In September 2002, the high school football stadium in Cleveland, Oklahoma (Vessels' hometown) was dedicated as Billy Vessels Memorial Stadium.
Winner of the 1952 Heisman Trophy.
Played for the Edmonton Eskimos of the Western Interprovincial Football Union (which later became the Canadian Football League's Western Conference) in 1953.
Inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1974; first winner from the University of Oklahoma.
Played halfback for the Baltimore Colts in 1956.
In August 2007, a stature of Vessels was installed outside the Cleveland [Oklahoma] Events Center.
Played for the Kitchener Waterloo Dutchmen of the Ontario Rugby Football Union (a pre-CFL league), in 1954.
Selected by the Baltimore Colts in the first round (2nd overall) of 1953 NFL Draft.
Played football, at halfback, for the University of Oklahoma, 1950-1952).
Ashes were scattered over Owen Field in the Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium at the University of Oklahoma.