Former USC and New England Patriots fullback Sam "Bam" Cunningham died Tuesday at his home in Inglewood, California, according to USC. He was 71.
The cause of death had yet to be determined.
Cunningham, who was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1992, is widely recognized for helping speed up the process of integration in football programs across the South. Cunningham ran for 135 yards and two touchdowns as USC beat an all-white Alabama team to open the 1970 season. That performance, coupled with those of his Black teammates, was pivotal in Alabama coach Bear Bryant's decision to recruit Black players.