Name Sammy White College: Grambling State Career start 1976 | Receptions: 393 Career end 1985 Receiving Yards: 6,400 Position Wide receiver | |
 | ||
Date of birth: (1954-03-16) March 16, 1954 (age 61) NFL draft: 1976 / Round: 2 / Pick: 54 Role American football wide receiver Education Grambling State University Number 85 (Minnesota Vikings / Wide receiver) Awards NFL Honors - AP Offensive Rookie of the Year | ||
Place of birth: Winnsboro, Louisiana | ||
Sammy White (born March 3, 1954 in Winnsboro, Louisiana) is a former American football wide receiver in the NFL.
Contents
After attending Grambling State University, White played all ten seasons (1976–1985) of his professional career as a wide receiver with the Minnesota Vikings, winning the Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year and UPI NFL-NFC Rookie of the Year awards in 1976. He was a two-time Pro Bowl selection in 1976 and 1977. In 128 career games, he totaled 393 receptions, 6,400 receiving yards, and 50 touchdowns.
Notoriety
One of the most spectacular and ferocious hits in NFL history happened to White during Super Bowl XI, held on January 9, 1977 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. During a 3rd and long play, Fran Tarkenton dropped deep into the pocket and delivered a bullet to White who was on crossing route, with Oakland Raiders DB Skip Thomas meeting him in the middle. As White made a spectacular catch on the ball, he was hit by Raiders safety Jack Tatum, while Thomas closed the gap. The collision knocked White's helmet and chin strap off, sending the helmet tumbling about eight yards backwards from where they landed. Although shaken on the play, he held onto the ball gaining the Vikings a first down. He would return to the game, however the Vikings were outscored 32-14 and the Raiders would win their first of 3 Super Bowls.
After Retirement
He became assistant coach at Grambling State as receivers coach (1998-2003 and 2007-2009) and offensive coordinator (2004-2006). During that time Grambling won six Western Division titles and five SWAC championships. White was inducted into the SWAC Hall of Fame in 2004.