Charles White (American football)

For other people named Charles White, see Charles White (disambiguation).

Charles White

Position(s) Running back Jersey #(s) 33
Born	January 22, 1958 (1958-01-22) (age 53) Los Angeles, California
Career information
Year(s)	1980–1988
NFL Draft	1980 / Round: 1 / Pick: 27
College	USC
Professional teams
As Player Cleveland Browns (1980–1984) Los Angeles Rams (1985–1988) As Coach USC (1993–1997)
Career stats
Rushing Yards	3,075
Average	3.9
Touchdowns	23
Stats at NFL.com
Career highlights and awards
1× Pro Bowl selection (1987) 1979 Heisman Trophy 1979 Maxwell Award 1979 Walter Camp Award 1979 UPI Player of the Year 1980 Rose Bowl MVP 1987 NFL Comeback Player of the Year
College Football Hall of Fame

Charles White (born January 22, 1958) is a former professional American football running back. He had a distinguished college career and later played in the National Football League for the Cleveland Browns and the Los Angeles Rams.

College football

Charles White graduated from San Fernando High School in San Fernando, California where as a track and field athlete he won the 330 yard low hurdles at the CIF California State Meet over future Olympic Gold medalist Andre Phillips.^[1] White played for the University of Southern California. In 1978, White won the W.J. Voit Memorial Trophy the outstanding college football player on the Pacific Coast. In 1979, he received the Heisman Trophy, Maxwell Award, Walter Camp Award, and was named UPI Player of the Year.

National Football League career

White was selected in the 1st round, 27th overall pick in the 1980 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns. After four disappointing seasons in Cleveland, where he rushed for a total of 942 yards and had a 3.4 yards per carry average, White was released before the start of the 1985 season. White later acknowledged that he struggled with cocaine addiction during this period.^[2]

After his release from the Browns in 1985, he reunited with his college coach, John Robinson, who was now coaching the Los Angeles Rams. White would play for the Rams for three seasons, 1985–1987. In 1987 he enjoyed his finest year as a pro, rushing for a league-leading 1,387 yards and 11 touchdowns, which earned him a Pro Bowl selection and the NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award.

White finished his NFL career with 3,075 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns, along with 114 receptions, 860 yards and 23 touchdowns.

American Gladiators

In its third and fourth seasons, American Gladiators held special "Pro Football Challenge of Champions" shows. White participated in both and won both, both times coming from behind in the "Eliminator" thanks to slip-ups by his opponents. He also competed in sixth season's USC vs. Notre Dame alumni special where he also won, giving him a 3/3 record on the show.

Post NFL Career

In 1993 White joined USC as running backs coach (1993–97) and today is a computer consultant. In his free time, he umpires for youth baseball in Chino Hills, California.

References

1. ^ http://www.dyestatcal.com/ATHLETICS/TRACK/stateres.htm
2. ^ "Catching Up With Charles White". CNN. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/features/1997/weekly/catchingup/1103/index.html. Retrieved 2007-12-10. 

External links

• Charles White at the College Football Hall of Fame
• Charles White at the Heisman Trophy
• Charles White Profile at USC Legends

Preceded by Joe Montana Tommy Kramer	NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award 1987	Succeeded by Greg Bell
Preceded by Eric Dickerson	Rams Most Valuable Player Award 1987	Succeeded by Henry Ellard
Preceded by Greg Pruitt	The Superstars Champion 1980	Succeeded by Renaldo Nehemiah

Persondata
Name	White, Charles
Alternative names	Gumbo COOK .
Short description
Date of birth	January 22, 1958
Place of birth
Date of death
Place of death