Sam Cunningham, who starred at USC and in NFL, dies at 71

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

Sam Cunningham, who starred at USC and in NFL, dies at 71

By BETH HARRIS
September 7, 2021

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Sam “Bam” 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.

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.

Cunningham’s older brother, Randall, starred as a quarterback in the NFL for 16 years.

As a sophomore in 1970, Cunningham was part of USC’s all-Black backfield, along with quarterback Jimmy Jones and running back Clarence Davis, which was the first of its kind in Division I.

Cunningham ran for 135 yards on 12 carries and scored two touchdowns in the Trojans’ 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.

-snip-

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/college-football-sports-nfl-california-los-angeles-94204c0cb9f9edff24345cc73a14dfcf


FILE - In this Jan. 1, 1973, file photo, Southern California fullback Sam Cunningham, left, and running back Anthony Davis embraces in locker room after USC.s 42-17 triumph in the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game against Ohio State in Pasadena, Calif. Cunningham, an All-American fullback at Southern California whose performance against Alabama was credited for helping integrate football in the Deep South before he went on to a record-setting career with the New England Patriots, died Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2021, at his home in Inglewood, Calif., according to USC. He was 71. (AP Photo/File)


FILE - In this Nov. 14, 1977, file photo, New England Patriots fullback Sam Cunningham (39), seems to be taking off from the ground as Miami Dolphins linebacker Steve Towle (56) charges in for the tackle during an NFL football game in Miami. Cunningham, an All-American fullback at Southern California whose performance against Alabama was credited for helping integrate football in the Deep South before he went on to a record-setting career with the New England Patriots, died Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2021, at his home in Inglewood, Calif., according to USC. He was 71. (AP Photo/Phil Sandlin, File)

[bottomofthehill]

1. Loved him as a kid, old school Patriots fan

Sam Bam Cunningham, John Hannah, Russ Francis, Moise Tatupu, Darryl Stingley, even Jim Plunket. The Pats of my youth, no Super Bowls but a lot of memories.

[poli-junkie]

2. Randall is Sam's younger brother -- not older brother.

Randall went to high school with my husband, class of 1981.

[oasis]

3. Solid SC fan here. Sam Cunningham was a real crowd pleaser.

Rest in Peace Sam