Saturday Blitz
Fansided

10 things all college football fans should be thankful for

By Quinn Douglas

(Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
(Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 11
Next
ARLINGTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 3: The USC Trojan Marching Band performs before the Trojans take on the Alabama Crimson Tide in the AdvoCare Classic at AT&T Stadium on September 3, 2016 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 3: The USC Trojan Marching Band performs before the Trojans take on the Alabama Crimson Tide in the AdvoCare Classic at AT&T Stadium on September 3, 2016 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) /

6. 1970 Alabama vs. USC game

To the casual fan, this game may just look like another match up between two powerhouse programs in their hey day. But this game proved to be a turning point in civil rights in the Southern United States.

The third-ranked Trojans led by coach John McKay traveled to Legion Field to face Bear Bryant’s 16th-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide. USC dominated the game from start to finish in a 42-21 victory. African-American running backs Clarence Davis and Sam “Bam” Cunningham had great days against an all-white Crimson Tide defense.

This game was a key figure in Bear Bryant’s decision to integrate the Alabama program following the 1970 season. Former Bryant assistant Jerry Claiborne said of Cunningham’s performance after the game, “Sam Cunningham did more to integrate Alabama in 60 minutes than Martin Luther King did in 20 years.”

Sam Cunningham deserves a lot of thanks for the integration of football in the Southern U.S..

Home/College Football News