Randy White
Dallas Cowboys Player Randy White
Before the Dallas Cowboys
Randall Lee White, or Randy, was born on January 15th 1953 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He attended Thomas McKean High School in Wilmington, Delaware. From his performance through High school, White was recruited by Maryland where he played as a fullback during his freshman year.
He was moved to defensive end during his sophomore season. That move was apparently a natural fit for him because he went on to win the Outland Trophy, the Lombardi Award, and the Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year.
Though Maryland lost to Tennessee at the Liberty Bowl his senior year, Randy was named the game’s MVP. In 1994, he was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame.
Dallas Cowboys Career
White was drafted to the Dallas Cowboys in 1975. After he was drafted, the team voted to move him to a new position as middle linebacker. In this position, Randy White became the backup to Cowboy legend Lee Roy Jonson and played mostly on special teams throughout his first two seasons. In later seasons, White was moved to right defensive tackle, specifically in his third season in 1977.
No stranger to change, this new shift in position turned out to be where White would shine brighter than ever. He was named to his first All-Pro team, his first Pro Bowl and on his 25th birthday he was named co-MVP of Super Bowl XII with teammate Harvey Martin. He was 1 of only 7 defensive players to win that honor. During his career, White played 209 games in 14 seasons, only missing one game in his career, the second most of any Dallas Cowboy in history.
White was known not for an ability to make big plays, but his consistency and his willingness to work hard both on the field and at practice. He ensured that his teammates would have to work to keep up with him. He served as an anchor in the Cowboys defensive line, and his will and motivation inspired others to continue to strive and work harder.
In 1988, the same year as the original coach of the Dallas Cowboys, Tom Landry retired; Randy White hung up his helmet and called it quits, and decided to retire from the sport he loved. Here are some career highlights:
• Randy White played in three Super Bowls
• Held the highest single season sack total of 16 in 1978
• 9-Time Pro Bowl
• 8-Time All-Pro
• Co-MVP Super Bowl XII with teammate Harvey Martin
• 1978 Defensive Player of the Year
• 1982 NFL Defensive Lineman of the Year
• 1 Super Bowl Title ( Super Bowl XII)
• 3 NFC Titles
• 5 Division Titles
• 2nd Franchise History Career Solo Tackles (701)
• 3rd Franchise History Career Combined Tackles (1,104)
• 3rd Franchise History Games Played (209)
Get to Know Your Dallas Cowboy
Retirement hasn’t weighed down on Randy White. While he has become the spokesperson for Smokey Mountain chew, a tobacco and nicotine free smokeless tobacco alternative. He has also opened and operated his own authentic BBQ restaurant in Texas, affectionately named “Randy White’s Hall of Fame BBQ”
• Nicknamed “The Manster”, half man, half monster
• Studied Thai Boxing under Chhai Sirisute
• Had a round kick that reportedly registers 400 psi on a gauge after just two months of training
• Was named to ABC Sports All-Time All-American Team in 2000