This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 11/14/2022.
In 1959, Billy Cannon became the first LSU Tiger to win the Heisman Trophy as the 25th anniversary recipient of the prestigious award. Cannon’s most memorable moment came against Ole Miss. The top-ranked LSU Tigers trailed the third ranked Rebels 3-0 early in the fourth quarter on Halloween night, when Cannon fielded a punt at the LSU 11-yard-line and broke seven tackles on his way to an 89 yard touchdown and LSU won the game 7-3. Considered one of the best collegiate backs of his era, Cannon was selected first overall in the NFL draft by the LA Rams. This jersey is being offered for the first time publicly and was gifted by Cannon to famed restaurant owner Tony Moran. Moran owned the famous Italian restaurant “Tony Moran’s” on Bourbon Street in Baton Rouge. The jersey was hung up in the bar area of the restaurant from the late 1950s until the early 2000s when it was obtained by our consignor directly from Moran. Our consignor had the opportunity to present the jersey to Cannon years later and Cannon verified his relationship with Moran who he respected greatly. Cannon noted that he gave Moran this exact game-used jersey. A newspaper clipping that accompanies this lot shows a picture of Cannon with our consignor holding the jersey. On the front left tail is the Champion Knitwear Co. manufacturer’s tag size “44”. The player number “20” is on the front, back and both sleeves in purple. Numerous team repairs are throughout the jersey as well as heavy use. Cannon signed the front of the jersey with the added inscription “Heisman Trophy 1959” and the back of the jersey with the added inscription “This jersey is a true game jersey I wore in 1958” and “12/18/05”. In our opinion the signatures rate a combined 9. An incredibly rare jersey of a Heisman Trophy winner that is being offered for the first time publicly. This jersey is properly tagged, was presented to us as game-used and in our opinion shows outstanding use. Accompanied by an ALOA from JSA and a newspaper clipping of Cannon with our consignor holding the jersey.