{"id":22299,"date":"2021-09-07T19:03:25","date_gmt":"2021-09-08T00:03:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/?p=22299"},"modified":"2021-09-07T19:03:25","modified_gmt":"2021-09-08T00:03:25","slug":"sam-bam-cunningham-just-a-great-man-father-husband-brother-friend-older-brother-of-nfl-great-randall-cunningham-and-hall-of-fame-usc-player-who-helped-integrate-col","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/?p=22299","title":{"rendered":"Sam \u2018Bam\u2019 Cunningham,  , &#8220;JUST A GREAT MAN, FATHER, HUSBAND, BROTHER, FRIEND&#8221;, OLDER BROTHER OF NFL GREAT &#8220;RANDALL CUNNINGHAM&#8221;, AND Hall of Fame USC player who helped integrate college football, dies at 71, he was part of USC&#8217;s &#8220;all-black&#8221; backfield\u00a0\u2013 the first one of its kind in Division I (NCAA) history\u00a0\u2013 that included quarterback Jimmy Jones and running back Clarence Davis."},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20060614062747im_\/http:\/\/www.usclegends.org\/images\/legends\/sam-cunningham.jpg\" width=\"132\" height=\"188\" align=\"left\" hspace=\"5\" vspace=\"5\" \/>Sam Cunningham (born August 15, 1950, in Santa Barbara, CA) is a former USC All-American fullback in 1972 who convinced (through his play) Bear Bryant to integrate Southern football after USC soundly beat University of Alabama 42-21 at Birmingham on September 12, 1970 in a primetime matchup.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Bear Bryant allegedly brought Cunningham into the all-white Alabama locker room after the game and said &#8220;This is what a football player looks like.&#8221; While Cunningham&#8217;s performance in the game was unquestionably dominant, the locker room story is not true.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>He was known as &#8220;Bam&#8221; because of his running style, and is the older brother of NFL star quarterback Randall Cunningham.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>He was a 1978 Pro-bowler with the New England Patriots and played with them in his whole career from 1973 until 1982.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Hall of Fame<\/strong><\/h2>\n<div class=\"css-1dbjc4n r-18u37iz r-1wbh5a2\">\n<div class=\"css-901oao css-bfa6kz r-14j79pv r-18u37iz r-37j5jr r-a023e6 r-16dba41 r-rjixqe r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0\" dir=\"ltr\"><strong><span class=\"css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0\">@samCunningham34<\/span><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<article class=\"sidearm-hof-member sidearm-common sidearm-common-bio\">\n<header class=\"sidearm-hof-member-bio-header sidearm-common-bio-header\">\n<div class=\"sidearm-hof-member-bio-header-details sidearm-common-bio-details \">\n<div class=\"sidearm-hof-member-bio-image sidearm-common-bio-image\"><strong><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/footballfoundation.org\/images\/2018\/7\/30\/cunningham1.jpg?width=300\" alt=\"Sam Cunningham\" \/><\/strong><\/div>\n<div class=\"medium-flex\"><strong><span class=\"sidearm-hof-member-bio-name sidearm-common-bio-name\"> Sam Cunningham <\/span><\/strong><\/div>\n<div class=\"sidearm-hof-member-bio-fields sidearm-common-bio-fields flex-item-1\">\n<ul class=\"flex row flex-wrap\">\n<li id=\"ctl00_cplhMainContent_li_class\" class=\"large-6 flex columns\">\n<dl class=\"flex-item-1\">\n<dt><strong>School<\/strong><\/dt>\n<dd><strong>Southern California (USC)<\/strong><\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/li>\n<li id=\"ctl00_cplhMainContent_li_induction_year\" class=\"large-6 flex columns\">\n<dl class=\"flex-item-1\">\n<dt><strong>Induction<\/strong><\/dt>\n<dd><strong>2010<\/strong><\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"clear\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"sidearm-common-bio-full\"><strong>Position: Fullback<\/strong><br \/>\n<strong>Years: 1970-1972<\/strong><br \/>\n<strong>Place of Birth: Santa Barbara, CA<\/strong><br \/>\n<strong>Date of Birth: Aug 15, 1950<\/strong><br \/>\n<strong>Jersey Number: 39<\/strong><br \/>\n<strong>Height: 6-3<\/strong><br \/>\n<strong>Weight: 212<\/strong><br \/>\n<strong>High School: Santa Barbara HS (Santa Barbara, CA)<\/strong><strong>Sam &#8220;Bam&#8221; Cunningham earned his nickname for his bruising goal line dives throughout his career with the Trojans. Playing for College Football Hall of Fame coach John McKay, Cunningham rushed for 135 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries against Alabama in his first collegiate game. A member of the Trojans&#8217; 1972 national championship team, Cunningham scored four touchdowns in the 1973 Rose Bowl (his final game) and was named the player of the game. Cunningham was the team&#8217;s Back of the Year and a team captain of a squad that many feel is among the greatest college teams of all-time. A 1972 First Team All-America, Cunningham played innumerous all star games including the Hula Bowl, College All-Star Game and Coaches All-America Game. Drafted 11th overall in the 1973 NFL Draft by New England, he played nine seasons for the Patriots. He was named to the AFC Pro Bowl team in 1978. Following his football career, Cunningham was active in charitable causes and worked as a landscape contractor. He is the older brother of 2016 College Football Hall of Fame inductee Randall Cunningham, who played punter and quarterback at UNLV.<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"footer__sponsors\">\n<div class=\"row pad\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"footer__lower\">\n<div class=\"footer__lower__row row pad\">\n<div class=\"footer__copyright flex flex-align-center\">\n<div class=\"footer__copyright__inner\">\n<div class=\"footer__copyright__logo\"><strong><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/dbukjj6eu5tsf.cloudfront.net\/sidearm.sites\/footballfoundation.sidearmsports.com\/images\/main_logo.svg\" alt=\"National Football Foundation Logo\" \/><\/strong><\/div>\n<div class=\"footer__copyright__text\"><strong><span class=\"footer__copyright__text--copy\">\u00a9 2021\u00a0National Football\u00a0Foundation<br \/>\n&amp; College\u00a0Hall\u00a0of\u00a0Fame,\u00a0Inc.<\/span><\/strong><\/div>\n<div>\n<h1 id=\"firstHeading\" class=\"firstHeading\"><strong>Sam Cunningham<\/strong><\/h1>\n<div id=\"bodyContent\" class=\"vector-body\">\n<div id=\"mw-content-text\" class=\"mw-body-content mw-content-ltr\" dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">\n<div class=\"mw-parser-output\">\n<table class=\"infobox vcard\">\n<caption class=\"infobox-title fn\"><strong>Sam Cunningham<\/strong><\/caption>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"infobox-image\" colspan=\"2\"><strong><a class=\"image\" title=\"refer to caption\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Sam_bam_cunningham.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/a\/a5\/Sam_bam_cunningham.jpg\/220px-Sam_bam_cunningham.jpg\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/a\/a5\/Sam_bam_cunningham.jpg 1.5x\" alt=\"refer to caption\" width=\"220\" height=\"252\" data-file-width=\"300\" data-file-height=\"344\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"infobox-caption\"><strong>Cunningham at his 2010 induction to the <a title=\"New England Patriots\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/New_England_Patriots#New_England_Patriots_Hall_of_Fame_members\">Patriots Hall of Fame<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"infobox-header\" colspan=\"2\"><strong>No. 39<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"infobox-label\" scope=\"row\"><strong>Position:<\/strong><\/th>\n<td class=\"infobox-data\"><strong><a title=\"Fullback (gridiron football)\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fullback_(gridiron_football)\">Fullback<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"infobox-header\" colspan=\"2\"><strong>Personal information<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"infobox-label\" scope=\"row\"><strong>Born:<\/strong><\/th>\n<td class=\"infobox-data\"><strong>August 15, 1950<\/strong><br \/>\n<strong><a title=\"Santa Barbara, California\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Santa_Barbara,_California\">Santa Barbara, California<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"infobox-label\" scope=\"row\"><strong>Died:<\/strong><\/th>\n<td class=\"infobox-data\"><strong>September 7, 2021 (aged\u00a071)<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"infobox-label\" scope=\"row\"><strong>Height:<\/strong><\/th>\n<td class=\"infobox-data\"><strong>6\u00a0ft 3\u00a0in (1.91\u00a0m)<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"infobox-label\" scope=\"row\"><strong>Weight:<\/strong><\/th>\n<td class=\"infobox-data\"><strong>226\u00a0lb (103\u00a0kg)<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"infobox-header\" colspan=\"2\"><strong>Career information<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"infobox-label\" scope=\"row\"><strong>High school:<\/strong><\/th>\n<td class=\"infobox-data\"><strong><a title=\"Santa Barbara High School\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Santa_Barbara_High_School\">Santa Barbara (CA)<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"infobox-label\" scope=\"row\"><strong>College:<\/strong><\/th>\n<td class=\"infobox-data\"><strong><a title=\"USC Trojans football\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/USC_Trojans_football\">USC<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"infobox-label\" scope=\"row\"><strong>NFL Draft:<\/strong><\/th>\n<td class=\"infobox-data\"><strong><a title=\"1973 NFL Draft\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/1973_NFL_Draft\">1973<\/a>\u00a0\/ Round:\u00a01\u00a0\/ Pick:\u00a011<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"infobox-header\" colspan=\"2\"><strong>Career history<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"infobox-full-data\" colspan=\"2\">\n<ul>\n<li><strong><a title=\"New England Patriots\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/New_England_Patriots\">New England Patriots<\/a> (<a title=\"1973 NFL season\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/1973_NFL_season\">1973<\/a>\u2013<a title=\"1982 NFL season\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/1982_NFL_season\">1982<\/a>)<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"infobox-header\" colspan=\"2\"><strong>Career highlights and awards<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"infobox-full-data\" colspan=\"2\">\n<ul>\n<li><strong><a title=\"Pro Bowl\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Pro_Bowl\">Pro Bowl<\/a> (<a title=\"1979 Pro Bowl\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/1979_Pro_Bowl\">1978<\/a>)<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong><a title=\"New England Patriots\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/New_England_Patriots#New_England_Patriots_Hall_of_Fame_members\">New England Patriots Hall of Fame<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"infobox-header\" colspan=\"2\"><strong>Career NFL statistics<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"infobox-full-data\" colspan=\"2\">\n<table class=\"infobox\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"infobox-label\" scope=\"row\"><strong>Rushing yards:<\/strong><\/th>\n<td class=\"infobox-data\"><strong>5,453<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"infobox-label\" scope=\"row\"><strong>Rushing average:<\/strong><\/th>\n<td class=\"infobox-data\"><strong>3.9<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"infobox-label\" scope=\"row\"><strong><a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Touchdowns\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Touchdowns\">Rushing TDs<\/a>:<\/strong><\/th>\n<td class=\"infobox-data\"><strong>43<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"infobox-below\" colspan=\"2\"><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"infobox-full-data\" colspan=\"2\"><strong>Player stats at <a class=\"external text\" href=\"http:\/\/www.nfl.com\/players\/2512330\/stats\/\" rel=\"nofollow\">NFL.com<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"infobox-full-data\" colspan=\"2\">\n<div><strong><a class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/footballfoundation.org\/hof_search.aspx?hof=2301\" rel=\"nofollow\">College Football Hall of Fame<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><strong>Samuel Lewis Cunningham Jr (August 15, 1950 \u2013 September 7, 2021), nicknamed Sam &#8220;Bam&#8221; Cunningham,<sup id=\"cite_ref-1\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup> was a former <a title=\"American football\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/American_football\">American football<\/a> <a title=\"Fullback (gridiron football)\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fullback_(gridiron_football)\">fullback<\/a> who played in the <a title=\"National Football League\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/National_Football_League\">National Football League<\/a> (NFL) for ten seasons with the <a title=\"New England Patriots\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/New_England_Patriots\">New England Patriots<\/a>. He played college football at <a title=\"University of Southern California\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/University_of_Southern_California\">USC<\/a>, where he was named an <a title=\"College Football All-America Team\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/College_Football_All-America_Team\">All-American<\/a> and received MVP honors in the <a title=\"1973 Rose Bowl\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/1973_Rose_Bowl\">1973 Rose Bowl<\/a> for scoring a record four touchdowns. Selected in the first round of the <a title=\"1973 NFL Draft\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/1973_NFL_Draft\">1973 NFL Draft<\/a> by the Patriots, Cunningham became the franchise&#8217;s all-time leading rusher. He was inducted to the <a title=\"College Football Hall of Fame\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/College_Football_Hall_of_Fame\">College Football Hall of Fame<\/a> in 2010. The same year, he was also inducted to the <a title=\"New England Patriots\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/New_England_Patriots#New_England_Patriots_Hall_of_Fame_members\">Patriots Hall of Fame<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2><strong><span id=\"College_career\" class=\"mw-headline\">College career<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Cunningham was a letterman for <a title=\"University of Southern California\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/University_of_Southern_California\">University of Southern California<\/a>&#8216;s <a title=\"USC Trojans football\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/USC_Trojans_football\">football team<\/a> from 1970 through 1972 where he played <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Fullback (American football)\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fullback_(American_football)\">fullback<\/a>. He was named an <a title=\"All-America\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/All-America\">All-American<\/a> in 1972. He was a member of USC\u2019s 1972 national championship team. In the <a title=\"1973 Rose Bowl\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/1973_Rose_Bowl\">1973 Rose Bowl<\/a>, he scored four touchdowns, which still stands as a modern-day Rose Bowl record. He was named Rose Bowl Player of the Game. He was inducted into the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame in 1992 and into the <a title=\"College Football Hall of Fame\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/College_Football_Hall_of_Fame\">College Football Hall of Fame<\/a> in 2010.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>In 1970, he was part of <a title=\"University of Southern California\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/University_of_Southern_California\">USC<\/a>&#8216;s &#8220;all-black&#8221; <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Backfield\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Backfield\">backfield<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 the first one of its kind in <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Division I (NCAA)\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Division_I_(NCAA)\">Division I (NCAA)<\/a> history\u00a0\u2013 that included <a title=\"Quarterback\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Quarterback\">quarterback<\/a> <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Jimmy Jones (Canadian football)\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Jimmy_Jones_(Canadian_football)\">Jimmy Jones<\/a> and <a title=\"Running back\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Running_back\">running back<\/a> <a title=\"Clarence Davis\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Clarence_Davis\">Clarence Davis<\/a>. He had a notable debut<sup id=\"cite_ref-2\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup> performance (135 yards, two touchdowns) against an all-white <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"University of Alabama football\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/University_of_Alabama_football\">University of Alabama football<\/a> team, as USC beat Alabama 42\u201321 in <a title=\"Birmingham, Alabama\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Birmingham,_Alabama\">Birmingham<\/a> on September 12, 1970. His performance in the game was reportedly a factor in convincing the University of Alabama and its fans to let Coach <a title=\"Bear Bryant\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Bear_Bryant\">Bear Bryant<\/a> integrate <a title=\"Southern United States\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Southern_United_States\">Southern<\/a> football. <a title=\"Jerry Claiborne\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Jerry_Claiborne\">Jerry Claiborne<\/a>, a former Bryant assistant, said, &#8220;Sam Cunningham did more to integrate Alabama in 60 minutes than <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Martin Luther King\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Martin_Luther_King\">Martin Luther King<\/a> did in 20 years.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2><strong><span id=\"Professional_career\" class=\"mw-headline\">Professional career<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><strong>In only his second year 1974, Cunningham gained 811 yards and nine touchdowns as he led the <a title=\"New England Patriots\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/New_England_Patriots\">New England Patriots<\/a> to a surprising 4\u20130 start before faltering to a 7\u20137 finish. In 1977, he gained a career-high 1,015 yards and scored four touchdowns, and also caught 42 receptions for 370 yards and a touchdown. He played his entire career (1973 through 1982) with the Patriots and was a 1978 <a title=\"Pro Bowl\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Pro_Bowl\">Pro Bowl<\/a> selection. Cunningham was an integral part of the <a title=\"1978 NFL season\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/1978_NFL_season\">1978<\/a> Patriots, who set an NFL record for rushing yards as a team with 3,165. This record stood for more than forty years and was not broken until the 2019 Baltimore Ravens.<sup id=\"cite_ref-5\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Cunningham finished his career with 5,453 rushing yards, 210 receptions for 1,905 yards, and 49 touchdowns. He was the older brother of former UNLV and NFL quarterback <a title=\"Randall Cunningham\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Randall_Cunningham\">Randall Cunningham<\/a> and uncle of <a title=\"Randall Cunningham II\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Randall_Cunningham_II\">Randall Cunningham II<\/a> and <a title=\"2016 IAAF World Indoor Championships \u2013 Women's high jump\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/2016_IAAF_World_Indoor_Championships_%E2%80%93_Women%27s_high_jump\">world champion<\/a> <a title=\"High jump\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/High_jump\">high jumper<\/a> <a title=\"Vashti Cunningham\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Vashti_Cunningham\">Vashti Cunningham<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Cunningham was the 2010 Inductee to the Patriots Hall of Fame.<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"page-content\">\n<div class=\"row full\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<article class=\"article-wrap has-video\">\n<header class=\"article-header\"><\/header>\n<div class=\"article-content-wrap sticky-columns\">\n<div class=\"article-content\">\n<div class=\"article-body\">\n<header class=\"article-header \">\n<h1 class=\"article-title\">Sam \u2018Bam\u2019 Cunningham, Hall of Fame USC player who helped integrate college football, dies at 71<\/h1>\n<figure class=\"article-featured-media article-featured-media--is-image\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapper landscape\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ktla.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/09\/sam-cunningham-at-ala-70.jpg?w=1500&amp;h=999&amp;crop=1\" sizes=\"(max-width: 899px) 50vw, 876px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ktla.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/09\/sam-cunningham-at-ala-70.jpg?w=160&amp;h=90&amp;crop=1 160w, https:\/\/ktla.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/09\/sam-cunningham-at-ala-70.jpg?w=256&amp;h=144&amp;crop=1 256w, https:\/\/ktla.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/09\/sam-cunningham-at-ala-70.jpg?w=320&amp;h=180&amp;crop=1 320w, https:\/\/ktla.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/09\/sam-cunningham-at-ala-70.jpg?w=512&amp;h=288&amp;crop=1 512w, https:\/\/ktla.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/09\/sam-cunningham-at-ala-70.jpg?w=640&amp;h=360&amp;crop=1 640w, https:\/\/ktla.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/09\/sam-cunningham-at-ala-70.jpg?w=876&amp;h=493&amp;crop=1 876w, https:\/\/ktla.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/09\/sam-cunningham-at-ala-70.jpg?w=960&amp;h=540&amp;crop=1 960w, https:\/\/ktla.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/09\/sam-cunningham-at-ala-70.jpg?w=1280&amp;h=720&amp;crop=1 1280w, https:\/\/ktla.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/09\/sam-cunningham-at-ala-70.jpg?w=1500&amp;h=986&amp;crop=1 1752w, https:\/\/ktla.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/09\/sam-cunningham-at-ala-70.jpg?w=1500&amp;h=999&amp;crop=1 1920w, https:\/\/ktla.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/09\/sam-cunningham-at-ala-70.jpg?w=1500&amp;h=999&amp;crop=1 2560w\" alt=\"USC released this photo of Sam &quot;Bam&quot; Cunningham from the 1970 game against Alabama.\" \/><\/div><figcaption><strong>Sam \u201cBam\u201d Cunningham from the 1970 game against Alabama.<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"article-content rich-text \">\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.latimes.com\/sports\/usc\/la-sp-usc-cunningham-alabama-20160831-snap-story.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Sam \u201cBam\u201d Cunningham<\/a>, the Hall of Fame running back from\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.latimes.com\/sports\/usc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">USC<\/a>\u00a0credited with helping integrate college football in the early 1970s, died Tuesday. He was 71.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Cunningham was widely known for\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.latimes.com\/archives\/la-xpm-2000-aug-30-sp-12483-story.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">leading an integrated Trojan squad<\/a>\u00a0into Birmingham and scoring two touchdowns in a lopsided win over all-white Alabama. That afternoon became part of legend and, though often embellished in the retelling, served as a crucial moment for a sport that had, in some parts of the country, clung stubbornly to segregation.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u201cI\u2019m just proud to be a part of it,\u201d Cunningham told the Times in 2016. \u201cBecause it was such a special game.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Born in Santa Barbara in 1950, Cunningham played fullback at USC, using his size and strength to earn that nickname with bruising goal-line dives. He was an All-American in 1972, a season in which he scored four touchdowns in the Rose Bowl and the Trojans went undefeated to win the national championship.<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/FightOnForever?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#FightOnForever<\/a>, Sam &#8220;Bam&#8221; Cunningham.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>The All-American fullback, Rose Bowl MVP and College Football Hall of Famer, whose performance in USC&#8217;s 1970 win at Alabama has often been credited with helping integrate Southern football, died on Tuesday in Inglewood. He was 71.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u2014 USC Trojans (@USC_Athletics) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/USC_Athletics\/status\/1435334609571487747?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">September 7, 2021<\/a><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<header class=\"article-header\">\n<h1 class=\"headline\"><strong>Sam Cunningham, who starred at USC and in NFL, dies at 71<\/strong><\/h1>\n<h2 class=\"sub-headline speakable\"><strong>Cunningham died at his home in Inglewood, according to USC, which spoke to his wife, Cine<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"article-content-wrap sticky-columns\">\n<div class=\"article-content\">\n<div class=\"article-body\">\n<div class=\"featured featured-video video-ct\" data-v-13907676=\"\">\n<div class=\"contain\" data-v-13907676=\"\">\n<div class=\"video-container\" data-v-13907676=\"\">\n<div class=\"m video-player\" data-video-id=\"6025576909001\" data-video-domain=\"foxnews\" data-widget-type=\"embed\" data-v-13907676=\"\"><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/video.foxnews.com\/v\/6025576909001\" data-v-13907676=\"\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/931\/524\/AP21250748050019.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1\" alt=\"Fox News Flash top headlines for September 7\" data-v-13907676=\"\" \/>\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"info\" data-v-13907676=\"\">\n<div class=\"caption\" data-v-13907676=\"\">\n<p data-v-13907676=\"\"><strong>Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Check out what&#8217;s clicking on Foxnews.com.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"speakable\"><strong>Sam &#8220;Bam&#8221; Cunningham, an All-American fullback at Southern California whose performance against Alabama was credited with helping to integrate football in the South before going on to a record-setting career with the New England Patriots, died Tuesday. He was 71.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"speakable\"><strong>He died at his home in Inglewood, according to USC, which spoke to his wife, Cine. She said the cause had yet to be determined.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Cunningham&#8217;s older brother, Randall, starred as a quarterback in the NFL for 16 years.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>As a sophomore in 1970, Cunningham was part of USC&#8217;s all-Black backfield, along with quarterback Jimmy Jones and running back Clarence Davis, which was the first of its kind in Division I.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Cunningham ran for 135 yards on 12 carries and scored two touchdowns in the Trojans&#8217; 42-21 rout of predominantly white Alabama in Birmingham to open that season. His performance was credited with having influenced the university and coach Bear Bryant to widely recruit more Black players and fully integrate the sport in the South.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>&#8220;What they saw was the future,&#8221; Cunningham told ESPN in 2016. &#8220;Their team was eventually going to be integrated.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Jerry Claiborne, a former Bryant assistant, famously said, &#8220;Sam Cunningham did more to integrate Alabama in 60 minutes than Martin Luther King did in 20 years.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Cunningham earned All-American honors in 1972, when he captained the Trojans to a national championship. His record four goal-line TD dives against Ohio State in the 1973 Rose Bowl earned him game MVP honors. He was inducted into the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame in 1992.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>He ran for 1,579 yards and 23 touchdowns in his career, including 13 TDs in 1972.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Cunningham was taken 11th overall in the first round of the 1973 NFL draft by the Patriots. He became the franchise&#8217;s career leading rusher with 5,453 yards, while also catching 210 passes for 1,905 yards. He scored 49 touchdowns \u2014 43 on the ground.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>He was a Pro Bowl selection in 1978, when the Patriots set an NFL record for rushing yards as a team with 3,165. The mark stood until 2019, when it was broken by the Baltimore Ravens.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Cunningham finished his nine-year career in New England with 5,453 rushing yards, 210 receptions for 1,905 yards, and 49 touchdowns.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>&#8220;Sam \u2018Bam&#8217; Cunningham was one of my favorite players throughout the \u201870s and my sons all loved him,&#8221; said Patriots chairman and CEO Robert Kraft, who bought the team in 1994. &#8220;As much as I admired him as a player, my affection for him only grew after spending time with him and learning more about him as a person. He made a tremendous impact, both on and off the field, and was beloved by his teammates.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Cunningham was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2010, the same year he went into the Patriots Hall of Fame. He also was a member of the USC Athletic Hall of Fame.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>After his playing career, Cunningham worked as a landscape contractor in California. He was born and raised in Santa Barbara.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Besides his wife, he is survived by daughter Samahndi, brothers Randall, Bruce and Anthony, niece Vashti Cunningham, a world champion high jumper, and nephew Randall II.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h1 class=\"headline\">Sam Cunningham, USC player who helped integrate college football, dies at 71<\/h1>\n<div class=\"page-wrapper\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"page-main-content\">\n<article class=\"story\">\n<div class=\"page-lead-media\">\n<figure class=\"figure\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/f6f8be9\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/2040x1655+0+0\/resize\/320x259!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F3b%2F57%2Fac3efc2e739e5a2dfce0d4c21aa9%2Fen-sp1.jpg 320w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/0944559\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/2040x1655+0+0\/resize\/568x460!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F3b%2F57%2Fac3efc2e739e5a2dfce0d4c21aa9%2Fen-sp1.jpg 568w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/aae3262\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/2040x1655+0+0\/resize\/768x623!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F3b%2F57%2Fac3efc2e739e5a2dfce0d4c21aa9%2Fen-sp1.jpg 768w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/e82488c\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/2040x1655+0+0\/resize\/840x681!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F3b%2F57%2Fac3efc2e739e5a2dfce0d4c21aa9%2Fen-sp1.jpg 840w\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"image\" src=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/e8e12ba\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/2040x1655+0+0\/resize\/840x681!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F3b%2F57%2Fac3efc2e739e5a2dfce0d4c21aa9%2Fen-sp1.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/7ef7e25\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/2040x1655+0+0\/resize\/320x259!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F3b%2F57%2Fac3efc2e739e5a2dfce0d4c21aa9%2Fen-sp1.jpg 320w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/64c3c63\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/2040x1655+0+0\/resize\/568x460!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F3b%2F57%2Fac3efc2e739e5a2dfce0d4c21aa9%2Fen-sp1.jpg 568w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/24b9ac0\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/2040x1655+0+0\/resize\/768x623!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F3b%2F57%2Fac3efc2e739e5a2dfce0d4c21aa9%2Fen-sp1.jpg 768w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/e8e12ba\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/2040x1655+0+0\/resize\/840x681!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F3b%2F57%2Fac3efc2e739e5a2dfce0d4c21aa9%2Fen-sp1.jpg 840w\" alt=\"Sam Cunningham carries the ball against Oregon, gaining 187 yards including a 65\u2013yard touchdown gallop.\" width=\"840\" height=\"681\" \/> <\/picture>\n<div class=\"figure-content\">\n<div class=\"figure-caption\"><strong>USC running back Sam Cunningham carries the ball against Oregon. He finished with 187 rushing yards and a 65\u2013yard touchdown.<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"page-article-container\">\n<div class=\"page-article-body\">\n<div class=\"rich-text-article-body\">\n<div class=\"rich-text-article-body-content rich-text-body\" data-subscriber-content=\"\">\n<p><strong><a class=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.latimes.com\/sports\/usc\/la-sp-usc-cunningham-alabama-20160831-snap-story.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sam \u201cBam\u201d Cunningham<\/a>, the Hall of Fame running back from <a class=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.latimes.com\/sports\/usc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">USC<\/a> credited with helping integrate college football in the early 1970s, died Tuesday. He was 71.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Cunningham was widely known for <a class=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.latimes.com\/archives\/la-xpm-2000-aug-30-sp-12483-story.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">leading an integrated Trojan squad<\/a> into Birmingham and scoring two touchdowns in a lopsided win over all-white Alabama. That afternoon became part of legend and, though often embellished in the retelling, served as a crucial moment for a sport that had, in some parts of the country, clung stubbornly to segregation.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u201cI\u2019m just proud to be a part of it,\u201d Cunningham told The Times in 2016. \u201cBecause it was such a special game.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Born in Santa Barbara in 1950, Cunningham played fullback at USC, using his size and strength to earn that nickname with bruising goal-line dives. He was an All-American in 1972, a season in which he scored four touchdowns in the Rose Bowl and the Trojans went undefeated to win the national championship.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>The New England Patriots selected Cunningham in the first round of the 1973 NFL Draft, the start of a nine-year pro career that saw him retire with a team-record 5,453 yards and Pro Bowl honors in 1978.<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"enhancement\" data-align-center=\"\" data-click=\"enhancement\">\n<div class=\"promo-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"promo-media\"><strong><a class=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.latimes.com\/sports\/usc\/la-sp-usc-cunningham-alabama-20160831-snap-story.html\" aria-label=\"Separated from the myths, Sam Cunningham\u2019s story remains an inspiration\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/00d7ca1\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/1518x1012+141+0\/resize\/110x73!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fff%2F38%2F1be4393a673d2925a89e901d8798%2Fla-1472706602-snap-photo 110w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/37da78e\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/1518x1012+141+0\/resize\/180x120!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fff%2F38%2F1be4393a673d2925a89e901d8798%2Fla-1472706602-snap-photo 180w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/a405b2e\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/1518x1012+141+0\/resize\/320x213!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fff%2F38%2F1be4393a673d2925a89e901d8798%2Fla-1472706602-snap-photo 320w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/f49715d\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/1518x1012+141+0\/resize\/568x379!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fff%2F38%2F1be4393a673d2925a89e901d8798%2Fla-1472706602-snap-photo 568w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/ff2d13b\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/1518x1012+141+0\/resize\/768x512!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fff%2F38%2F1be4393a673d2925a89e901d8798%2Fla-1472706602-snap-photo 768w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/1c0ea91\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/1518x1012+141+0\/resize\/840x560!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fff%2F38%2F1be4393a673d2925a89e901d8798%2Fla-1472706602-snap-photo 840w\" type=\"image\/webp\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/00d7ca1\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/1518x1012+141+0\/resize\/110x73!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fff%2F38%2F1be4393a673d2925a89e901d8798%2Fla-1472706602-snap-photo 110w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/37da78e\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/1518x1012+141+0\/resize\/180x120!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fff%2F38%2F1be4393a673d2925a89e901d8798%2Fla-1472706602-snap-photo 180w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/a405b2e\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/1518x1012+141+0\/resize\/320x213!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fff%2F38%2F1be4393a673d2925a89e901d8798%2Fla-1472706602-snap-photo 320w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/f49715d\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/1518x1012+141+0\/resize\/568x379!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fff%2F38%2F1be4393a673d2925a89e901d8798%2Fla-1472706602-snap-photo 568w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/ff2d13b\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/1518x1012+141+0\/resize\/768x512!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fff%2F38%2F1be4393a673d2925a89e901d8798%2Fla-1472706602-snap-photo 768w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/1c0ea91\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/1518x1012+141+0\/resize\/840x560!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fff%2F38%2F1be4393a673d2925a89e901d8798%2Fla-1472706602-snap-photo 840w\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"image\" src=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/65d3199\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/1518x1012+141+0\/resize\/840x560!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fff%2F38%2F1be4393a673d2925a89e901d8798%2Fla-1472706602-snap-photo\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/7ff6a7d\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/1518x1012+141+0\/resize\/110x73!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fff%2F38%2F1be4393a673d2925a89e901d8798%2Fla-1472706602-snap-photo 110w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/4f388fb\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/1518x1012+141+0\/resize\/180x120!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fff%2F38%2F1be4393a673d2925a89e901d8798%2Fla-1472706602-snap-photo 180w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/574d805\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/1518x1012+141+0\/resize\/320x213!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fff%2F38%2F1be4393a673d2925a89e901d8798%2Fla-1472706602-snap-photo 320w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/de7c542\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/1518x1012+141+0\/resize\/568x379!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fff%2F38%2F1be4393a673d2925a89e901d8798%2Fla-1472706602-snap-photo 568w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/8f057b9\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/1518x1012+141+0\/resize\/768x512!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fff%2F38%2F1be4393a673d2925a89e901d8798%2Fla-1472706602-snap-photo 768w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/65d3199\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/1518x1012+141+0\/resize\/840x560!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fff%2F38%2F1be4393a673d2925a89e901d8798%2Fla-1472706602-snap-photo 840w\" alt=\"Sam Cunningham's performance as a USC running back against Alabama helped pave the way for the Crimson Tide desegregating its football program. He talks about it with the Los Angeles Times on Aug. 31 in Los Angeles.\" width=\"840\" height=\"560\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/7ff6a7d\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/1518x1012+141+0\/resize\/110x73!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fff%2F38%2F1be4393a673d2925a89e901d8798%2Fla-1472706602-snap-photo 110w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/4f388fb\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/1518x1012+141+0\/resize\/180x120!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fff%2F38%2F1be4393a673d2925a89e901d8798%2Fla-1472706602-snap-photo 180w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/574d805\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/1518x1012+141+0\/resize\/320x213!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fff%2F38%2F1be4393a673d2925a89e901d8798%2Fla-1472706602-snap-photo 320w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/de7c542\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/1518x1012+141+0\/resize\/568x379!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fff%2F38%2F1be4393a673d2925a89e901d8798%2Fla-1472706602-snap-photo 568w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/8f057b9\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/1518x1012+141+0\/resize\/768x512!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fff%2F38%2F1be4393a673d2925a89e901d8798%2Fla-1472706602-snap-photo 768w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/65d3199\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/1518x1012+141+0\/resize\/840x560!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fff%2F38%2F1be4393a673d2925a89e901d8798%2Fla-1472706602-snap-photo 840w\" data-src=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/65d3199\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/1518x1012+141+0\/resize\/840x560!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fff%2F38%2F1be4393a673d2925a89e901d8798%2Fla-1472706602-snap-photo\" \/> <\/picture> <\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Still, in the years after his retirement, it was the Alabama game that people seemed to remember most.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>In truth, Crimson Tide coach Paul \u201cBear\u201d Bryant did not schedule USC in hopes of losing and quieting the segregationists, as has often been said. Nor did he march Cunningham into his locker room afterward to announce: \u201cThis is what a football player looks like!\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>It was also urban myth that the 42-21 USC victory caused Alabama to recruit its first Black player; the team already had a Black freshman \u2014 freshmen were ineligible at that time \u2014 on the roster.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>But that Saturday afternoon deserves credit. Alabama fans were reportedly dismayed at losing so badly, and Bryant received little pushback when he subsequently signed more Black players.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Cunningham, who worked as a landscape contractor after his football career, died in Inglewood. He is survived by his wife, Cine, and daughter, Samahndi. His brother, Randall, was a standout NFL quarterback.<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"enhancement\" data-align-center=\"\" data-click=\"enhancement\">\n<figure class=\"figure\"><strong><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/ba7e159\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3000x2218+0+0\/resize\/320x237!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fd8%2Fc6%2F9e7761054d1ab0d5c98a928779c7%2Frose-bowl-1973-aphs138940.jpg 320w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/8eaad79\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3000x2218+0+0\/resize\/568x420!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fd8%2Fc6%2F9e7761054d1ab0d5c98a928779c7%2Frose-bowl-1973-aphs138940.jpg 568w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/1ddacc8\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3000x2218+0+0\/resize\/768x568!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fd8%2Fc6%2F9e7761054d1ab0d5c98a928779c7%2Frose-bowl-1973-aphs138940.jpg 768w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/6cf7c87\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3000x2218+0+0\/resize\/840x621!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fd8%2Fc6%2F9e7761054d1ab0d5c98a928779c7%2Frose-bowl-1973-aphs138940.jpg 840w\" type=\"image\/webp\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/ba7e159\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3000x2218+0+0\/resize\/320x237!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fd8%2Fc6%2F9e7761054d1ab0d5c98a928779c7%2Frose-bowl-1973-aphs138940.jpg 320w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/8eaad79\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3000x2218+0+0\/resize\/568x420!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fd8%2Fc6%2F9e7761054d1ab0d5c98a928779c7%2Frose-bowl-1973-aphs138940.jpg 568w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/1ddacc8\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3000x2218+0+0\/resize\/768x568!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fd8%2Fc6%2F9e7761054d1ab0d5c98a928779c7%2Frose-bowl-1973-aphs138940.jpg 768w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/6cf7c87\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3000x2218+0+0\/resize\/840x621!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fd8%2Fc6%2F9e7761054d1ab0d5c98a928779c7%2Frose-bowl-1973-aphs138940.jpg 840w\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"image\" src=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/9753f17\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3000x2218+0+0\/resize\/840x621!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fd8%2Fc6%2F9e7761054d1ab0d5c98a928779c7%2Frose-bowl-1973-aphs138940.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/9cc6136\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3000x2218+0+0\/resize\/320x237!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fd8%2Fc6%2F9e7761054d1ab0d5c98a928779c7%2Frose-bowl-1973-aphs138940.jpg 320w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/71b03f4\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3000x2218+0+0\/resize\/568x420!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fd8%2Fc6%2F9e7761054d1ab0d5c98a928779c7%2Frose-bowl-1973-aphs138940.jpg 568w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/d3cd3c8\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3000x2218+0+0\/resize\/768x568!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fd8%2Fc6%2F9e7761054d1ab0d5c98a928779c7%2Frose-bowl-1973-aphs138940.jpg 768w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/9753f17\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3000x2218+0+0\/resize\/840x621!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fd8%2Fc6%2F9e7761054d1ab0d5c98a928779c7%2Frose-bowl-1973-aphs138940.jpg 840w\" alt=\"A young Sam Cunningham and Anthony Davis smile and hug.\" width=\"840\" height=\"621\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/9cc6136\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3000x2218+0+0\/resize\/320x237!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fd8%2Fc6%2F9e7761054d1ab0d5c98a928779c7%2Frose-bowl-1973-aphs138940.jpg 320w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/71b03f4\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3000x2218+0+0\/resize\/568x420!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fd8%2Fc6%2F9e7761054d1ab0d5c98a928779c7%2Frose-bowl-1973-aphs138940.jpg 568w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/d3cd3c8\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3000x2218+0+0\/resize\/768x568!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fd8%2Fc6%2F9e7761054d1ab0d5c98a928779c7%2Frose-bowl-1973-aphs138940.jpg 768w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/9753f17\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3000x2218+0+0\/resize\/840x621!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fd8%2Fc6%2F9e7761054d1ab0d5c98a928779c7%2Frose-bowl-1973-aphs138940.jpg 840w\" data-src=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/9753f17\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3000x2218+0+0\/resize\/840x621!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fd8%2Fc6%2F9e7761054d1ab0d5c98a928779c7%2Frose-bowl-1973-aphs138940.jpg\" \/> <\/picture><\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"figure-content\">\n<div class=\"figure-caption\"><strong>Fullback Sam Cunningham, left, and running back Anthony Davis embrace in the locker room after USC\u2019s 42-17 triumph over Ohio State in the 1973 Rose Bowl game.<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>In his later years, the former USC star dismissed any talk of him and his team as heroes.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u201cWe\u2019re just regular people,\u201d he said. \u201cI didn\u2019t do anything more than what I was asked to do. Run the ball. If there\u2019s a hole, run through it. If you can score a touchdown, score a touchdown. Bam. Pretty simple to me.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb--style2\" aria-label=\"breadcrumb navigation\">\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Sam Cunningham, Outstanding Senior Boy, Class of 1969 : Sam was chairman of the Athletic Committee, a member of Key Club and United Black Students and excelled in shot-put as well as football. He won All-American honors from Parade and Scholastic magazines. He attended the University of Southern California and as Sam &#8220;Barn&#8221; played football with the New England Patriots. (His brother Randall, Class of 1980, plays football for the Philadelphia Eagles.)<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/nav>\n<h1 class=\"obj__heading\"><strong>Sam Cunningham, Outstanding Senior Boy, Class of 1969 : Sam was chairman &#8230;<\/strong><\/h1>\n<div id=\"js-objectViewport\" data-item_id=\"737e4c4a73fd41ab5900bf378c219496\">\n<div class=\"obj-container__simple-image\">\n<div class=\"obj__icon-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"obj__simple-image\" src=\"https:\/\/calisphere.org\/clip\/500x500\/094d746d09ccb7013611ef5ea7480333\" alt=\"Sam Cunningham, Outstanding Senior Boy, Class of 1969 : Sam was chairman of the Athletic Committee, a member of Key Club and United Black Students and excelled in shot-put as well as football. He won All-American honors from Parade and Scholastic magazines. He attended the University of Southern California and as Sam &quot;Barn&quot; played football with the New England Patriots. (His brother Randall, Class of 1980, plays football for the Philadelphia Eagles.)\" width=\"1253\" height=\"1536\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"meta-block\">\n<dl class=\"meta-block__list\">\n<dd class=\"meta-block__defin\"><strong>Sam Cunningham, Outstanding Senior Boy, Class of 1969 : Sam was chairman of the Athletic Committee, a member of Key Club and United Black Students and excelled in shot-put as well as football. He won All-American honors from Parade and Scholastic magazines. He attended the University of Southern California and as Sam &#8220;Barn&#8221; played football with the New England Patriots. (His brother Randall, Class of 1980, plays football for the Philadelphia Eagles.)<\/strong><\/dd>\n<dd class=\"meta-block__defin\"><strong>Sam Cunningham smiles and stands with hands in pockets. Printed on his zipped jacket is a football with number &#8220;34&#8221; and &#8220;Santa Barbara Dons.&#8221; Image originally obtained from Santa Barbara High School. <\/strong><\/dd>\n<dd class=\"meta-block__defin\"><\/dd>\n<dt class=\"meta-block__type\"><strong>Place<\/strong><\/dt>\n<dd class=\"meta-block__defin\"><strong>Cunningham, Sam <\/strong><br \/>\n<strong>Santa Barbara (Calif.) <\/strong><br \/>\n<strong>Santa Barbara High School (Santa Barbara, Calif.) <\/strong><br \/>\n<strong>African American football players <\/strong><br \/>\n<strong>California <\/strong><br \/>\n<strong>African Americans <\/strong><br \/>\n<strong>Santa Barbara County <\/strong><\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"js-itemContainer\" class=\"obj__container\" data-itemid=\"737e4c4a73fd41ab5900bf378c219496\">\n<div class=\"row\">\n<div class=\"col-md-4\">\n<div class=\"meta-sidebar\">\n<div class=\"meta-sidebar__block\">\n<div class=\"content-container\">\n<div class=\"layout-container\">\n<aside id=\"sidebar-left\" class=\"sidebar sidebar-left\" role=\"complementary\">\n<div class=\"inner\"><\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<section id=\"main\" class=\"main\" role=\"main\">\n<div id=\"loop-container\" class=\"loop-container\">\n<div class=\"post-8728 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-sports entry\">\n<article>\n<div class=\"featured-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-post-image\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cleanbowled.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/gettyimages-146635487-775x465-1.jpg\" sizes=\"(max-width: 775px) 100vw, 775px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cleanbowled.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/gettyimages-146635487-775x465-1.jpg 775w, https:\/\/www.cleanbowled.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/gettyimages-146635487-775x465-1-300x180.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.cleanbowled.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/gettyimages-146635487-775x465-1-768x461.jpg 768w\" alt=\"\" width=\"775\" height=\"465\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"post-header\">\n<h1 class=\"post-title\">College Football World Pays Tribute To Sam Cunningham<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<p><strong>The football world lost a legend on Tuesday with the passing of former USC and New England Patriots fullback Sam Cunningham at the age of 71.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Cunningham starred at USC from 1970-72, earning All-American honors in his final season. In his first collegiate game, he rushed for 135 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Alabama, a performance so impressive that it reportedly helped lead Crimson Tide head coach Bear Bryant to integrate his program.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Cunningham was selected with the 11th overall pick in the 1973 NFL Draft. He played nine seasons with the Patriots, rushing for 5,453 yards and 43 touchdowns and earning Pro Bowl honors in 1978.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>In 2010, Cunningham was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. His contributions on and off the field were the subject of a flurry of tributes on social media this afternoon.<\/strong><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/FightOnForever?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#FightOnForever<\/a>, Sam \u201cBam\u201d Cunningham.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>The All-American fullback, Rose Bowl MVP and College Football Hall of Famer, whose performance in USC\u2019s 1970 win at Alabama has often been credited with helping integrate Southern football, died on Tuesday in Inglewood. He was 71.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u2014 USC Trojans (@USC_Athletics) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/USC_Athletics\/status\/1435334609571487747?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">September 7, 2021<\/a><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"><strong>Sam Cunningham was one of the all timers. Not just a great football player but an incredible man. Really had a huge influence on my team at USC. Loved when I got to see him. RIP to a legend. <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/FightOnForever?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#FightOnForever<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u2014 Matt Leinart (@MattLeinartQB) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/MattLeinartQB\/status\/1435334126836404225?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">September 7, 2021<\/a><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"><strong>All the stories about how Sam Cunningham helped integrate Bear Bryant\u2019s Alabama program are riveting, so check them all out <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/L4MMbvft5A\">https:\/\/t.co\/L4MMbvft5A<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u2014 David Steele (@David_C_Steele) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/David_C_Steele\/status\/1435340027031166979?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">September 7, 2021<\/a><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"><strong>RIP to the <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"emoji\" role=\"img\" draggable=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/s.w.org\/images\/core\/emoji\/13.1.0\/svg\/1f410.svg\" alt=\"\ud83d\udc10\" \/> Sam \u201cBam\u201d Cunningham, one of the greatest Football players in USC history but also one the greatest people that I have ever met. He changed College Football forever\u2026 This one hurts<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"emoji\" role=\"img\" draggable=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/s.w.org\/images\/core\/emoji\/13.1.0\/svg\/1f622.svg\" alt=\"\ud83d\ude22\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"emoji\" role=\"img\" draggable=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/s.w.org\/images\/core\/emoji\/13.1.0\/svg\/1f64f-1f3fe.svg\" alt=\"\ud83d\ude4f\ud83c\udffe\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"emoji\" role=\"img\" draggable=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/s.w.org\/images\/core\/emoji\/13.1.0\/svg\/1f54a.svg\" alt=\"\ud83d\udd4a\" \/> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/pCEhValMGM\">pic.twitter.com\/pCEhValMGM<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u2014 gavin morris (@DaGman7) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/DaGman7\/status\/1435315068481073156?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">September 7, 2021<\/a><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"><strong>So sad to see this. A real sports legend. Was such a treat to get to know Sam \u201cBam\u201d Cunningham and hear some of his stories. RIP to a great one. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/gVZvt0Wqoz\">https:\/\/t.co\/gVZvt0Wqoz<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u2014 Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/BruceFeldmanCFB\/status\/1435335182253367297?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">September 7, 2021<\/a><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"><strong>RIP to Sam \u201cBam\u201d Cunningham, one of the most impact players in the history of college football. While there are some myths and realities surrounding the 1970 USC-Alabama game, this quote (next tweet) will always remain a crucial part of Cunningham\u2019s legacy:<a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/TShkirjh9d\">https:\/\/t.co\/TShkirjh9d<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u2014 Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/PeteThamel\/status\/1435338230744879106?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">September 7, 2021<\/a><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"><strong>I\u2019ve hesitated as I got older to overpraise that USC-Alabama game. So much mythology overshadows that being such a great moment.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>But Sam Cunningham deserves props for his great career beyond that game.<\/strong><br \/>\n<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/24E9jz5ngs\">https:\/\/t.co\/24E9jz5ngs<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u2014 Evan Barnes<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"emoji\" role=\"img\" draggable=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/s.w.org\/images\/core\/emoji\/13.1.0\/svg\/303d.svg\" alt=\"\u303d\ufe0f\" \/> (@evan_b) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/evan_b\/status\/1435339336439013379?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">September 7, 2021<\/a><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"><strong>RIP to a Patriots legend <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/2gWkqaJ8TS\">pic.twitter.com\/2gWkqaJ8TS<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u2014 GilletteNation (@gillettenation) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/gillettenation\/status\/1435336160625233922?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">September 7, 2021<\/a><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><strong>The older brother of star NFL quarterback Randall Cunningham, Sam left an indelible mark on the sport of college football. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this time.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Rest in peace, Sam.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-meta\"><\/div>\n<\/article>\n<section id=\"comments\" class=\"comments\">\n<div id=\"respond\" class=\"comment-respond\">\n<h3 id=\"reply-title\" class=\"comment-reply-title\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-22306\" src=\"https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/SAM.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"275\" height=\"183\" \/><\/h3>\n<div class=\"sidearm-story-template-content large-flex-item-1 columns\">\n<header class=\"sidearm-story-template-header\">\n<h1>Ex-USC, New England Patriots Star Fullback Sam \u201cBam\u201d Cunningham Dies At 71<\/h1>\n<div class=\"sidearm-story-template-media relative\" data-bind=\"stopBindings: true\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/d3jycsk0m72ya7.cloudfront.net\/images\/2021\/9\/7\/usc_trojans_football_sam_bam_cunningham_fight_on_forever.jpg?width=1440&amp;quality=80&amp;format=jpg\" media=\"(min-width:1024px)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/d3jycsk0m72ya7.cloudfront.net\/images\/2021\/9\/7\/usc_trojans_football_sam_bam_cunningham_fight_on_forever.jpg?width=1023&amp;quality=80&amp;format=jpg\" media=\"(min-width:768px)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/d3jycsk0m72ya7.cloudfront.net\/images\/2021\/9\/7\/usc_trojans_football_sam_bam_cunningham_fight_on_forever.jpg?width=767&amp;quality=80&amp;format=jpg\" media=\"(min-width:540px)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/d3jycsk0m72ya7.cloudfront.net\/images\/2021\/9\/7\/usc_trojans_football_sam_bam_cunningham_fight_on_forever.jpg?width=539&amp;quality=80&amp;format=jpg\" media=\"(min-width:400px)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/d3jycsk0m72ya7.cloudfront.net\/images\/2021\/9\/7\/usc_trojans_football_sam_bam_cunningham_fight_on_forever.jpg?width=399&amp;quality=80&amp;format=jpg\" media=\"(min-width:0px)\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/d3jycsk0m72ya7.cloudfront.net\/images\/2021\/9\/7\/usc_trojans_football_sam_bam_cunningham_fight_on_forever.jpg\" alt=\"Fight On Forever: USC Trojans Football Sam 'Bam' Cunningham\" \/> <\/picture><\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"sidearm-story-template-text\">\n<p><strong>Football | September 07, 2021<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Former USC All-American fullback Sam &#8220;Bam&#8221; Cunningham, a College Football Hall of Famer whose performance in USC&#8217;s 1970 win at Alabama has often been <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uscbhm.com\/cunningham\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">credited with helping integrate Southern football<\/a> and whose 4-touchdown outing in the 1973 Rose Bowl earned him Player of the Game honors before going on to a record-setting career with the New England Patriots, died on Tuesday (Sept. 7) in Inglewood, Calif. Cause of death is pending. He was 71.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Cunningham, a 3-year (1970-72) letterman at USC, earned All-American first team honors in 1972 while captaining the Trojans to the national championship. He was USC&#8217;s Back of the Year that season. He rushed for 1,579 yards and 23 touchdowns in his career (including 13 TDs in 1972) and added 34 receptions for 293 yards and 2 scores.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>As a sophomore in 1970, his 135-yard, 2-TD debut performance in the Trojans&#8217; season-opening 42-21 victory over Alabama in Birmingham provided a catalyst for the integration of college football in the South.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Cunningham&#8217;s 4 short goal line scoring dives against Ohio State in the 1973 Rose Bowl earned him game MVP honors and he was later inducted into the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame in 1992.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>He played in the 1973 Hula Bowl, College All-Star Game and Coaches All-America Game.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>He was inducted into the USC Athletic Hall of Fame in 2001 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 2010.<\/strong><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"><strong>A true Trojan Legend. Rest in peace Sam &#8220;Bam&#8221; Cunningham.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Cunningham family. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/EkdymZvu84\">pic.twitter.com\/EkdymZvu84<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u2014 USC Football (@USC_FB) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/USC_FB\/status\/1435334717637861379?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">September 7, 2021<\/a><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><strong>Drafted 11th overall in the 1973 NFL Draft&#8217;s first round by New England, he played 9 seasons for the Patriots (1973-79, 19881-82) and became the franchise&#8217;s all-time leading rusher (5,453 yards) while also catching 210 passes for 1,905 yards. He scored 49 touchdowns with New England, with 43 on the ground. He was named to the AFC Pro Bowl team in 1978. He was inducted into the Patriots&#8217; Hall of Fame in 2010.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>He came to USC from Santa Barbara (Calif.) High.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>After his playing career, Cunningham worked as a landscape contractor in Southern California.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>He is survived by his wife, Cine, and daughter, Samahndi, a USC graduate, as well as brothers Randall, Bruce and Anthony.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>His brother, Randall, played quarterback at UNLV (he is a 2016 College Football Hall of Fame inductee) and then for 16 years in the NFL with the Eagles, Vikings, Cowboys and Ravens. His nephew Randall II was a 2-time NCAA champion high jumper at USC and his niece Vashti is a world indoor champion high jumper who competed in the 2020 Olympics.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Services are pending.<\/strong><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"><strong>Sam Cunningham was one of the all timers. Not just a great football player but an incredible man. Really had a huge influence on my team at USC. Loved when I got to see him. RIP to a legend. <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/FightOnForever?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#FightOnForever<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u2014 Matt Leinart (@MattLeinartQB) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/MattLeinartQB\/status\/1435334126836404225?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">September 7, 2021<\/a><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"><strong>RIP to the \ud83d\udc10 Sam &#8220;Bam&#8221; Cunningham, one of the greatest Football players in USC history but also one the greatest people that I have ever met. He changed College Football forever\u2026 This one hurts\ud83d\ude22\ud83d\ude4f\ud83c\udffe\ud83d\udd4a <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/pCEhValMGM\">pic.twitter.com\/pCEhValMGM<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u2014 gavin morris (@DaGman7) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/DaGman7\/status\/1435315068481073156?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">September 7, 2021<\/a><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"><strong>Extremely saddened by the loss of a college football legend. As good a man as he was a player. Thank you Sam for being the example of what a Trojan should be. You will be missed but never forgotten. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/1Fj1FMSkpn\">https:\/\/t.co\/1Fj1FMSkpn<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u2014 <dfn><a href=\"https:\/\/usctrojans.com\/coaches.aspx?rc=5246\" rel=\"smarttag\" rev=\"5246\">Clay Helton<\/a><\/dfn> (@USCCoachHelton) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/USCCoachHelton\/status\/1435337644922183680?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">September 7, 2021<\/a><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"><strong>R.I.P. Sam &#8220;Bam&#8221;. I&#8217;m honored to have known your for the last 20 years. My thoughts and prayers are with the Cunningham Family. \ud83d\ude4f\ud83c\udffe\ud83d\ude4f\ud83c\udffe\ud83d\ude4f\ud83c\udffe <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/ZCgebKGq9u\">https:\/\/t.co\/ZCgebKGq9u<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u2014 <dfn><a href=\"https:\/\/usctrojans.com\/coaches.aspx?rc=5248\" rel=\"smarttag\" rev=\"5248\">Keary Colbert<\/a><\/dfn> (@kearycolbert) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/kearycolbert\/status\/1435336537739173889?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">September 7, 2021<\/a><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"><strong>One of the greatest honors of my life was knowing and becoming friends with Sam &#8220;Bam&#8221; Cunningham. I am devasted to hear of his passing. The <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/USC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@USC<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/USC_Athletics?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@USC_Athletics<\/a> community lost a remarkable human being. RIP<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u2014 Alex Holmes (@Trojan81) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Trojan81\/status\/1435337783321587712?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">September 7, 2021<\/a><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"><strong>Never had a chance to see him play, but his mentorship, friendship and kindness meant more to me than any football game I could have ever seen. Thank you Sam &#8220;Bam&#8221;, for all the lives you impacted and minds you changed. REST IN PEACE. <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/FightOn?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#FightOn<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/USC_Athletics?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@USC_Athletics<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/nUV5k2yYKL\">pic.twitter.com\/nUV5k2yYKL<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u2014 Shaun Cody (@ShaunCody95) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ShaunCody95\/status\/1435337971503230977?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">September 7, 2021<\/a><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"et\"><strong>Robert Kraft on Sam Cunningham <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/saJZIXWhe0\">pic.twitter.com\/saJZIXWhe0<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u2014 New England Patriots (@Patriots) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Patriots\/status\/1435358711426519041?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">September 7, 2021<\/a><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"main-footer__details\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"main-footer__bottom\">\n<div class=\"row\">\n<div class=\"component c-common-footer c-common-footer--white flex flex-column flex-align-stretch flex-justify-between medium-flex-row\">\n<div class=\"c-common-footer__links\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Sam Cunningham (born August 15, 1950, in Santa Barbara, CA) is a former USC All-American fullback in 1972 who convinced (through his play) Bear Bryant to integrate Southern football after USC soundly beat University of Alabama 42-21 at Birmingham on September 12, 1970 in a primetime matchup. Bear Bryant allegedly brought Cunningham into the all-white [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":22310,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2405,11,8,1314,2432,1456,1156,2416,13,2404,2406,14,104,124,1,39,12,7,9,10],"tags":[4321,4752,4748,4750,4749,4751,4747],"class_list":["post-22299","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-all","category-business","category-entertainment","category-global-business-entrepreneurs","category-global-gamers","category-global-news-updates-and-more","category-global-sports","category-hall-of-fame","category-health","category-high-school-sports","category-mbs-hss","category-most-commented","category-ncaa","category-ncaa-football","category-news","category-nfl","category-scitech","category-sports","category-us","category-world","tag-pastorrandallc","tag-vashtizzle_","tag-1950-santa-barbara","tag-2021-aged-71-inglewood","tag-california-died-september-7","tag-randall-cunningham","tag-sam-cunninghamrefer-to-caption-cunningham-at-his-2010-induction-to-the-patriots-hall-of-fame-no-39-position-fullback-personal-information-born-august-15","et-has-post-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22299","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=22299"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22299\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/22310"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=22299"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=22299"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=22299"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}