Billy Cannon
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William Abb Cannon Sr. (August 2, 1937
Cannon was selected as the
Cannon became a dentist after retiring from football. In 1983, after a series of bad real estate investments, he became involved in a
Early life and high school
William Abb Cannon was born in Philadelphia, Mississippi, to Harvey and Virgie Cannon. The family moved to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where his father worked during World War II.[3][4] While attending Istrouma High School in Baton Rouge, Cannon drew attention for his speed, strength, and size; he excelled in football, basketball, and track.[5] In football in 1955, his senior year, Cannon scored 39 touchdowns, was included in All-State and All-America teams, and led the Istrouma Indians to a state championship.[6] Although generally appearing in just the first half of games, he scored 229 points that season, a state record at the time.[7] In track and field, he ran the 100-yard dash in 9.6 seconds and put the shot over 56 feet, setting what were state records at the time for both events.[7][8] In the summer of 1955, Cannon received a 90-day suspended sentence for theft after he and some friends were caught extorting money from men whom they had seen with prostitutes.[3][9] This was the first in a series of legal troubles in Cannon's life.[9]
College football career
Despite his problems off the field, Cannon was recruited by many college teams to play football as he left high school.[3][10] His leading options included Florida and Ole Miss,[11][12] but he chose LSU, who offered a job between semesters at a local car dealership; other colleges did not guarantee a job.[13] Additionally, Cannon's mother believed he should remain close to home. "Mommy was older and wiser, and I followed her advice," said Cannon.[12]
1957 season
Cannon first played for the LSU
We kicked off. And that damn Billy Cannon. Jim Henderson and I were running down in our lanes and got down there, and we were going to hit him high and low. We were going to knock the hell out of him ... We hit ourselves. Ran into each other. He made a 100-yard touchdown. You don't forget that.[17]
The Tigers won their next two games before losing four in a row, but remained competitive in every game, largely due to the play of Cannon and Taylor.[5] LSU completed the season with a win over their rival team Tulane and a 5–5 record, although they had been predicted to finish last in their conference.[5] At the end of the season, Cannon was included on the Associated Press (AP) Southeastern Conference (SEC) All-Sophomore team and the United Press International (UPI) All-SEC second-team.[18] He also had the leading kickoff return average in the country (31.2 yards).[19]
1958 season
In
After the season, Cannon was
1959 season
With Cannon and most of the defensive starters returning in 1959, LSU was expected to compete for another national title.[35] The Tigers began the season as the top-ranked team, and the number of season-ticket holders tripled compared to the previous season.[26] The team won its first six games without allowing a touchdown.[35] Cannon showed his versatility in those games; he led the team in total yards on offense, returned an interception for a touchdown on defense, and averaged 40 yards per punt while also returning punts and kickoffs.[12][15] This set up a highly anticipated match-up between LSU and rival Ole Miss Rebels, who were also undefeated.[36][35][37]
Halloween run
External videos | |
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Cannon's punt return, YouTube video. The return begins at 1:15 of the video. |
On
Heisman Trophy
After the season, Cannon was awarded the Heisman Trophy as the nation's most outstanding player in 1959. In the award's balloting of 1,197 media members, he received 519 first-place votes; runner-up Richie Lucas received 98 such votes.[42] Although he scored only six touchdowns during the season, Cannon's defensive play and his performance on Halloween night was enough to convince voters.[38][42][43] He received the award from Vice President Richard Nixon during a ceremony on December 9 at the Downtown Athletic Club in New York City.[38] Nixon described him as "not an ordinary Cannon, but an atomic Cannon—the ultimate weapon in the arsenal of Paul Dietzel."[44] He was the second player from the SEC to win the trophy, following Georgia's Frank Sinkwich in 1942.[45] Cannon was also a repeat winner of nearly every award he won the previous season, including unanimous All-America recognition.[15][46]
Professional football career
Contract dispute
In November 1959, Cannon signed a contract with
Houston Oilers
Cannon joined the newly formed Oilers under head coach
After Rykmus was fired when the Oilers started the
Cannon injured his back in the third game of the
Oakland Raiders
Cannon was traded to the Oakland Raiders before the 1964 season.[72] Raiders head coach Al Davis liked Cannon's abilities but did not know how he wanted to use him. At first Davis moved Cannon to fullback,[71] where he was an asset in catching passes, an attribute not all fullbacks then possessed.[71] After a slow start, he finished the season with 37 receptions for 454 yards and eight touchdowns.[73][74] He also rushed for three more touchdowns.[74] Next season Davis moved him to tight end, to the chagrin of Cannon; he expected to be made into a wide receiver, but the Raiders had both Art Powell and rookie Fred Biletnikoff to cover that position.[75] He eventually accepted his new role and adapted quickly to it.[76] However, the tight end was seldom used in the Raiders' offense.[77] He caught only seven passes that season with no touchdowns. Before the 1966 season, John Rauch took over as head coach as Al Davis became AFL commissioner and the Raiders' general manager.[78] Cannon established himself as a deep threat in Rauch's offense and caught fourteen passes for 436 yards—an average of 31.4 yards per reception.[76][74]
By
Cannon had a modest 1968 season in which he caught six touchdown passes—including one of 48 yards in the second quarter of the famous Heidi Game—but knew he would not be in Oakland much longer.[83] Head coach John Madden had relegated him to running decoy routes by 1969 and he had only two touchdowns.[83] Nevertheless, he was invited as a replacement to play in his second All-Star game.[74] Cannon was released by the Raiders during the 1970 preseason.[54][84]
Kansas City Chiefs and retirement
As he was preparing to begin
Personal and later life
Cannon married his high school sweetheart, Dot Dupuy, while they were both freshmen at LSU.
Cannon Sr. graduated from LSU in 1959 and completed post-graduate studies at the
Despite a successful practice, by 1983 he was in financial difficulties from bad
Cannon resided in St. Francisville, Louisiana, with his wife. In February 2013, Cannon suffered a stroke and was hospitalized in Baton Rouge.[97] He was released two days later, returned to work the following Monday, and made a full recovery.[98][99] Cannon died in his sleep on May 20, 2018, at his home in St. Francisville, at the age of 80.[100]
Legacy and honors
Cannon remains a respected and iconic figure in Louisiana sports despite his legal troubles.
Until
See also
- List of unanimous All-Americans in college football
- List of first overall National Football League draft picks
- List of Los Angeles Rams first-round draft picks
- List of Tennessee Titans first-round draft picks
References
- ^ Litsky, Frank (May 21, 2018). "Billy Cannon, Football Star With a Troubled Life, Dies at 80". The New York Times. Retrieved July 31, 2022.
- ISBN 9781602396777. Retrieved July 30, 2022.
- ^ a b c Morris, George. "LSU icon Billy Cannon says a lot of what you think you know about him is wrong; new book bares all". The Advocate. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved January 8, 2016.
- ^ deGravelles 2015, p. 1.
- ^ a b c d Vincent 2008, p. 67.
- ^ Saggus, James (December 10, 1955). "Istrouma Routs Fair Park for Triple A Crown, 40–6". The Times-Picayune. p. 22.
- ^ a b deGravelles 2015, p. 2.
- ^ Chas. Wicker, N. (April 15, 1956). "What's What in Prep Sports". The Times-Picayune. p. 6.
- ^ a b c d Guilbeau, Glenn. "Billy Cannon: I was a thug and more revelations in new book". WWLTV. Archived from the original on December 5, 2015. Retrieved December 5, 2016.
- ^ deGravelles 2015, p. 21.
- ^ deGravelles 2015, p. 1, 6, 9.
- ^ a b c Keefe, Bill (October 26, 1959). "Roars on Cannon". The Times-Picayune. p. 8.
- ^ deGravelles 2015, p. 18.
- ^ Vincent 2008, p. 65.
- ^ a b c d e f g h LSU Sports Information Office. "LSU Football 2015 Official Media Guide" (PDF). LSUsports.net. LSU Publications Office. p. 27. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 4, 2016. Retrieved January 7, 2016.
- ^ Martinez, Harry (September 29, 1957). "LSU Explodes, 28–0". The Times-Picayune. p. 105.
- ^ a b c Dellenger, Ross. "'That damn Billy Cannon' tortured Texas Tech in 1957, the last time these 2 Texas Bowl teams met". The Advocate. Archived from the original on January 21, 2016. Retrieved January 6, 2016.
- ^ Keefe, Bill (November 28, 1957). "Petitbon, Cannon Named to SEC's All-Soph Team". The Times-Picayune. p. 56.
- ^ "Billy Cannon Among Best". The Times-Picayune. December 15, 1957. p. 4.
- ^ a b Vincent 2008, p. 71.
- ^ Diliberto, Buddy (September 20, 1958). "Rise and Shine!". The Times-Picayune. p. 19.
- ^ a b Vincent 2008, pp. 67–72.
- ^ "1958 Louisiana State Fighting Tigers Schedule and Results". sports-reference.com. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
- ^ Vincent 2008, p. 66.
- ^ Vincent 2008, p. 72.
- ^ a b c Vincent 2008, p. 74.
- ^ Keefe, Bill (December 4, 1958). "Cannon, Fugler Make FWAA". The Times-Picayune. p. 41.
- ^ "SEC Places Smith, Cannon on All-America Team". TimesDaily. November 30, 1958. p. 4T.
- ^ Madden, Bill (May 1, 2008). "Second shot for Billy Cannon". New York Daily News. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
- ^ a b Sargis, Joe (December 5, 1958). "UPI Names Cannon 'Back of the Year'". The Times-Picayune. p. 30.
- ^ Bradley, Ken (December 17, 2014). "Sporting News all-time College Football Players of the Year". Sporting News. Archived from the original on March 27, 2016. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
- ^ Blevins 2012, p. 14.
- ^ Blevins 2012, p. 137.
- ^ "Pete Dawkins; Vote Results". Heismantrophy.com. Retrieved January 18, 2016.
- ^ a b c d Vincent 2008, p. 76.
- ^ Keefe, Bill (October 26, 1959). "Now for the Big One". The Times-Picayune. p. 8.
- ^ a b c Huston, Chris (October 28, 2012). "This Week in Heisman History: Billy Cannon beats Ole Miss on Halloween night". CBS Sports. Retrieved January 10, 2016.
- ^ a b c Rose, Murray (December 9, 1959). "Cannon to Get Trophy Tonight". The Times-Picayune. p. 8.
- ^ a b Vincent 2008, p. 78.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Thompson, Wright (October 20, 2009). "The Redemption of Billy Cannon". Outside the Lines. ESPN. Archived from the original on August 27, 2015. Retrieved September 24, 2016.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ^ Vincent 2008, p. 75.
- ^ a b "Billy Cannon Heisman Bio". Heisman.com. Retrieved January 11, 2016.
- ^ Lang III, Roy (December 12, 2015). "Billy Cannon gives 'middle finger' to Heisman voters". Shreveport Times. Retrieved January 11, 2016.
- ^ "Cannon Lauded By Nixon". The Evening Sun. Associated Press. December 10, 1959. p. 42. Retrieved February 2, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Keefe, Bill (December 11, 1959). "Cannon's Stamina Tested". The Times-Picayune. p. 7.
- ^ Middlesworth, Hal (December 6, 1959). "Cannon, 3 Others Unanimous Picks". Detroit Free Press. p. 67. Retrieved March 3, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b deGravelles 2015, p. 144.
- ^ deGravelles 2015, pp. 144–145.
- ^ "AFL co-founder, Titans owner Bud Adams football man skilled in art of tough football deals". Star Tribune. Associated Press. August 4, 2009. Archived from the original on March 13, 2016. Retrieved March 13, 2016.
- ^ "Judge Ponders Fate Of Billy Cannon In Rams-Oilers Contract Dispute". Lakeland Ledger. Associated Press. June 19, 1960. p. 3-D. Retrieved March 10, 2016.
- ^ "Rams Lose Battle To Keep Cannon". The Victoria Advocate. Associated Press. June 21, 1960. p. 9. Retrieved March 10, 2016.
- ^ Bell, Jarrett (June 30, 2009). "From upstart to big time, how the AFL changed the NFL". USA Today. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
- ^ "Alworth AFL's first Hall of Fame member". Star-News. July 27, 1978. p. 4-D. Retrieved March 10, 2016.
- ^ a b "Cannon Sliced". Ellensburg Daily Record. United Press International. August 31, 1970. p. 7. Retrieved March 10, 2016.
- ^ a b c d Longman, Jere (December 28, 2003). "College Football; Never Forgotten, Billy Cannon Is Now Forgiven". The New York Times. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
- ^ a b Lassiter, Jim (July 21, 1983). "The Cannon Counterfeit Case Is a Perplexing One". The Oklahoman. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
- ^ a b c "Ex-star Cannon arrested". Star-News. Associated Press. July 10, 1983. p. 4-D. Retrieved March 10, 2016.
- ^ a b c Grosshandler, Stanley (1996). "When Houston Struck Oil" (PDF). The Coffin Corner. 18 (5): 1.
- ^ deGravelles 2015, p. 147.
- ^ deGravelles 2015, p. 148.
- ^ deGravelles 2015, p. 149.
- ^ "3d-Down Passing Wins for Oilers". Spokane Daily Chronicle. Associated Press. January 2, 1961. p. 34. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
- ^ "Oilers Fire Lou Rymkus As Coach". The Pittsburgh Press. Houston. United Press International. October 15, 1961. sec. 4, p. 4. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
- ^ a b deGravelles 2015, p. 150.
- ^ a b c deGravelles 2015, p. 151.
- ^ Sargis, Joe (December 11, 1961). "Oilers' Billy Cannon Sets Single Game Rushing Mark". Prescott Evening Courier. United Press International. p. 7. Retrieved March 10, 2016.
- ^ "Who Had The Most Draftkings Points In One Game In The NFL". StatMuse. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
- ^ Diliberto, Buddy (December 22, 1962). "What Happened to Billy Cannon?". The Times-Picayune. p. 8.
- ^ "Double overtime games in the postseason". NFL.com. January 14, 2014. Retrieved January 20, 2016.
- ^ deGravelles 2015, p. 154.
- ^ a b c deGravelles 2015, p. 155.
- ^ "Oilers Trade Billy Cannon to Raiders". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Associated Press. September 9, 1964. p. 20. Retrieved March 10, 2016.
- ^ Roesler, Bob (October 28, 1964). "A Word On Cannon". The Times-Picayune. p. 7.
- ^ a b c d e "Billy Cannon NFL & AFL Football Statistics". Pro-Football-Reference. Retrieved January 13, 2016.
- ^ deGravelles 2015, p. 157.
- ^ a b deGravelles 2015, p. 158.
- ^ deGravelles 2015, p. 159.
- ^ Sandomir, Richard (October 10, 2011). "A brash style and power plays allowed Davis to wrest control". The New York Times. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
- ^ deGravelles 2015, p. 160.
- ^ a b deGravelles 2015, p. 161.
- ^ a b c deGravelles 2015, p. 163.
- ^ "Super Bowl II Game Recap". NFL.com. NFL Enterprises LLC. Retrieved March 10, 2016.
- ^ a b deGravelles 2015, p. 164.
- ^ deGravelles 2015, p. 165.
- ^ deGravelles 2015, p. 166.
- ^ Lee, Brenden; Gellerman, Jacob; King, Robert, eds. (2015). Official 2015 National Football League Record and Fact Book (PDF). National Football League. p. s-14. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 1, 2015. Retrieved October 30, 2016.
- ^ Smith, Michael David (October 22, 2014). "Forte, Bradshaw flirting with running back receiving records". Pro Football Talk. NBC Sports. Retrieved October 30, 2016.
- ^ deGravelles 2015, p. 182.
- ^ deGravelles 2015, p. 169.
- ^ deGravelles 2015, p. 170.
- ^ deGravelles 2015, p. 171.
- ^ deGravelles 2015, pp. 183–189.
- ^ "Billy Cannon has no explanations for caper". TimesDaily. October 26, 1983. p. 2B. Retrieved April 6, 2016.
- ^ Kelly, Frank (November 27, 1984). "Heisman Trophy doesn't guarantee success". Lakeland Ledger. New York Daily News. p. 7D. Retrieved April 6, 2016.
- ^ deGravelles 2015, pp. 205–207.
- ^ deGravelles 2015, p. xi.
- ^ Samuels, Diana (February 19, 2013). "Billy Cannon's family confirms LSU football star had stroke". The Times-Picayune. Retrieved January 11, 2016.
- ^ Kleinpeter, Jim (February 21, 2013). "Former LSU great Billy Cannon released from hospital Thursday". The Times-Picayune. Retrieved January 11, 2016.
- ^ Kleinpeter, Jim (April 16, 2013). "Dr. Billy Cannon bounces back quickly after February stroke". The Times-Picayune. Retrieved January 11, 2016.
- ^ Schudel, Matt (May 23, 2018). "Billy Cannon, 1959 Heisman Trophy winner later convicted of counterfeiting, dies at 80". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 21, 2018.
- ^ Roach, John (August 28, 2013). "LSU's Top 50 players since 1940: the final results". The Times-Picayune. Retrieved December 29, 2016.
- ^ "Bayou bliss – LSU QB Joe Burrow takes home Heisman". ESPN.
- ^ Vincent, Herb (October 29, 2009). "LSU Retires Three Legends' Jerseys". LSUsports.net. Archived from the original on January 29, 2016. Retrieved January 11, 2016.
- ^ Harwell, Hoyt (July 26, 1969). "Committee Selects All-time Grid Teams of Southeastern Area". TimesDaily. p. 15. Retrieved August 24, 2016.
- ^ LSU Sports Interactive (October 29, 2009). "Tiger Great Billy Cannon Elected to College Football Hall of Fame". LSUsports.net. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved January 8, 2016.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ^ "Stanford's Montgomery Named 2013 "The Jet" Return Specialist Award Winner". TheStreet.com. PR Newswire. January 9, 2014. Archived from the original on September 24, 2016. Retrieved September 24, 2016.
{{cite news}}
: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ^ Mickles, Sheldon (September 19, 2018). "LSU to unveil Billy Cannon statue outside Tiger Stadium night before matchup with Ole Miss". The Advocate. Retrieved October 6, 2018.
- Bibliography
- Blevins, Dave (August 31, 2012). College Football Awards: All National and Conference Winners Through 2010. McFarland. ISBN 978-0-7864-4867-8.
- deGravelles, Charles (2015). Billy Cannon: A Long, Long Run. Baton Rouge, LA: Louisiana State University Press. ISBN 978-0-8071-6220-0.
- Jones, Danny (2011). Lost Treasures from the Golden Era of America's Game: Pro Football's Forgotten Heroes and Legends of the 50s, 60s, and 70s. ISBN 978-1-4567-1685-1.
- Vincent, Herb (2008). LSU Football Vault: The History of the Fighting Tigers. Whitman Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-0-7948-2428-0.
External links
- LSU profile
- Billy Cannon at the College Football Hall of Fame
- Billy Cannon at Heisman.com
- Career statistics and player information from NFL.com · Pro Football Reference