Skip to main content
Advertising

#54 Randy White - Defensive Tackle 1975-1988

ROH-Randy-White-hero

Randy White came to the Cowboys from the University of Maryland as the No. 2 pick in the 1975 NFL Draft. Before his career was over, 14 years later, he would become known as the "Manster" - half man, half defensive monster - setting numerous franchise records as the heart-and-soul of the famed "Doomsday Defense".

White struggled in his first two years with the Cowboys when then head coach Tom Landry moved White from his familiar defensive tackle position to linebacker. But, after Landry moved White back to right tackle in 1977, White became one of the NFL's most dominating defensive linemen and a coveted co-Super Bowl MVP.

"Coming out of college a lot was expected of me," White said. "But I never did feel comfortable playing linebacker. Those first two years I was fighting for my life out there. Then they switched me to defensive tackle, where I was a lot more comfortable and from there my career took off."

White played 14 seasons, tying him for second all-time in franchise history, and he set a franchise record with eight All-Pro selections. White also was selected to nine Pro Bowls, ranking third in franchise history for Pro Bowl appearances. White's 16 sacks in 1978 rank third in franchise history for a single season, and he still remains third all-time in career tackles with 1,104 and second with 701 career solo tackles.

Renfro's 14 seasons with the Dallas Cowboys ties him for second in club history, just one shy of the record.

"His performances range anywhere from spectacular to spectacular," Landry once said. "He could outmatch anybody's intensity from game to game."

In his career, White played in six NFC Championship Games and three Super Bowls, claiming victory in Super Bowl XII and co-MVP honors with teammate Harvey Martin. Even more astounding, White only missed one game in his 14-year career.

In 1994, White was inducted into the Ring of Honor with teammate Tony Dorsett, the same year he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

"Any honor I receive is a reflection on the great teammates and coaches I had in my career," White said. "There's a real special group of guys with the Cowboys, and to be a part of that was a great honor."

Born Jan. 15, 1953, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Advertising