Bill Cooper punishes opposing defenses with his hard-hitting rushing style, earning the nickname “Cannonball” while cementing his legendary status at Muskingum University and powering his way into the College Football Hall of Fame.
Football Bio
July 12, 1939 – Carrollton, Ohio – Bill Cooper is a College Football Hall of Fame member who played for Muskingum University in New Concord, Ohio from 1957 to 1960.
Cooper was a hard-nosed, put-your-head-down-and-run-you-over type of runner. In fact, this rushing style earned Bill the nickname of “Cannonball” Cooper.
According to the National Football Foundation, 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.
Cannonball finished his collegiate career with 3,651 yards, a 5.5-yard-per-carry average, and 364 points.
The NFF says that Cooper was named a first-team All-America in 1960 after leading the Fighting Muskies to a 9-0 season. The prized fullback played his way into the NFL on the San Francisco 49ers squad.
Bill Cooper shatters expectations for small-college athletes, proving that gritty determination and physical dominance command national respect. He solidifies Muskingum University’s football tradition and leaves a lasting legacy as an unparalleled powerhouse in the backfield.
Accolades and Football Accomplishments
- College Football Hall of Fame: Inducted in 2000.
- First OAC Inductee: Became the first player from the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
- First-Team Little All-American: 1960.
- 3× First-Team All-Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC): 1958, 1959, 1960.
- 3× Mike Gregory Award Winner: 1958, 1959, 1960 (Awarded to the outstanding back in the OAC, and the only player to win it three consecutive times).
- Undefeated Season: Led the Muskingum Fighting Muskies to a perfect 9-0 record in 1960.
- Career Rushing Stats: 3,651 rushing yards, 5.5 yards per carry, and 364 total points.
- Senior Season Dominance (1960): Rushed for 1,102 yards and 23 touchdowns on 158 carries, and led the nation in scoring.
- NFL Draft: Drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the 3rd round (37th overall) of the 1961 NFL Draft.
- Professional Career: Played for the San Francisco 49ers from 1961 to 1964 as a fullback and linebacker.