When Charles White was a freshmen at USC, he walked into Heritage Hall and saw the two Heisman Trophies on display.
“I’m going to get two or three of those,” White said.
If someone says White was the greatest back in USC history, it’s hard to argue. He certainly had the stats and still holds the USC record for yards rushing (6,245 yards). More importantly, he was a unique tailback because he loved to punish the defense physically but also could break runs.
That set him apart from someone like Reggie Bush, who could not run between the tackles like White.
“Charles had an incredibly strong and durable body,” said Gil Haskell, who coached at USC from 1978-82 and the Rams from 1983-91. “It was the best of any player we had.”
When tests were performed to determine the body-fat percentage of USC players, White measured 1.94 percent of fat.
- I still remember the first time I saw White in person. USC was practicing at Texas Stadium for the 1995 Cotton Bowl. White was 36 years old and even though he was a USC assistant, he looked like he was in better shape than any of the players at the practice.
- During its third and fourth seasons, the TV show, “American Gladiators” held special “Pro Football Challenge of Champions” shows. White won both times.
“Growing up (in the San Fernando Valley), you either had to be tough or pretend that you were tough,” White said in a 1985 interview with the Los Angeles Times. “I guess I pretended I was tough. Nah, I wasn’t tough. The type of people you were associated with, they were the type that if they wanted you to get into something, you couldn’t back down.”
Several times at USC, White was knocked unconscious in games and returned.
- White was drafted in the first round by the Cleveland Browns in 1980. It was in Cleveland where owner Art Modell and Coach Sam Rutigliano urged White to seek help for drug problems.
The day after White was released from the Browns in 1984, Modell’s office got a phone call. The secretary said it was White on the line and it was urgent. Modell said White called to thank him and several days later, White and his wife sent Modell roses.
“I called because I wanted to thank you for saving my life,” White told him. “I’ll always be thankful for that.”
- White’s San Fernando teams were supremely talented. Here is wide receiver Kevin Williams (32), White (12) and quarterback Kenny Moore (22). All three went to USC.
- In 1979, USC had six players from San Fernando High School! Tailback Anthony Gibson (24), fullback Bob McClanahan (31), wide receiver Malcolm Moore (22), defensive back Kenny Moore (not pictured), wide receiver Kevin Williams (8) and tailback Charles White (12).
- Washington State coach Jake Dickert was the only coach to rank USC ahead of Utah in the USA Today coaches’ Top 25 poll. He had USC 10th and Utah 11th.
RESTAURANT OF THE WEEK
Look at this amazing menu from the Warner Bros. Studio Cafe on February 17, 1941.
The sheer volume and variety of dishes is fantastic. My tastes are simple, so I’d be happy with a 75-cent T-bone steak. That works out to $14.82 in today’s dollars. You can get a half-lobster for 55 cents.
What’s a chop suey sundae? Recipes vary but on top of ice cream, “chop suey” was often a topping of dried and preserved fruit, nuts, and syrup, mixed together by the pound.
And now for some history:
- Ballard’s Do-Nut Shop definitely sounds like a place worth visiting in 1947. You could get hamburgers, donuts and malts. And convenitently located at the “Trojan Triangle Corner.”
- Charles White gains a first down vs. Stanford on Oct. 13, 1979.
- Charles White rushed for 247 yards in the 1980 Rose Bowl, which is still the record.
PICTURE OF THE WEEK
Here is some UCLA history.
UCLA football players Woody Strode (left) and Kenny Washington celebrate New Year’s Eve in 1938 with their dates, Dr. Lois J. Evans and June Bradley. Strode and Washington were the first African-Americans to play for UCLA. The following year they would be joined at UCLA by Ray Bartlett and Jackie Robinson.
Washington attended Lincoln High School in Lincoln Heights while Strode went to Jefferson in Los Angeles.
Washington’s son, Kenny Jr., played on USC’s 1961 and 1963 NCAA champion baseball teams. He was captain of the 1963 team and a member of the All-College World Series team and All-District team that season. Kenny Washington’s grandson, Kraig, played on the 1987 USC baseball team.
VIDEO OF THE WEEK
Jeff Beck, the legendary guitarist, died this week. So let’s appreciate him and another legend, Jimmy Page, when they were with the Yardbirds in the 1966 classic movie, “Blow Up.” Beck is the one destroying the guitar.
InsideUSC with Scott Wolf 
Friday the 13th. Go get lucky.
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Steveg –Thank you for being all over the 13th! Somebody needs to start the celebration! Guess I’ll go for a swim where that Great White was sighted.
And thank you, Scott, for the fantastic Charles White tribute [although I can’t quite believe ANYONE can have less than 2 % body fat]. Charles came through in big games. He always had that “I’m ready to rumble” look in his eyes —the kind of look I wish we saw in Mario Williams’ eyes when they sent him out to field the most important kickoff of his life.
And, finally, thank you also Scott for reminding all of us how overrated Antonioni was as a director. Looking back on his stuff now it all seems like crap.
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HEY MICHAEL
CHECK OUT LOUISE BROOKS IN THE 1929 FILM PANDORAS BOX
I JUST SAW IT RECENTLY
SHE IS TO DIE FOR
SO CAL AND OWNS WOULD LOVE HER TOO
WHATS YOUR OPINION MG
SEXIEST GIRL EVER ??
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I don’t know about sexy, but a real cutie. Audrey Tautou had a similar look. Loved her in The DaVinci Code!
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MG a ‘attaboy’ for you re. Antonioni same with Godhard.
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Friday, 13th, no biggie, what can possibly go wro………….
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Sorry for your loss, Siggy….
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WHEN I WAS A LITTLE KID WESTWOOD WAS A MANURE FILLED COW PASTURE.
STILL IS !!!!!!!!!
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WE ALL REMEMBER WOODY STRODE AS A PRO WRESTLER AT HOLLYWOOD LEGION STADIUM. THE OLYMPIC AUDITORIUM
THE SOUH GATE ARENA. OCEAN PARK ARENA ETC
WOODY STOOD SIX FEET SEVEN AND PLAYD END AT UCLA
ANYONE REMEMBER BARON MICHELE LEONE BEATINGWOODY TWO STRAIGHT FALLS. BARON SURE WAS LUCKY IT WAS FAKE !!
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NO TROJAN EVER GAVE AS MUCH TO HIS TEAM AS CHARLES WHITE
NO TROJAN EVER HAD MORE HEART THAN CHARLES WHITE
GOD BLESS YOU CHARLES
AND THANK YOU FOR THE UNFORGETTABLE MEMORIES.
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I totally agree! RIP Charles White, you were one of the best. Thank you for the memories!
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Louise Brooks was a real beauty, George. She was also a very clever writer. Check out her book “Lulu in Hollywood.” And, for insight into who she was as a person, see Kenneth Tynan’s “The Girl in the Black Helmet.” Tynan was a fan who looked her up when she turned 70 —and found she was still a flirt. A mysterious, intelligent flirt.
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the 1980 Rose Bowl, that stuttering John almost lost because he wanted to throw the ball instead of pound it, sound familiar ? Oh, can you guess who the OC of that team was ? Hackett.
Funny thing about that film clip, Beck didn’t want to destroy the guitar.
The Yardbirds performed “Stroll On” (a version of Jimmy Burnette’s “Train Kept a-Rollin‘”) for a sequence in Michelangelo Antonioni’s film Blow-Up, in which Beck smashed a guitar a la Pete Townshend. “Well, clearly the Who was asked to do it and they said no,” Beck recalled. “I wasn’t in the position to argue when they paid us a lot of money. … [Antonioni] just said, ‘You’ll smash your guitar.’ And I said, ‘No, I won’t.’ It was a sunburst Les Paul. He said, ‘We’ll buy you another one.’ He didn’t grasp that you don’t do that to most guitars. So they rented six beginner guitars, and they were so cheap they came in a clear plastic bag.”
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Good for Beck. Class act.
Antonioni was just another Italian director [Fellini is one more example] that American critics thought they were duty-bound to admire.
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Sounds like most rock groups of the 70’s
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sure you know the rest of the story. Introduce the warts please.
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…yes…that’s what is always done in memorial pieces —- bring up “warts”….
#WhatIsWrongWithYou?
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Oh yeah, YOU never start the name calling. As Cal said, a fool and a troll.
Have a great weekend, Gabby!
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slo troll, do you think I really care what Cal’s opinion of me is. I respect the guy and hope there are better days ahead of him.
I don’t get caught up in how I am perceived by others, unlike you. I post my thoughts/opinions. if people like them good and if they don’t good. You were whining and crying about “freedom of speech” yesterday. Yet you want to call into question the right to exercise mine….you truly own the title of blog dunce
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Oops. Meant for below. Heck, it’s Friday.
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KNOCK KNOCK……(you know the rest of the story)
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Freedom of speech is one thing. The name calling is another. As I’ve said many times (and you’re too dense to get it), a couple of people have disagreed with me on politics without getting childish. I don’t sling mud in their direction. Heck, even Owns disagrees, but reserves his name calling for Trump. That’s because Owns is not as childish as you.
As normal, you’ll point to what I call you and not comprehend that in life, you get what you give! You started the mud slinging and until you stop, you’ll likely get the same in return from me.
And as usual, you contradict yourself with not caring about what Cal thinks. Yet yesterday: “Steve thinks this about you.” (When what he wrote certainly was no compliment to YOU! LOL)
You are the typical Lib…the rules are different for you. Amazing you don’t see it.
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Once again(20th x)….who, what, where, or when are these people I “name call”…..You and ucla trolls are the only people who get choice words from me.
FUCKING TELL ME WHO THESE PEOPLE ARE, AND STATE DETAILS…..OR STFU!
YOU SOUND LIKE A FUCKING BROKEN RECORD…..
This whole interaction between you and me is all a joke to me. You bring absolutely nothing to the blog regarding USC. you had 40 posts yesterday, and not one was related to the thread topic….THAT’S CALLED TROLLING…..ARE YOU TOO FUCKING DENSE TO COMPREHEND?….YOU SOUND LIKE A LITTLE KID ALWAYS POUTING BECAUSE THEY CAN’T GET THEIR WAY….It’s comical how triggered you get….
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Well it is interesting , the back and forth. I happen to like the give and take . It means all of you care. And, you keep it interesting. while I do not add much . I think all of it is lively. Otherwise things would be dull. So thank all of you for being interesting and expressing yourselves. It is very good for those of us who are so dull and I count myself one of those. So, keep it up You liven things up. So Cal is crude but I certainly like hearing from him. He makes my day. And, I compliment others here who are so direct and even vulgar. Thank you. You guys make the dull come alive.
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Keep lying & rationalizing your childish behavior. It’s what you do.
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You have made repeated perverted comments about my mom, wife, and daughter, yet I am childish……What person in their right mind would feel it’s appropriate to talk like that about someone’s family, and people you know nothing about….Instead, you keep preaching the ‘two wrongs make it right” approach.
You’re lucky I can’t get my hands on you.
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You started bringing family into it, you moron. Don’t like it? Then leave it in the past!
When you do that, I’ll do the same. I’ve said that over & over, you idiot.
And don’t lie. It has nothing to do with “two wrongs”. It has to do with getting what you give, Dumbass.
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Have I ever made a perverted comment directed at any of your family members?… So how did I start it?…… Another example of your advancing dementia. Making shit up to fill the voids in your memory.
Once again, you’re just a punching bag used for cheap entertainment. But you treat this bantering like a life crisis. Go find a hobby and refrain from the blog for a while. This can’t be good for your BP
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LOL, Professur1. I’m only crude to the one that’s crude to me.
But I’m happy I was able to make your day less dull. I generally try to have a positive impact on people. But there’s always going to be someone who cries because they’re “offended”.
The adults here can disagree without the vulgarity. But the intellectually challenged want to “meet up” and settle things like a 10 year old. As if that’s going to solve anything.
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You stupid idiot, the guy was giving you a back-handed compliment….It flew right over your head…..tooooo funnnny!
Too dense to realize he was fucking with you…..just like Steve was.
So who do I voice vulgarity at(you don’t count)….Since you can’t list details, it’s another lie of yours
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It didn’t have to be perverted, you freaking idiot. You brought my wife into it. After doing that, you don’t get to suddenly make the rules.
I have told you before and I tell you again…you want to leave it in the past, I’ll do the same. No more comments about family.
As for posting only USC stuff. I’ll post about anything I like. When you have a blog, you can make the rules. But Wolf makes them here.
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slo troll: “As for posting only USC stuff. I’ll post about anything I like. When you have a blog, you can make the rules. But Wolf makes them here”
Even a half-wit, like yourself, should understand people frequent a particular blog due to a common shared interest. The shared interest related to this blog is USC with an emphasis on football and all that encompasses it.
It’s pure insanity on your part to make numerous daily comments, in particular, your Biden grievances, and void the “shared interest”.
Go ahead and deflect, typical!
PS…..can you please forward me the rules, thanks
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No deflecting. That’s YOUR thing.
The rules? Scott determines if a post can remain on the board or not, not you.
It’s pretty simple, but with you being as slow as you are, the entire blog understands why you didn’t get it. Glad I was here to explain it to you, in the simplest terms possible, in order for you to comprehend it. But even so, I know you’ll still not get it. You’ll still cry if I post something you don’t like. Knock yourself out!
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Gabby: “can you please forward me the rules, thanks”
What the fuck….toooo funnnny!….That was a rhetorical statement. It flew right over your head, ONCE AGAIN!
Any half-wit, like yourself, should know this blog is moderated by a bot, with keywords triggering moderation. Your boi wolf doesn’t delete anything…..wake up!
Dude, you’re such a simpleton and way too easy to trigger.
Why do you continue to avoid my question regarding the use of vulgarity at others?
Joe is laughing at your sorry ass when you mention the word dementia……I can read numerous examples of your cognitive lapses within this blog….
I see why you lost your balls!
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Oh yeah, since you claim I post it daily, I may as well…
Biden has dementia and you actually thought that was the way to go! LMAO!
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Typical dick-ism……the stupidity drum beats on and on!
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It takes a special kind of retard to “Like” your own posts! ROTFLMAO
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It takes a special kind of retard to marinate in the same diaper for three straight days! ROTFLMAO
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Did someone say “the rest of the story?”
No one said it like Paul.
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Slo troll, fill us in on the “rest of the story”
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Nigel Tufnel has had the Jeff Beck haircut for his entire career – the ultimate compliment!
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Mr. Wolf, thanks for the gumball. IMO, one of your better Friday Columns.
How about a shoutout to Mosi Tatupu(pictured) for giving us a great former USC LB Lofa Tatupu. Natty winner and All-American under PC. Who went on to have a solid NFL career for the Seahawks
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btw, Go Hawks!
#TomorrowOnFox
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YES!…..GO HAWKS!
It might be Pete’s best coaching job to date in the NFL. New QB, roster turnover, injuries, and IMO his least talented roster.
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Gabby,
I’m taking the Hawks [and 10 points]…..
#..ButI’dLoveToSeeThemPlayOverTheirHeads&Win
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Long story short, Gabs, Imma end up fuccin yo wife and daughter, which ever one has the biggest delicious ass 😂😂 I’m thinking it’s wifey 🍆
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My wife has a cock and my daughter is a minor…..take your pick
Sounds like you’re Fuck’d
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I looked at that menu and thought the prices looked high end. Many expensive restaurants put the decimal point after the number nowadays. $75. for a t-bone steak is Morton’s Steak house price. (Sides cost extra and there’s more fat than meat) I guess that’s inflation for you. The local Frazier farms market has t-bones for $19.99 a pound.
It reminds me of eating dinner with my dad. We went to an exotic place which served any animal steaks. My dad was hungry so he ordered an elephant steak. The waiter said, “let me check.” A few moments later he came back and said, ” I’m sorry sir, the chef cannot butcher a whole elephant for just one guest, he suggests the wildebeest steak. ” My dad said, “I have never tried wildebeest, is it gnu?”
Friday the 13?
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Lovely, Ghost.
#YouKnowHowToDoFridayThe13thRight!
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THE BABY GNU WAS BAD
SO WHEN HIS DAD CAME HOME FROM WORK THE MOMMY GNU TOLD THE DAD TO GIVE THE BABY A SPANKING
THE DAD SAID NO. NO
YOULL HAVE TO LEARN TO PADDLE YOUR OWN GNU !!
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Oh, George….
#OnlyYou
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Dad jokes while you wait George
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Good Yardbirds clip
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The Chipster nabs another good player from the portal: former Cal WR, J. Michael Sturdivant…..Chip be cranking.
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(crickets!)
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Chip’s out portal recruiting than LR….LOL.
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Nice try!
https://247sports.com/Season/2023-Football/TransferPortal/
(might have to copy and paste link)
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USC @ #2……UCLA@ #7
Still chasing!
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Hey Gabs, does wifey have big delicious pink nipples? How would u like to watch me get my Azz licked by her ? After she’s done, I’ll smash it from the back 😂
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go service your goats….. be careful, the ones with ribbons around the tail kick
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I’m just looking to smash that fat Azz of your wifey, Gabby , and don’t worry I won’t pull out 😂😂
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I’m just looking to smash that fat Azz of your wifey, so cal , and don’t worry I won’t pull out
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He wanted to come play with Caleb, but wasn’t offered. The room is full.
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Some interesting photos. Those afros on the San Fernando three are wild. Looks like soul train in its prime or the Jackson 5. And sitting on a helmet with crossed legs is not a football look. Don’t think Marv Goux would have allowed the hair or sitting on a helmet.
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I agree with the afros. My first thought was also the Jackson 5
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Friday the 13th was lucky for this guy and I couldn’t agree more with the decision!
https://www.yahoo.com/news/armed-houston-taqueria-customer-justified-153420736.html
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Oops. Grand jury made the decision yesterday, but I’m still happy for the guy.
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Joe is laughing his ass off
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I’m sure he is laughing. He’s saying, “I don’t know who I am, where I am or who I’m married to. Yet I got 65M….oops, may bad! I mean 81M to vote for me!”
“What flavor ice cream do I get tonight? I need to know in case a reporter asks me about my ice cream! Can you write it on a little card I can hold in my hand, so I don’t forget. I would hate to look foolish.”
Now figure out how you can copy me AGAIN, since you did it up above. It’s the sincerest form of flattery.
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I’m sure slo troll is laughing. …He’s saying, “I don’t know who I am, where I am or who I’m married to. Yet I got football IQ may bad! I mean no football IQ for me!”
“What flavor of baby food do I get tonight? I need to know in case MG asks me about my baby food ! Can you write it on a little card I can hold in my hand, so I don’t forget. I would hate to look foolish on the blog
Dipshit, it’s not flattery, it’s called mockery
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So predictable. LOL
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How is this related to the death of Charles White?….
Asking for inner so cal
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Scooter,
I have always enjoyed Woody Strodes. He was in the movie, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valence with John Wayne and the another cowboy movie and Spartacus. Not an ounce of fat on that guy. He was in great shape as he got older.
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Scooter,
It woukld be great to see another SC rennnnce like they had with the 70’s teams. Just flat out dominating.
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Is it just myself and Owns that posts about football?
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steve….i just sent owns a link to straighten out his far-fetch lie about chip out recruiting Riley through the portal.
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Appreciate it Gabby, but I doubt it will do any good. He is beyond redemption.
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If you have yet to see the updated rankings, here’s the link
https://247sports.com/Season/2023-Football/TransferPortalTop/
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Damn Crabs, I stand corrected.
However Crabs. SUCC’s latest “MEGA” P recruit, Anthony Lucas is described thusly:
“The 6-foot-6, 275-pound Lucas comes to the Trojans with limited playing experience, just seven games appearances this past season with 10 total tackles, one tackle for a loss and one quarterback hit. Lucas did not play the rest of the season due to a suspension along with three other freshmen due to a locker room incident…” ~USCFB.com
BFD!
Sounds like SUCC recruited another Korey Foreman, the highly touted 5 star defense recruit, with 1/8 star ability.
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Perhaps the kid finally got his head screwed on right and wants a fresh start with a team that will contend for a CFP spot.
Thanks for calling out the fact you overstated Chip’s success with portal recruiting.
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PAC12 has 5 of the top 9 ranked teams for incoming portal transfers. Another sign the conference is gaining creditability.
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Any mention of donuts raises the question as to why the Blogger hasn’t done a write up of Spudnuts on Figueroa. Not as old as some of the restaurants mentioned here on this blog, but certainly worthy of a blog post from our beloved Blogger. A great, great place.
#IHaveNoIdeaIfThey’reStillThere
#And,TheySoldCigarettes!
#WhereUSCNightOwlsWouldGoToBuyTheirLateNightSmokes(AndDonuts)
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