Cannon in hospital following stroke

Dr. Billy Cannon

ANGOLA — LSU football legend Billy Cannon was in intensive care Tuesday afternoon after suffering a stroke earlier in the day.

Louisiana State Penitentiary Warden Burl Cain said a prison ambulance transported the former LSU football star to a Baton Rouge hospital about 12:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Cannon, 75, the 1959 Heisman Trophy winner, is a dentist and has been director of the prison’s dental program for about 15 years.

An LSU athletic department news release Tuesday confirmed that Cannon had a stroke.

“LSU football legend Billy Cannon has been hospitalized due to a stroke, but he is alert and resting, his family informed LSU Tuesday afternoon,” the statement said. “Doctors will conduct tests to determine the extent of the stroke. … The family expressed its thanks for the prayers and concerns of friends and fans.”

Comments

1) Comment by speakthetruth - 20/02/2013

This is what Louisiana is, the land of okedokes. We honor our convicted felons only if they did hard time. Just because a person has done their time doesn't mean their past goes away. That is why there is a habitual offender program. BC is a convicted felon who did years in prison for attempting to get rich quick by breaking the law. Says a lot about a person, but since he went to LSU and is a good ole boy like all the rest of the rednecks, oh and don't forget, he played football, that makes him a hero of the state of Louisiana. Geeeez we really set the bar high don't we. It would have been better if there was no mention of BC at all. Just let him live out his life and don't try to make me think he is a worthy of a mention simply because he won a trophy.

2) Comment by louisisanared - 20/02/2013

I'm still wondering how a convicted felon is a dentist at Angola???? Must have had it expunged.

3) Comment by louisisanared - 20/02/2013

@preppy. I thought the same thing last night!! I wonder why the media doesn't mention that when they have news on Mr. Cannon. If it would have been anybody else, the news would have mentioned their "sins" , "victories", and the current news item. All I hear about Mr. Cannon now is "Heisman Trophy Winner" or how great of athlete he was, but they never mention the counterfeiting. It's just one of those things that make you laugh Louisiana.

4) Comment by spqr - 20/02/2013

Hey Preppy, not cool.

5) Comment by Bighug - 20/02/2013

Comment uncalled for, Preppy. He did his time and is now a big help for the prison system.

6) Comment by gary - 20/02/2013

@Preppy6917 - you are a nice person.

7) Comment by Preppy6917 - 19/02/2013

The first paragraph should read "Convicted felon and $50 million counterfeiter Billy Cannon..."