LSU legend Cannon, who won Heisman in ’59, dies at 80

Billy Cannon, who won the Heisman in 1959 during an electrifying college career at LSU, has passed away at the age of 80, the university announced on Sunday.

Cannon died peacefully in his sleep., according to a tweet from LSU.

“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,” the tweet read.

Cannon played all over the field for the Tigers, taking snaps at halfback, fullback and tight end on offense and playing defensive back and returning kicks as well. He led the team to an undefeated national championship season in 1958, scoring the only points in a 7-0 Sugar Bowl win against rival Clemson to seal the title.

He followed that with his 1959 Heisman-winning campaign, highlighted by an 89-yard punt return touchdown to beat No. 3 Ole Miss on Halloween. The Rebels had led the No. 1 Tigers 3-0 in the fourth quarter when Cannon took the punt on a bounce and went the distance.

Cannon was drafted No. 1 overall in both the AFL and NFL drafts in 1960. He originally agreed to a deal with the Los Angeles Rams of the NFL, but then agreed to a more lucrative deal with the AFL’s Houston Oilers, sparking a lawsuit by the Rams. A judge ruled in favor of the Oilers, paving the way for Cannon to become the first professional football player to sign a deal worth $100,000.

He later played for the Oakland Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs before retiring after a season-ending injury in 1970.

Cannon was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008 and his No. 20 is one of only two retired numbers at LSU. Tommy Casanova is the other. Jerry Stovall will have his number retired this season.

He became a dentist after leaving football and worked at the Louisiana State Penitentiary until his death.

–Field Level Media