Jacksonville, AL – Originally reported by JSU’s Brett Buckner, in a heartfelt tribute to their late high school football teammate, Anthony Odell “Speedy” Cannon, the Jacksonville High School (JHS) Class of 1973 has announced the establishment of the Anthony “Speedy” Cannon Endowed Memorial Scholarship at Jacksonville State University (JSU). This initiative marks 51 years since the tragic incident that took Cannon’s life and aims to ensure that his legacy lives on.
Pam Baker-King, a former JHS cheerleader and eyewitness to the fateful event, vividly recalls the October 6, 1972 football game against a local rival high school. During the third quarter, Cannon, a 17-year-old star running back and team captain, sustained a late helmet-to-helmet hit that resulted in a 15-yard penalty. The impact proved fatal, and Cannon succumbed to a brain hemorrhage at Carraway Methodist Hospital in Birmingham, never regaining consciousness.
51 years to the day of his last run – football players, cheerleaders and band members from the JHS Class of 1973 announced their intention to establish a scholarship in his name at Jacksonville State University.reflects their enduring commitment to honoring Cannon’s memory. Beginning in Fall 2024, the scholarship will be awarded annually to a student from Calhoun County who maintains a 2.5 GPA, with a preference given to African-American applicants.
“People need to remember. This is a legacy. We don’t need to let things like this be forgotten,” emphasized Baker-King, who played a pivotal role in championing the scholarship. The establishment of the scholarship aligns with Cannon’s impact as a figure of change, growing up in Jacksonville’s historically black neighborhood of Eastwood and integrating Kitty Stone Elementary School in 1965.
Pam Baker-King, now residing in Cedartown, Georgia, recalls Cannon’s calm and non-violent demeanor during challenging times. “It’s just like how Dr. King was non-violent, Speedy was like that, too,” she shared. “A lot of times, he’d pull me to the side and tell me to close my mouth. He was very soft-spoken. I don’t think I ever heard him raise his voice.”
The scholarship serves as a tribute not only to Cannon’s athletic prowess but also to his character and the profound impact he had on those around him. Known for his exceptional speed, Cannon’s talent was already attracting the attention of college football scouts before his dreams were tragically cut short.
Several members of the JHS Class of 1973, including Dee Salls, who was on the field that fateful night, enrolled at JSU after college. Baker-King, Salls, and his wife Becky earned education degrees. Salls, reflecting on the scholarship’s significance, stated, “A lot of scholarships have been talked about, but none followed through with. We had to get this established so his name – and Pam’s name – will live on forever.”
To contribute to the Anthony “Speedy” Cannon Endowed Memorial Scholarship, individuals can visit JSU’s donation page, select “Make a Gift,” choose “Scholarship Support” in the drop-down box, and select “Anthony Speedy Cannon Endowed Memorial Scholarship.” For more information or assistance, contact Diane Winsor at 256-782-5603 or dwinsor@jsu.edu.
