Sam Cunningham

Samuel Lewis Cunningham Jr., nicknamed "Bam," was an American professional football fullback who lived from August 15, 1950, to September 7, 2021. He played college football for the USC Trojans, earning first-team All-American honors and the MVP award of the 1973 Rose Bowl. Selected in the first round of the 1973 NFL draft by the New England Patriots, Cunningham spent all ten of his NFL seasons with the franchise, where he became its all-time leading rusher.

Born in Santa Barbara, California, to Samuel Sr. and Zoe (Ivory) Cunningham, he was the son of a railroad worker. His mother died when he was young, and he was raised by his father and his stepmother Mabel (Crook) Cunningham, a nurse. He had three brothers, including future NFL star Randall Cunningham. He attended Santa Barbara High School, where he wore number 39 for the Dons and scored 39 touchdowns as a fullback while also playing linebacker, and was known for his genuineness, honesty, and decency.

Cunningham was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2010, the same year he was also inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame.