Billy Cannon, LSU's only Heisman Trophy winner, dies at age 80
Dr. Billy Cannon, LSU's only Heisman Trophy winner regarded as the school's greatest ever football player, died in his sleep Sunday morning at the age of 80.
Playing on both sides of the ball as most players did in the 1950s, Cannon led the Tigers in his junior year to its first national championship in 1958 and he won the Heisman as a senior in 1959.
He delivered the most memorable moment in LSU football history and one of most unforgettable in college history in 1959 on a foggy Halloween night in Tiger Stadium.
His 89-yard touchdown punt return gave defending national champions a 7-3 victory to extend their winning streak to 18 games. A goal line stand with 18 seconds left preserved the LSU win in a game on a wet field that was a battle of field position. Cannon's run was his signature moment that helped him win the Heisman Trophy.
A private ceremony for Cannon is planned for early this week. Details for a public remembrance later this week will be announced. The Cannon family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Johnny Robinson's Boys Home and the Tiger Athletic Foundation Billy Cannon Endowed Scholarship.
"Billy Cannon was LSU football through and through," LSU head football coach Ed Orgeron said. "He was a legend. He will be missed and never forgotten."
Read it all: http://www.nola.com/lsu/index.ssf/2018/05/billy_cannon_lsus_only_heisman.html
Playing on both sides of the ball as most players did in the 1950s, Cannon led the Tigers in his junior year to its first national championship in 1958 and he won the Heisman as a senior in 1959.
He delivered the most memorable moment in LSU football history and one of most unforgettable in college history in 1959 on a foggy Halloween night in Tiger Stadium.
His 89-yard touchdown punt return gave defending national champions a 7-3 victory to extend their winning streak to 18 games. A goal line stand with 18 seconds left preserved the LSU win in a game on a wet field that was a battle of field position. Cannon's run was his signature moment that helped him win the Heisman Trophy.
A private ceremony for Cannon is planned for early this week. Details for a public remembrance later this week will be announced. The Cannon family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Johnny Robinson's Boys Home and the Tiger Athletic Foundation Billy Cannon Endowed Scholarship.
"Billy Cannon was LSU football through and through," LSU head football coach Ed Orgeron said. "He was a legend. He will be missed and never forgotten."
Read it all: http://www.nola.com/lsu/index.ssf/2018/05/billy_cannon_lsus_only_heisman.html
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