Nicknamed "Mad Dog", because of his intensity,[5] White became a two-time Pro Bowldefensive end. White spent much of the week leading up to Super Bowl IX in a hospital, suffering from pneumonia; he lost 20 pounds and was not expected to play in the game. However, he did play,[6] and accounted for the only scoring in the first half when he sackedFran Tarkenton in the end zone for a safety — the first points in Steelers' history in a championship game, and also the first safety in Super Bowl history.[7] The Steelers defeated the Minnesota Vikings 16–6.
White finished his career with 46 quarterback sacks as recorded unofficially by the Steelers;[8] sacks were not an official NFL defensive stat until 1982.[9]
Steelers owner Dan Rooney called White "one of the greatest players to ever wear a Steelers uniform"[2] and he was named to the Steelers All-Time team in 1982 and again in 2007. He retired after the 1980 season and went on to become a stock broker.
Death
Dwight White died of complications that arose from an earlier surgery.[10] A blood clot in his lung, the complication from back surgery, is the suspected cause of death.[6] On February 1, 2010, his family filed a wrongful death suit against the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and three doctors, claiming that his death had been caused by medical negligence.[11]