WICHITA FALLS, Texas - The Sixth Annual Midwestern State Athletics Welcome Back Dinner features former Dallas Cowboys legendary quarterback Danny White as the guest speaker on Sunday, Aug. 26 at D.L. Ligon Coliseum.
White enjoyed an illustrious 13-year career with the Cowboys while leading America's Team to three consecutive NFC championship games in 1980, 1981 and 1982 while earning Pro Bowl acclaim in 1982.
His leadership skills as a quarterback were evident as he set franchise single-season records with 29 touchdowns in his first year as a starter in 1980. The Cowboys qualified for the playoffs five times and won three NFC East titles during White's six years as their starting signal caller.
He ended his career as the organization’s most accurate passer setting team single-season marks for completions (334) and touchdown passes (29).
White still holds eight Cowboys' records and passed for more touchdown than any other quarterback at Texas Stadium.
Tom Landry said, "Danny White was probably as fine a winner as we have had in football."
White finished his career with 1,761 completions on 2,950 attempts for 21,959 yards and 155 touchdowns while rushing for 482 yards and eight TDs.
He also stood out as a punter averaging 40.2 yards on 610 career attempts.
After retiring as a player, White, a living legend of football in Arizona, served as the first head coach and general manager of the Arizona Rattlers until 2004.
In 13 seasons White led the Rattlers to Arena Bowl berths in 1994, 1997, 2002, 2003 and 2004 while emerging as Arena Bowl champions in 1994 and 1997.
White finished his career with the Rattlers with an overall record of 141-65 earning induction into the Arena Hall of Fame in 2002.
In addition to the AFL Hall of Fame and the NCAA Hall of Fame, White earned entry into the Mesa Arizona Sports Hall of Fame, the State of Arizona Sports Hall of Fame and the Arizona State University Hall of Fame where his jersey number 11 was retired. He was also named the Arizona Athlete of the Century by the Arizona Republic in 2000.
Arizona's native son is a graduate of Westwood High School in Mesa and had a stellar career as a quarterback and punter at Arizona State where he earned All America honors in 1973.
At ASU he set seven NCAA passing records and was second in the country win total offense in 1973. White became the first inducted from ASU and the State of Arizona into the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame in 1997.
He started his professional career by playing two seasons with the Memphis Southmen of the World Football League before joining the Cowboys in 1976.
Reserve your spot now for the Sixth Annual Midwestern State Athletics Welcome Back Dinner by submitting $70 for an individual sponsorship. Additional seats are available for $40. For more information, contact Sheri Mummert at (940) 397-4779.
