With honor, Cunningham faces highs and lows today

Steve Addy

Friday, June 2, 2000 | 10:13 a.m.

Inductee profiles

Tuesday: Jim Colbert

Wednesday: Johnny Tocco

Thursday: Lionel Hollins

TODAY: Randall Cunningham, Tom Wiesner

Some days, you win some and you lose some.

This will probably be one of those days for Randall Cunningham.

Today in Minnesota, all signs point to Cunningham being waived by the Vikings, who have decided to go with Daunte Culpepper and Bubby Brister at quarterback and can't afford Cunningham's huge contract.

But a few hours later, Cunningham will be inducted into the Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Fame in tribute to his record-setting career as UNLV's quarterback and punter (1982-84) and his fine 14-year NFL career.

Cunningham is happier about today's good news than unhappy about the bad.

"It means the world to be honored like that," he said. "I have been a Vegas guy for 20 years -- since 1981, really -- and I've loved living here. I've been loyal to Las Vegas and it's nice that some people in town care enough to induct me."

Cunningham is rather chipper for a guy whose career is at a crossroads. Though he is not ready for it to end for the second time -- don't forget, he first retired in 1996 -- he said he holds no anger over the Vikings' hard-line decision.

"All I have is fond memories of playing there. It has been great," he said. "I'm happy I had the opportunity to be a Viking (for three years) and do some good things.

"But if I'm going to get cut, better now than later, so I have a chance to catch on somewhere. If that's what God has planned for me, I will let Him guide me. There might be teams interested in me, but that's just the rumor mill, and I don't stick in the rumor mill."

It must be noted that the Vikings didn't totally sour on Cunningham as a quarterback, they just wanted him at less money. He's three years into a five-year, $28 million contract and opted not to take a pay cut, as the Vikings asked. By waiving Cunningham now, they will save $1.5 million on their salary cap, enough to sign their draft picks.

But weep not for Cunningham, 37. For being on the roster March 1, he got a $1 million bonus.

And, in the bigger picture, he's at peace in his life.

"I've been blessed by God," Cunningham said. "As long as it's in my heart to play, I'm going to keep going a year at a time. But who knows? Maybe God has something else in store for me."

If Cunningham's career ends now, he'll still have a lot to look back on. In 11 seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles (1985-95), he twice won the Bert Bell Award as NFL Player of the Year. When he retired in 1996, he was already the NFL's all-time rushing leader among quarterbacks.

In retirement, Cunningham became a studio analyst for TNT's NFL telecasts and worked for a tile company here.

"I never planned on playing football again," he said. "I was done."

But not only did Cunningham come back with the Vikings, he regained his All-Pro form. He guided Minnesota to a comeback win over the Giants in the 1997 playoffs, setting the stage for an even more glorious 1998 season. He threw for 3,704 yards and 34 touchdowns as the Vikings got to the NFC Championship game (Atlanta won), and Cunningham earned his third Player of the Year award.

"That was my best season," he said.

The magic didn't last, however. Last season, an ineffective Cunningham was benched in the sixth game of the season at Detroit. Jeff George took over as the starter, and Cunningham never threw another pass for the Vikings. Though George has already departed, Vikings coach Dennis Green is set on Culpepper as his quarterback of the future, and Brister works cheaper than Cunningham.

But no matter how much success Cunningham has had in the NFL, around here he is remembered just as well for his exploits at UNLV. He still holds several Rebels records, including most passing yards (8,020). He led the team to victory in its first Division I bowl game, the 1984 California Bowl against Toledo. UNLV won 30-13, as Cunningham passed for two TDs and ran for one.

"That was the highlight for me," Cunningham said. "That team had such comaraderie. There were guys from a lot of backgrounds, but we really came together and became like brothers."