Charles White (1958–2023), 1979 Heisman Trophy winner
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2 min readCharles White was a football player who won the 1979 Heisman Trophy while playing for the University of Southern California and went on to an NFL career.
- Died: January 11, 2023 (Who else died on January 11?)
- Details of death:Died of liver cancer at the age of 64.
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Football career
After excelling in both football and track and field in high school, White had an exceptional career as a tailback with the USC Trojans. His 1979 Heisman Trophy was not his only honor that year – he was also awarded the Maxwell Award and Walter Camp Award, as well as being named UPI Player of the Year. It was also his first Player of the Game honor at the Rose Bowl; he took that honor again in 1980. In the 1980 NFL Draft, White was a first-round pick by the Cleveland Browns. He remained with the Browns through 1985, though he was injured in 1983 and was unable to play at all that season. Released from the Brown in 1985, he signed with the Los Angeles Rams, where he was a 1987 Pro Bowl pick and won the NFL Comeback Player of the Year that same year. After leaving the Rams in 1988, White returned to USC as a coach and also worked in the school’s athletic department.
Tributes to Charles White
Full obituary: ESPN
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