KSLA News 12 Shreveport, Louisiana |Billy Cannon in college football Hall
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Associated Press - July 18, 2009 5:34 PM ET
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) - Twenty-six years after he originally was to join the College Football Hall of Fame, former LSU tailback Billy Cannon is there.
He was chosen in 1983, but the honor was rescinded after he was arrested that year on federal counterfeiting charges. Cannon pleaded guilty, served 2 1/2 years in prison. He is now dental director at the Louisiana State Penitentiary.
Cannon won the Heisman in 1959 and played on the national championship team in 1958. He says he does not hold any grudges about being the only person to ever have his selection rescinded.
He says he's just happy to be part of it.
Former San Francisco 49ers and Louisiana Tech defensive lineman Fred Dean also is are among 20 former coaches and players enshrined Saturday. Dean led the Bulldogs to the 1973 Division II national championship and four consecutive Southland Conference titles. He was a 2-time conference defensive player of the year and went on to win two Super Bowls with the San Francisco 49ers.
The festivities began with a parade and a pep rally, where those being honored were given their Hall of Fame blazers.
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