Rose Bowl Legend Sam Cunningham

ROSE BOWL LEGENDS

Sam Cunningham

Sam Cunningham (born August 15, 1950, in Santa Barbara, CA) is a former USC All-American fullback in 1972 who convinced (through his play) Bear Bryant to integrate Southern football after USC soundly beat University of Alabama 42-21 at Birmingham on September 12, 1970 in a primetime matchup.

Bear Bryant allegedly brought Cunningham into the all-white Alabama locker room after the game and said "This is what a football player looks like." While Cunningham's performance in the game was unquestionably dominant, the locker room story is not true.

He was known as "Bam" because of his running style, and is the older brother of NFL star quarterback Randall Cunningham.

He was a 1978 Pro-bowler with the New England Patriots and played with them in his whole career from 1973 until 1982.

He was known as "Bam" because of his running style, and is the older brother of NFL star quarterback Randall Cunningham. Member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

Sam Cunningham should also be noted for his contribution to racial integration. On Sept. 12, 1970, Cunningham’s USC squad traveled to Tuscaloosa, Ala. to take on the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Like all prominent college teams in the Deep South, the Alabama squad was all white. Segregation may have been starting to crumble by this time, but football has always been a religion in the land of Dixie. And Southern white society was not about to let black athletes become their gods.

To make a long story short, Sam Cunningham ran wild that day. He rumbled for 135 yards and two touchdowns on just 12 carries as USC humiliated Alabama, 41-14. Legendary Alabama coach Bear Bryant saw the writing on the wall. After the game, he asked Cunningham to stop by the Alabama locker room. Addressing his all-white squad, The Bear pointed to Cunningham and said “Men, this is what a football player looks like.”

The very next season the Crimson Tide football team had three black players. And such was the stature of Bear Bryant that once he recruited black athletes, other coaches were quick to follow suit. Just like that, segregation in Southern college football was over.


ROSE BOWL LEGENDS Rose Bowl News Rose Bowl Tickets Six tons of Rose Bowl trash recycled USC Tojans Vs Fighting Illini Rose Bowl January 1 2008 Rose Bowl Legends John Beckett George Halas Elmer Layden Ernie Nevers Johnny Mack Brown Cliff Montgomery Chalmers "Bump" Elliot Wayne Woodrow "Woody" Hayes Howard Jones Billy Wells George Fleming Sandy Stephens Pete Beathard Jim Grabowski John Charles O. J. Simpson Jim Plunkett Pat Haden Warren Moon Charles White Archie Griffin Rick Leach Butch Woolfolk Don Rogers Rick Neuheisel Bob Reynolds Tim Green Jack Del Rio Ricky Ervins Mark Brunell Steve Emtman Tyrone Wheatley Ki-Jana Carter Keyshawn Johnson Neil Snow Wallace Wade Rex Kern Brian Griese Ron Dayne Marques Tuiasosopo Ken Dorsey Andre Johnson Matt Leinart Vince Young John McKay Roy Riegels Bob Schloredt John Sciarra Charley Trippi Jim Owens Shy Huntington Hollis Huntington Bob Griese Bill Daddio Sam Cunningham Bob Chappuis Frankie Albert Ron Vanderkelen Dixie Howell Don Hutson Curly Morrison Brick Muller Bo Schembechler Buddy Young Vic Bottari Jim Hardy Pasadena Pasadena, California Los Angeles Star power for Obama in Los Angeles Hannah Montana" wins box office Super Bowl	ROSE BOWL LEGENDS Sam Cunningham Sam Cunningham (born August 15, 1950, in Santa Barbara, CA) is a former USC All-American fullback in 1972 who convinced (through his play) Bear Bryant to integrate Southern football after USC soundly beat University of Alabama 42-21 at Birmingham on September 12, 1970 in a primetime matchup. Bear Bryant allegedly brought Cunningham into the all-white Alabama locker room after the game and said "This is what a football player looks like." While Cunningham's performance in the game was unquestionably dominant, the locker room story is not true. He was known as "Bam" because of his running style, and is the older brother of NFL star quarterback Randall Cunningham. He was a 1978 Pro-bowler with the New England Patriots and played with them in his whole career from 1973 until 1982. He was known as "Bam" because of his running style, and is the older brother of NFL star quarterback Randall Cunningham. Member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Sam Cunningham should also be noted for his contribution to racial integration. On Sept. 12, 1970, Cunningham’s USC squad traveled to Tuscaloosa, Ala. to take on the Alabama Crimson Tide. Like all prominent college teams in the Deep South, the Alabama squad was all white. Segregation may have been starting to crumble by this time, but football has always been a religion in the land of Dixie. And Southern white society was not about to let black athletes become their gods. To make a long story short, Sam Cunningham ran wild that day. He rumbled for 135 yards and two touchdowns on just 12 carries as USC humiliated Alabama, 41-14. Legendary Alabama coach Bear Bryant saw the writing on the wall. After the game, he asked Cunningham to stop by the Alabama locker room. Addressing his all-white squad, The Bear pointed to Cunningham and said “Men, this is what a football player looks like.” The very next season the Crimson Tide football team had three black players. And such was the stature of Bear Bryant that once he recruited black athletes, other coaches were quick to follow suit. Just like that, segregation in Southern college football was over.	ROSE BOWL NEWS Surrey take charge at Rose Bowl (BBC News) Hampshire struggle to 204-7 in reply to Surrey's 278 on day two at the Rose Bowl. Rose Bowl Development Gets Green Light (CricketLine.com) Rose Bowl - set for £45million development. Hampshire can press on with plans for the £45million development of the Rose Bowl, after receiving a final official go-ahead. Rose Bowl Clash Ends In Draw (Sporting Life via Yahoo! UK & Ireland Sport) A review from Saturday's action in the LV County Championship. Mango, rose-water and lime sorbet (Independent) 4 ripe mangoes 120g/4oz caster sugar 240ml/8fl oz water The juice of 11/2 limes 11/2 tbsp rose-water 40ml/2fl oz double cream A small pinch of salt Hants & Surrey in thrilling draw (BBC News) Hampshire have to settle for a draw against Surrey, despite an exciting run chase at the Rose Bowl. County Round-Up (CricketLine.com) Goodwin - secured the draw for Sussex. Michael Brown's battling 94 and a five-wicket haul from Saqlain Mushtaq both proved in vain as Hampshire and Surrey had to settle for a draw in a thrilling match at the Rose Bowl. BROWN PRAISES BUTCHER FORESIGHT (Sporting Life) Hampshire's Michael Brown swallowed his disappointment at having to settle for a draw to praise Surrey captain Mark Butcher for the declaration which set up a thrilling finish at the Rose Bowl. Hampshire v Surrey (Sporting Life) Michael Brown's battling 94 and a five-wicket haul from Saqlain Mushtaq both proved in vain as Hampshire and Surrey had to settle for a draw in a thrilling match at the Rose Bowl. BROWN KEEPS HAMPSHIRE HOPES ALIVE (Sporting Life) Michael Brown continued his impressive form to keep Hampshire in with an outside chance of a first LV County Championship Division One win of the season, against Surrey at the Rose Bowl. Hampshire v Surrey (Sporting Life) Matt Nicholson and Jimmy Ormond completed unlikely half-centuries as Hampshire endured a dispiriting first hour against the Surrey tailenders at the Rose Bowl this morning.