FOXBORO, Mass. — Former Patriots running back Sam "Bam" Cunningham earned his nickname for a reason. The bruising force made tacklers pay for getting in his way.
Cunningham became the 15th player inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame on Thursday, and speaker Gil Santos waxed poetic about the back who spent 10 seasons in New England (1973-82). Santos advised asking Cunningham's old teammates, particularly linebacker Steve Nelson, how hard it was to even practice against him.
"When Sam hit you," Nelson said, "it just stung."
Cunningham was joined by a host of former Patriots at the ceremony — the third held outside the Hall at Patriot Place — including teammates Nelson, left guard John Hannah, cornerback Mike Haynes and quarterback Steve Grogan. All four joined Cunningham on stage during the 35-minute ceremony.
"It's humbling, it's exciting, it's otherworldly," said Cunningham, who is the franchise's all-time leading rusher with 5,543 yards. "I just played as hard as I could and tired to complement my teammates."
Cunningham played both running back and fullback during his collegiate career at Southern Cal and his pro career with the Patriots — although, in that era, the positions were essentially one in the same — but Cunningham always enjoyed the blocking responsibilities of a fullback.
"I really, really enjoyed trying to dominate a linebacker or a defensive lineman," Cunningham said.
