View source for Billy Cannon

{{Short description|American football player (1937–2018)}}
{{Good article}}
{{Use American English|date=September 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name          = Billy Cannon
| image         = Cannon 1961 Topps.jpg
| image_size    =
| alt           = 
| caption       = Cannon on a 1961 trading card
| number        = 20, 33, 80
| position      = {{hlist|[[Halfback (American football)|Halfback]]|[[tight end]]}}
| birth_date    = {{Birth date|1937|8|2}}
| birth_place   = [[Philadelphia, Mississippi]], U.S.
| death_date    = {{Death date and age|2018|5|20|1937|8|2}}
| death_place   = [[St. Francisville, Louisiana]], U.S.
| height_ft     = 6
| height_in     = 1
| weight_lbs    = 207
| high_school   = [[Istrouma High School|Istrouma]] {{nowrap|([[Baton Rouge, Louisiana]])}}
| college       = [[LSU Tigers football|LSU]] (1957–1959)
| draftyear     = 1960
| draftround    = 1
| draftpick     = 1
| afldraftyear  = 1960
| afldraftround = 1
| afldraftpick  = [[1960 American Football League draft#Territorial draft|territorial]]
| pastteams     =
* [[Houston Oilers]] ([[1960 American Football League season|1960]]–[[1963 American Football League season|1963]])
* [[Oakland Raiders]] ([[1964 American Football League season|1964]]–{{NFL Year|1969}})
* [[Kansas City Chiefs]] ({{NFL Year|1970}})
| highlights    =
* 3× [[American Football League playoffs|AFL champion]] ([[1960 American Football League Championship Game|1960]], [[1961 American Football League Championship Game|1961]], [[1967 American Football League Championship Game|1967]])
* 2× [[American Football League playoffs#Championship summary|AFL Championship MVP]] ([[1960 American Football League Championship Game|1960]], [[1961 American Football League Championship Game|1961]])
* 2× First-team [[American Football League All-League Team|All-AFL]] ([[1961 All-AFL Team|1961]], [[1967 All-AFL Team|1967]])
* 2× Second-team All-AFL ([[1960 All-AFL Team|1960]], [[1968 All-AFL Team|1968]])
* 2× [[American Football League All-Star game|AFL All-Star]] (1961, 1969)
* [[List of National Football League annual rushing yards leaders#List of AFL rushing title winners|AFL rushing yards leader]] (1961)
* [[College football national championships in NCAA Division I FBS|National champion]] ([[1958 LSU Tigers football team|1958]])
* [[Heisman Trophy]] (1959)
* 2× [[UPI College Football Player of the Year|UPI Player of the Year]] (1958, 1959)
* 2× [[Sporting News College Football Player of the Year|''SN'' Player of the Year]] (1958, 1959)
* 2× [[Chic Harley Award]] (1958, 1959)
* 2× [[SEC Player of the Year]] (1958, 1959)
* 2× [[Unanimous All-American]] ([[1958 College Football All-America Team|1958]], [[1959 College Football All-America Team|1959]])
* 2× First-team [[List of All-SEC football teams|All-SEC]] ([[1958 All-SEC football team|1958]], [[1959 All-SEC football team|1959]])
* Second-team All-SEC ([[1957 All-SEC football team|1957]])
* [[LSU Tigers football#Retired numbers|LSU Tigers No. 20]] retired
| statleague    = AFL/NFL
| statlabel1    = Rushing yards
| statvalue1    = 2,455
| statlabel2    = Rushing average
| statvalue2    = 4.1
| statlabel3    = Rushing [[touchdown]]s
| statvalue3    = 17
| statlabel4    = [[Reception (gridiron football)|Receptions]]
| statvalue4    = 236
| statlabel5    = Receiving yards
| statvalue5    = 3,656
| statlabel6    = Receiving touchdowns
| statvalue6    = 47
| pfr           = C/CannBi00
| CollegeHOF    = 2223 
}}

'''Billy Abb Cannon Sr.''' (August 2, 1937 – May 20, 2018) was an American [[American football|football]] [[Halfback (American football)|halfback]] and [[tight end]] who played in the [[American Football League]] (AFL) and the [[National Football League]] (NFL). He attended [[Louisiana State University]] (LSU), where he played [[college football]] as a halfback, [[return specialist]], and [[Safety (gridiron football position)|safety]] for the [[LSU Tigers football|LSU Tigers]]. At LSU, Cannon was twice named a [[List of unanimous All-Americans in college football|unanimous All-American]], helped the [[1958 LSU Tigers football team|1958 LSU team]] win a [[College football national championships in NCAA Division I FBS|national championship]], and received the [[Heisman Trophy]] as the nation's most outstanding college player in 1959. His [[Billy Cannon's Halloween Run|punt return against Ole Miss]] on Halloween night in 1959 is considered by fans and sportswriters to be one of the most famous plays in LSU sports history.

Cannon was selected as the [[List of first overall National Football League Draft picks|first overall pick]] in the [[1960 NFL draft]] and as a first-round territorial pick in the [[1960 American Football League draft]], resulting in a contract dispute that ended in court. Cannon played in the AFL for the [[Houston Oilers]] and [[Oakland Raiders]] before ending his football career with the [[Kansas City Chiefs]] of the NFL. He began his professional career as a halfback for the Oilers. A twice [[American Football League All-Star game|AFL All-Star]], Cannon led the league in [[Rush (gridiron football)|rushing]] and [[all-purpose yards]] in the [[1961 American Football League season|1961 season]]. He was named the most valuable player of the first two [[American Football League Championship|AFL championship]] games, which were won by the Oilers. He was moved to fullback and later tight end after being traded to the Raiders, with whom he won another league championship in 1967. That season, he played in the [[Super Bowl II|second AFL–NFL World Championship game]], retroactively known as Super Bowl II, in which his team was defeated by the [[Green Bay Packers]].

Cannon became a dentist after retiring from football. In 1983, after a series of bad real estate investments, he became involved in a [[counterfeiting]] scheme and served two and a half years in prison. In 1995, he was hired as a dentist at [[Louisiana State Penitentiary]], a position he held until his death in 2018. His jersey number 20 was [[retired jersey|retired]] by LSU football in 1960, and he was inducted into the [[LSU Athletic Hall of Fame]] in 1975, the [[Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame]] in 1976, and the [[College Football Hall of Fame]] in 2008.

==Early life==
Cannon was born on August 2, 1937, in [[Philadelphia, Mississippi]], to Harvey and Virgie Cannon.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/20/obituaries/billy-cannon-dead-football-heisman.html|title=Billy Cannon, Football Star With a Troubled Life, Dies at 80|access-date=July 31, 2022|newspaper=The New York Times|date=May 21, 2018 |last1=Litsky |first1=Frank }}</ref> The family moved to [[Baton Rouge, Louisiana]], where his father worked during [[World War II]].<ref name=Morris/>{{sfn|deGravelles|2015|p=1}} While attending [[Istrouma High School]] in Baton Rouge, Cannon drew attention for his speed, strength, and size; he excelled in [[American football|football]], [[basketball]], and [[track and field|track]].{{sfn|Vincent|2008|p=67}} In football in 1955, his [[senior (education)|senior]] year, Cannon scored 39 [[touchdown]]s, was included in All-State and [[All-America]] teams, and led the Istrouma Indians to a state championship.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Saggus |first=James |date=December 10, 1955 |title=Istrouma Routs Fair Park for Triple A Crown, 40–6 |page=22 |work=The Times-Picayune}}</ref> Although generally appearing in just the first half of games, he scored 229 points that season, a state record at the time.{{sfn|deGravelles|2015|p=2}} 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.{{sfn|deGravelles|2015|p=2}}<ref>{{Cite news |last=Chas. Wicker |first=N. |date=April 15, 1956 |title=What's What in Prep Sports |page=6 |work=The Times-Picayune}}</ref> 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.<ref name="Morris">{{Cite web |last=Morris |first=George |date=August 31, 2015 |title=LSU icon Billy Cannon says a lot of what you think you know about him is wrong; new book bares all |url=http://theadvocate.com/features/people/13282826-123/football-legend-billy-cannons-life |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304135121/http://theadvocate.com/features/people/13282826-123/football-legend-billy-cannons-life |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |access-date=January 8, 2016 |website=The Advocate}}</ref><ref name="thug">{{Cite web |last=Guilbeau |first=Glenn |title=Billy Cannon: I was a thug and more revelations in new book |url=http://www.wwltv.com/story/sports/ncaa/lsu/2015/10/30/billy-cannon-thug-and-more-revelations-new-book/74895718 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151205142414/http://www.wwltv.com/story/sports/ncaa/lsu/2015/10/30/billy-cannon-thug-and-more-revelations-new-book/74895718 |archive-date=December 5, 2015 |access-date=December 5, 2016 |website=WWLTV}}</ref> This was the first in a series of legal troubles in Cannon's life.<ref name=thug/>

==College football career==
Despite his problems off the field, Cannon was [[college recruiting|recruited]] by many college teams to play football as he left high school.<ref name=Morris/>{{sfn|deGravelles|2015|p=21}} His leading options included [[Florida Gators football|Florida]] and [[Ole Miss Rebels football|Ole Miss]],{{sfn|deGravelles|2015|p=1, 6, 9}}<ref name=roars/> but he chose [[LSU Tigers football|LSU]], who offered a job between semesters at a local car dealership; other colleges did not guarantee a job.{{sfn|deGravelles|2015|p=18}} Additionally, Cannon's mother believed he should remain close to home. "Mommy was older and wiser, and I followed her advice," said Cannon.<ref name=roars/>

===1957 season===
Cannon first played for the LSU [[Varsity team|varsity]] football team as a [[sophomore]] in [[1957 LSU Tigers football team|1957]] under coach [[Paul Dietzel]]. He played in the [[Halfback (American football)|halfback position]] and shared the [[backfield]] with [[Jim Taylor (fullback)|Jim Taylor]], who was selected as an [[1957 College Football All-America Team|All-American]] that year.{{sfn|Vincent|2008|p=65}} He also played [[defensive back]] and was the team's primary [[punt (gridiron football)|punter]].<ref name="mediaguide">{{Cite web |last=LSU Sports Information Office |title=LSU Football 2015 Official Media Guide |url=http://www.lsusports.net/fls/5200/assets/docs/fb/pdf/15guide.pdf |access-date=January 7, 2016 |website=LSUsports.net |publisher=LSU Publications Office |page=27 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304052901/http://www.lsusports.net/fls/5200/assets/docs/fb/pdf/15guide.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> He quickly emerged as a star, scoring twice in early season victories over [[1957 Alabama Crimson Tide football team|Alabama]] and [[1957 Texas Tech Red Raiders football team|Texas Tech]].{{sfn|Vincent|2008|p=67}} The Alabama game was the most prolific [[rush (American football)|rushing]] game of Cannon's college career; he amassed 140 yards with eight [[carry (gridiron football)|carries]].<ref name=mediaguide/><ref>{{Cite news |last=Martinez |first=Harry |date=September 29, 1957 |title=LSU Explodes, 28–0 |page=105 |work=The Times-Picayune}}</ref> Against the [[Texas Tech Red Raiders|Red Raiders]], Cannon had five punts for a 40-yard average, completed two of four [[forward pass|passes]] for 31 yards, [[reception (gridiron football)|caught]] a 59-yard pass for a touchdown, carried thirteen times for 36 yards, and [[kickoff returner|returned a kickoff]] for a touchdown.<ref name="damn" /> Cannon recalled that Texas Tech's focus was solely on Taylor. "They were just wearing Jimmy out", he said. "Of course, they weren't looking for me. They just beat the devil out of Jimmy. With them focusing on Jimmy, I had a great game."<ref name=damn/> Over half a century later, former Red Raiders standout Jack Henry recalled of Cannon:
<blockquote>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&nbsp;... We hit ourselves. Ran into each other. He made a 100-yard touchdown. You don't forget that.<ref name="damn">{{Cite web |last=Dellenger |first=Ross |title='That damn Billy Cannon' tortured Texas Tech in 1957, the last time these 2 Texas Bowl teams met |url=http://theadvocate.com/sports/lsu/14361481-128/that-damn-billy-cannon-tortured-texas-tech-in-1957-the-last-time-next-weeks-two-texas-bowl-teams-me |access-date=January 6, 2016 |website=The Advocate |archive-date=January 21, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160121234403/http://theadvocate.com/sports/lsu/14361481-128/that-damn-billy-cannon-tortured-texas-tech-in-1957-the-last-time-next-weeks-two-texas-bowl-teams-me |url-status=dead }}</ref></blockquote>

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.{{sfn|Vincent|2008|p=67}} LSU completed the season with a win over their [[Battle for the Rag|rival]] team [[1957 Tulane Green Wave football team|Tulane]] and a 5–5 record, although they had been predicted to finish last in their conference.{{sfn|Vincent|2008|p=67}} 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.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Keefe |first=Bill |date=November 28, 1957 |title=Petitbon, Cannon Named to SEC's All-Soph Team |page=56 |work=The Times-Picayune}}</ref> He also had the leading kickoff return average in the country (31.2 yards).<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 15, 1957 |title=Billy Cannon Among Best |page=4 |work=The Times-Picayune}}</ref>

===1958 season===
[[File:Billy Cannon at LSU.jpg|thumb|Cannon at LSU|alt=Black and white posed shot of Cannon from the thighs up, in the stiff-arm position, cradling a football, wearing pads and a jersey number 20, helmetless]]
In [[1958 LSU Tigers football team|1958]], coach Dietzel implemented a method to keep his players fresh during games: his "three-[[platoon system]]" split the team into the "Go Team", the "White Team", and the "[[Chinese Bandits]]".{{sfn|Vincent|2008|p=71}} The White Team comprised the starting unit for the Tigers and, led by Cannon, consisted of the most talented players, who excelled on both offense and defense.{{sfn|Vincent|2008|p=71}} Jim Taylor's graduation allowed Dietzel to give Cannon more time playing on offense.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Diliberto |first=Buddy |date=September 20, 1958 |title=Rise and Shine! |page=19 |work=The Times-Picayune}}</ref> LSU entered the season with talent and depth on both offense and defense.{{sfn|Vincent|2008|pp=67–72}} The team defeated its first five opponents by an average of three touchdowns.{{sfn|Vincent|2008|pp=67–72}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=1958 Louisiana State Fighting Tigers Schedule and Results |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/louisiana-state/1958-schedule.html |access-date=January 9, 2016 |website=sports-reference.com}}</ref> The sixth game of the season was against [[1958 Florida Gators football team|Florida]] for LSU's [[homecoming]]. Cannon led the Tigers to a 10–7 win as he scored their only touchdown of the game in the second quarter.{{sfn|Vincent|2008|p=66}} The following week the Tigers were ranked first in the [[AP Poll|AP's weekly poll]] to rank teams.{{sfn|Vincent|2008|p=72}} The team remained atop subsequent polls as it finished the regular season undefeated and was named national champion by the AP and UPI.{{sfn|Vincent|2008|p=74}} LSU followed up with a 7–0 victory over [[1958 Clemson Tigers football team|Clemson]] in the [[1959 Sugar Bowl|Sugar Bowl]].{{sfn|Vincent|2008|p=74}} Cannon was responsible for the only points scored in the game; he threw a touchdown pass to [[Mickey Mangham]] and then kicked the extra point.<ref name=mediaguide/>

After the season, Cannon was [[List of unanimous college football All-Americans|unanimously recognized]] by sportswriters as a first-team [[1958 College Football All-America Team|All-American]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Keefe |first=Bill |date=December 4, 1958 |title=Cannon, Fugler Make FWAA |page=41 |work=The Times-Picayune}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=November 30, 1958 |title=SEC Places Smith, Cannon on All-America Team |page=4T |work=TimesDaily |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1842&dat=19581130&id=tSEsAAAAIBAJ&pg=875,6685167}}</ref><ref name="Madden">{{Cite web |last=Madden |first=Bill |date=May 1, 2008 |title=Second shot for Billy Cannon |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/college/shot-billy-cannon-article-1.327988 |access-date=January 9, 2016 |website=New York Daily News}}</ref> He was awarded player of the year honors by [[UPI College Football Player of the Year|United Press International]], [[Sporting News College Football Player of the Year|''The Sporting News'']], and the [[Chic Harley Award|Touchdown Club of Columbus]].<ref name="Sargis">{{Cite news |last=Sargis |first=Joe |date=December 5, 1958 |title=UPI Names Cannon 'Back of the Year' |page=30 |work=The Times-Picayune}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bradley |first=Ken |date=December 17, 2014 |title=Sporting News all-time College Football Players of the Year |url=http://www.sportingnews.com/ncaa-football-news/4630023-sporting-news-college-football-player-of-the-year-winners-all-time-winston-manziel-tebow-sanders-bo-flutie-herschel-griffin |access-date=January 9, 2016 |website=Sporting News |archive-date=March 27, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160327213625/http://www.sportingnews.com/ncaa-football-news/4630023-sporting-news-college-football-player-of-the-year-winners-all-time-winston-manziel-tebow-sanders-bo-flutie-herschel-griffin |url-status=dead }}</ref>{{sfn|Blevins|2012|p=14}} In addition, he was voted to the [[1958 All-SEC football team|All-SEC team]], and was deemed the [[SEC Player of the Year|SEC Most Valuable Player]] by the [[Nashville Banner]] after leading the conference in rushing yards, average, and touchdowns.<ref name=mediaguide/>{{sfn|Blevins|2012|p=137}}  Cannon finished third in voting for the [[Heisman Trophy]], behind winner, [[Pete Dawkins]] of [[1958 Army Cadets football team|Army]], and runner-up, [[Randy Duncan]] of [[1958 Iowa Hawkeyes football team|Iowa]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pete Dawkins; Vote Results |url=http://heisman.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=24 |access-date=January 18, 2016 |website=Heismantrophy.com}}</ref> Dietzel said of Cannon's accolades: "It's a wonderful thing. Billy Cannon is the finest football player I've ever coached."<ref name=Sargis/>

===1959 season===
With Cannon and most of the defensive starters returning in [[1959 LSU Tigers football team|1959]], LSU was expected to compete for another national title.{{sfn|Vincent|2008|p=76}} The Tigers began the season as the top-ranked team, and the number of season-ticket holders tripled compared to the previous season.{{sfn|Vincent|2008|p=74}} The team won its first six games without allowing a touchdown.{{sfn|Vincent|2008|p=76}} 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.<ref name="roars">{{Cite news |last=Keefe |first=Bill |date=October 26, 1959 |title=Roars on Cannon |page=8 |work=The Times-Picayune}}</ref><ref name=mediaguide/> This set up a highly anticipated match-up between LSU and rival [[1959 Ole Miss Rebels football team|Ole Miss Rebels]], who were also undefeated.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Keefe |first=Bill |date=October 26, 1959 |title=Now for the Big One |page=8 |work=The Times-Picayune}}</ref>{{sfn|Vincent|2008|p=76}}<ref name="Huston">{{Cite web |last=Huston |first=Chris |date=October 28, 2012 |title=This Week in Heisman History: Billy Cannon beats Ole Miss on Halloween night |url=http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/eye-on-college-football/20697705/this-week-in-heisman-history-billy-cannon-beats-ole-miss-on-halloween-night |access-date=January 10, 2016 |website=CBS Sports}}</ref>

====Halloween run====
{{external media
| float  = right
| video1 = [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIHdlAg4Uic Cannon's punt return], YouTube video. The return begins at 1:15 of the video.
}}
{{Main|Billy Cannon's Halloween run}}
On [[Halloween]] night, Cannon led LSU into [[Tiger Stadium (LSU)|Tiger Stadium]] to face the third-ranked [[Ole Miss Rebels football|Ole Miss Rebels]]. For most of the game, neither team's offense managed to reach the end zone.{{sfn|Vincent|2008|p=76}} Late in the fourth quarter, when the Tigers trailed 3–0, Cannon returned a punt 89 yards for a touchdown, breaking seven tackles and running the last 60 yards untouched.<ref name=Huston/><ref name="Rose">{{Cite news |last=Rose |first=Murray |date=December 9, 1959 |title=Cannon to Get Trophy Tonight |page=8 |work=The Times-Picayune}}</ref> The Rebels mounted one last drive and reached the Tigers' 1-yard line before Cannon and [[Warren Rabb]] made a game-saving tackle on the fourth down and with 18 seconds on the clock. The Tigers won 7–3.{{sfn|Vincent|2008|p=78}} After the game, Cannon lay down in the tunnel, exhausted and unable to reach the locker room.<ref name=Redemption/> LSU's chances to repeat as national champion effectively ended the following week with a 14–13 loss to [[1959 Tennessee Volunteers football team|Tennessee]], after a failed [[two-point conversion]] attempt by Cannon.{{sfn|Vincent|2008|p=75}} The Tigers finished the season with a rematch against Ole Miss in the [[1960 Sugar Bowl|Sugar Bowl]], in which they were defeated 21–0.{{sfn|Vincent|2008|p=78}}

====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.<ref name="Heisman">{{Cite web |title=Billy Cannon Heisman Bio |url=http://heisman.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=25 |access-date=January 11, 2016 |website=Heisman.com}}</ref> Although he scored only six touchdowns during the season, Cannon's defensive play and his performance on Halloween night was enough to convince voters.<ref name=Rose/><ref name=Heisman/><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lang III |first=Roy |date=December 12, 2015 |title=Billy Cannon gives 'middle finger' to Heisman voters |url=http://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/sports/college/lsu/2015/12/12/billy-cannon-gives-middle-finger-heisman-voters/77235304/ |access-date=January 11, 2016 |website=Shreveport Times}}</ref> He received the award from Vice President [[Richard Nixon]] during a ceremony on December 9 at the [[Downtown Athletic Club]] in New York City.<ref name=Rose/> Nixon described him as "not an ordinary Cannon, but an atomic Cannon—the ultimate weapon in the arsenal of Paul Dietzel."<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 10, 1959 |title=Cannon Lauded By Nixon |page=42 |work=The Evening Sun |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/17086350/cannon_lauded_by_nixon/ |access-date=February 2, 2018 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> He was the second player from the SEC to win the trophy, following [[Georgia Bulldogs football|Georgia]]'s [[Frank Sinkwich]] in 1942.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Keefe |first=Bill |date=December 11, 1959 |title=Cannon's Stamina Tested |page=7 |work=The Times-Picayune}}</ref> Cannon was also a repeat winner of nearly every award he won the previous season, including unanimous All-America recognition.<ref name=mediaguide/><ref>{{Cite news |last=Middlesworth |first=Hal |date=December 6, 1959 |title=Cannon, 3 Others Unanimous Picks |page=67 |work=Detroit Free Press |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4485671/cannon_3_others_unanimous_picks/ |access-date=March 3, 2016 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>

==Professional football career==

===Contract dispute===
In November 1959, Cannon signed a contract with [[Los Angeles Rams]] general manager [[Pete Rozelle]], in which he agreed to play for the Rams in the [[National Football League]].{{sfn|deGravelles|2015|p=144}} The contract was for three years for $30,000, plus a $10,000 signing bonus.{{sfn|deGravelles|2015|p=144}} Two months later, on the field after LSU's Sugar Bowl loss, Cannon signed another contract; this one was with the [[American Football League]]'s [[Houston Oilers]], whose owner [[Bud Adams]] offered Cannon $33,000 a year for three years with a $10,000 signing bonus.{{sfn|deGravelles|2015|pp=144–145}} At Cannon's request, Adams also promised him a [[Cadillac]] for his father.<ref>{{Cite news |date=August 4, 2009 |title=AFL co-founder, Titans owner Bud Adams football man skilled in art of tough football deals |work=Star Tribune |agency=Associated Press |url=http://www.startribune.com/templates/Print_This_Story?sid=52465672 |access-date=March 13, 2016 |archive-date=March 13, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160313124512/http://www.startribune.com/templates/Print_This_Story?sid=52465672 |url-status=dead }}</ref> When it became known that he had signed with two different teams, the Rams filed a suit that claimed Cannon was bound by their contract and could not sign with Houston.<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 19, 1960 |title=Judge Ponders Fate Of Billy Cannon In Rams-Oilers Contract Dispute |page=3-D |work=Lakeland Ledger |agency=Associated Press |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1346&dat=19600619&id=hnFOAAAAIBAJ&pg=5715,2613953&hl=en |access-date=March 10, 2016}}</ref> Judge [[William Lindberg]] ruled against the Rams, stating the contracts were void and that Rozelle had taken advantage of Cannon's naivete. Lindberg described Cannon as "exceptionally naive&nbsp;... a provincial lad untutored and unwise in the ways of the business world."<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 21, 1960 |title=Rams Lose Battle To Keep Cannon |page=9 |work=The Victoria Advocate |agency=Associated Press |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=861&dat=19600621&id=_4dTAAAAIBAJ&pg=7111,2318555&hl=en |access-date=March 10, 2016}}</ref> The AFL's victory against the established NFL helped bring legitimacy to the fledgling league.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bell |first=Jarrett |date=June 30, 2009 |title=From upstart to big time, how the AFL changed the NFL |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2009-06-14-sw-afl-cover_N.htm |access-date=January 12, 2016 |website=USA Today}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=July 27, 1978 |title=Alworth AFL's first Hall of Fame member |page=4-D |work=Star-News |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1454&dat=19780727&id=NMksAAAAIBAJ&pg=7082,5224695&hl=en |access-date=March 10, 2016}}</ref><ref name=sliced/> After the ruling, Cannon finalized his contract to play in the AFL for the Oilers. The contract made him the first $100,000 professional football player.<ref name="Longman">{{Cite news |last=Longman |first=Jere |date=December 28, 2003 |title=College Football; Never Forgotten, Billy Cannon Is Now Forgiven |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/12/28/sports/college-football-never-forgotten-billy-cannon-is-now-forgiven.html?pagewanted=all |access-date=January 12, 2016}}</ref><ref name="perplex">{{Cite web |last=Lassiter |first=Jim |date=July 21, 1983 |title=The Cannon Counterfeit Case Is a Perplexing One |url=http://newsok.com/article/2032905 |access-date=January 12, 2016 |website=The Oklahoman}}</ref><ref name="arrested">{{Cite news |date=July 10, 1983 |title=Ex-star Cannon arrested |page=4-D |work=Star-News |agency=Associated Press |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1454&dat=19830710&id=aegyAAAAIBAJ&pg=4556,2783134&hl=en |access-date=March 10, 2016}}</ref>

===Houston Oilers===
[[File:Billy Cannon 1961.jpg|thumb|left|Cannon in 1961]]
Cannon joined the newly formed Oilers under head coach [[Lou Rymkus]].<ref name=Grosshandler/> As one of the highest-paid players in professional football, he was heckled early on by opposing players.{{sfn|deGravelles|2015|p=147}} Nor did he get along well with Rymkus, whom he described as "unpleasant, confrontational, with a nasty disposition and an oversized ego."{{sfn|deGravelles|2015|p=148}} In Cannon's rookie year, he led the team in rushing with 644 yards and caught five touchdown passes.{{sfn|deGravelles|2015|p=149}} His 88-yard touchdown reception from quarterback [[George Blanda]] in the [[1960 American Football League Championship Game|1960 AFL Championship Game]] helped the Oilers become the inaugural [[AFL Championship|AFL champions]]. For his efforts, Cannon was named the game's [[most valuable player]].<ref name="Spokane">{{Cite news |date=January 2, 1961 |title=3d-Down Passing Wins for Oilers |page=34 |work=Spokane Daily Chronicle |agency=Associated Press |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=D6ASAAAAIBAJ&pg=4517,260687&dq=lou+rymkus&hl=en |access-date=January 12, 2016}}</ref>

After Rykmus was fired when the Oilers started the [[1961 American Football League season|1961 season]] poorly,<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 15, 1961 |title=Oilers Fire Lou Rymkus As Coach |at=sec. 4, p. 4 |work=The Pittsburgh Press |agency=United Press International |location=Houston |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1144&dat=19611015&id=dkYqAAAAIBAJ&pg=7239,5589183&hl=en |access-date=January 12, 2016}}</ref> Houston won ten consecutive games under [[Wally Lemm]].{{sfn|deGravelles|2015|p=150}} In one of those games, against the [[New York Jets|New York Titans]], Cannon set a professional football record with 373 [[all-purpose yards]] and scored five touchdowns.{{sfn|deGravelles|2015|p=151}}<ref name=arrested/> His 216 rushing yards in the game also set an AFL record.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sargis |first=Joe |date=December 11, 1961 |title=Oilers' Billy Cannon Sets Single Game Rushing Mark |page=7 |work=Prescott Evening Courier |agency=United Press International |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=897&dat=19611211&id=zjI0AAAAIBAJ&pg=4303,3403249&hl=en |access-date=March 10, 2016}}</ref> That December 10, 1961 game is also the highest scoring single-game fantasy football performance of all time in many scoring systems.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Who Had The Most Draftkings Points In One Game In The NFL |url=https://www.statmuse.com/fantasy/ask/who-had-the-most-draftkings-points-in-one-game-in-the-nfl |access-date=2023-07-18 |website=StatMuse |language=en}}</ref> At the end of the season, he was the AFL's leading rusher with 948 yards and led the league in all-purpose yards.{{sfn|deGravelles|2015|p=150}}<ref name="Grosshandler">{{Cite journal |last=Grosshandler |first=Stanley |date=1996 |title=When Houston Struck Oil |url=http://www.profootballresearchers.org/archives/Website_Files/Coffin_Corner/18-05-665.pdf |journal=The Coffin Corner |volume=18 |issue=5 |page=1}}</ref> The Oilers repeated as [[1961 American Football League Championship Game|AFL champions]] and Cannon again was the game's MVP, scoring the only touchdown.{{sfn|deGravelles|2015|p=151}} ''[[The Sporting News]]'' named him to the [[1961 American Football League All-League Players|1961 AFL All-League Team]] and he was invited to play in the 1961 [[AFL All-Star Game]].{{sfn|deGravelles|2015|p=151}}

Cannon injured his back in the third game of the [[1962 American Football League season|1962 season]], which affected his performances, but he still finished second on the team in scoring behind Blanda.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Diliberto |first=Buddy |date=December 22, 1962 |title=What Happened to Billy Cannon? |page=8 |work=The Times-Picayune}}</ref> The Oilers reached the championship game for a third time, but lost to the [[Dallas Texans (AFL)|Dallas Texans]] in the first ever double-[[Overtime (sports)|overtime]] game in professional football history.<ref name=Grosshandler/><ref>{{Cite web |date=January 14, 2014 |title=Double overtime games in the postseason |url=http://www.nfl.com/photoessays/0ap1000000126753 |access-date=January 20, 2016 |website=NFL.com}}</ref> New leg injuries and lingering back problems caused Cannon to miss most of the [[1963 American Football League season|1963 season]].{{sfn|deGravelles|2015|p=154}} The Oilers also replaced Lemm as head coach. Because of this and his injury problems, Cannon successfully requested that the team let him leave. He later recalled: "I left the team with good feelings and a lot of good friends. It was just time to go."{{sfn|deGravelles|2015|p=155}}

===Oakland Raiders===
Cannon was traded to the [[Oakland Raiders]] before the [[1964 American Football League season|1964 season]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 9, 1964 |title=Oilers Trade Billy Cannon to Raiders |page=20 |work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |agency=Associated Press |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1129&dat=19640909&id=i9haAAAAIBAJ&pg=5191,1537215&hl=en |access-date=March 10, 2016}}</ref> 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 (gridiron football)|fullback]],{{sfn|deGravelles|2015|p=155}} where he was an asset in catching passes, an attribute not all fullbacks then possessed.{{sfn|deGravelles|2015|p=155}} After a slow start, he finished the season with 37 receptions for 454 yards and eight touchdowns.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Roesler |first=Bob |date=October 28, 1964 |title=A Word On Cannon |page=7 |work=The Times-Picayune}}</ref><ref name="pfr">{{Cite web |title=Billy Cannon NFL & AFL Football Statistics |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/CannBi00.htm |access-date=January 13, 2016 |website=Pro-Football-Reference}}</ref> He also rushed for three more touchdowns.<ref name=pfr/> [[1965 American Football League season|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 (wide receiver)|Art Powell]] and rookie [[Fred Biletnikoff]] to cover that position.{{sfn|deGravelles|2015|p=157}} He eventually accepted his new role and adapted quickly to it.{{sfn|deGravelles|2015|p=158}} However, the tight end was seldom used in the Raiders' offense.{{sfn|deGravelles|2015|p=159}} He caught only seven passes that season with no touchdowns. Before the [[1966 American Football League season|1966 season]], [[John Rauch]] took over as head coach as Al Davis became AFL commissioner and the Raiders' [[general manager (American football)|general manager]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sandomir |first=Richard |date=October 10, 2011 |title=A brash style and power plays allowed Davis to wrest control |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/11/sports/football/brash-style-and-power-plays-let-al-davis-wrest-control-of-raiders.html?_r=0 |access-date=January 12, 2016}}</ref> 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.{{sfn|deGravelles|2015|p=158}}<ref name=pfr/>

By [[1967 American Football League season|1967]], Cannon believed an AFL championship was imminent for the Raiders, and so fully embraced the team's game plan.{{sfn|deGravelles|2015|p=160}} He convinced Davis to sign Blanda as a [[placekicker]] and a mentor for quarterback [[Daryle Lamonica]].{{sfn|deGravelles|2015|p=161}} That year, Cannon led all AFL tight ends with 629 yards receiving and ten touchdowns in his most productive season at the position.{{sfn|deGravelles|2015|p=163}}<ref name=arrested/> For the second time he was an All-AFL selection, this time as a tight end.{{sfn|deGravelles|2015|p=163}} His efforts helped the Raiders to the [[1967 American Football League Championship Game|1967 AFL Championship game]] against the Oilers and a 40–7 victory over his former team.{{sfn|deGravelles|2015|p=161}} Because of [[AFL-NFL merger|a new agreement]] between the two leagues, the Raiders earned a place in the [[Super Bowl II|second AFL–NFL World Championship game]], in which they faced the [[Green Bay Packers]]. Early in the fourth quarter, Cannon dropped a pass while wide-open on a play on which he would have scored. He later described it as "the clumsiest drop of my career."{{sfn|deGravelles|2015|p=163}} Green Bay won the game, 33–14.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Super Bowl II Game Recap |url=http://www.nfl.com/superbowl/history/recap/sbii |access-date=March 10, 2016 |website=NFL.com |publisher=NFL Enterprises LLC}}</ref>

Cannon had a modest [[1968 American Football League season|1968 season]] in which he caught six touchdown passes—including one of 48 yards in the second quarter of the famous [[Heidi Game|''Heidi'' Game]]—but knew he would not be in Oakland much longer.{{sfn|deGravelles|2015|p=164}} Head coach [[John Madden]] had relegated him to running decoy routes by [[1969 American Football League season|1969]] and he had only two touchdowns.{{sfn|deGravelles|2015|p=164}} Nevertheless, he was invited as a replacement to play in his second All-Star game.<ref name=pfr/> Cannon was released by the Raiders during the 1970 preseason.<ref name="sliced">{{Cite news |date=August 31, 1970 |title=Cannon Sliced |page=7 |work=Ellensburg Daily Record |agency=United Press International |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=860&dat=19700831&id=0AVPAAAAIBAJ&pg=6610,3533687&hl=en |access-date=March 10, 2016}}</ref>{{sfn|deGravelles|2015|p=165}}

===Kansas City Chiefs and retirement===
As he was preparing to begin [[post-graduate]] studies in [[orthodontics]] at [[Loyola University Chicago|Loyola University]] in [[Chicago]], Cannon received a call from [[Kansas City Chiefs]] head coach [[Hank Stram]]. Stram signed Cannon to a one-year contract and he played in six games for the Chiefs in 1970, catching two touchdowns before a season-ending injury convinced him to retire.{{sfn|deGravelles|2015|p=166}} He ended his eleven-year professional career with 2,455 yards rushing, 3,656 receiving yards, and 64 touchdowns on offense. He also threw one touchdown pass and returned a kickoff for a touchdown.<ref name=pfr/> Cannon holds the NFL record for the most yards from scrimmage in a non-overtime game (330 against the New York Titans in 1961)<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://nflcommunications.com/Documents/2015%20NFL%20Record%20and%20Fact%20Book.pdf |title=Official 2015 National Football League Record and Fact Book |publisher=National Football League |year=2015 |editor-last=Lee |editor-first=Brenden |page=s-14 |access-date=October 30, 2016 |editor-last2=Gellerman |editor-first2=Jacob |editor-last3=King |editor-first3=Robert |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151001192546/http://www.nfl.com/static/content/public/photo/2015/07/21/0ap3000000502939.pdf |archive-date=October 1, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> and is tied with four other players for the most touchdown receptions by a running back in a season (nine in 1961).<ref>{{Cite news |last=Smith |first=Michael David |date=October 22, 2014 |title=Forte, Bradshaw flirting with running back receiving records |work=Pro Football Talk |publisher=NBC Sports |url=http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/10/22/forte-bradshaw-flirting-with-running-back-receiving-records/ |access-date=October 30, 2016}}</ref>

==Personal and later life==
Cannon married his high school sweetheart, Dot Dupuy, while they were both freshmen at LSU.<ref name=thug/> They had five children together.<ref name=Redemption/> His son [[Billy Cannon Jr.]] played as a linebacker for [[Texas A&M Aggies Football|Texas A&M]] and was selected in the first round of the [[1984 NFL draft]] by the [[Dallas Cowboys]].{{sfn|deGravelles|2015|p=182}}

Cannon Sr. graduated from LSU in 1959 and completed post-graduate studies at the [[University of Tennessee]] during the Oilers' [[off-season]].{{sfn|deGravelles|2015|p=169}} There, he earned a [[D.D.S.]]; later, he earned additional degrees in [[orthodontia]] from [[Loyola University Chicago]].{{sfn|deGravelles|2015|p=170}} After retiring from football, he returned to Baton Rouge and started his own dental practice.{{sfn|deGravelles|2015|p=171}}

Despite a successful practice, by 1983 he was in financial difficulties from bad [[real estate]] investments and [[gambling]] debts.{{sfn|deGravelles|2015|pp=183–189}} Becoming involved in a [[counterfeiting]] scheme, he printed $6 million in U.S. 100-dollar bills, some of which he stored in ice chests buried in the back yard of a house he owned and rented out.<ref name=perplex/><ref>{{Cite news |date=October 26, 1983 |title=Billy Cannon has no explanations for caper |page=2B |work=TimesDaily |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1842&dat=19831026&id=QGAeAAAAIBAJ&pg=1385,6407815&hl=en |access-date=April 6, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Kelly |first=Frank |date=November 27, 1984 |title=Heisman Trophy doesn't guarantee success |page=7D |work=Lakeland Ledger |publisher=New York Daily News |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1346&dat=19841127&id=oZIsAAAAIBAJ&pg=5486,5822847&hl=en |access-date=April 6, 2016}}</ref> Charged along with five others, he served two-and-a-half years of a five-year sentence at the [[Federal Correctional Institution, Texarkana]].<ref name=Longman/> Upon his release in 1986, he regained his dentistry license but struggled to rebuild his practice.<ref name=Redemption/> In 1995, he was hired as a dentist at the [[Louisiana State Penitentiary]], initially as a contractor. At the time, the dental clinic in the prison was in chaos; many dentists refused to work there and inmates were often unable to make appointments.<ref name=Redemption/> Cannon reorganized the dental program with great success and was soon hired as a full-time employee.{{sfn|deGravelles|2015|pp=205–207}} Warden [[Burl Cain]], impressed with Cannon's work with the dental program, put him in charge of the prison's entire medical system.<ref name=Redemption/> Cannon remained the resident dentist at the penitentiary, where inmates typically call him "Legend".<ref name=Redemption/>{{sfn|deGravelles|2015|p=xi}}

Cannon resided in [[St. Francisville, Louisiana]], with his wife. In February 2013, Cannon suffered a [[stroke]] and was hospitalized in Baton Rouge.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Samuels |first=Diana |date=February 19, 2013 |title=Billy Cannon's family confirms LSU football star had stroke |url=http://www.nola.com/news/baton-rouge/index.ssf/2013/02/billy_cannons_family_confirms.html |access-date=January 11, 2016 |website=The Times-Picayune}}</ref> He was released two days later, returned to work the following Monday, and made a full recovery.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kleinpeter |first=Jim |date=February 21, 2013 |title=Former LSU great Billy Cannon released from hospital Thursday |url=http://www.nola.com/lsu/index.ssf/2013/02/former_lsu_great_billy_cannon.html |access-date=January 11, 2016 |website=The Times-Picayune}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kleinpeter |first=Jim |date=April 16, 2013 |title=Dr. Billy Cannon bounces back quickly after February stroke |url=http://www.nola.com/lsu/index.ssf/2013/04/dr_billy_cannon_bounces_back_q.html |access-date=January 11, 2016 |website=The Times-Picayune}}</ref> Cannon died in his sleep on May 20, 2018, at his home in St. Francisville, at the age of 80.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Schudel |first=Matt |date=May 23, 2018 |title=Billy Cannon, 1959 Heisman Trophy winner later convicted of counterfeiting, dies at 80 |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/billy-cannon-1959-heisman-trophy-winner-later-convicted-of-counterfeiting-dies-at-80/2018/05/23/49c0ab0a-5de9-11e8-b2b8-08a538d9dbd6_story.html?noredirect=on |access-date=June 21, 2018}}</ref>

==Legacy and honors==
Cannon remains a respected and iconic figure in Louisiana sports despite his legal troubles.<ref name=Huston/><ref name=Redemption/><ref name=Longman/> During a homecoming game for LSU in [[2003 LSU Tigers football team|2003]], he was honored by the university as he stood on the field between the first and second quarters. Fans gave a long standing ovation and players raised their helmets in salute, leading athletic director [[Skip Bertman]] to proclaim to a friend, "He's still the icon, isn't he?"<ref name=Longman/> A video of his punt return on Halloween night in 1959 is still played on the jumbotron in Tiger Stadium before every home game.<ref name=thug/> In a reader poll conducted by ''[[The Times-Picayune]]'' in 2013 to name LSU's best player since 1940, Cannon finished first by a landslide margin.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Roach |first=John |date=August 28, 2013 |title=LSU's Top 50 players since 1940: the final results |work=The Times-Picayune |url=http://www.nola.com/lsu/index.ssf/2013/08/lsus_top_50_players_since_1940.html |access-date=December 29, 2016}}</ref>

Until [[Joe Burrow|Joe Burrow's]] win in 2019,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-12-15 |title=Bayou bliss: LSU QB Burrow takes home Heisman |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/28298763/bayou-bliss-lsu-qb-joe-burrow-takes-home-heisman |access-date=2024-10-22 |website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press |language=en}}</ref> Cannon was LSU's only Heisman winner. Shortly after the 1959 season, the LSU football team [[Retired number|retired]] his number 20 jersey.<ref name=mediaguide/> It was the only jersey retired by the team until [[Tommy Casanova]]'s number 37 was also retired in 2009.<ref name="ret">{{Cite web |last=Vincent |first=Herb |date=October 29, 2009 |title=LSU Retires Three Legends' Jerseys |url=http://www.lsusports.net/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=3739543 |access-date=January 11, 2016 |website=LSUsports.net |archive-date=January 29, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160129113257/http://www.lsusports.net/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=3739543 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 1969, he was selected as a halfback on the AP's "Southeast Area All-Time Football Team: 1920–1969 era".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Harwell |first=Hoyt |date=July 26, 1969 |title=Committee Selects All-time Grid Teams of Southeastern Area |page=15 |work=TimesDaily |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=wHA0AAAAIBAJ&pg=822%2C3756799 |access-date=August 24, 2016}}</ref> In 1975, Cannon was inducted into the [[LSU Athletic Hall of Fame]], followed by the [[Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame]] the next year.<ref name=mediaguide/> He had originally been elected to the [[College Football Hall of Fame]] in 1983, but the hall rescinded the honor before his induction due to his confessed involvement in the counterfeiting scheme.<ref name="Redemption">{{Cite web |last=Thompson |first=Wright |date=October 20, 2009 |title=The Redemption of Billy Cannon |url=https://www.espn.com/espn/eticket/story?page=091030BillyCannon&redirected=true |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150827060617/http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/eticket/story?page=091030BillyCannon |archive-date=August 27, 2015 |access-date=September 24, 2016 |website=Outside the Lines |publisher=ESPN}}</ref> The hall elected him a second time in 2008, and he was formally inducted during a ceremony on December 9 of that year.<ref>{{Cite web |last=LSU Sports Interactive |date=October 29, 2009 |title=Tiger Great Billy Cannon Elected to College Football Hall of Fame |url=http://www.lsusports.net/ViewArticle.dbml?&ATCLID=1455632&DB_OEM_ID=5200 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303181845/http://www.lsusports.net/ViewArticle.dbml?&ATCLID=1455632&DB_OEM_ID=5200 |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |access-date=January 8, 2016 |website=LSUsports.net}}</ref> In 2012, Cannon was retrospectively given the [[Jet Award]] as a "legacy" winner for the 1959 season, honoring the top [[return specialist]] in college football.<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 9, 2014 |title=Stanford's Montgomery Named 2013 "The Jet" Return Specialist Award Winner |work=TheStreet.com |agency=PR Newswire |url=https://www.thestreet.com/story/12220910/2/stanfords-montgomery-named-2013-the-jet-return-specialist-award-winner.html |url-status=bot: unknown |access-date=September 24, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160924202226/https://www.thestreet.com/story/12220910/2/stanfords-montgomery-named-2013-the-jet-return-specialist-award-winner.html |archive-date=September 24, 2016}}</ref> A statue honoring Cannon was erected near Tiger Stadium and unveiled on September 28, 2018, one night before LSU's annual rivalry game vs. Ole Miss.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mickles |first=Sheldon |date=September 19, 2018 |title=LSU to unveil Billy Cannon statue outside Tiger Stadium night before matchup with Ole Miss |work=The Advocate |url=https://www.theadvocate.com/acadiana/sports/article_d40c749a-bc6e-11e8-8e32-7ffb1600b9dd.html |access-date=October 6, 2018}}</ref>

==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==
{{Reflist|30em}}

;Bibliography
{{refbegin}}
* {{Cite book |last=Blevins |first=Dave |title=College Football Awards: All National and Conference Winners Through 2010 |date=August 31, 2012 |publisher=McFarland |isbn=978-0-7864-4867-8}}
* {{Cite book |last=deGravelles |first=Charles |title=Billy Cannon: A Long, Long Run |date=2015 |publisher=Louisiana State University Press |isbn=978-0-8071-6220-0 |location=Baton Rouge, LA}}
* {{Cite book |last=Jones |first=Danny |title=Lost Treasures from the Golden Era of America's Game: Pro Football's Forgotten Heroes and Legends of the 50s, 60s, and 70s |date=2011 |publisher=[[AuthorHouse]] |isbn=978-1-4567-1685-1}}
* {{Cite book |last=Vincent |first=Herb |title=LSU Football Vault: The History of the Fighting Tigers |date=2008 |publisher=Whitman Publishing, LLC |isbn=978-0-7948-2428-0}}
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20150613214715/http://www.lsusports.net/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=1450545 LSU profile]
* {{College Football HoF|2223}}
* {{Heisman|billy-cannon}}
* {{Footballstats |nfl=billy-cannon |espn= |cbs= |yahoo= |si= |pfr=C/CannBi00 |rotoworld= }}

{{Navboxes
|list1=
{{1960 NFL Draft}}
{{NFL NumberOne Draft Picks}}
{{Los Angeles Rams 1960 draft navbox}}
{{RamsFirstPick}}
{{TitansFirstPick}}
{{LSU Tigers football rushing leaders navbox}}
{{1958 LSU Tigers football navbox}}
{{1960 Houston Oilers}}
{{1961 Houston Oilers}}
{{1967 Oakland Raiders}}
{{1958 College Football Consensus All-Americans}}
{{1959 College Football Consensus All-Americans}}
{{Southeastern Conference Football Player of the Year navbox}}
{{Sporting News College Football Player of the Year}}
{{UPI College Football Player of the Year}}
{{Heisman Winners}}
{{American Football League rushing yards leaders}}
}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cannon, Billy}}
[[Category:1937 births]]
[[Category:2018 deaths]]
[[Category:20th-century American dentists]]
[[Category:American football fullbacks]]
[[Category:American football halfbacks]]
[[Category:American football tight ends]]
[[Category:American football safeties]]
[[Category:American football return specialists]]
[[Category:LSU Tigers football players]]
[[Category:Houston Oilers players]]
[[Category:Oakland Raiders players]]
[[Category:Kansas City Chiefs players]]
[[Category:American Football League players]]
[[Category:American Football League All-Star players]]
[[Category:American Football League All-League players]]
[[Category:American Football League rushing leaders]]
[[Category:College Football Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:Heisman Trophy winners]]
[[Category:First overall NFL draft picks]]
[[Category:University of Tennessee College of Dentistry alumni]]
[[Category:Loyola University Chicago alumni]]
[[Category:American counterfeiters]]
[[Category:Istrouma High School alumni]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Philadelphia, Mississippi]]
[[Category:People from St. Francisville, Louisiana]]
[[Category:Players of American football from Baton Rouge, Louisiana]]
[[Category:Players of American football from Mississippi]]
[[Category:American sportspeople convicted of crimes]]