Former Dallas Cowboys star defensive tackle Randy White celebrated his 60th birthday on Tuesday. Two days later, he was inducted into the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame in the Fort Worth Stockyards.
White, who was honored for promoting the Western lifestyle, was among five members of the Class of 2013 entered into the hall on Thursday night. The others were the Fort Worth-based Edwards Family/Ranch, Dallas sports physician Tandy Freeman, 14-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier Sandy Kirby and the late Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association stock contractor Tommy Steiner.White received the Rick Smith Spirit of Texas Award, which is annually given to Lone Star State-based media celebrities who've successfully promoted the western lifestyle."When I came to Texas, I always enjoyed watching a rodeo," White said. "When I go watch a rodeo, I understand the work and the preparation and the commitment that those guys make to be good at what they do, just like I did when I played football."Over the years, White enthusiastically has competed in celebrity roping and cutting horse events. He also promotes Western themes through the Randy White Hall of Fame Barbeque restaurant in Frisco. He established the eatery in 1994, the same year he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame."Randy White is a great representative of the state of Texas and the cowboy lifestyle and heritage to the nth degree," said six-time world all-around champion Larry Mahan, who is a Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame member. "He played one of this country's greatest sports [football] and then he decided he wanted to get involved in this cowboy world. He did it in a good way."As a pro football player, White suited up for the Cowboys entirely, from 1975 through 1988. Throughout the 14 years, White missed only one game. All in all, he played in 209 games, including three Super Bowls.White was elected co-Most Valuable Player in Super Bowl XII, when the Cowboys defeated Denver 27-10 and became the 1977 champions. He also was a nine-time All-Pro defensive lineman.Though he's received football's highest honors, White emphatically said he highly values being inducted into the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame."It really is a humbling experience and it does mean as much to me as my Super Bowl ring and my [NFL] Hall of Fame ring," White said. "To be accepted into this circle, is a great honor for me."During the awards ceremony, former Dallas Cowboys star running back Walt Garrison placed White's Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame medal on America's Team's former star defensive tackle. Garrison, who competed in PRCA rodeos in the 1970s as a steer wrestler the same time he was playing for the Cowboys, said White has been a great ambassador for the cowboy lifestyle."Randy is interested in the Western lifestyle and he promotes it every day," said Garrison, a Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame member."He wears hats, he wears boots, he ropes, he rides cutting horses. He's certainly an athlete and a great asset to the sport of rodeo."Have more to add? News tip? Tell us
