Byron White

June 8, 1917 - Fort Collins, Colorado - Byron “Whizzer” White, the great University of Colorado halfback from 1935 to 1937, was born.

Born in Fort Collins, Colorado, Byron Raymond White embodied an unparalleled blend of athletic and intellectual brilliance. His legend began at the University of Colorado, where he earned the nickname "Whizzer" for his electrifying speed and agility on the football field. Playing halfback from 1935 to 1937, White was a phenomenon. In 1937, he led the nation in rushing, gaining 1,121 yards, and finished second in total offense, leading Colorado to a perfect regular season (8-0) and their first-ever Cotton Bowl appearance. He was a First-Team All-American in 1937, a two-time First-Team All-Big Seven selection (1936, 1937), and was even the runner-up for the Heisman Trophy in 1937. Beyond football, he also excelled in basketball and baseball, earning nine letters in three sports and graduating Phi Beta Kappa with the highest grades in his class.

The NFF voters chose Byron Whizzer White to be inducted into their College Football Hall of Fame in 1954. Whizzer White played pro football with Pittsburgh in 1938, studied at Oxford University in England in 1939, and played professionally with Detroit in 1940- 1941. 

White's path to the professional game was as unique as his college career. Drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates (now Steelers) in the first round of the 1938 NFL Draft, he notably delayed his professional debut to accept a Rhodes Scholarship to study at Oxford University in England. His time there was cut short by the outbreak of World War II.

Upon his return, White played for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1938, leading the NFL in rushing with 567 yards and earning First-Team All-Pro honors. He then played for the Detroit Lions in 1940 and 1941, again leading the league in rushing in 1940 with 514 yards. His NFL career was interrupted by his service in the U.S. Navy during World War II, where he served in intelligence. After the war, he attended Yale Law School, graduating magna cum laude, and later served as Deputy U.S. Attorney General before being appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court by President John F. Kennedy in 1962, where he served for 31 years.

Byron White's football legacy is profound, though often overshadowed by his later legal career. He is recognized as one of the few individuals to achieve extraordinary success at the highest levels of both professional sports and public service. As a football player, he was a statistical marvel in his era, leading the NFL in rushing twice. His decision to pursue academic excellence and public service over a longer football career highlights a remarkable dedication to intellectual pursuits. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1954, a testament to his undeniable collegiate dominance. His story remains a powerful example of exceptional talent, rigorous intellect, and commitment to country.

✦ Accolades, Awards, and Career Stats:

College:

✦ First-Team All-American (1937)

✦ 2x First-Team All-Big Seven (1936, 1937)

✦ Heisman Trophy Runner-up (1937)

✦ College Football Hall of Fame (1954)

✦ Led nation in rushing (1937 - 1,121 yards)

Professional:

✦ 2x NFL Rushing Leader (1938, 1940)

✦ First-Team All-Pro (1938)

✦ Played for Pittsburgh Pirates (1938), Detroit Lions (1940-1941)

✦ NFL Career Rushing Yards: 1,304 (over 3 seasons)

✦ NFL Career Touchdowns: 13