Sam Cunningham and the Turning of the Tide
Tuesday, August 1, 2006 at 11:34AM There's a nice article by Paul Finebaum in the Mobile Register today reviewing a book about the USC/Alabama clash in 1970 that was one of the most important and symbolic games in college football history.
Didn't I just see a documentary or something on television a few months ago about this? Hasn't there been a jillion books referencing this famous clash? Haven't these stories been told and retold in the four million books currently out in the marketplace on Coach Paul Byrant?
True on all accounts.
However, much to my surprise, what I found was a startlingly fresh book which sheds a bright light on the unforgettable confrontation in 1970 between Southern Cal and Alabama -- the night Sam "Bam" Cunningham shredded the Tide's vaunted defense and many believe changed football around here forever.
Finebaum's right, the story's been told a thousand times over and as he notes in his article, the Cunningham legend has outgrown his true effort on the field that night (Bryant wrote he ran for 230 yards and three touchdowns, when he in fact ran for 135 and two touchdowns). However, the game still vividly resonates with people.
It opens with an extraordinary scene from August 2003 in Montgomery. The night before Auburn's season opener against Southern Cal (also won handily by the team from the West Coast), two former Trojans went to a local steakhouse. Upon picking them up at the hotel, the cabbie noticed their USC colors and the conversation immediately turned to the game from 1970. The cabbie, who was black, began talking about Cunningham's celebrated performance.
After a brief period, [John] Papadakis gently let the man know he was in the presence of a legend. After dinner, the same cabbie picked them up and asked if he could take them by his neighborhood to meet a few friends. There were 50 neighbors all eagerly waiting too meet the legendary Cunningham, treating him like royalty.
Cunningham learned that many blacks in Montgomery -- and around the state -- had cheered for him at Legion Field and that his memorable game helped shatter the doors of racism and ultimately changed the lives of many in Alabama.
Be sure and read the rest of the article and perhaps the book. It's always an interesting story and a reminder of what an impact intersectional games can have on the college football landscape.
I've said it on here before but its worth repeating, I'd love to see another series of games between USC and Alabama, with both teams at full strength. They're two members of college football's "holy trinity" along with Notre Dame, and I only wish more such games would be played between such powers. There's powerful history in such matchups, after all.
History, Punditry/Media, Teams
Reader Comments (2)
That's totally true too. I have an aquaintance that wasn't even born when that game happened (neither was I) and to this day he loathes Alabama and grew up a USC fan. He doesn't hold my Alabama fandom against me though because I'm young enough that all of that garbage was behind the team when I became a fan.
I can't say I blame him for his feelings though. Thankfully those days are gone.