Tag Archives: comeback player of the year 1987

College Football HoF, NFL

White, Charles (1958-2023)

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) 
RUSHYDSAVGLGTD
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RECYDSAVGLGTD
1148607.5361

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.