Danny White was a gifted athlete at Westwood High School in Mesa, Arizona. Although he was a fair quarterback, he was more highly regarded as a baseball prospect. He was double teamed by Arizona State football coach Frank Kush, who wanted him as a punter, and the baseball coach, Bobby Winkles. Eventually Danny signed a baseball scholarship with the condition that he would also play football as the Sun Devils punter. Under Kush's tutalage Danny White also worked on developing his quarterback skills, and by the middle of his sophomore season he had become the ASU starting QB in addition to his punting duties. During his tenure as a starter, Danny White went 33-4 and he set 7 NCAA passing records. He was also the All-American QB for the 1973 season. During his time at Arizona State, White passed for almost 6700 yards and 64 touchdowns. He also earned the honor of being named as ASU's Athlete of the Century.

The Dallas Cowboys used their 3rd round pick on Danny with the intention of him serving as punter and emergency quarterback. Instead, White chose to sign with the World Football League where he led his teams to the playoffs in both of the WFL's two seasons. When the World League folded, Danny finally joined the Cowboys. From 1976 to 1979 he was the teams punter and the backup to Roger Staubach. When the legend retired, Danny took over as the starter and responded by leading Dallas to the NFC Championship Game each of his first three seasons at the helm. Despite being favored in each game the Cowboys never returned to the Super Bowl. Fans and media called for him to be replaced by Gary Hogeboom, and by the start of the 1984 season Landry made the change. Hogeboom was not up to the task, and White returned as quarterback. In spite of his best efforts Danny could not lift the Cowboys into the playoffs that year. In 1985, he led the team back to the playoffs. For Danny, however; that season was his last hurrah as injuries began to effect his play. After successive seasons were ended by first a broken wrist, and then a knee injury, the Cowboys opted to not to exercise a team option on his contract. He was replaced by rookie Troy Aikman.

During his Dallas career Danny White threw for over 22,000 yards and 155 touchdowns. He also added 8 rushing touchdowns and two more as a receiver. He is also the most successful punter in the teams history. Tom Landry said of Danny White that "no one could have performed better in following Roger Staubach". Despite a very good career, White has never been given the recognition he deserved. He will forever be known as the guy who filled the space between Staubach and Aikman. Danny White deserves better than that.

After his playing career, White turned to coaching. As head coach for the Arena Football League franchise in his native Arizona, he won multiple Arena Bowls and he has been inducted to the afl hall of fame for his success as a coach. After leaving Arizona Danny also built a successful team with the Utah team in the Arena League.