Former USC All-American fullback Sam "Bam" Cunningham, a College Football Hall of Famer died on Tuesday (Sept. 7) in Inglewood, Calif. Cause of death is pending. He was 71.
Cunningham, a 3-year (1970-72) letterman at USC, earned All-American first team honors in 1972 while captaining the Trojans to the national championship. He was USC's Back of the Year that season. He rushed for 1,579 yards and 23 touchdowns in his career (including 13 TDs in 1972) and added 34 receptions for 293 yards and 2 scores.
As a sophomore in 1970, his 135-yard, 2-TD debut performance in the Trojans' season-opening 42-21 victory over Alabama in Birmingham provided a catalyst for the integration of college football in the South.
Cunningham's 4 short goal line scoring dives against Ohio State in the 1973 Rose Bowl earned him game MVP honors and he was later inducted into the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame in 1992.
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