Hall of Fame
Position: Fullback
Years: 1957-1960
Place of Birth: Carrollton, OH
Date of Birth: Jul 12, 1939
Jersey Number: 34
Height: 6-3
Weight: 215
High School: New Philadelphia, OH (New Phila. HS)
Punishing opposing defenses with his hard-smashing style of running at fullback, Bill "Cannonball" Cooper was named first team All-America in 1960 after leading the Fighting Muskies to a 9-0 season. Cooper was a three-time first team All-Ohio Athletic Conference selection and the only player to win the Mike Gregory Award three years in a row as the outstanding back in the conference. As a junior, Cannonball rushed for 1,191 yards and 15 touchdowns. In his senior year he rushed for 1,102 yards and 23 touchdowns on 158 carries. He accumulated 152 total points that year, including ten extra point kicks and two conversion runs. He finished his career with 3,651 yards, a 5.5-yards-per-carry average, and 364 points. His team's four-year record was 28-7 and his standout senior season earned him a spot in the Blue-Gray All-Star Classic. After his collegiate career, Cooper went on to play for the San Francisco 49ers from 1961-1966.
