LSU legend and former Heisman winner Billy Cannon dies at 80
The college football world was dealt a tough loss on Sunday when it was announced that former Louisiana State star running back Billy Cannon died at the age of 80.
The LSU football Twitter account broke the news, saying Cannon had died peacefully in his home.
Billy Cannon passed away peacefully in his home early Sunday morning. He was 80 years old. The entire #LSU family mourns with the Cannons and his loved ones. He will never be forgotten. #20 pic.twitter.com/pCcCbPTmEG
— LSU Football (@LSUfootball) May 20, 2018
Cannon’s list of accomplishments makes him a bona fide legend in Louisiana lore.
He burst onto the scene in 1958, spearheading a Tigers team that eventually won the national championship that year. He notched 686 yards rushing, at a whopping 6 yards per pop, to go along with 10 rushing touchdowns.
At first blush, his numbers don’t seem mind-boggling, but it should be noted that he played in a very different era of football from what many are used to today.
Cannon followed up his 1958 championship year with a Heisman-winning season in 1959.
God gained a humble angel. Many accolades that he accomplished during his time at LSU was amazing, but the character that Mr.Cannon showed was unbelievable. Prayers to the entire LSU & Cannon FAMILY #20 pic.twitter.com/l3JzJmD0p4
— DEVIN WHITE (@DevinWhite__40) May 20, 2018
Between those two 1958 and 1959 seasons, Cannon established himself as one of the very best running backs in the country.
In both years, he was the SEC Player of the Year, a unanimous All-American and first-team All-SEC. Just to reiterate, that’s in both the 1958 and 1959 seasons.
Cannon also has one of the most iconic plays in college football history to his credit.
In a defensive struggle in 1959 against Ole Miss, Cannon pulled off not just one of the greatest plays in LSU history, but one of the greatest plays in college football history.
With the Tigers trailing 3-0 to Ole Miss on Halloween night, Cannon uncorked a brilliant 89-yard punt return touchdown to win the game. Cannon dodged defenders and broke tackles en route to the score.
Even in grainy black and white footage, it is quite an impressive play.
Cannon was born in Mississippi in 1937. He moved to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, soon thereafter, as his father worked there during World War II. Noted as a three-sport athlete in high school, Cannon excelled in football, basketball and track.
Sad day for all of us…
-Legend
-Inspiration
-GOATRIP, Billy#ForeverLSU https://t.co/ywcKeACS52
— Matt Flynn (@mflynn3) May 20, 2018
He is still the only LSU football player to ever win a Heisman Trophy.
Cannon was also inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008.
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