Sam Cunningham facts for kids
Cunningham at his 2010 induction to the Patriots Hall of Fame
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| Position: | Fullback | ||||||||||||||
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| Born: | August 15, 1950 Santa Barbara, California |
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| Died: | September 7, 2021 (aged 71) Inglewood, California |
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| Height: | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | ||||||||||||||
| Weight: | 226 lb (103 kg) | ||||||||||||||
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| High school: | Santa Barbara (CA) | ||||||||||||||
| College: | USC | ||||||||||||||
| NFL Draft: | 1973 / Round: 1 / Pick: 11 | ||||||||||||||
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College Football Hall of Fame
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Samuel Lewis Cunningham Jr. (born August 15, 1950 – died September 7, 2021) was a famous American football player. People often called him "Bam" because of his powerful playing style. He was a fullback for 10 seasons in the National Football League (NFL) with the New England Patriots.
Before joining the NFL, Sam played college football at the USC. There, he was recognized as a top player, earning the title of first-team All-American. He also won the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award in the 1973 Rose Bowl game. The Patriots picked Sam in the first round of the 1973 NFL Draft. He later became the team's all-time leading rusher. Sam was honored for his achievements by being inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame and the Patriots Hall of Fame in 2010.
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Sam Cunningham's Amazing Football Journey
College Football Star
Sam Cunningham played for the USC football team from 1970 to 1972. He was a fullback and was a key player. In 1972, he was named an All-American, meaning he was one of the best college players in the country. That same year, he helped USC win the national championship.
In the 1973 Rose Bowl, Sam scored four touchdowns. This is still a record for the modern Rose Bowl game. He was also named the Player of the Game for his amazing performance. Later, in 1992, he was inducted into the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame. In 2010, he joined the College Football Hall of Fame.
A Historic Game
In 1970, Sam was part of a special group of players at USC. Their team had the first "all-black" backfield in Division I history. This means their main offensive players were all Black. Sam had a memorable first game against the University of Alabama. USC won 42–21 in Birmingham.
Sam's performance in that game was very important. It helped change minds and encourage the University of Alabama to welcome Black players. A coach named Jerry Claiborne once said that Sam's game did a lot to help football become more inclusive in the Southern United States.
Professional Career with the Patriots
Sam Cunningham played his entire professional career with the New England Patriots, from 1973 to 1982. In his second year, 1974, he ran for 811 yards and scored nine touchdowns. In 1977, he had his best year, rushing for 1,015 yards and four touchdowns. He also caught 42 passes for 370 yards.
In 1978, Sam was chosen for the Pro Bowl, which is a game for the best players in the NFL. He was a big part of the 1978 Patriots team. That team set an NFL record for the most rushing yards by a team in one season, with 3,165 yards. This record stood for over 40 years.
Sam finished his career with 5,453 rushing yards. He also caught 210 passes for 1,905 yards. In total, he scored 49 touchdowns. Sam was the older brother of another famous NFL player, quarterback Randall Cunningham. His niece, Vashti Cunningham, is a world champion high jumper. In 2010, Sam was inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame.
His Passing
Sam Cunningham passed away on September 7, 2021, at the age of 71.
