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{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
{{Infobox NFL biography
|name=Sam Cunningham
| name = Sam Cunningham
|image=Sam bam cunningham.jpg
| image = Sam bam cunningham.jpg
|caption=Cunningham at his 2010 induction to the Patriots Hall of Fame
| caption = Cunningham at his 2010 induction to the Patriots Hall of Fame
|number=39
| number = 39
|position=[[Fullback (gridiron football)|Fullback]]
| position = [[Fullback (gridiron football)|Fullback]]
|birth_date={{Birth date|1950|8|15}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1950|8|15}}
|birth_place=[[Santa Barbara, California]], U.S.
| birth_place = [[Santa Barbara, California]], U.S.
|death_date={{death date and age|2021|9|7|1950|8|15}}
| death_date = {{death date and age|2021|9|7|1950|8|15}}
|death_place=[[Inglewood, California]], U.S.
| death_place = [[Inglewood, California]], U.S.
|height_ft=6
| height_ft = 6
|height_in=3
| height_in = 3
|weight_lbs=226
| weight_lbs = 226
|high_school=[[Santa Barbara High School|Santa Barbara]]
| high_school = [[Santa Barbara High School|Santa Barbara]]
|college=[[USC Trojans football|USC]]
| college = [[USC Trojans football|USC]]
|draftyear=1973
| draftyear = 1973
|draftround=1
| draftround = 1
|draftpick=11
| draftpick = 11
|pastteams=
| pastteams =
* [[New England Patriots]] ({{NFL Year|1973|1982}})
* [[New England Patriots]] ({{NFL Year|1973|1982}})
|highlights=
| highlights =
* [[Pro Bowl]] ([[1979 Pro Bowl|1978]])
* [[Pro Bowl]] ([[1979 Pro Bowl|1978]])
* [[New England Patriots|New England Patriots All-1970s Team]]
* [[New England Patriots|New England Patriots All-1970s Team]]
Line 29: Line 29:
* [[New England Patriots|New England Patriots 50th Anniversary Team]]
* [[New England Patriots|New England Patriots 50th Anniversary Team]]
* [[New England Patriots#Patriots Hall of Fame|New England Patriots Hall of Fame]]
* [[New England Patriots#Patriots Hall of Fame|New England Patriots Hall of Fame]]
* [[College football national championships in NCAA Division I FBS|National champion]] ([[1972 USC Trojans football team|1972]])
* First-team [[College Football All-America Team|All-American]] ([[1972 College Football All-America Team|1972]])
* First-team [[College Football All-America Team|All-American]] ([[1972 College Football All-America Team|1972]])
|statlabel1=[[Rushing yards]]
| statlabel1 = [[Rushing yards]]
|statvalue1=5,453
| statvalue1 = 5,453
|statlabel2=[[Average|Rushing average]]
| statlabel2 = [[Average|Rushing average]]
|statvalue2=3.9
| statvalue2 = 3.9
|statlabel3=[[Touchdowns|Rushing touchdowns]]
| statlabel3 = [[Touchdowns|Rushing touchdowns]]
|statvalue3=43
| statvalue3 = 43
|statlabel4=[[Reception (American football)|Receptions]]
| statlabel4 = [[Reception (American football)|Receptions]]
|statvalue4=210
| statvalue4 = 210
|statlabel5=[[Receiving yards]]
| statlabel5 = [[Receiving yards]]
|statvalue5=1,905
| statvalue5 = 1,905
|statlabel6=[[Touchdown|Receiving touchdowns]]
| statlabel6 = [[Touchdown|Receiving touchdowns]]
|statvalue6=6
| statvalue6 = 6
⚫
| CollegeHOF = 2301
|nfl=2512330
⚫
| pfr = C/CunnSa00
⚫
|CollegeHOF=2301
⚫
|pfr=C/CunnSa00
}}
}}
'''Samuel Lewis Cunningham Jr''' (August 15, 1950 – September 7, 2021), nicknamed "'''Bam'''",<ref>Chapin, Dwight - McKay's Message Puts the Bam Back in Sam. Los Angeles Times, October 15, 1971. "The name-Sam (Bam) Cunningham--makes you think of a big guy crunching through tacklers like a truck going through a plate glass window."</ref> was an American [[American football|football]] [[Fullback (gridiron football)|fullback]] who played for 10 seasons with the [[New England Patriots]] of the [[National Football League]] (NFL).<ref>[https://usctrojans.com/news/2021/9/7/usc-trojans-football-sam-bam-cunningham-passes-away-nfl-new-england-patriots-rose-bowl.aspx Ex-USC, New England Patriots Star Fullback Sam “Bam” Cunningham Dies At 71]</ref> He played [[college football]] for the [[USC Trojans football|USC Trojans]], earning first-team [[College Football All-America Team|All-American]] honors. He was named the [[most valuable player]] (MVP) of the [[1973 Rose Bowl]].
'''Samuel Lewis Cunningham Jr''' (August 15, 1950 – September 7, 2021), nicknamed "'''Bam'''",<ref>Chapin, Dwight - McKay's Message Puts the Bam Back in Sam. Los Angeles Times, October 15, 1971. "The name-Sam (Bam) Cunningham--makes you think of a big guy crunching through tacklers like a truck going through a plate glass window."</ref> was an American professional [[American football|football]] player who was a [[Fullback (gridiron football)|fullback]] for 10 seasons with the [[New England Patriots]] of the [[National Football League]] (NFL).<ref>[https://usctrojans.com/news/2021/9/7/usc-trojans-football-sam-bam-cunningham-passes-away-nfl-new-england-patriots-rose-bowl.aspx Ex-USC, New England Patriots Star Fullback Sam "Bam" Cunningham Dies At 71]</ref> He played [[college football]] for the [[USC Trojans football|USC Trojans]], where he earned first-team [[College Football All-America Team|All-American]] honors and was the MVP of the [[1973 Rose Bowl]].


Selected in the first round of the [[1973 NFL Draft]] by the Patriots, Cunningham became the franchise's all-time leading rusher. He was inducted to the [[College Football Hall of Fame]] in 2010. The same year, he was also inducted to the [[New England Patriots#Patriots Hall of Fame|Patriots Hall of Fame]].
Selected in the first round of the [[1973 NFL draft]] by the Patriots, Cunningham became the franchise's all-time leading rusher. He was inducted to the [[College Football Hall of Fame]] in 2010. The same year, he was also inducted to the [[New England Patriots#Patriots Hall of Fame|Patriots Hall of Fame]].

== Early life ==
Cunningham was born on August 15, 1950, in [[Santa Barbara, California]] to Samuel Sr. and Zoe (Ivory) Cunningham. His father was a railroad worker, and his mother died when Cunningham was young. He was later raised by his father and stepmother Mabel (Crook) Cunningham, who was a nurse. Cunningham had three brothers, including future NFL star [[Randall Cunningham]].<ref name=":0" />

He attended [[Santa Barbara High School]].<ref name=":1" /> Wearing number 39 for the Dons, he scored 39 touchdowns as a fullback, while also playing linebacker.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Zant |first=John |date=2021-09-16 |title=Sam Cunningham: 1950-2021 |url=https://www.independent.com/2021/09/16/sam-cunningham-1950-2021/ |access-date=2024-12-01 |website=The Santa Barbara Independent |language=en-US}}</ref> He was also known in high school for genuineness, honesty, and decency as a human being. He once had a 4 ft 10 in teammate who was being mercilessly bullied, until Cunningham announced to the team that the bullies would have to go through Cunningham first if they wanted to go after his teammate, an event that changed the teenaged boy's life.<ref name=":2" />


==College career==
==College career==
Cunningham was recruited to the [[USC Trojans football|University of Southern California]] (USC) by future College Football Hall of Fame coach [[John McKay (American football)|John McKay]].<ref name=":0" />
Cunningham was a letterman for [[University of Southern California]]'s [[USC Trojans football|football team]] from 1970 through 1972 where he played [[Fullback (American football)|fullback]]. He was named an [[All-America]]n in 1972, and was a member of USC's 1972 national championship team. He scored four touchdowns in the [[1973 Rose Bowl]], which is still the modern-day Rose Bowl record, and was named Player of the Game. He was inducted into the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame in 1992<ref>{{cite web |url=https://tournamentofroses.com/about/rose-bowl-game-history/ |title=Rose Bowl Game Hall of Fame |website=tournamentofroses.com |date=September 8, 2021}}</ref> and into the [[College Football Hall of Fame]] in 2010.


Cunningham was a letterman for [[University of Southern California]]'s [[USC Trojans football|football team]] from 1970 through 1972 where he played [[Fullback (American football)|fullback]].<ref name=":1" /> Cunningham was legendary for leaping over the top of the offensive line, fearlessly launching himself over the pile, and then landing in the end zone. His nickname "Bam" came from these goal line dives. McKay wanted him at fullback instead of tailback for this reason.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-09-07 |title=Inspirational Running Back Sam Cunningham Dies at 71 |url=https://www.si.com/college/alabama/football/running-back-sam-cunningham-dies-at-71 |access-date=2024-12-01 |website=Alabama Crimson Tide On SI |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Wharton |first=David |last2= |last3= |last4= |date=2021-09-07 |title=Sam Cunningham, USC player who helped integrate college football, dies at 71 |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/usc/story/2021-09-07/sam-cunningham-usc-player-helped-integrate-college-football-dies-at-71 |access-date=2024-12-01 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":7" /> His brother Randall's son, Randall Cunningham II, is a two time high jump champion at USC, and his niece [[Vashti Cunningham]] is an international, medal winning, high jump competitor.<ref name=":6" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-28 |title=Vashti Cunningham: Top career moments |url=https://www.redbull.com/us-en/vashti-cunningham-top-career-moments |access-date=2024-12-01 |website=Red Bull |language=en-us}}</ref>
⚫
In 1970, he was part of [[University of Southern California|USC]]'s "all-black" [[backfield]]{{snd}}the first one of its kind in [[Division I (NCAA)]] history{{snd}}that included [[quarterback]] [[Jimmy Jones (Canadian football)|Jimmy Jones]] and [[running back]] [[Clarence Davis]]. He had a notable debut<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/gorman-siblings-not-burdened-celebrated-name|title=Gorman siblings not burdened by celebrated name|access-date=September 6, 2013|date=April 11, 2013|author=Schoen, David|work=[[Las Vegas Review-Journal]]}}</ref> performance (135 yards, two touchdowns) against an all-white [[University of Alabama football]] team, as USC beat Alabama 42–21 in [[Birmingham, Alabama|Birmingham]] 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 [[Bear Bryant]] integrate [[Southern United States|Southern]] football. [[Jerry Claiborne]], a former Bryant assistant, said, "Sam Cunningham did more to integrate Alabama in 60 minutes than [[Martin Luther King Jr.]] did in 20 years."<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20060614062747/http://www.usclegends.org/sam-cunningham.php USC Legends: Sam Cunningham]</ref><ref>[http://www.rosebowllegends.org/sam-cunningham.php Rose Bowl Legends: Sam Cunningham] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080105182407/http://www.rosebowllegends.org/sam-cunningham.php |date=January 5, 2008 }}</ref>

He was named an [[All-America]]n in 1972, and was a captain of USC's 1972 12–0 national championship team.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":4">{{Cite news |last=Morales |first=Antonio |last2=Buckley |first2=Steve |last3=more |title=Former USC, Patriots great Sam ‘Bam’ Cunningham dies at 71 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/4200499/2021/09/07/former-usc-patriots-great-sam-bam-cunningham-dies-at-71/ |access-date=2024-12-01 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> He scored four touchdowns in the [[1973 Rose Bowl]],<ref name=":0" /> which is still the modern-day Rose Bowl record, and was named Player of the Game.<ref name=":1" /> He was inducted into the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame in 1992<ref>{{cite web |url=https://tournamentofroses.com/about/rose-bowl-game-history/ |title=Rose Bowl Game Hall of Fame |website=tournamentofroses.com |date=September 8, 2021}}</ref> the USC Athletics Hall of Fame in 2001,<ref name=":1" /> and into the [[College Football Hall of Fame]] in 2010.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Sam Cunningham (2010) - Hall of Fame - National Football Foundation |url=https://footballfoundation.org/hof_search.aspx?hof=2301 |access-date=2024-12-01 |website=National Football Foundation |language=en-US}}</ref> The 1972 team included four other College Hall of Fame players, [[Anthony Davis (running back, born 1952)|Anthony Davis]], [[Lynn Swann]] (also in the NFL Hall of Fame<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lynn Swann {{!}} Pro Football Hall of Fame |url=https://www.profootballhof.com/players/lynn-swann/ |access-date=2024-12-01 |website=pfhof |language=en}}</ref>), [[Richard Wood (American football)|Richard Wood]], and [[Charle Young]], and is considered one of the all time great college teams.<ref name=":1" />

Over three years, he [[Rush (gridiron football)|rushed]] for 1,541 yards, averaging 4.7 yards per attempt, and scoring 19 touchdowns. He had another two touchdowns on 34 pass [[Reception (gridiron football)|receptions]] for 301 yards.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sam Cunningham College Stats, School, Draft, Gamelog, Splits |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/sam-cunningham-2.html |access-date=2024-12-01 |website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> Cunningham played in the 1973 [[Hula Bowl]], [[Chicago Charities College All-Star Game|College All-Star Game]] and [[Coaches All-America Game]].<ref name=":1" />

Like his teammates in high school, Cunningham's USC teammates found him humble and sociable, and a person who always told the truth.<ref name=":6" />

'''1970 game between USC and Alabama'''

⚫
In 1970, he was part of [[University of Southern California|USC]]'s "all-black" [[Offensive backfield|backfield]]{{snd}}the first one of its kind in [[Division I (NCAA)]] history{{snd}}that included [[quarterback]] [[Jimmy Jones (Canadian football)|Jimmy Jones]] and [[running back]] [[Clarence Davis]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Sandomir |first=Richard |date=September 9, 2021 |title=Sam Cunningham Dies at 71; Fostered Integration on the Football Field |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/09/sports/football/sam-cunningham-dead.html |work=New York Times}}</ref> He had a notable debut performance (135 yards, two touchdowns) against an all-white [[University of Alabama football]] team, as USC beat Alabama 42–21 in [[Birmingham, Alabama|Birmingham]] on September 12, 1970.<ref name=":0" /> His performance in the game was reportedly a factor in convincing the University of Alabama and its fans to let Coach [[Bear Bryant]] integrate [[Southern United States|Southern]] football. [[Jerry Claiborne]], a former Bryant assistant, said, "Sam Cunningham did more to integrate Alabama in 60 minutes than [[Martin Luther King Jr.]] did in 20 years."<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20060614062747/http://www.usclegends.org/sam-cunningham.php USC Legends: Sam Cunningham]</ref><ref>[http://www.rosebowllegends.org/sam-cunningham.php Rose Bowl Legends: Sam Cunningham] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080105182407/http://www.rosebowllegends.org/sam-cunningham.php |date=January 5, 2008 }}</ref> Cunningham himself considered the game a "'tipping point'" in bringing civil rights to sports, and Alabama coach Bryant conceded to [[Grambling State University]] coach [[Eddie Robinson (American football coach)|Eddie Robinson]] the effect of Cunningham's performance on the need to integrate at Alabama.<ref name=":0" />


==Professional career==
==Professional career==
Cunningham was drafted by the Patriots in the first round of the 1973 NFL draft (11th overall).<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Bonagura |first=Kyle |date=2021-09-07 |title=USC icon, Patriots HOFer Cunningham, 71, dies |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/32166836/sam-cunningham-usc-football-great-became-new-england-patriots-all-leading-rusher-dies-71 |access-date=2024-12-01 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref> The Patriots also selected Alabama guard, and future hall of famer, [[John Hannah (American football)|John Hannah]] with the fourth pick in the same draft,<ref name=":4" /> who would block for Cunningham for the fullback's entire Patriots career.<ref>{{Cite web |title=John Hannah Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HannJo00.htm |access-date=2024-12-01 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>
⚫
In only his second year 1974, Cunningham gained 811 yards and nine touchdowns as he led the [[New England Patriots]] to a surprising 5–0 start before faltering to a 7–7 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 (1973–1982) with the Patriots and was a 1978 [[Pro Bowl]] selection. Cunningham was an integral part of the [[1978 NFL season|1978]] 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.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ravens set single season rushing record

⚫
He rushed for 516 yards as a rookie, a then record for Patriots rookies.<ref name=":0" /> In only his second year, 1974, Cunningham gained 811 yards and nine touchdowns as he led the [[New England Patriots]] to a surprising 5–0 start before faltering to a 7–7 finish.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1974 New England Patriots Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/nwe/1974.htm |access-date=2024-12-01 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> 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.<ref name=":5" /> He played his entire career (1973–1982) with the Patriots<ref name=":5" /> and was a 1978 [[Pro Bowl]] selection.<ref name=":3" /> Cunningham was an integral part of the [[1978 NFL season|1978]] Patriots, who set an NFL record for rushing yards as a team with 3,165.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1978 New England Patriots Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/nwe/1978.htm |access-date=2024-12-01 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":7" /> This record stood for more than forty years and was not broken until the 2019 Baltimore Ravens.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ravens set single season rushing record
|publisher=Matthew Stevens USA Today Ravens Wire |date=29 December 2019 |url=https://ravenswire.usatoday.com/2019/12/29/baltimore-ravens-nfl-record-single-season-rushing-yards-new-england-patriots-gus-edwards-2019/
|publisher=Matthew Stevens USA Today Ravens Wire |date=29 December 2019 |url=https://ravenswire.usatoday.com/2019/12/29/baltimore-ravens-nfl-record-single-season-rushing-yards-new-england-patriots-gus-edwards-2019/
}}</ref>
}}</ref>


He did not play in 1980 because of a contract dispute with the Patriots, who traded him to the [[Miami Dolphins]]. After failing a physical examination, he returned to the Patriots before the 1981 season started.<ref name=":0" />
⚫
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 [[Randall Cunningham]] and uncle of [[Randall Cunningham II]] and [[2016 IAAF World Indoor Championships – Women's high jump|world champion]] [[high jump]]er [[Vashti Cunningham]].

Cunningham finished his career with 5,453 rushing yards, 210 receptions for 1,905 yards, and 49 touchdowns.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":5">{{Cite web |title=Sam Cunningham Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/CunnSa00.htm |access-date=2024-12-01 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> As of 2024, he remains the all-time Patriots rushing leader.<ref>{{Cite web |title=New England Patriots Career Rushing Leaders |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/nwe/career-rushing.htm |access-date=2024-12-01 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> He is second in team history in rushing touchdowns (43), and fifth in scoring among non-kickers, with all four of those players ahead of him being pass receivers.<ref>{{Cite web |title=New England Patriots Career Scoring Summary Leaders |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/nwe/career-scoring.htm |access-date=2024-12-01 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>

Cunningham was the 2010 Inductee to the Patriots Hall of Fame.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |date=2010-06-08 |title=Sam Cunningham {{!}} The Patriots Hall of Fame |url=https://www.patriotshalloffame.com/hall_of_famer/sam-cunningham/ |access-date=2024-12-01 |website=www.patriotshalloffame.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

==NFL career statistics==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! colspan="2"| Legend
|-
| style="background:#cfecec; width:3em;"|
| Led the league
|-
| '''Bold'''
| Career high
|}
{| class= "wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team
! colspan="2"| Games
! colspan="6"| Rushing
! colspan="5"| Receiving
! colspan="2"| Fumbles
|-
! GP !! GS !! Att !! Yds !! Avg !! Y/G !! Lng !! TD !! Rec !! Yds !! Avg !! Lng !! TD !! Fum !! FR
|-
! [[1973 NFL season|1973]] || [[1973 New England Patriots season|NE]]
| 14 || 10 || 155 || 516 || 3.3 || 36.9 || 25 || 4 || 15 || 144 || 9.6 || 34 || 1 || 10 || '''2'''
|-
! [[1974 NFL season|1974]] || [[1974 New England Patriots season|NE]]
| 10 || 10 || 166 || 811 || '''4.9''' || '''81.1''' || style="background:#cfecec;"|'''75''' || '''9''' || 22 || 214 || 9.7 || 37 || '''2''' || 2 || 0
|-
! [[1975 NFL season|1975]] || [[1975 New England Patriots season|NE]]
| 13 || 13 || 169 || 666 || 3.9 || 51.2 || 17 || 6 || 32 || 253 || 7.9 || 24 || '''2''' || style="background:#cfecec;"|'''12''' || '''2'''
|-
! [[1976 NFL season|1976]] || [[1976 New England Patriots season|NE]]
| 11 || 11 || 172 || 824 || 4.8 || 74.9 || 24 || 3 || 27 || 299 || '''11.1''' || '''41''' || 0 || 5 || 1
|-
! [[1977 NFL season|1977]] || [[1977 New England Patriots season|NE]]
| 14 || '''14''' || '''270''' || '''1,015''' || 3.8 || 72.5 || 31 || 4 || '''42''' || '''370''' || 8.8 || 35 || 1 || 10 || '''2'''
|-
! [[1978 NFL season|1978]] || [[1978 New England Patriots season|NE]]
| '''16''' || '''14''' || 199 || 768 || 3.9 || 48.0 || 52 || 8 || 31 || 297 || 9.6 || 31 || 0 || 4 || 0
|-
! [[1979 NFL season|1979]] || [[1979 New England Patriots season|NE]]
| 12 || 12 || 159 || 563 || 3.5 || 46.9 || 27 || 5 || 29 || 236 || 8.1 || 20 || 0 || 4 || 0
|-
! [[1980 NFL season|1980]] || [[1980 New England Patriots season|NE]]
| colspan="15"|''Missed season due to contract dispute''
|-
! [[1981 NFL season|1981]] || [[1981 New England Patriots season|NE]]
| 11 || 8 || 86 || 269 || 3.1 || 24.5 || 12 || 4 || 12 || 92 || 7.7 || 12 || 0 || 2 || 0
|-
! [[1982 NFL season|1982]] || [[1982 New England Patriots season|NE]]
| 6 || 2 || 9 || 21 || 2.3 || 3.5 || 4 || 0 || – || – || – || – || – || – || –
|-
! colspan="2"|[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/CunnSa00.htm Career] || 107 || 94 || 1,385 || 5,453 || 3.9 || 51.0 || 75 || 43 || 210 || 1,905 || 9.1 || 41 || 6 || 49 || 7
|}

== Personal life ==
After retirement, Cunningham moved to [[Inglewood, California]] with his wife Cine, and they raised a daughter, Samahndi. He had a landscaping business.<ref name=":2" />


⚫
He was the older brother of former University of Nevada Las Vegas and NFL quarterback Randall Cunningham, and uncle of Randall Cunningham II and [[2016 IAAF World Indoor Championships – Women's high jump|world champion]] [[high jump]]er Vashti Cunningham.<ref name=":3" /> He and his brother Randall Cunningham are among eight sets of brothers selected to College Football Hall of Fame.<ref name=":1" />
Cunningham was the 2010 Inductee to the Patriots Hall of Fame.


==Death==
==Death==
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[[Category:Players of American football from Santa Barbara County, California]]
[[Category:Players of American football from Santa Barbara County, California]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Santa Barbara, California]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Santa Barbara, California]]
[[Category:African-American players of American football]]
[[Category:20th-century African-American sportspeople]]
[[Category:21st-century African-American people]]
[[Category:Santa Barbara High School alumni]]
[[Category:Santa Barbara High School alumni]]

Latest revision as of 22:39, 7 January 2025

This article is about the American football player. For the American politician, see Sam Cunningham (mayor). For other people with similar names, see Samuel Cunningham (disambiguation).

Sam Cunningham
refer to caption
Cunningham at his 2010 induction to the Patriots Hall of Fame
No. 39
Position:Fullback
Personal information
Born:(1950-08-15)August 15, 1950
Santa Barbara, California, U.S.
Died:September 7, 2021(2021-09-07) (aged 71)
Inglewood, California, U.S.
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:226 lb (103 kg)
Career information
High school:Santa Barbara
College:USC
NFL draft:1973 / round: 1 / pick: 11
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Rushing yards:5,453
Rushing average:3.9
Rushing touchdowns:43
Receptions:210
Receiving yards:1,905
Receiving touchdowns:6
Stats at Pro Football Reference
College Football Hall of Fame

Samuel Lewis Cunningham Jr (August 15, 1950 – September 7, 2021), nicknamed "Bam",[1] was an American professional football player who was a fullback for 10 seasons with the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL).[2] He played college football for the USC Trojans, where he earned first-team All-American honors and was the MVP of the 1973 Rose Bowl.

Selected in the first round of the 1973 NFL draft by the Patriots, Cunningham became the franchise's all-time leading rusher. He was inducted to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2010. The same year, he was also inducted to the Patriots Hall of Fame.

Early life

[edit]

Cunningham was born on August 15, 1950, in Santa Barbara, California to Samuel Sr. and Zoe (Ivory) Cunningham. His father was a railroad worker, and his mother died when Cunningham was young. He was later raised by his father and stepmother Mabel (Crook) Cunningham, who was a nurse. Cunningham had three brothers, including future NFL star Randall Cunningham.[3]

He attended Santa Barbara High School.[4] Wearing number 39 for the Dons, he scored 39 touchdowns as a fullback, while also playing linebacker.[5] He was also known in high school for genuineness, honesty, and decency as a human being. He once had a 4 ft 10 in teammate who was being mercilessly bullied, until Cunningham announced to the team that the bullies would have to go through Cunningham first if they wanted to go after his teammate, an event that changed the teenaged boy's life.[5]

College career

[edit]

Cunningham was recruited to the University of Southern California (USC) by future College Football Hall of Fame coach John McKay.[3]

Cunningham was a letterman for University of Southern California's football team from 1970 through 1972 where he played fullback.[4] Cunningham was legendary for leaping over the top of the offensive line, fearlessly launching himself over the pile, and then landing in the end zone. His nickname "Bam" came from these goal line dives. McKay wanted him at fullback instead of tailback for this reason.[6][7][8] His brother Randall's son, Randall Cunningham II, is a two time high jump champion at USC, and his niece Vashti Cunningham is an international, medal winning, high jump competitor.[7][9]

He was named an All-American in 1972, and was a captain of USC's 1972 12–0 national championship team.[4][10] He scored four touchdowns in the 1973 Rose Bowl,[3] which is still the modern-day Rose Bowl record, and was named Player of the Game.[4] He was inducted into the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame in 1992[11] the USC Athletics Hall of Fame in 2001,[4] and into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2010.[4] The 1972 team included four other College Hall of Fame players, Anthony Davis, Lynn Swann (also in the NFL Hall of Fame[12]), Richard Wood, and Charle Young, and is considered one of the all time great college teams.[4]

Over three years, he rushed for 1,541 yards, averaging 4.7 yards per attempt, and scoring 19 touchdowns. He had another two touchdowns on 34 pass receptions for 301 yards.[13] Cunningham played in the 1973 Hula Bowl, College All-Star Game and Coaches All-America Game.[4]

Like his teammates in high school, Cunningham's USC teammates found him humble and sociable, and a person who always told the truth.[7]

1970 game between USC and Alabama

In 1970, he was part of USC's "all-black" backfield – the first one of its kind in Division I (NCAA) history – that included quarterback Jimmy Jones and running back Clarence Davis.[3] He had a notable debut performance (135 yards, two touchdowns) against an all-white University of Alabama football team, as USC beat Alabama 42–21 in Birmingham on September 12, 1970.[3] His performance in the game was reportedly a factor in convincing the University of Alabama and its fans to let Coach Bear Bryant integrate Southern football. Jerry Claiborne, a former Bryant assistant, said, "Sam Cunningham did more to integrate Alabama in 60 minutes than Martin Luther King Jr. did in 20 years."[14][15] Cunningham himself considered the game a "'tipping point'" in bringing civil rights to sports, and Alabama coach Bryant conceded to Grambling State University coach Eddie Robinson the effect of Cunningham's performance on the need to integrate at Alabama.[3]

Professional career

[edit]

Cunningham was drafted by the Patriots in the first round of the 1973 NFL draft (11th overall).[16] The Patriots also selected Alabama guard, and future hall of famer, John Hannah with the fourth pick in the same draft,[10] who would block for Cunningham for the fullback's entire Patriots career.[17]

He rushed for 516 yards as a rookie, a then record for Patriots rookies.[3] In only his second year, 1974, Cunningham gained 811 yards and nine touchdowns as he led the New England Patriots to a surprising 5–0 start before faltering to a 7–7 finish.[18] 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.[19] He played his entire career (1973–1982) with the Patriots[19] and was a 1978 Pro Bowl selection.[16] Cunningham was an integral part of the 1978 Patriots, who set an NFL record for rushing yards as a team with 3,165.[20][8] This record stood for more than forty years and was not broken until the 2019 Baltimore Ravens.[21]

He did not play in 1980 because of a contract dispute with the Patriots, who traded him to the Miami Dolphins. After failing a physical examination, he returned to the Patriots before the 1981 season started.[3]

Cunningham finished his career with 5,453 rushing yards, 210 receptions for 1,905 yards, and 49 touchdowns.[16][19] As of 2024, he remains the all-time Patriots rushing leader.[22] He is second in team history in rushing touchdowns (43), and fifth in scoring among non-kickers, with all four of those players ahead of him being pass receivers.[23]

Cunningham was the 2010 Inductee to the Patriots Hall of Fame.[8]

NFL career statistics

[edit]
Legend
Led the league
Bold Career high
Year Team Games Rushing Receiving Fumbles
GP GS Att Yds Avg Y/G Lng TD Rec Yds Avg Lng TD Fum FR
1973 NE 14 10 155 516 3.3 36.9 25 4 15 144 9.6 34 1 10 2
1974 NE 10 10 166 811 4.9 81.1 75 9 22 214 9.7 37 2 2 0
1975 NE 13 13 169 666 3.9 51.2 17 6 32 253 7.9 24 2 12 2
1976 NE 11 11 172 824 4.8 74.9 24 3 27 299 11.1 41 0 5 1
1977 NE 14 14 270 1,015 3.8 72.5 31 4 42 370 8.8 35 1 10 2
1978 NE 16 14 199 768 3.9 48.0 52 8 31 297 9.6 31 0 4 0
1979 NE 12 12 159 563 3.5 46.9 27 5 29 236 8.1 20 0 4 0
1980 NE Missed season due to contract dispute
1981 NE 11 8 86 269 3.1 24.5 12 4 12 92 7.7 12 0 2 0
1982 NE 6 2 9 21 2.3 3.5 4 0 – – – – – – –
Career 107 94 1,385 5,453 3.9 51.0 75 43 210 1,905 9.1 41 6 49 7

Personal life

[edit]

After retirement, Cunningham moved to Inglewood, California with his wife Cine, and they raised a daughter, Samahndi. He had a landscaping business.[5]

He was the older brother of former University of Nevada Las Vegas and NFL quarterback Randall Cunningham, and uncle of Randall Cunningham II and world champion high jumper Vashti Cunningham.[16] He and his brother Randall Cunningham are among eight sets of brothers selected to College Football Hall of Fame.[4]

Death

[edit]

Cunningham died on September 7, 2021, at the age of 71.[24]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Chapin, Dwight - McKay's Message Puts the Bam Back in Sam. Los Angeles Times, October 15, 1971. "The name-Sam (Bam) Cunningham--makes you think of a big guy crunching through tacklers like a truck going through a plate glass window."
  2. ^ Ex-USC, New England Patriots Star Fullback Sam "Bam" Cunningham Dies At 71
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h Sandomir, Richard (September 9, 2021). "Sam Cunningham Dies at 71; Fostered Integration on the Football Field". New York Times.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Sam Cunningham (2010) - Hall of Fame - National Football Foundation". National Football Foundation. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
  5. ^ a b c Zant, John (September 16, 2021). "Sam Cunningham: 1950-2021". The Santa Barbara Independent. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
  6. ^ "Inspirational Running Back Sam Cunningham Dies at 71". Alabama Crimson Tide On SI. September 7, 2021. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
  7. ^ a b c Wharton, David (September 7, 2021). "Sam Cunningham, USC player who helped integrate college football, dies at 71". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
  8. ^ a b c "Sam Cunningham | The Patriots Hall of Fame". www.patriotshalloffame.com. June 8, 2010. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
  9. ^ "Vashti Cunningham: Top career moments". Red Bull. May 28, 2024. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
  10. ^ a b Morales, Antonio; Buckley, Steve; more. "Former USC, Patriots great Sam 'Bam' Cunningham dies at 71". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
  11. ^ "Rose Bowl Game Hall of Fame". tournamentofroses.com. September 8, 2021.
  12. ^ "Lynn Swann | Pro Football Hall of Fame". pfhof. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
  13. ^ "Sam Cunningham College Stats, School, Draft, Gamelog, Splits". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
  14. ^ USC Legends: Sam Cunningham
  15. ^ Rose Bowl Legends: Sam Cunningham Archived January 5, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  16. ^ a b c d Bonagura, Kyle (September 7, 2021). "USC icon, Patriots HOFer Cunningham, 71, dies". ESPN.com. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
  17. ^ "John Hannah Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
  18. ^ "1974 New England Patriots Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
  19. ^ a b c "Sam Cunningham Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
  20. ^ "1978 New England Patriots Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
  21. ^ "Ravens set single season rushing record". Matthew Stevens USA Today Ravens Wire. December 29, 2019.
  22. ^ "New England Patriots Career Rushing Leaders". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
  23. ^ "New England Patriots Career Scoring Summary Leaders". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
  24. ^ "USC icon, Patriots HOFer Cunningham, 71, dies". September 7, 2021.
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