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Sam Cunningham
Samuel Lewis Cunningham Jr (August 15, 1950 – September 7, 2021), nicknamed "Bam", was an American professional football fullback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 10 seasons with the New England Patriots. 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.
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.
He attended Santa Barbara High School. Wearing number 39 for the Dons, he scored 39 touchdowns as a fullback, while also playing linebacker. He was also known in high school for genuineness, honesty, and decency as a human being. He once had a 4 ft 10 in (1.47 m) 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 smaller teenaged boy's life.
Cunningham was recruited to the University of Southern California (USC) by future College Football Hall of Fame coach John McKay.
Cunningham was a letterman for University of Southern California's football team from 1970 through 1972 where he played fullback. Cunningham was legendary for leaping over the top of his offensive line, fearlessly launching himself over the pile of offensive and defensive lineman as they collided during the play, and then landing in the end zone for touchdowns. His nickname "Bam" came from these goal line dives. McKay wanted him at fullback instead of tailback for this reason. 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.
He was named an All-American in 1972, and was a captain of USC's 1972 12–0 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 the USC Athletics Hall of Fame in 2001, and into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2010. The 1972 team included four other College Hall of Fame players, Anthony Davis, Lynn Swann (also in the NFL Hall of Fame), Richard Wood, and Charle Young, and is considered one of the all-time great college teams.
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, while totaling 301 receiving yards. Cunningham played in the 1973 Hula Bowl, College All-Star Game and Coaches All-America Game.
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Sam Cunningham
Samuel Lewis Cunningham Jr (August 15, 1950 – September 7, 2021), nicknamed "Bam", was an American professional football fullback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 10 seasons with the New England Patriots. 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.
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.
He attended Santa Barbara High School. Wearing number 39 for the Dons, he scored 39 touchdowns as a fullback, while also playing linebacker. He was also known in high school for genuineness, honesty, and decency as a human being. He once had a 4 ft 10 in (1.47 m) 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 smaller teenaged boy's life.
Cunningham was recruited to the University of Southern California (USC) by future College Football Hall of Fame coach John McKay.
Cunningham was a letterman for University of Southern California's football team from 1970 through 1972 where he played fullback. Cunningham was legendary for leaping over the top of his offensive line, fearlessly launching himself over the pile of offensive and defensive lineman as they collided during the play, and then landing in the end zone for touchdowns. His nickname "Bam" came from these goal line dives. McKay wanted him at fullback instead of tailback for this reason. 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.
He was named an All-American in 1972, and was a captain of USC's 1972 12–0 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 the USC Athletics Hall of Fame in 2001, and into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2010. The 1972 team included four other College Hall of Fame players, Anthony Davis, Lynn Swann (also in the NFL Hall of Fame), Richard Wood, and Charle Young, and is considered one of the all-time great college teams.
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, while totaling 301 receiving yards. Cunningham played in the 1973 Hula Bowl, College All-Star Game and Coaches All-America Game.