LISTEN IN: Tiger Rag chats with Billy Cannon
May 1, 2008 - © 2008 Tiger Rag
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TigerRag.com chats with College Football Hall of Fame inductee elect Billy Cannon
by Matt Deville
Senior Editor
Billy Cannon is headed to the College Football Hall of Fame - and TigerRag.com caught up with the Heisman Trophy winner Thursday afternoon.
Louisiana Network sports director and TigerRag.com correspondent Jeff palermo chatted with Cannon Thursday afternoon after it was learned the former Tiger great would be inducted into the hall of fame next December.
Listen as Cannon talks candidly about his first induction to the hall in the 1980s and how the honor was rescinded after he served time in federal prison. Also, listen to the 70-year-old’s feelings as he accepts an honor for accomplishments from half a century ago.
Billy, I knew you many years ago, and I am sure that you will not remember me, but I have been on your side from your high school days. I am very happy to know that you are a BORN AGAIN CHRISTIAN, God bless you and your family. I agree with you that the 1958 CHAMPIONS were the very best, it was my honor to know most of them and the coaches of that time…I am a bit older than you, I just turned 84, I, by the way, PAUL and I happen to be the same age, talk with a few of them every now and then. I was a recruiter for many years and love and enjoy all you guys, especially SCOUTER PURVIS, JOHN ROBERTSON AND OF COURSE THE KIDS THAT ARE HERE IN LAKE CHARLES, AND A BIG OLE BOY IN LAFAYETTE THAT YOU THREW A HALF BACK PASS TO A LONG TIME AGO!!! I should not start naming them because I will miss some and I loved all the kids. Again, GOD BLESS YOU AND YOURS BROTHER, and if I do not see you here, I WILL SEE YOU UP THERE, I lost my dear wife PEARLEY OCT. 29, 2005, almost killed me, and we were together 66 years, we were so close, that is why it hurts so, I thank GOD for her every day!!! Thanks for the good times, you were the very best, and deserve to be in the Hall!!! maranatha!!! I still remember that 9.1 hundred in FLORIDA that you ran…GOD BLESS!!!
i think billy cannon is the best athethe to come out of louisiana, and i admire him not only for his atheltic ability but also the way he handled adversity. he made mistakes, but in public, he never tried to down play or minimize what happened that disgraced him and his family (and many friends and fans). he served his time wihtout asking for concessions because of who he was, and after serving his time, he for many years helped the unfortunate people who were down on their luck who needed his dental services,. i am happy that he and all those who loved his game and persona get to share in the re-recognition of the accomplishments of this great athelte and the 1958/59 team. like pete maravich, he will always be remember by those who followed his career as one of the all time greats.
I was at the first lsu-tulane 62-0 game at tulane stadium which, in the second half, showcased the great talent of that team; the broken field running of scooter purvis and the booming punts of tommy davis that day, not to mention billy and johnny robinson’s interceptions and runs for touchdowns. and by the way, that was a good tulane team lead by richie petibone who had had a great year, but finished with minus yardage that day. I am happy this day is coming for the cannon extended family. way to go billy.
God bless Billy Cannon and LSU!
This is wrong. Billy Cannon is a convicted felon. The College Football Hall of Fame has rules for admission. They are:
Each player nominated must have:
(1) received major first-team All-America recognition;
(2) played his last intercollegiate game at least 10 years previously;
(3) retired from playing professional football; and
(4) proven himself worthy as a citizen after his football career, carrying the ideals of football forward into his community.
I’d say Billy definitely has NOT lived up to the 4th requirement. What message does this send to our younger athletes?
HEY, THAT LAST RESPONDER SHOWED HOW IGNORANT HE REALLY IS .THE POINT IS WELL TAKEN THAT BILLY HAS MADE A FEW MISTAKES. A REAL CHRISTIAN WOULD FORGIVE HIM. HOWEVER I REALIZE SOME PEOPLE ARE HOLLIER THAN THOU AND DON ‘T HAVE THE COURAGE TO LIST THEIR TRANSGRESSIONS ON THIS SITE. GETTING TO THE POINT, HE HAS SERVED HIS TIME AND MADE AMENDS NOT ONLY FOR THE WORLD’S BENEFIT BUT TO GOD. IN THE FUTURE WORRY MORE ABOUT YOUR OWN SINS . LET HE WHO HAS NO SIN CAST THE FIRST STONE. THANK YOU AND GEAUX TIGERS.
Dear Chris,
This is not about my sins or anyone else’s but about a crime committed by Billy Cannon. I’m sure God Has forgiven him, as he forgives all. I forgive Billy, but actions have consequences. The Rules are clear, and for the life of me, I can’t quite figure out why they have been disregarded. Billy Cannon is a big boy and knew full well what he did would land him in jail and affect his life forever, but he did it anyway. Convicted felons cannot vote, cannot hold public office, cannot possess or own firearms, etc. , and they shouldn’t be allowed into the Hall of Fame, otherwise don’t make such a rule.
I’m not trying to act “hollier (sp.) than thou” as you say. Don’t judge what kind of Christian you think I am. You don’t know what’s in my heart, only God knows that. By doing so you put yourself on a pedestal as being holier than thou. This is not about my sins, as I am not being inducted into the hall of fame. As far as listing my transgressions, I wasn’t aware that that was a requirement or even a suggestion. Although I did notice that you too lack the courage. I can say with a high degree of certainty that if this were a former Auburn or Alabama player in the same situation your opinion on the matter would not be so forgiving. Ignorance is curable, all it takes is learning, but your affliction is stupidity for turning a blind eye to Billy’s crime because he is an LSU legend. Again, I say we need better examples in society for our children to look up to than convicted felons. Geaux Tigers!
I HAVE BEEN AN ADMIRER OF BILLY CANNON SINCE 1957 AND HAVE LOVED HIM UNCONDITIONALLY EVER SINCE. JESUS BACAME MY PERSONAL SOVOIUR IN 1989 AND I HAVE PRAYED FOR BILLY AND HIS FAMILY A LOT OF TIMES. AS A PHOTOGRAPHER AND SPORTS WRITER I HAVE SNUBBED THE HALL FOR SNUBBING HIM. IT’S GREAT TO KNOW THAT BILLY HAS BEEN SAVED. AND THE HALL HAS REALIZED THAT HE HAS PAID HIS DEBT TO SOCIETY. I’M SO SICK OF EVERYBODY WANTING TO ACCENTUATE THE NEGATIVE BOTH THE PUBLIC AND MEDIA. GOD BLESS YOU BILLY CANNON””YOU HANG IN THERE LIKE A WET SQUIRREL”” THE HEREAFTER IS WHAI IT IS ALL ABOUT”
i recently met billy cannon at at memory walk for the alzheimer’s association. he was there signing autographs for this great cause. he was as gracious and humble as anyone i have ever met. thank you billy cannon and it was a pleasure meeting you.
There is really no way you have enough space to contain what I have to say about Mr. Billy Cannon, Sr. I had the exteme pleasure of having my picture taken with him, spoke briefly to him and later a quick good bye to him. I cannot tell you what an honor it was to be in his presence. I have read and reread the “The Redemption
of Billy Cannon” by Wright Thompson. It captures in a few words what I would love to
read in a full length book one day. He was kind and gracious to me and always has been.
What needs to happen is someone Billy really trusts to sit down comfortably with him
and get down on paper a true life story, one that would cover all aspects of his past
life. I pray to God that happens soon. If I had the experience, I sign up for the job
last week. Wright Thompson might be just the one.
Billy, my you live a long life with much more pleasure and happiness to come. If ever
I could do something for him or his family I would drop EVERYTHING to do it!
Thanks for the space, Tom Woltz Sr./Houston writer and poet.