Charles White, perhaps the greatest tailback in USC history, died last January. He was 64.
White won a national title, a Heisman Trophy, was a two-time unanimous All-American, won two Rose Bowl MVPs and is the all-time leading rusher in USC history (6,245 yards).
He also won the Walter Camp, Maxwell and Pop Warner Awards after his senior season.
“He was the toughest player I’ve ever coached,” said John Robinson, White’s former head coach at USC and with the Los Angeles Rams. “He was really unusual in that regard. He was a great player and just loved playing the game. Those are the things I remember the most. He was a really tough guy, and he was an extremely gifted athlete. But the toughness … wow!”
White was the 27th overall pick in the 1980 draft by the Cleveland Browns, and spent five years with the Browns. He joined the Rams in 1985 and played four more seasons under Robinson, finishing his NFL career with 3,075 yards rushing.
White ran for a career-high 1,374 yds and 11 touchdowns for the Rams in 1987.
A memorial service was held in February. Among those who attended were Ronnie Lott, Mike Garrett and Anthony Davis. The USC band also performed.
InsideUSC with Scott Wolf 
Charles went to USC the same four years (1976-80) as I did. We actually were in the same dorm (residence west) our freshman year. Budde, Munoz, et al were also in the dorm. He was a very nice guy and just wanted to be one of the guys. He did have his demons, though, and the toughness that Robinson talked about was overcoming those demons on game day. Amazing time for USC football with some amazing players!
LikeLiked by 4 people
Actually, the “amazing time” for SC football began in 1972 and continued throughout the 1970s
LikeLike
Uh no, it began in 1962 and ran through 1979
LikeLiked by 3 people
Buddha’s right ….. the glory days post Howard Jones- was from 1962 onward esp the 1967 squad.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That being a “really tough guy” may have cost Charles White many years of life when succumbing at only 64.
Amazingly, many of these star footballers say it was worth it to lose years of future life for the temporary experiences of football
LikeLike
Yeah, all the years of drugs didn’t fuck with his brain or have you forgotten about him half naked on an off ramp jousting with no one on a coke bender ?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’d prefer not to recall White that way
LikeLike
John, that’s exactly what I say about OJ and the Las Vegas incident.
LikeLike
that’s exactly what I say about OJ and the Bundy Drive incident.
LikeLiked by 1 person
In-between all these “In memory of SC greats”
what did you think of the SC victory over Louie, Wolfie?
LikeLike
Well played, Grabbbyy
LikeLike
White on offense and Lott on defense were the toughest players I saw.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Charles White … 1980 Rose Bowl against Ohio State … 247 yards rushing … White and that offensive line just pounded the rock on that game-winning drive.
LikeLiked by 2 people
My wife and I were at that game screaming all the way
LikeLiked by 1 person
Man I remember watching him in his college career at USC and how he dominated on the field. I became an instant fan of Charles White. For a small back he was tough as nails. I was really proud of him when he led the NFL in rushing one year.
LikeLike