Untitled Billy Cannon Exhibit An Exhibition for the Capitol Park Museum October 2024 or 2025 Panel #1 Introduction
In Louisiana State University football, there are few more iconic players than Billy Cannon. The university’s first Heisman trophy winner and first to have his number (20) retired, Cannon’s prowess on the gridiron is undeniable. And his famous 89-yard punt return on Halloween night 1959 continues to be featured in LSU team highlights.
But Billy Cannon’s story may start with football, but it ends with a need for redemption. A federal counterfeit conviction in 1983 seemed to be the fall from grace that would make “Cannon” an infamous name rather than a famous one.
But, with a grace not held by many, Billy Cannon proved that making …show more content…
Despite this, in 1967 he led tight ends with 629 receiving yards and ten touchdowns. The Raiders would defeat the Oilers, Cannon’s former team, 407 at the 1967 AFL Championship and participate in the second AFLNFL World Championship, now known as Superbowl II, against the Green Bay Packers. The Raiders would lose this game 3314, with Billy Cannon having the “clumsiest drop of [his] career.”
Panel #6 Retirement, Post Football, and Fall from Grace.
After being released by the Oakland Raiders during the 1970 preseason, the Kansas City Chiefs signed Billy Cannon for a one-year contract. Having played six games, Cannon suffered a career-ending injury. resulting in his retirement from professional football.
Having completed post-graduate studies and a D.D.S. at the University of Tennessee in the Oilers off-season and additional orthodontia degrees from Loyola University of Chicago, Cannon returned to Baton Rouge to open his own dental …show more content…
And in 1995, he was given the opportunity to use his experience as a dentist and former inmate to make a difference in the lives of incarcerated prisoners.
Panel #7 Redemption and Legacy.
By 1995 Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola was facing federal charges over their dreadful conditions and Burl Cain, the newly appointed warden, sought to remedy this. He hired Billy Cannon not only as the prison’s new dentist, but also as medical administrator to revamp all medical programs. Details of specific reforms. By the end of the nineties, the federal suit was lifted from Angola because of Cannon’s administrative efficiency. But more than that, Cannon’s empathy for the inmates and his athletic reputation led to earning the nickname “Legend” from the inmates.
Certainly legendary, Billy Cannon will continue to be known for his iconic Halloween run, his overall athletic prowess, and his generosity. Not only did Cannon participate in fundraising for LSU, but also the Johnny Robinson Boys Home in Monroe. Robinson, an ex-LSU teammate of Cannon, dedicated his life to caring for homeless boys, which was a cause that genuinely moved
In Louisiana State University football, there are few more iconic players than Billy Cannon. The university’s first Heisman trophy winner and first to have his number (20) retired, Cannon’s prowess on the gridiron is undeniable. And his famous 89-yard punt return on Halloween night 1959 continues to be featured in LSU team highlights.
But Billy Cannon’s story may start with football, but it ends with a need for redemption. A federal counterfeit conviction in 1983 seemed to be the fall from grace that would make “Cannon” an infamous name rather than a famous one.
But, with a grace not held by many, Billy Cannon proved that making …show more content…
Despite this, in 1967 he led tight ends with 629 receiving yards and ten touchdowns. The Raiders would defeat the Oilers, Cannon’s former team, 407 at the 1967 AFL Championship and participate in the second AFLNFL World Championship, now known as Superbowl II, against the Green Bay Packers. The Raiders would lose this game 3314, with Billy Cannon having the “clumsiest drop of [his] career.”
Panel #6 Retirement, Post Football, and Fall from Grace.
After being released by the Oakland Raiders during the 1970 preseason, the Kansas City Chiefs signed Billy Cannon for a one-year contract. Having played six games, Cannon suffered a career-ending injury. resulting in his retirement from professional football.
Having completed post-graduate studies and a D.D.S. at the University of Tennessee in the Oilers off-season and additional orthodontia degrees from Loyola University of Chicago, Cannon returned to Baton Rouge to open his own dental …show more content…
And in 1995, he was given the opportunity to use his experience as a dentist and former inmate to make a difference in the lives of incarcerated prisoners.
Panel #7 Redemption and Legacy.
By 1995 Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola was facing federal charges over their dreadful conditions and Burl Cain, the newly appointed warden, sought to remedy this. He hired Billy Cannon not only as the prison’s new dentist, but also as medical administrator to revamp all medical programs. Details of specific reforms. By the end of the nineties, the federal suit was lifted from Angola because of Cannon’s administrative efficiency. But more than that, Cannon’s empathy for the inmates and his athletic reputation led to earning the nickname “Legend” from the inmates.
Certainly legendary, Billy Cannon will continue to be known for his iconic Halloween run, his overall athletic prowess, and his generosity. Not only did Cannon participate in fundraising for LSU, but also the Johnny Robinson Boys Home in Monroe. Robinson, an ex-LSU teammate of Cannon, dedicated his life to caring for homeless boys, which was a cause that genuinely moved