re: Cannon's run question...

I was there, too. It is hard to compare Billy's speed to today. The tracks and equipment are so different. Billy trained at Alvin Roys with Jimmy Taylor. Not many players did that back then. In the summers they had to work like real work. Billy was the fastest player that anyone had ever seen. He always ran as fast up the middle as around end. Awesome. Purvis and Daye had track speed, too. Coach did not allow many players to miss Spring Ball for track. Football was THE SPORT!Billy did win the SEC 100 yd dash and the Shot putt. I always thought he ran a 9.4 at the meet. He could run just as fast in full football armor. Strong as a bull. We need to get Boots Garland on here. He has some great speed stories. Billy was very large for his era. Some of the players played most of the game...both ways. They had to be in shape and strong. Billy was also an excellent student. He was a rare breed.