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Randall believes he's a Hall of a guy

HUDDLED IN THE VIP room of the SugarHouse Casino, former Eagles All-Pro quarterback Randall Cunningham stood and signed autographs for fans on Saturday.

Randall Cunningham says of his possible election to Pro Football Hall of Fame, ‘It’s about time.’  (File Photo)
Randall Cunningham says of his possible election to Pro Football Hall of Fame, ‘It’s about time.’ (File Photo)Read more

HUDDLED IN THE VIP room of the SugarHouse Casino, former Eagles All-Pro quarterback Randall Cunningham stood and signed autographs for fans on Saturday.

Cunningham, now a pastor who ministers in Las Vegas, is one of 113 players and coaches on the ballot for Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2015.

The Hall's Selection Committee will trim that list to 25 next month, and to 15 in January, before electing a final group of between four and eight members during February's Super Bowl Week.

Cunningham, who spent the first 11 seasons of his career in Philadelphia, is joined by seven former Eagles teammates on the ballot: tight end Mark Bavaro, running backs Hershel Walker and Ricky Watters, defensive linemen Jerome Brown and Greg Townsend, cornerback Eric Allen and kicker Gary Anderson.

"It's about time in my opinion," Cunningham said regarding his possible election into Canton. "I've sat back and haven't said anything, but I think it's at the point where it is legitimate."

Cunningham's 4,928 rushing yards are the second-most ever for a quarterback, trailing only Michael Vick (5,880 yards through Week 7 this season). Cunningham also sits 40th all-time in passing yards with 29,979 yards in his 16-year career.

He is also happy with what he's seen from the 5-1 Eagles so far this season.

"I think they're doing great," Cunningham said. "I think we just have to keep a positive mentality. We can't have negative thinking and negative talk, we have to keep building up and building up."

Cunningham credits Chip Kelly's emphasis on the team's culture as another reason for the Eagles' success.

"I think it's the whole environment," Cunningham said. "He does create a great family atmosphere. He did the same thing at Oregon."

The Eagles shut out the New York Giants, 27-0, on Sunday Night Football last week. Cunningham himself was no stranger to dazzling displays against the Giants in prime time during his days in Philadelphia.

He famously avoided a tackle by linebacker Carl Banks and fired a red-zone touchdown pass to wide receiver Jimmie Giles during a Monday Night Football win against the Giants in Week 6 of the 1988 season. Electric plays like that are what led to Cunningham being on the cover of Sports Illustrated's NFL Preview the next season with the headline "The Ultimate Weapon."

Looking back on his career once again, Cunningham said he feels strongly that he belongs in the Hall of Fame.

"When you looking at the criteria, it's not just statistics. It's about how you impacted your position in the NFL," he said.

"I think when you look at what I was able to accomplish, it's very obvious that nowadays, the style of a quarterback has changed to more my style, rather than just a drop-back quarterback."