26 Facts About Sam Cunningham

Samuel Lewis Cunningham Jr, nicknamed "Bam", was an American professional football player who was a fullback for 10 seasons with the New England Patriots of the National Football League.

Sam Cunningham played college football for the USC Trojans, where he earned first-team All-American honors and was the MVP of the 1973 Rose Bowl.

Sam Cunningham was inducted to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2010.

Sam Cunningham's father was a railroad worker, and his mother died when Cunningham was young.

Sam Cunningham was later raised by his father and stepmother Mabel Cunningham, who was a nurse.

Sam Cunningham had three brothers, including future NFL star Randall Sam Cunningham.

Sam Cunningham was known in high school for genuineness, honesty, and decency as a human being.

Sam Cunningham 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 smaller teenaged boy's life.

Sam Cunningham was recruited to the University of Southern California by future College Football Hall of Fame coach John McKay.

Sam Cunningham was a letterman for University of Southern California's football team from 1970 through 1972 where he played fullback.

Sam 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.

Sam Cunningham's 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.

Sam Cunningham scored four touchdowns in the 1973 Rose Bowl, which is still the modern-day Rose Bowl record, and was named Player of the Game.

Sam Cunningham 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.

Sam Cunningham had another two touchdowns on 34 pass receptions, while totaling 301 receiving yards.

Sam Cunningham played in the 1973 Hula Bowl, College All-Star Game and Coaches All-America Game.

Sam Cunningham was drafted by the Patriots in the first round of the 1973 NFL draft.

Sam Cunningham rushed for 516 yards as a rookie, a then record for Patriots rookies.

Sam Cunningham played his entire career with the Patriots and was a 1978 Pro Bowl selection.

Sam Cunningham was an integral part of the 1978 Patriots, who set an NFL record for rushing yards as a team with 3,165.

Sam Cunningham did not play in 1980 because of a contract dispute with the Patriots, who traded him to the Miami Dolphins.

Sam Cunningham finished his career with 5,453 rushing yards, 210 receptions for 1,905 yards, and 49 touchdowns.

Sam Cunningham is second in team history in rushing touchdowns, and fifth in scoring among non-kickers, with all four of those players ahead of him being pass receivers.

Sam Cunningham was the 2010 Inductee to the Patriots Hall of Fame.

Sam Cunningham 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.

Sam Cunningham died on September 7,2021, at the age of 71.