Professional Football Researchers Association Forum

Andy Johnson, former New England Patriots' running back died May 16, at the age of 65.

http://www.augustachronicle.com/news/20 ... hnson-dies

Former Bears & Steelers G Ralph Jecha died May 15th, aged 86.

http://www.zarzyckimanorchapels.com/obi ... ituaryInfo

Former Seahawk and Dolphin Don Testerman died on May 8 at the age of 65:

https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/sea ... at-age-65/

Billy Cannon, Heisman Trophy winner, Former Houston Oilers, Oakland Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs halfback, fullback and tight end died May 20, at the age of 80.


http://www.espn.com/college-football/st ... phy-winner

Eagles One wrote:Billy Cannon, Heisman Trophy winner, Former Houston Oilers, Oakland Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs halfback, fullback and tight end died May 20, at the age of 80.


http://www.espn.com/college-football/st ... phy-winner

Billy Cannon. The biggest star in college football when I was 8-9 years old. And very important for the credibility of the AFL to sign him in 1960.

In 2001 I was at a sports memorabilia show. Several famous former and present football players were signing autographs, among them Billy Cannon and Bo Jackson. I was standing next to a man about my age and remarked, "Billy Cannon was a bigger star at LSU In his time than Bo Jackson at Auburn was in his." He quickly nodded his head in agreement.

After serving time in federal prison for counterfeiting, Dr. Billy Cannon worked at Angola State Prison. Once someone told Cannon he had too much sympathy for the inmates, many doing life for murder. Cannon replied, "It is empathy, not sympathy. I've done time myself." The inmates, many of them LSU fans, saw Billy Cannon as "the man who put LSU football on the map." Which he did.

It was hardly Billy Cannon who put LSU football "on the map."
If anything, it was Coach Paul Dietzel, the 1958 undefeated season, and the catchy nickname "Chinese Bandits" shock troop second string defense.
The 1958 Tigers were a three-platoon team with a "White" unit that played both ways as the starters. Cannon was the featured back on that unit which also had a fellow named Johnny Robinson at the other halfback spot. Yes - THAT Johmmy Robinson.
The second unit which played mostly only offense was the "Go" team. The fullback on that unit was Tommy Davis who also did most of the place-kicking. Yes - THAT Tommy Davis.
Finally, there was the "Chinese Bandits" used almost exclusively on defense and noted for a number of goal line stands. A guy named Mel Branch was a member of that squad and, again, yes - THAT Mel Branch.
Cannon was a druggie and a drunk and an ex-convict who turned his later life around and maybe helped put rehabilitation on the map.
To say he put LSU football on the map is to say one doesn't know much about LSU football or the SEC (that's Southeast Conference.)
An SI (that's Sports Illustrated) headline read "The Cannon Roars' but there was a lot of other artillery on the Tiger sideline.
Billy Cannon died on the date of his jersey number.
R.I.P. #20

Former line judge and referee Tom Dooley, who worked in the NFL from 1978 through 1991, died on May 9th in Charlotte. He was 83 years old.

Dooley was the line judge in Super Bowl XV and was moved to referee the following season. He wore no. 6 for the majority of his career.

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/charlo ... fhid=40084

zachary stephen wrote:It was hardly Billy Cannon who put LSU football "on the map."
If anything, it was Coach Paul Dietzel, the 1958 undefeated season, and the catchy nickname "Chinese Bandits" shock troop second string defense.
The 1958 Tigers were a three-platoon team with a "White" unit that played both ways as the starters. Cannon was the featured back on that unit which also had a fellow named Johnny Robinson at the other halfback spot. Yes - THAT Johmmy Robinson.
The second unit which played mostly only offense was the "Go" team. The fullback on that unit was Tommy Davis who also did most of the place-kicking. Yes - THAT Tommy Davis.
Finally, there was the "Chinese Bandits" used almost exclusively on defense and noted for a number of goal line stands. A guy named Mel Branch was a member of that squad and, again, yes - THAT Mel Branch.
Cannon was a druggie and a drunk and an ex-convict who turned his later life around and maybe helped put rehabilitation on the map.
To say he put LSU football on the map is to say one doesn't know much about LSU football or the SEC (that's Southeast Conference.)
An SI (that's Sports Illustrated) headline read "The Cannon Roars' but there was a lot of other artillery on the Tiger sideline.
Billy Cannon died on the date of his jersey number.
R.I.P. #20

I've followed the SEC since 1959. I remember seeing Billy Cannon play on TV for LSU, in particular the TD pass he threw in the 1959 Sugar Bowl for the only score in LSU's 7-0 victory over Clemson. I remember Tennessee beating LSU 14-13 the week after Cannon's Halloween night punt return TD. Cannon gained 122 yards and a TD but was stopped short on a two-point conversion enabling Tennessee to hold on and win. I watched the 1960 Sugar Bowl on TV when Ole MIss beat LSU 21-0 in a rematch.

During the 60's I regularly listened to LSU football on WWL New Orleans on Saturday nights. The signal came through loud and clear in Tennessee.

And to an old-line SEC fan, it's not the "Southeast Conference," it's the Southeastern Conference.

Dick Deschaine, former punter with the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns died on May 20, at the age of 87.


https://247sports.com/nfl/green-bay-pac ... -118476166