Colorado Chronicles : Byron "Whizzer" White

Byron "Whizzer" White

One of the most prestigious and most respected men to come from Colorado (other than John Elway) in the last 100 years is Byron Raymond White. Born in Fort Collins June 8, 1917, Byron White's life journe would see him become a great athlete and, more importantly, an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, appointed by John Kennedy in 1962. White was a star halfback for the University of Colorado football team in the 1930's, where he was given the nickname "Whizzer" (a name that would stick with him for the rest of his life) for his on-field exploits. He also excelled in basketball and baseball while at CU. Beyond being a an exceptional athlete, White was an outstanding student, was elected Phi Beta Kappa and earned a Rhodes Scholarship to Oxford University, later returning to the USA "to make some money" playing pro football for the Detroit Lions. BookRags.com has more on Justice White. In 1993, after 31 on the Highest Court in the Land, White retired and returned to his beloved Colorado, going on to his Final Reward on April 15, 2002. Byron Raymond White - athlete, scholar, jurist, American and Son of Colorado.