Well, true to form Bob made me wait almost two years between two returns. When I opened up the Panini Classics pack and found this patch inside, I thought it’d make a great canvas on which to get his autograph. I was not disappointed.
I had been circling the wagons since I got The Fridge back in 2012 at the beginning of that year. I ran into these two immediate set needs that his gracefully signed. Thankfully this time he didn’t use a fading sharpie on these two gems.
Card: Upper Deck College Legends 2011 Acquired: 2020, EBay
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Charles White played for runningback USC from 1976 to 1979.
He dominated the college charts rushing for personal highs in yardage each year.
His efforts culminated in winning the Heisman trophy in 1979 when White rushed for 2050 yards and 19 TDs on 332 carries.
White’s was selected late in the first round of the 1980 draft by the Cleveland Browns.
His first 5 years in Cleveland were middling, as he rushed for 942 yards on 276 carries, losing his entire 1983 campaign to an injured ankle.
Charles battled drug abuse (specifically cocaine) throughout his college and pro career.
In 1985 he joined the LA Rams and was reunited with his college head coach John Robinson.
After getting clean, 1987 would be a bellwether year for White as he rushed for a career high 1374 yards and 11 TDs on 324 carries as the immediate beneficiary of the Eric Dickerson trade.
Retired in 1989, but returned to USC to coach RBs from 1993-1997.
ACCOLADES:
1979 Heisman Trophy
1987 NFL Rushing Leader
1987 NFL Rushing TD Leader
1987 Comeback Player of the Year
1987 Pro Bowl
1987 First Team All-Pro
College Football Hall of Fame
USC Jersey Retired (12)
RUSH
YDS
AVG
LG
TD
780
3075
3.9
58
23
REC
YDS
AVG
LG
TD
114
860
7.5
36
1
NOTES:
Over his career, Charles White’s 3075 yards seems a bit more impressive considering a season completely sidelined by injury, was riddled by drug abuse, and the fact he only started just 40 games.
EPITAPH:
Charles White, legendary RB who still holds the career rushing record for the USC program, died today at the age of 64, due to complications from liver cancer.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
