Smiley Anders for October 31, 2009

• By SMILEY ANDERS
• Advocate columnist
• Published: Oct 31, 2009 - Page: 1B

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Dear Smiley: Just had to comment on your readers seeing LSU Tiger gear in foreign places.

That’s great, connecting with displaced Louisiana natives. But does that indicate a greater problem?

Like leaving Louisiana for jobs, opportunities, careers, etc.?

I always thought Hawaii was a big tourist state until I visited my daughter Dr. Nancy Smiley, who lives in Honolulu.

I did not see one single out-of-state license plate!

ROBERT SMILEY
Denham Springs

Doing it all
Dear Smiley: As we approach the 50th anniversary of the Halloween night run, let us remember that Billy Cannon was what no longer exists, the all-around football star.

He could run, catch passes, block, and even threw a touchdown pass in a bowl game.

He could return punts and kickoffs for touchdowns, intercept passes and was a great tackler.

And when needed, he could punt and place-kick.

On the night he made that 89-yard run that killed the national championship ambitions of Ole Miss, he also made a last-minute defensive stop that ensured that his touchdown would be the margin of victory.

His versatility also spilled over into track and field, where a national publication called him “either the strongest sprinter or the fastest shot-putter in college history.”

Yes, I was there 50 years ago, sitting in the super-cheap “Family Plan” seats in the upper deck of the south end zone.