IMHO Sunday: A legend passes, a double-down genius or exploding cigar, media pow wow

In my humble opinion, cardinal and gold thoughts on what I see, what I hear, and what I think from Los Angeles: The legend of 12: The first time I saw USC’s future third Heisman Trophy winner, legendary tailback Charles White, it was in the summer of 1976, and I was 26-years-old. I remember it was a late warm L.A. morning, and, in those days before the official first day of August training camp, the whole team would dress in home-game uniforms for a combination Media Picture Day/Public Fan Fest. Lying sideways and resting against the wall next to what would later become Goux Gate, was a very surly and badass looking freshman sporting a large perfectly shaped Afro named Charles White. It appeared that the kid, who was wearing what would turn out to be his future immortalized jersey No. 12, was viewing the festivities with either boredom, contempt, or looking like a predator surveying the prey.  The legend of 12 – Part 2: On Wednesday of this past week, the quiet secret that USC 1980 Heisman Award winning tailback Charles White - Mr. Indestructible, the irresistible force that opposing college defenses for four years had no answer - was finally tackled at age 64 by the only opponent that could challenge and bring him down – cancer. It had been known for quite some time that Charles had been very ill physically. However, he never stopped waving the “Fight On” hand gesture to anybody who saw him and saying the words “Fight On!” as he still dressed in USC cardinal and gold garb. Born a Trojan, Died a Trojan.