Heisman Trophy winner and NFL player who later became a dentist, known for his impressive athletic career and unusual transition to dentistry.
Billy Cannon, born William Abb Cannon Sr., is an American football icon, renowned for his exceptional skills as a halfback and tight end in the American Football League (AFL) and National Football League (NFL). He is perhaps most famously known for winning the Heisman Trophy in 1959, cementing his status as one of the greatest college football players of all time.
Born on August 2, 1937, in Philadelphia, Mississippi, Cannon grew up with a passion for sports, eventually earning a scholarship to Louisiana State University (LSU). At LSU, he played college football as a halfback, return specialist, and safety, leading the Tigers to a national championship in 1958. His impressive performance earned him unanimous All-American recognition twice, solidifying his position as one of the top players in the country.
In 1959, Cannon's remarkable punt return against Ole Miss on Halloween night became an iconic moment in LSU sports history, contributing to his Heisman Trophy win that year. As the first overall pick in the 1960 NFL Draft, Cannon was also selected as a first-round territorial pick in the 1960 American Football League (AFL) draft, sparking a contract dispute that ultimately resolved in court. He began his professional career as a halfback for the Houston Oilers, earning two AFL All-Star selections and leading the league in rushing and all-purpose yards in 1961. Cannon's exceptional performance earned him the Most Valuable Player title in the first two AFL championship games, both of which the Oilers won.
After playing for the Oakland Raiders, Cannon concluded his football career with the Kansas City Chiefs in the NFL. Following his retirement from football, he pursued a new career as a dentist, eventually becoming involved in a counterfeiting scheme that led to a two-and-a-half-year prison sentence in 1983. In 1995, Cannon began working as a dentist at Louisiana State Penitentiary, a position he held until his passing in 2018.
Cannon's jersey number 20 was retired by LSU football in 1960, and he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1983. His impressive football career and legacy have inspired generations of athletes and fans alike, solidifying his place as one of the greatest players in American football history.
Billy Cannon's remarkable journey, marked by exceptional athletic ability, personal struggles, and redemption, serves as an inspiration to athletes and individuals alike, reminding us of the importance of perseverance, hard work, and dedication.
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