Randall Cunningham

Lore & Background

Cunningham played college football for the UNLV Rebels, twice earning first-team All-American honors as a punter and winning PCAA Offensive Player of the Year in 1983 and 1984. He was selected in the second round of the 1985 NFL draft by the Eagles. He joined the Vikings in 1997 after being out of football in 1996. In 1998, he enjoyed the strongest season of his career, leading the Vikings to a 15–1 record and an NFC Championship Game appearance. He was benched during the 1999 season after throwing nine interceptions in six games and was released afterwards. He later held backup roles with the Dallas Cowboys and Baltimore Ravens before retiring.

In Their Own Story

The Metrodome air was thick with humidity, masking the chill outside. Randall stood in the huddle, shoulder pads clicking against his chest protector. He looked at the young quarterback standing beside him, then back to the defense lined up across the line of scrimmage. There were no words needed; just a nod. Cunningham stepped into the pocket, eyes scanning for the blitz he knew was coming. In this moment, the veteran legend wasn't thinking about past glory, only the next play in purple and gold.

Reader's Guide

Cunningham's Vikings tenure spanned 1997 to 1999. His 1998 season included 34 touchdown passes, 10 interceptions, 3,704 passing yards, and a league-leading 106.0 passer rating. He helped the Vikings set an NFL record for most regular season points scored (556). He received a fourth Pro Bowl selection and first-team All-Pro honors that year. After being benched in 1999, he was released before the 2000 season.

Did You Know?

• Cunningham was also a standout punter in college, earning first-team All-American honors twice.
• He once punted 91 yards for the Eagles, the longest in franchise history.
• He is fourth in NFL quarterback rushing yards all-time.
• After retiring, he became an ordained Protestant minister and served as team chaplain for the Las Vegas Raiders from 2020 to 2022.