Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

UNLV, NFL great Cunningham ready to heed the Raiders’ spiritual needs

Randall Cunningham

AP

Oakland Raiders Bo Jackson, left, chats with Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Randall Cunningham following the Eagles 10-7 win in their game at Philadelphia’s Veterans Stadium, Oct. 23, 1989. Cunningham ran for 57 yards on nine attempts and scored a touchdown while Jackson ran for 79 yards on 20 attempts. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Randall Cunningham has been praying for the Las Vegas Raiders since before the franchise arrived in town.

“Over a year ago I started going to the practice facility and parking across the street and praying for their success,” Cunningham said.

Cunningham’s affiliation with the team has become a little more official since then, as the Las Vegas resident and UNLV legend is now serving as the Raiders’ team chaplain.

The previous chaplain, former Oakland Raider Napoleon Kaufman, was unable to follow the team from the Bay Area to Las Vegas. Kaufman suggested Cunningham for the role, and head coach Jon Gruden introduced Cunningham to the team on a Zoom call several weeks ago.

Cunningham passed for 8,290 yards and 61 touchdowns during his three years at UNLV (1982-84), then went on to a 16-year NFL career with the Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings, Dallas Cowboys and Baltimore Ravens. He passed for 29,979 yards and threw 2017 touchdowns in the NFL and was selected for four Pro Bowls.

Since his introduction to the Raiders, Cunningham has heard from a handful of players.

“It’s already started off great,” Cunningham said. “It’s been nice developing those relationships through video. When coach Gruden introduced me he said some great things. We had been together my last year with the Eagles, and he said, ‘I trust this guy.’”

Cunningham embraced faith during his playing days, and in 2000 he served as a player-chaplain for the Dallas Cowboys.

Despite his extensive playing experience at a cerebral position, Cunningham stressed that his current role is about shepherding players, not coaching them.

“My role is not a coaching role,” he said. “My role is spiritual role. I’m not going to get into X’s and O’s; that’s coach Gruden and his staff’s job. My assignment is really to pray for them behind the scene and make sure I’m available to their families.”

Cunningham’s church, Remnant Ministries, is open to players, and he wants them to feel comfortable at the house of worship.

“I’ve already spoken to the people in our church and said when the Raiders come, it’s not going to be an autograph session. These guys need to know that this is their home, and we need to act like they’re family, and love them and pray for them without being overbearing toward them. Just let them live their lives.”

Mike Grimala can be reached at 702-948-7844 or [email protected]. Follow Mike on Twitter at twitter.com/mikegrimala.

Join the Discussion:

Check this out for a full explanation of our conversion to the LiveFyre commenting system and instructions on how to sign up for an account.

Full comments policy