Ex-Raider Billy Cannon dies at 80
Former Raiders running back and tight end Billy Cannon died Sunday at age 80 at his home in St. Francisville, La. The cause of death was not immediately known.
“The Raiders family is saddened to learn of the passing of Billy Cannon,” the team said in a statement. “One of many Heisman Trophy winners to wear the Silver and Black, Cannon always embodied the Raiders spirit.”
Cannon was the No. 1 overall pick in both the American Football League and NFL drafts in 1960. He chose to sign with the AFL’s Houston Oilers instead of the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams.
Houston traded him to Oakland in 1964.