Randall Cunningham Should Fly Like an Eagle to Canton

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Approximately 20 years ago, former Philadelphia Eagles superstar quarterback Randall Cunningham was featured on a cover of Sports Illustrated titled, “The Ultimate Weapon.”

Cunningham, 46, a four-time All-Pro selection who was awarded the PFWA NFL MVP in 1990, retired from the sport of football as an Eagle in 2002.

Since his unheralded departure from the gridiron, Cunningham has been relatively forgotten by the bulk of everyday football fans.

Although his play was periodically sporadic, Cunningham was a stellar signal-caller and he deserves to be considered a legitimate candidate for the Hall of Fame.

“I’m an impact player,” said Cunningham, who the Eagles selected with the 37^th overall pick in the 1985 NFL Draft out of UNLV. “That is what separates guys like me, Michael (Jordan) Magic (Johnson) and (Wayne) Gretzky from the others. It’s a proud feeling.”

Cunningham, a four-time Pro Bowl selection who earned the game’s MVP award in 1988, was roundly criticized when he compared himself to the aforementioned legends.

Still, had serious leg injuries not derailed Cunningham’s spectacular career, he could have eventually ascended to a comparably iconic status.

Cunningham had a tremendous arm and he ultimately threw 207 touchdown passes, in comparison to a measly 134 interceptions, for 29, 979 yards.

However, what distanced Cunningham from other quarterbacks was his astonishing ability to scramble outside of the pocket.

The native of Santa Barbara, California, ran for 4,482 yards and he exited the NFL as the all-time leading rusher among quarterbacks.

In the first game of the 1991 season against the Green Bay Packers, Cunningham suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament and he was lost for the remainder of that year.

The former Runnin’ Rebel miraculously returned the following season and was honored as the 1992 NFL Comeback Player of the Year.

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