Pats Hall of Fame RB Cunningham dies at 71

Patriots Hall of Fame running back Sam “Bam” Cunningham passed away Tuesday at the age of 71. Cunningham remains the franchise’s all-time leading rusher with 5,453 yards. The Patriots drafted him with the 11th overall pick in the 1973 NFL Draft, following his legendary career at USC, where he won a national championship and helped fully integrate college football. The school announced Cunningham’s death Tuesday afternoon.

Cunningham played all nine seasons of his NFL career in New England. His 43 rushing touchdowns still rank second in franchise history behind only Jim Nance. Cunningham was inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame in 2010 and previously named to the franchise’s 50th Anniversary Team.

Patriots owner Robert Kraft released a statement about Cunningham’s death Tuesday night.

“We are deeply saddened to learn of yet another loss to the Patriots family this week and our hearts ache for Sam Cunningham’s family and all who are mourning his passing today,” Kraft’s statement read. “Sam ‘Bam’ Cunningham was one of my favorite players throughout the ‘70s and my sons all loved him. After I bought the team in 1994, it was my honor to welcome him back to the team on multiple occasions, recognizing him as a 50th anniversary team member and again for his induction into the Patriots Hall of Fame.

“As much as I admired him as a player, my affection for him only grew after spending time with him and learning more about him as a person. He made a tremendous impact, both on and off the field, and was beloved by his teammates. As a Patriots Hall of Famer, Sam’s legacy and contributions will be preserved and celebrated forever, but today his loss is felt with heavy hearts.”

Cunningham earned his only Pro Bowl nod in 1978, when the Pats set a league record for the most singleseason rushing yards by a team with 3,165. The record stood until the Ravens broke it two years ago, running for 3,296 yards.

Cunningham is perhaps best remembered for his collegiate performances, including a four-touchdown outing in the 1973 Rose Bowl and a dominant road win at Alabama in 1970. That game is believed to have helped integrate college football in the South, with USC beating an allwhite Crimson Tide team 42-21. Cunningham rushed for 135 yards and two touchdowns that night.

“That didn’t change how those white people thought of Black people,” Cunningham said after the game. “They were accepted because they could help their program win football games.”

The following season, Alabama fielded its first Black player. A Tide assistant, Jerry Claiborne, later said Cunningham “did more to integrate Alabama in 60 minutes than Martin Luther King did in 20 years.”

Among others, Cunningham is survived by his younger brother, Randall, the former Eagles quarterback. His cause of death is still pending.