Out of all positions, one would think that a Quarterback with great numbers – who also revolutionized his position – would be a shoe-in to the Hall of Fame. Oftentimes, winning Super Bowls is a huge factor in judging Quarterbacks but, there are a few notable passers who never won one who have made it to Canton. We all know that Marino is an example. But, so is Jim Kelly. Warren Moon never won an NFL Super Bowl, either. Neither did Dan Fouts.
If you haven’t guessed already, the Quarterback that I believe has been “snubbed” by not being enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame never won a Super Bowl. He did, however, make it to four Pro Bowls. He threw 207 Touchdowns; opposed to 134 Interceptions. That ratio is much better than Troy Aikman’s (Hall of Fame), Dan Fouts’s (Hall of Fame), Jim Kelly’s (Hall of Fame), John Elway’s (Hall of Fame), Warren Moon (Hall of Fame) and, even Dan Marino’s! (It should be noted that all of these great QB’s played in the same era as my “snubbee”; though, some of them threw more TD’s – which can be taken into account).
During the 1980’s and even a portion of the 1990’s, 3000 Yards Passing in a season was sort of a ‘magic number’. (Similar to 1000 Yards Rushing or Receiving). Well, my Quarterback in question reached that pinnacle five times. (This may be taken as a negative, but those five years were during a career in which he started more than twelve games eight times). Add to those prolific seasons (and the Pro Bowls) that he won three Bert Bell Player of the Year Awards. Did he win an NFL MVP Award? Yes, he won it once. And, atop all of those accomplishments, he once led the NFL in Passer Rating and received a Comeback Player of the Year Award.
But, did he really revolutionize the position as I stated in my opening paragraph?
For those who truly follow the NFL, this paragraph will let the metaphorical cat out of the bag, as to who I am making a case for; before I state his name. The above stats and honor mentions are his passing numbers – purely. And, the reason I stated those first was because, when the Hall of Fame is brought up in the same sentence as this player’s name; it is usually due to his amazing rushing numbers. Yes, I am speaking of Randall Cunningham. The all-time leader in rushing yardage amongst Quarterbacks. Also, he is the third all-time on the list of yards-per-attempt; while running with the football. (Surpassing Steve Young – the second-best rushing QB – by a half-yard per rush). And, here’s something that shouldn’t be taken for granted: In respect to his rushing numbers, Cunningham averaged enough yardage per-game to be more than a change-of-pace running back; a per-game average that would put him just under 500 yards per season!
Randall Cunningham was electrifying. At any given point in time; when Randall touched the ball, fans and adversaries, alike, were on the edge of their seats. Something huge could happen at any time. And, to clarify his overall abilities some more, he wasn’t a Kordell Stewart-type who was kept around as a starter on his respective teams due to mainly his rushing ability; with hopes that he would become a great passer. He ran at the right times. He ‘gunned’ the ball when needed. His passer rating (81.5) is right with Elway’s, right with Aikman’s, better than Fouts’s and pretty close to Kelly’s and Marino’s! In essence, he was the total package. Also, an argument can be made that Randall didn’t have the supporting cast that many of his contemporaries did.
I, for one, take the honor of a player being inducted into the Hall of Fame very seriously. While some may not agree completely with my terming Cunningham as a complete snub, the above-stated numbers at least make the case … numbers don’t lie. And, yes, I am very objective and see the negatives. The injuries and resulting shortened seasons. The lack of a Super Bowl ring. Accumulating “only” 29,979 yards. However, the positives outweigh the negatives, in my opinion.
This man invented the true rushing threat behind center. And, he did it while being an equally menacing passer. His body of work speaks for itself; although, it’s a shame that I must amplify its voice. It’s an absolute error that Mr. Cunningham hasn’t donned that distinguishable, tan jacket and had his breast sculpture placed into the hallowed halls of that Canton, Ohio building of football greatness.
