Cunningham retires after 16-year career

Thursday, June 27, 2002 | 9:48 a.m.

Randall Cunningham's NFL career is over after 16 seasons, nearly 30,000 passing yards, a record 35 rushing touchdowns and two league MVP awards.

Having realized he wasn't in the Baltimore Ravens' plan for this season, the 39-year-old former UNLV quarterback announced his retirement Tuesday.

"I don't feel that God wants me on another team," Cunningham told the Baltimore Sun. "If I played, it would have been in Baltimore. And unless something happens, they are going with younger guys."

Cunningham was hoping for a contract offer for one more year, especially after the Ravens cut starter Elvis Grbac in March (and he subsequently retired). But the Ravens made Chris Redman their starter and signed former Bengals QB Jeff Blake as a backup. Blake's minicamp performance made Cunningham expendable.

"I just think it's time for me," Cunningham said. "I'll miss being around the guys. That's what I will miss the most. It will be an adjustment."

Cunningham played his first 11 seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles, where he became one of the most multidimensional QBs in NFL history. He won his first league MVP award in 1990, passing for 3,466 yards and rushing for 942.

His second MVP award came in 1998 with Minnesota, where Cunningham re-established himself after sitting out the 1996 season. He passed for 3,704 yards and 34 touchdowns for the Vikings in 1998.

Cunningham owns NFL career records for the most rushing yards by a quarterback (4,928) and rushing TDs by a quarterback (35).

Cunningham, a Las Vegas resident who owns a recording studio here, will likely sign a ceremonial contract with Philadelphia so that he can officially retire as an Eagle, the Baltimore Sun reported.