REDEMPTION...

One of the more interesting life stories in sports is that of Billy Cannon. 25 years after first being elected to the College Football Hall of Fame, Cannon was finally inducted this week. His initial invitation was rescinded when he was arrested on Federal counterfeiting charges in 1983.



Billy truly has had the highest highs and the lowest lows. From poor beginnings in a rough neighborhood, he used his physical talent to become a Heisman Trophy winner at LSU, and lead the Tigers to a National Championship. My Daddy & Granddaddy were in Tiger Stadium on October 31, 1959 when Billy made "the Halloween run" that forever made him a legend in Baton Rouge. Few remember that Cannon made the game-saving tackle against Ole Miss that night, too.

There is a good video posted here, if you've got 3 minutes and like old college football classics.

After a pro career with the AFL Houston Oilers and Oakland Raiders, Billy used his brains to graduate from Dental School, and opened a practice in Baton Rouge. He was set for life!

He was no dummy...well...I guess he was. Counterfeiting! I remember hearing the news that Cannon had been arrested on Federal counterfeiting charges. I couldn't believe it. But it was true.

Billy served 2 1/2 years of a 5 year sentence and came out a broken man. He couldn't buy a patient for his dental practice. But Billy didn't quit. He kept plugging to try to "redeem the time." Over the years Billy has struggled to rebuild his reputation and share what he's learned from his failures with others. He became a Prison Dentist, and used that job to try to help straighten out more than just the teeth of convicts.

He has spent years traveling Louisiana speaking to high school athletes. He shares with aspiring kids the pitfalls of fame...the things that are really important in life...what not to do with your life...overcoming adversity, etc.

I think I'm a pretty good judge of people. I've watched Billy over the years, and I don't see a hint of fake in the old man. Some redemption comes "free." But some redemption is "earned." I congratulate Billy...he's earned it.

Good article here:

As an electrifying running back at LSU, he became an All-American, a Heisman Trophy winner and a national champion. He was smart enough to become a dentist and misguided enough to become a bankrupt convicted felon.

His newest title: member of the College Football Hall of Fame.

Twenty-two years after being released from prison and 11 since he was unemployed and broke, Cannon's life is in order and his greatest accomplishments are being celebrated.

"I don't look back, they might be gaining on me," said Cannon...(more)