Sam Cunningham (born August 15, 1950, in Santa Barbara, CA) is a former USC All-American fullback in 1972 who convinced (through his play) Bear Bryant to integrate Southern football after USC soundly beat University of Alabama 42-21 at Birmingham on September 12, 1970 in a primetime matchup.

Bear Bryant allegedly brought Cunningham into the all-white Alabama locker room after the game and said "This is what a football player looks like." While Cunningham's performance in the game was unquestionably dominant, the locker room story is not true.

He was known as "Bam" because of his running style, and is the older brother of NFL star quarterback Randall Cunningham.

He was a 1978 Pro-bowler with the New England Patriots and played with them in his whole career from 1973 until 1982.