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Charles White, the former USC running back who won the Heisman Trophy in 1979, is suffering from dementia and living in an assisted-living facility in Orange County. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
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Charles White, the former USC running back who won the Heisman Trophy in 1979, is suffering from dementia and living in an assisted-living facility in Orange County. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Football lost a legend of the game this year. With 2023 having just begun, fans across the world joined in their prayers at the news of football legend, Charles White’s passing due to cancer. Named a member of the Pac-12 All Century team in 2015, Charles White’s demise casts a gloomy shadow on the world of sports this week.
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Charles White represented a golden era of the game. Playing under hall-of-fame coach John Robinson at the University of Southern California (USC), White was the 1979 College Football Heisman Trophy winner.
With a resume and an award cabinet filled with accolades that few can lay claim to, White found himself in the College Football Hall of Fame not long after his retirement.
Fans react to the tragic news
NFL and College Football fans alike joined in paying their tributes to the legendary player. Fans showed an outpouring of love and support to White and his family upon hearing the news.
As this fan noted
This one hits me hard. Charles White was incredible at USC. The toughest and such a sad loss. RIP CW.
— Patrick O'Neal (@Patrick_ONeal) January 12, 2023
Many fans sent their wishes to White’s family
Such a great player. Wishing peace for his family.
— Brian Lawson (@BrianLawson15) January 12, 2023
The toughest Trojan of them all. A legend from San Fernando. RIP #12. ✌️✌️✌️✌️✌️✌️✌️✌️✌️✌️✌️✌️
— fight on forever (@gouxforever) January 12, 2023
Fans recounted their fondest memories of White upon hearing the news
So sorry to hear.
Grace and peace to his family.
When I was a kid, my dad, a USC alum, took me to the Coliseum many times to see Charles play and cheer on the Trojans.
This football, signed by Charles and other SC Heisman 🏆 winners was displayed with pride and joy.
RIP✌️ pic.twitter.com/0TGVJqO0QX— Call me Desi (@desiderata_PNW) January 12, 2023
RIP Very sorry to hear this. I’ll never forget wearing a 12 Jersey to games back in the Carroll era and meeting him on campus. Still have the jersey he signed at home, he was very generous with his time.
— Matt Lozano (@deion87eldo) January 12, 2023
Met Charlie many times always good to me and my family/kids. pic.twitter.com/C5GnjkZvku
— Greg Ritter (@CoachRittsD) January 12, 2023
Remembering Charles White and his remarkable career
Charles White’s accomplishments are a story on their own. As a college football player, his records are remarkable. A 4-year USC letterman (1976-77-78-79) and 2-time unanimous All-American (1978-79), he set 22 NCAA, Pac-10, USC and Rose Bowl records.
He also went on to receive the Walter Camp, Maxwell and Pop Warner Awards in his senior year. And above all, White was named the 1979 UPI Player of the Year while laying stake to the Heisman Trophy.
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USC tailback Charles White puts his arms around the 1968 Heisman Trophy (won by O.J. Simpson) in this photograph take on Dec. 3, 1979, in Los Angeles when White won the award. White died of cancer Wednesday in Newport Beach. He was 64.(Wally Fong / Associated Press)
The list doesn’t end there, of course. White would go on to play 9 seasons in the NFL with the Cleveland Browns and the Los Angeles Rams, respectively. He earned a pro-bowl selection and was awarded the NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award in his 1987 campaign with the Rams.
A truly star-studded career as a legend in the game. Fans will always remember the Trojan legend for his iconic 1979 season as the captain of the Cardinal and Gold. Charles White leaves behind a legacy that shall stand the test of time.
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Written by
Edited by
Debmallya Chakraborty