NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Former Houston Oilers running back Billy Cannon has died at the age of 80.

"I am sad to hear that our franchise has lost one of its first stars today, with the passing of Billy Cannon," Titans Controlling Owner Amy Adams Strunk said. "My father recognized that the AFL would need first-rate players to compete with the NFL, both on the field and in public perception, and Billy was one of those special players, who helped the Oilers and the AFL in that process. Choosing to sign with the Oilers, instead of the NFL's Los Angeles Rams, Billy was a key player in our back-to-back AFL titles in 1960 and 1961. I want to offer our condolences to his family. Billy's legacy will be long remembered in our franchise's history."

After a legendary career at LSU, Cannon was selected as the first overall pick the 1960 NFL Draft and as a first-round territorial pick in the 1960 American Football League draft.

Cannon signed a contract with Houston Oilers owner Bud Adams, and ended up playing in the AFL for the Oilers and Oakland Raiders before ending his football career with the Kansas City Chiefs of the NFL.

Adams made sure Cannon was met on the field right after the 1959 Sugar Bowl so he could be offered a contract.

And he became a star with the franchise.

Cannon was a two-time AFL All-Star, and he led the league in rushing and all-purpose yards in 1961. He was named the Most Valuable Player of the first two AFL championship games, which were won by the Oilers.

Cannon's 88-yard touchdown catch from quarterback George Blanda in the 1960 AFL title game helped the Oilers become the inaugural AFC Champions.

Cannon rushed for 2,111 yards and 14 touchdowns from 1960-63 with the Oilers while also catching 95 passes for 1,263 yards and 20 touchdowns.

Cannon won the Heisman Trophy at LSU in 1959, and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008.