Remembering USC legend, Heisman Trophy winner, Charles White
We here at Fighting Irish Wire join in mourning the loss of an all-time college football legend, Charles White. Our colleagues at Trojans Wire have done a phenomenal job remembering the 1979 Heisman Trophy winner since his passing on Wednesday.
I was too young to ever see Charles White play but his stats speak for themselves. At a program known as “Tailback U”, White was perhaps the finest. His 6,245 career rushing yards remain a program record to this day and his 2,050 yards and 19 rushing touchdowns that year were remarkable.
White took over as the Heisman front runner that season after an incredible showing at Notre Dame Stadium in October. He ran for a career-best 261 yards and four touchdowns as the Trojans routed the Irish 42-23 that afternoon.
White was just 64 years old after battling cancer and dementia. Here is how some of the college football world remembered the legendary running back.
Heisman Winning Running Back/Rival, Billy Sims
The #Heisman family and lost a great one. A true @uscfb legend. Always enjoyed joking with #CharlesWhite about this cover. RIP my brother. My thoughts and prayers go to the White family. 🙏#FightOnForever @HeismanTrophy #billysims pic.twitter.com/X7NTFCgFOS
— Billy Sims (@RealBillySims) January 12, 2023
Sean Salisbury
Charles White will be missed. Pound for pound there has never been a tougher Trojan or tougher running back anywhere. Beloved USC Trojan. Rest easy brother 🙏🙏🙏
— Sean Salisbury (@SeanUnfiltered) January 12, 2023
Super 70s Sports
Super Sky Point to Charles White, the first collegiate running back I really fell in love with during his 2050-yard, 19-TD Heisman-winning season in 1979. I was so disappointed he didn’t have a great pro career but thrilled when re-emerged to lead the NFL in rushing in 1987. #RIP pic.twitter.com/g3Tu8Jkx7H
— Super 70s Sports (@Super70sSports) January 12, 2023
USC Athletics
A tribute to the greatness of Charles White – @USCFB's all-time leading rusher. pic.twitter.com/dxGMAasl3Y
— USC Trojans (@USC_Athletics) January 12, 2023
Matt Leinart
RIP Charles White, a great Trojan. Fight on Forever! ❤️💛🙏
— Matt Leinart (@MattLeinartQB) January 12, 2023
Reggie Bush
RIP Charles White 🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/UBaZCZ0Nn4
— Reggie Bush (@ReggieBush) January 12, 2023
USC Analytics - White on playing Notre Dame in '79
"We played Notre Dame and that was late in November. I rushed for 263 or 264 yards and that clinched it…
I believe playing in the primetime game – big time games – wins Heismans." – 1979 Heisman winner USC's Charles White pic.twitter.com/sSovZR8T9l
— USC Analytics (@USCanalytics) January 12, 2023
The Rose Bowl Game
Charles White is a legend among legends in Rose Bowl Game history.
Ran for 460 yards across 3 #RoseBowl wins, scored in all 3 games, holds the rushing record with 247 yards in 1980.
The Heisman winner was inducted into the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame in 1990. May he rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/Yj4BKuTO6W
— Rose Bowl Game (@rosebowlgame) January 12, 2023
National Football Foundation
The NFF mourns the passing of 1996 @cfbhall inductee and @uscfb legend Charles White
1979 @HeismanTrophy & @TheMaxwellAward winner led USC to the 1978 national title and three @rosebowlgame victories
"Charles White was as tough a player as they come."https://t.co/uERmuXTYol pic.twitter.com/BegTFxuBUt
— Football Foundation (@NFFNetwork) January 12, 2023
The Heisman Trophy
The Heisman Trophy Trust mourns the loss of 1979 Heisman Trophy winner Charles White and shares its deepest condolences with his family and friends as well as the entire University of Southern California community. pic.twitter.com/dbpQPDYE6G
— The Heisman Trophy (@HeismanTrophy) January 12, 2023
Holtz's Heroes Foundation
God rest Charles White and may He keep Charles’ family, friends, and teammates in the palms of His hands. 🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/VYpdMutu6c
— Holtz's Heroes Foundation (@HoltzHeroes) January 12, 2023
Cleveland Browns
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Charles White, the 1979 Heisman Trophy winner and Browns RB from 1980-84. R.I.P. pic.twitter.com/xT10YIQJRy
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) January 12, 2023
InsideUSC
Wide receiver Kevin Williams (32), tailback Charles White (12) and quarterback Kenny Moore (22) at San Fernando High School in 1975. All three went to #USC pic.twitter.com/9EddseYmZq
— InsideUSC (@InsideUSC) January 12, 2023
Rams Rewind
Sad to hear about the passing of Charles White. May he Rest In Peace. pic.twitter.com/2qQAkYMVRl
— Rams Rewind (@RewindRams) January 12, 2023
Remembered at USC basketball game
Moment of silence for Charles White at Galen Center pic.twitter.com/xSU6Rn02hb
— Adam Grosbard (@AdamGrosbard) January 13, 2023
Jim Trotter
Awful news. Charles White was one of my favorite college players growing up. He was tough as hell and overcame so much, on the field and off. You could knock him down but never keep him down. I loved watching him run Student Body Right. #RIP 🙏🏾 https://t.co/DufDO3sHfT
— Jim Trotter (@JimTrotter_NFL) January 12, 2023
Tom Crean
Growing up in Michigan , we had @CMU_Football , @UMichFootball @MSU_Football but watching these these two take over College Football that year was every Saturday must see 📺. They were like Magic and Larry Bird in College Basketball. RIP Charles White. pic.twitter.com/vZHt6bW3FO
— Tom Crean (@TomCrean) January 12, 2023
USC Analytics
USC's Student Body Left
Brad Budde (Lombardi) and Marcus Allen (Heisman) lead the way for Charles White (Heisman) with Paul McDonald looking on pic.twitter.com/rsZSYxJ8Th
— USC Analytics (@USCanalytics) January 12, 2023
Jack Quinn on White vs. Notre Dame
Charles White defined the greatest rivalry in all of football – Notre Dame//USC. And I say that as an ND fan. https://t.co/7iiwTkXzJe
— Jack Quinn (@jq6008) January 12, 2023
