White dies

Charles White, the Southern California tailback who won the Heisman Trophy in 1979, died Wednesday. He was 64. USC announced the death of White, who’s still the Trojans’ career rushing leader with 6,245 yards. The nine-year NFL veteran died of cancer, the school said. “He was the toughest player I coached,” said John Robinson, White’s former coach at USC and with the NFL’s Rams. A two-time All-American and Los Angeles native, White won a national title in 1978 before claiming the Heisman in the following season, when he captained the Trojans and led the nation in yards rushing. 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 named Rose Bowl MVP in games following the 1978 and 1979 seasons. White was the 27th overall pick in the 1980 draft by the Browns, and he spent five years with the team, missing the 1983 season due to injury. He joined the Rams in 1985 and played four more seasons under Robinson, finishing his career with 3,075 yards rushing.