Danny White

Last updated

Danny White
No. 11
Position: Quarterback
Punter
Personal information
Born: (1952-02-09) February 9, 1952 (age 72)
Mesa, Arizona, U.S.
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:193 lb (88 kg)
Career information
High school: Westwood
(Mesa, Arizona)
College: Arizona State (1971–1973)
NFL draft: 1974  / round: 3 / pick: 53
Career history
As a player:
As a coach:
Career highlights and awards
As a player
As a coach
Career NFL statistics
Passing attempts:2,950
Passing completions:1,761
Completion percentage:59.7%
TDINT:155–132
Passing yards:21,959
Passer rating:81.7
Punting yards:24,509
Punting average:40.2
Stats at Pro Football Reference
Head coaching record
Regular season:142–82 (.634)
Postseason:20–13 (.606)
Career:162–95 (.630)

Wilford Daniel White (born February 9, 1952) is an American former professional football player who was a quarterback for 13 seasons with the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He was the third major franchise quarterback in Cowboys history, following Roger Staubach and Don Meredith. White was 62–30 as a starter, was a second team All-Pro selection in 1982, and led the Cowboys to five playoff appearances, with three consecutive appearances in the NFC Championship game from 1980 to 1982. White was also among the last Cowboys quarterbacks in the Tom Landry era, alongside 1988 starter Steve Pelluer.

Contents

White primarily played the quarterback position, but occasionally played punter. Upon his retirement, White coached in the Arena Football League (AFL). He has been the color commentator for Cowboys games on Compass Media Networks' America's Team Radio Network since the 2011 season. [1] He played college football for the Arizona State Sun Devils.

Early life

A graduate of Westwood High School in Mesa, Arizona, White did not receive a lot of notice while being the starter at quarterback, due to his perception as a better baseball prospect.

Frank Kush, then the football head coach at Arizona State University, helped convince Bobby Winkles, the school's baseball coach, to sign White to a scholarship with the provision that he would also play punter for the football team. During those early years Kush gave him a chance to improve his skills as a quarterback, which eventually would lead him to become the starter midway through his sophomore season, ending up throwing for six touchdowns in a game against the University of New Mexico.

White went on to have a stellar career as a quarterback and punter, compiling a 32–4 record, winning three Fiesta Bowls, setting seven NCAA passing records and being named an All-American in 1973, when he led the nation's second rated total offense. He finished with 6,717 passing yards, 64 touchdowns, 42 interceptions and averaged 41.7 yards per punt. [2]

Besides having his jersey retired, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, the State of Arizona Sports Hall of Fame, and the Arizona State University Athletics Hall of Fame. In 2000, he was named Arizona Athlete of the Century by the Arizona Republic . He also was an inaugural member of Dunham and Miller Hall of Fame.

On October 29, 2010, White was honored, along with other Sun Devil Quarterbacks, at a Legends Luncheon hosted by the Arizona State University Alumni Association and Sun Devil Club. Other honorees included John F. Goodman, Andrew Walter, and Jake Plummer. [3]

Professional career

Memphis Southmen (WFL)

The Dallas Cowboys selected him in the third round (53rd overall) of the 1974 NFL draft, but were mainly interested in him as a punter, so he chose to sign with the World Football League's Memphis Southmen for a better offer.

White shared the quarterback position with John Huarte, helping his team reach the semifinals as a rookie and a second-place finish in 1975. During these two years, he passed for 2,635 yards and 21 touchdowns in 30 games, and also led the league in punting his last year. [4]

Dallas Cowboys

In 1976, he signed with the Dallas Cowboys after the World Football League folded. Through 1979, White was the Cowboys' punter and the backup to the team's star quarterback Roger Staubach. After Staubach's retirement following the end of that season, White became the Cowboys' starting quarterback. Until 1984, he continued to serve as the team's punter, making him one of the last starting quarterbacks in NFL history to also start at a different position. He punted for the last time in his career once in 1985.

In a memorable 1980 playoff game against the Atlanta Falcons, White led the Cowboys to a come-from-behind 30–27 victory. He also played in one of the Cowboys' most painful playoff losses against the San Francisco 49ers in the 1981 NFC Championship Game, famous for the Joe Montana-to-Dwight Clark game-winning play, which would simply come to be known as "The Catch". White threw for 173 yards, 2 TDs and 1 INT, and his passer rating in the game was actually higher than Montana's, 98.1 vs. 81.4. He received Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro honors in 1982.

White led the Cowboys to three consecutive NFC Championship Games (19801982). The Cowboys were favored to win all three games even though they played on the road against the NFC's top seeded team in each game - even, oddly, in 1982 when the Cowboys' and Redskins' regular season records were 6-3 and 8-1 respectively. White received criticism, some unfairly, after the Cowboys lost all three games. [5] [6] White was criticized during the 1982 NFL Players Strike by teammate Tony Dorsett for crossing the picket line citing financial reasons, though Dorsett himself was criticized for crossing the picket line with his own financial concerns soon after. [7] Fans and teammates alike began to show support for him to be replaced as the Cowboys quarterback by Gary Hogeboom, who had thrown two touchdowns in the 1982 NFC Championship Game (which they lost to the archrival Washington Redskins) after White was knocked out of the game with a concussion. Even his statistically career-best 1983 season failed to silence the critics, after ending it with consecutive blowout losses to the Redskins (at home) and the 49ers after a 12–2 start. To add insult to injury, the Cowboys lost the NFC Wildcard Playoff game to the Los Angeles Rams. That apparently was enough for him to lose his starting job to Hogeboom at the start of the 1984 season. Under Hogeboom, the Cowboys looked impressive with a 4–1 start, but then a loss to division rival St. Louis and ineffective plays by Hogeboom convinced coach Tom Landry to reinstate White as his starter. The Cowboys finished 9–7, but missed the playoffs in 1984 for the first time in a decade; but with White as quarterback, the Cowboys made it back in 1985 with a 10–6 record. However, they lost again to the Los Angeles Rams in the playoffs.

In 1986, the Cowboys started 6–2, had the #1 offense in the NFL, were tied for the lead in the NFC Eastern Division and White was also the number one rated passer in the NFC at that point in the season. During an away game against Bill Parcells's New York Giants, however, a blind-side sack by Giants linebacker Carl Banks broke White's throwing wrist and tore ligaments, knocking him out of the game and ending his season. Dallas lost the game, 17–14, and without him the team faded badly, finishing the year 7–9 and the Cowboys first losing season since 1965.

White returned as the starter at the beginning of 1987, but after inconsistent play, he was benched in favor of Steve Pelluer for 4 of the final 6 games. In 1988, Pelluer won the starting job in training camp, relegating White as a backup. White appeared briefly in only two games, and in his second game he suffered a season-ending knee injury. An option on his contract was not picked up in April 1989 and he announced his retirement on July 12, 1989, paving the way for the recently drafted Troy Aikman to take the reins of the by-then struggling franchise. [8]

White had 1,761 completions on 2,950 attempts for 21,959 yards, 155 touchdowns, and 132 interceptions in his career. He also gained 482 yards and scored 8 touchdowns rushing. Unusual for a quarterback, he had two pass receptions for touchdowns, both from a halfback option pass. On special teams he punted 610 times for 24,509 yards, an average of 40.4 yards per punt, with 144 punts inside the 20 and 77 touchbacks. His record as the Cowboys' starting quarterback was 62–30 (.659 winning percentage) during the regular season, and 5–5 in the playoffs.

Being Roger Staubach's successor and never reaching a Super Bowl as a starting quarterback contributed to White's being an unappreciated player, even considering all of the successes he achieved for the Cowboys and the NFL during the decade of the eighties. [9] "I don't think anybody could have followed Roger and done as well as Danny", Coach Tom Landry remarked, "Danny was a solid winner." [10]

NFL career statistics

Legend
Won the Super Bowl
BoldCareer high

Regular season

YearTeamGamesPassingRushingPunting
GPGSRecordCompAttYdsTDIntRtgAttYdsAvgTDAttYdsLngAvgBlk
1976 DAL 14013202132294.46172.80702,6905438.42
1977 DAL 140410350110.41−2.0−2.00803,1715739.61
1978 DAL 1611–020342150165.2571.40763,0765640.51
1979 DAL 16019392671258.412525.00763,1687341.70
1980 DAL 161612–42604363,287282580.7271144.21712,9035840.90
1981 DAL 161511–42233913,098221387.5381042.70793,2226040.80
1982 DAL 996–31562472,079161291.117915.40371,5425641.70
1983 DAL 161612–43345333,980292385.618311.74381,5435040.61
1984 DAL 1463–31262331,580111171.56213.50823,1515438.40
1985 DAL 141410–42674503,157211780.622442.011434343.00
1986 DAL 764–2951531,15712597.98162.01
1987 DAL 1193–62153622,617121773.210141.41
1988 DAL 3029422741365.00000
Career1669262–301,7612,95021,25915513281.71564823.0861024,5097340.25

Coaching career

White's career as a coach began shortly after his playing days ended. This is appropriate considering that, while an active player, he was widely regarded—like Staubach before him—as knowledgeable of the game and as something of a coach on the field. He also began working as a broadcast commentator during his coaching career, which was possible because he coached Arena football, which is played during the outdoor game's off-season.

White served as the head coach of the Arizona Rattlers from 1992 to 2004, winning the ArenaBowl championship in 1994 and 1997. White's contract was not renewed by the new Rattlers ownership after the 2004 season following three consecutive ArenaBowl losses. He was named the head coach of the Arena Football League expansion Utah Blaze, which began play in 2006. He led his teams to the playoffs in 10 of 11 seasons, including two championships (1994 and 1997), finishing with a 162–95 record as a head coach.

In 2002, he was inducted into the Arena Football League Hall of Fame in recognition for his coaching success.

Head coaching record

TeamYearRegular seasonPostseason
WonLostWin %FinishWonLostWin %Result
ARI 1992 46.4003rd in AFL Western Division
ARI 1993 75.5832nd in AFL American Conference11.500Lost to Detroit Drive in Semifinals
ARI 1994 84.6672nd in AFL American Conference301.000Won ArenaBowl VIII
ARI 1995 75.5832nd in AFL Western Division01.000Lost to Iowa Barnstormers in Quarterfinals
ARI 1996 113.7861st in AFL Western Division11.500Lost to Tampa Bay Storm in Semifinals
ARI 1997 122.8571st in AFL Western Division301.000Won ArenaBowl XI
ARI 1998 104.7141st in AFL Western Division11.500Lost to Orlando Predators in Semifinals
ARI 1999 104.7141st in AFL Western Division11.500Lost to Albany Firebirds in Semifinals
ARI 2000 122.8572nd in AFL Western Division21.667Lost to Orlando Predators in Semifinals
ARI 2001 86.5712nd in AFL Western Division11.500Lost to San Jose Sabercats in Quarterfinals
ARI 2002 113.7862nd in AFL Western Division21.667Lost to San Jose Sabercats in ArenaBowl XVI
ARI 2003 106.6253rd in AFL Western Division31.750Lost to Tampa Bay Storm in ArenaBowl XVII
ARI 2004 115.6881st in AFL Western Division21.667Lost to San Jose Sabercats in ArenaBowl XVIII
ARI total12165.6512010.667
UTA 2006 79.4383rd in AFL Western Division01.000Lost to Arizona Rattlers in Wild Card Round
UTA 2007 88.5003rd in AFL Western Division01.000Lost to Los Angeles Avengers in Wild Card Round
UTA 2008 610.3753rd in AFL Western Division01.000Lost to Colorado Crush in Wild Card Round
UTA total2127.43803.000
Total14282.6342013.606

Personal life

White's father, Wilford "Whizzer" White (no relation to Byron White, who also was nicknamed "Whizzer" and played American football), was the first Arizona State University All-American football player and still ranks third in school history with 1,502 rushing yards in a season (1950), [11] he also played halfback for the Chicago Bears from 1951 to 1952. [12]

In 1983, White briefly recorded as a country music artist for the Grand Prix label. His only single, "You're a Part of Me", a duet with Linda Nail, reached #85 on the Hot Country Songs charts. [13]

White and his wife, JoLynn, have four children, Ryan (d. 2015), Geoff, Heather and Reed, and sixteen grandchildren. He now makes corporate appearances and motivational speeches. JoLynn died on August 15, 2016. White is currently married to Linda L. Bang. In recent years he has been seen on TV doing ADT security infomercials. [14]

White is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. [15]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dallas Cowboys</span> National Football League franchise in Arlington, Texas

The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football team based in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex. The Cowboys compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) East division. The team is headquartered in Frisco, Texas, and has played its home games at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, since its opening in 2009. The stadium took its current name prior to the 2013 season, following the team's decision to sell the stadium's naming rights to telecommunications company AT&T. In January 2020, Mike McCarthy was hired as head coach of the Cowboys. He is the ninth in the team's history. McCarthy follows Jason Garrett, who coached the team from 2010 to 2019.

Super Bowl VI was an American football game between the National Football Conference (NFC) champion Dallas Cowboys and the American Football Conference (AFC) champion Miami Dolphins to decide the National Football League (NFL) champion for the 1971 season. The Cowboys defeated the Dolphins by the score of 24–3, to win their first Super Bowl. The game was played on January 16, 1972, at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans, Louisiana, the second time the Super Bowl was played in that city. Despite the southerly location, it was unseasonably cold at the time, with the kickoff air temperature of 39 °F (4 °C) making this the coldest Super Bowl played.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Super Bowl X</span> 1976 Edition of the Super Bowl

Super Bowl X was an American football game between the National Football Conference (NFC) champion Dallas Cowboys and the American Football Conference (AFC) champion Pittsburgh Steelers to decide the National Football League (NFL) champion for the 1975 season. The Steelers defeated the Cowboys by the score of 21–17 to win their second consecutive Super Bowl. They were the third team to win back-to-back Super Bowls. It was also the first Super Bowl in which both participating teams had previously won a Super Bowl, as the Steelers were the defending champions and the Cowboys had won Super Bowl VI.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Super Bowl XII</span> 1978 Edition of the Super Bowl

Super Bowl XII was an American football game between the National Football Conference (NFC) champion Dallas Cowboys and the American Football Conference (AFC) champion Denver Broncos to decide the National Football League (NFL) champion for the 1977 season. The Cowboys defeated the Broncos 27–10 to win their second Super Bowl. The game was played on January 15, 1978, at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans. This was the first Super Bowl in a domed stadium, and the first time that the game was played in prime time in the Eastern United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Super Bowl XIII</span> 1979 Edition of the Super Bowl

Super Bowl XIII was an American football game between the American Football Conference (AFC) champion Pittsburgh Steelers and the National Football Conference (NFC) champion Dallas Cowboys to decide the National Football League (NFL) champion for the 1978 season. The Steelers defeated the Cowboys by the score of 35–31. The game was played on January 21, 1979, at the Miami Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida, the fifth and last time that the Super Bowl was played in that stadium.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roger Staubach</span> American football player and Navy officer (born 1942)

Roger Thomas Staubach, nicknamed "Roger the Dodger", "Captain America", and "Captain Comeback", is an American former professional football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 11 seasons with the Dallas Cowboys. He attended the U.S. Naval Academy, where he won the 1963 Heisman Trophy playing for the Midshipmen. After graduation, he served in the U.S. Navy, including a tour of duty in Vietnam.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Craig Morton</span> American football player (born 1943)

Larry Craig Morton is an American former professional football player who was a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL) for 18 seasons, primarily with the Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos. He played college football for the California Golden Bears, receiving All-American honors, and was selected by the Cowboys fifth overall in the 1965 NFL draft. Following nine seasons with the Cowboys, a quarterback controversy with Roger Staubach led to Morton joining the New York Giants for three seasons. He spent his final six seasons as a member of the Broncos, winning NFL Comeback Player of the Year and AFC Offensive Player of the Year in 1977.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1971–72 NFL playoffs</span> American football tournament

The National Football League playoffs for the 1971 season began on December 25, 1971. The postseason tournament concluded with the Dallas Cowboys defeating the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl VI, 24–3, on January 16, 1972, at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans, Louisiana.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1972–73 NFL playoffs</span> American football tournament

The National Football League playoffs for the 1972 season began on December 23, 1972. The postseason tournament concluded with the Miami Dolphins defeating the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl VII, 14–7, on January 14, 1973, at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California, becoming the only NFL team to finish a championship season undefeated and untied.

Gary Keith Hogeboom is an American former professional football player, real estate developer, and television personality. He played as a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys, Indianapolis Colts, Phoenix Cardinals, and Washington Redskins. Hogeboom played college football for the Central Michigan Chippewas. He was a contestant on the CBS reality TV show Survivor: Guatemala.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Drew Pearson (American football)</span> American football player (born 1951)

Drew Pearson is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys. He played college football for the Tulsa Golden Hurricane. He was elected for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2021.

Dennis Lee Thurman is an American football coach and former player. He is a former coach in the National Football League (NFL) for the Phoenix Cardinals, the Baltimore Ravens and the New York Jets, and in the Alliance of American Football (AAF) for the Memphis Express. He played as a cornerback for the Dallas Cowboys and the St. Louis Cardinals. He played college football for the USC Trojans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Commanders–Cowboys rivalry</span> National Football League rivalry

The Commanders–Cowboys rivalry, formerly known as the Cowboys–Redskins rivalry, is a National Football League (NFL) rivalry between the Washington Commanders and Dallas Cowboys.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Troy Aikman</span> American football player (born 1966)

Troy Kenneth Aikman is an American former professional football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 12 seasons with the Dallas Cowboys. After transferring from the Oklahoma Sooners, he played college football for the UCLA Bruins and won the Davey O'Brien Award as a senior. Aikman was selected first overall by the Cowboys in the 1989 NFL draft, went to six Pro Bowls, and won three Super Bowls. He was also named MVP of Super Bowl XXVII, the franchise's first title in over a decade. Aikman was inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008.

Kevin Joseph Sweeney is an American former professional football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys. He played college football for the Fresno State Bulldogs.

Steven Carl Pelluer is a former professional American football quarterback in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys and Kansas City Chiefs. He was selected by the Cowboys in the 5th round of the 1984 NFL draft. He played college football at the University of Washington.

Glenn Thomas Carano is an American former professional football player who was a quarterback for seven seasons with the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the UNLV Rebels and was selected in the second round of the 1977 NFL draft. Carano also was a member of the Pittsburgh Maulers of the United States Football League (USFL). After his playing career, he became the general manager of Eldorado Resorts properties of Circus Circus, Eldorado, and Silver Legacy Resort & Casino.

This article contains an in-depth explanation of the history of the Dallas Cowboys, a professional American football team that competes in the National Football League (NFL).

The 1991 Dallas Cowboys season was the franchise's 32nd season in the National Football League (NFL) and was the third year of the franchise under the ownership of Jerry Jones and head coach Jimmy Johnson. This also marked Norv Turner's first year as offensive coordinator under head coach Jimmy Johnson. The Cowboys improved on their 7–9 record from 1990, finishing 11–5, made the playoffs for the first time since 1985, and won their first playoff game in 9 years (1982).

The 1971 Dallas Cowboys season was the franchise's 12th season in the National Football League (NFL), the first at the new Texas Stadium in suburban Irving, Texas and the 12th season under head coach Tom Landry. The Cowboys led the NFL with 406 points scored. Their defense allowed 222 points.

References

  1. "Compass Media Networks Announces Broadcast Talent For 2011 Football Season". Compass Media Networks. July 20, 2011. Archived from the original on October 17, 2011.
  2. Danny White at the College Football Hall of Fame
  3. "ASU Alumni Association to Honor Sun Devil Quarterbacks at Oct. 29 Luncheon". Arizona State University Alumni Association. 2010. Archived from the original on September 22, 2010. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
  4. Newman, Bruce (August 18, 1980). "The Great White Hope". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
  5. "A Capital day for the Skins". Sports Illustrated. January 31, 1983. Retrieved December 7, 2023.
  6. "Ex-Cowboy Danny White Felt Tony Romo's Pain". Dallas Morning News. October 14, 2011. Retrieved December 7, 2023.
  7. "A Divisive Time, The 1987 Strike Caused Frustration For Cowboys Veterans". Dallas Cowboys.com. October 20, 2017. Retrieved December 7, 2023.
  8. "Cowboys Quarterback Danny White Retires". latimes.com. Associated Press. July 12, 1989. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
  9. Ellis, Josh (June 4, 2012). "The Ultimate 53: Danny White Fills Two Roles". Dallas Cowboys. Archived from the original on June 29, 2012. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
  10. Galicia, Thomas (October 4, 2011). "Tony Romo and the 10 Least Clutch Quarterbacks in NFL History". Bleacher Report . Retrieved February 10, 2022.
  11. Demaret, Kent (November 17, 1980). "After Four Years in Staubach's Shadow, Danny White Flexes His Muscles as Dallas' New Leader". People. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
  12. "Whizzer White". NFL.com.
  13. Whitburn, Joel (2008). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. p. 457. ISBN   978-0-89820-177-2.
  14. "Danny White's Official Website - Former Dallas Cowboys Quarterback". dannywhite.com.
  15. "LDS football players on a mission: To mesh church service, sports". July 16, 1998.