USC debuts No. 12 helmet decals to honor late 1979 Heisman winner Charles White
USC will honor the late Charles White, a legendary Trojans running back and 1979 Heisman winner, with a helmet decal bearing his No. 12 this season. White died in January at the age of 64.
When White left USC after the 1979 season and went to the NFL, he was the NCAA’s No. 2 all-time leading rusher. His stellar play in college landed him as the No. 27 overall pick in the 1980 NFL Draft.
In his 1979 Heisman campaign, White rushed for 2050 yards at a 6.2 yards-per-carry clip and 19 touchdowns.
In 49 career games at USC, White rushed for 6245 yards at more than 5 yard a carry and tallied 49 rushing scores.
White died in Newport Beach, California from cancer, according to an obituary from USC athletics. During his prolific career with the Trojans, White became the school’s third Heisman Trophy winner. He still is currently the school’s all-time leading rusher (6,245 career rushing yards). He finished his career as a two-time unanimous All-American (1978-1979) and he set 22 NCAA, Pac-10, and Rose Bowl records.
He was also the 1978 and 1979 Rose Bowl Player of the Game. White is a member of the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame. The Trojans went 42-6-1 during his four-year career, including winning three bowl games (three Rose Bowls). White was also inducted into the USC Athletic Hall of Fame in 1995 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 1996. He made the Pac-12 All-Century Team in 2015.
In the 1980 NFL Draft, he was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the first round. While his eight-year career in the NFL wasn’t as good as his college career, White still led the league in rushing yardage in 1987 with the Los Angeles Rams, when he rushed for 1,374 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground. For his performance that year, he was named to the Pro Bowl and earned NFL Comeback Player of the Year honors.
USC opens the 2023 season against San Jose State at 8 p.m. EST.
White died from cancer in January
He won a national championship with the Trojans in 1979 and went on to finish his career as one of the greatest players in college football history–punching his ticket to the College Football Hall of Fame.
“Charles White was one of the all-time great Trojans,” said USC athletic director Mike Bohn in the school’s press release. “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!”
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