Cunningham began his football career at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), where he played from 1982 to 1984. He was drafted in the second round of the 1985 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles, where he spent the first 11 seasons of his career.
During his time with the Eagles, Cunningham established himself as one of the most exciting and dynamic quarterbacks in the league. He was a three-time Pro Bowler and was named First-Team All-Pro in 1988. He also set numerous franchise records, including most career passing yards and most career touchdown passes.
In 1995, Cunningham signed with the Minnesota Vikings, where he played for three seasons. He had one of the best seasons of his career in 1998, leading the Vikings to a 15-1 record and an appearance in the NFC Championship Game. He was named the NFL's Most Valuable Player that season.
After a brief stint with the Dallas Cowboys in 2000, Cunningham retired from football. He finished his career with 29,979 passing yards, 207 touchdown passes, and 4,928 rushing yards. He also holds the record for most career rushing touchdowns by a quarterback with 35.
Cunningham's impact on the game of football extends beyond his individual accomplishments. He was one of the first quarterbacks to use his athleticism as a weapon, paving the way for future dual-threat quarterbacks like Michael Vick and Cam Newton. He also helped to break down racial barriers in the NFL, as one of the few African American quarterbacks to achieve success in the league during his era.
In retirement, Cunningham has remained involved in football as a coach and commentator. He has worked as an analyst for ESPN and CBS, and has also served as a high school football coach in Las Vegas. He was inducted into the Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Fame in 2009.
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