Danny White

Wilford Daniel “Danny” White was born on February 9, 1952, in Mesa, Arizona, and raised in a family with deep roots in Arizona State University athletics—his father, “Whizzer” White, had been a Sun Devil star. After starring in both football and baseball at Mesa’s Westwood High School, Danny accepted a scholarship to ASU: originally more noted as a baseball prospect, he also punted for the football team while developing his skills as a quarterback. At ASU (1971-73), White emerged as one of the program’s great two-sport athletes. He led the Sun Devils to a 32-4 record, three Western Athletic Conference championships, and three consecutive Fiesta Bowl victories. He set seven NCAA passing records, was first-team All-America in 1973, and also averaged over 41 yards per punt. These performances made him not just a beloved figure in Tempe but one of Arizona’s defining athletes. After college, White’s professional career included two seasons in the World Football League (with the Memphis Southmen), and then a 13-year tenure in the NFL with the Dallas Cowboys (1976-88). As starting quarterback, he set several Cowboys records—most touchdowns in a season (29 in 1980), completions, and other team passing marks—and led Dallas to multiple playoff appearances and NFC East titles. Even after his NFL days, White remained deeply tied to Arizona. He became the first head coach and general manager of the Arizona Rattlers in the Arena Football League, leading them to multiple ArenaBowl appearances and winning championships in 1994 and 1997. He’s been inducted into numerous halls of fame (College Football Hall of Fame, Arizona State’s Hall of Fame, Arizona Sports Hall of Fame), had his ASU number retired, and in 2000 was named Arizona Athlete of the Century.