The Raiders’ family is mourning the passing of former running back/tight end Billy Cannon. The 1959 Heisman trophy winner out of LSU was a key member of the Raiders’ 1967 AFL Championship team. He played for the Silver and Black from 1964 - 1969.
Cannon was drafted by both the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League and the Houston Oilers of the American Football League. He was selected first overall by the Rams and was also the first pick in Oilers history.
The Raiders acquired Cannon via trade on Sept. 8, 1964.
The Oakland Tribune’s George Ross wrote:
“Cannon, the AFL's first superstar, former Heisman trophy winner and twice an All-Amencan back at Louisiana State University, came to Oakland yesterday in exchange for three football players, flanker Dobie Craig, guard Sonny Bishop, and fullback Bob Jackson …
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