Justice Cunningham
{{Short description|American football player (born 1991)}}
{{other uses}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Justice Cunningham
| image = Justice Cunningham.JPG
| caption = Cunningham with the Los Angeles Rams in 2016
| current_team =
| number = 48, 86
| position = Tight end
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1991|1|14}}
| birth_place = Pageland, South Carolina, U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 3
| weight_lbs = 258
| high_school = Pageland (SC) Central
| college = South Carolina
| draftyear = 2013
| draftround = 7
| draftpick = 254
| pastteams = * Indianapolis Colts ({{NFL Year|2013}})
- St. Louis Rams ({{NFL Year|2013}}–{{NFL Year|2015}})
| highlights =
| status =
| statlabel1 = Receptions
| statvalue1 = 1
| statlabel2 = Receiving yards
| statvalue2 = 4
| pfr = C/CunnJu00
}}
Justice Cunningham (born January 14, 1991) is an American former professional football tight end. He played college football at South Carolina. In the 2013 NFL draft, he was the 254th and last player to be drafted, making Cunningham the year's Mr. Irrelevant. Cunningham was the second consecutive Mr. Irrelevant for the Indianapolis Colts, who chose Chandler Harnish as the last pick of 2012 NFL draft.{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2013/story/_/id/9219100/2013-nfl-draft-indianapolis-colts-choose-justice-cunningham-final-pick-draft|title=Justice Cunningham the final pick|date=April 27, 2013|work=ESPN.com|access-date=December 19, 2013}}
Early life
Cunningham graduated from Central High School (Pageland, South Carolina) in 2009. While there, he collected his fair share of accolades. His senior year, he helped Central reach the 2008 Class AA state finals and a 14–1 record while playing tight end and defensive end. This same year, he collected 20 sacks. His efforts landed him a spot on the All-State First-team, the 2008 Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas, and on PrepStar's All-Atlantic Region Team. As a junior, he caught 21 passes for 400 yards and 8 touchdowns. On defense, he registered 92 tackles, seven sacks, two interceptions, and three fumble recoveries. He also excelled on the basketball court averaging 12 points and 11 rebounds his junior year.{{cite web|title=Justice Cunningham Bio|url=http://www.gamecocksonline.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/cunningham_justice00.html|work=Gamecocks Online|publisher=South Carolina Football|accessdate=October 27, 2013|archive-date=October 29, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029203442/http://www.gamecocksonline.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/cunningham_justice00.html|url-status=dead}}
Professional career
=Indianapolis Colts=
Cunningham had the "honor" of being Mr. Irrelevant in the 2013 NFL Draft, being the 254th, and last player selected in the draft.{{Cite web |title=2013 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2013/draft.htm |access-date=2023-05-15 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}} On September 2, 2013, he was waived.{{cite web | title=Colts waive Justice Cunningham | website=NBC Sports | date=2013-09-02 | url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/colts-waive-justice-cunningham | access-date=2024-12-30}} On September 3, 2013, he was signed to the practice squad. On November 19, 2013, he was promoted to the active roster. He played his first regular season game on November 24, 2013 against Arizona. Cunningham had one catch for four yards.{{cite web|url=http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2013112408/2013/REG12/colts@cardinals#menu=gameinfo&tab=analyze|title=Palmer, Fitzgerald team up to lead Cards past Colts|website=NFL.com}} On November 26, 2013, he was waived.
=St. Louis / Los Angeles Rams=
On November 28, 2013, Cunningham was signed to the practice squad. On December 31, 2013, he was signed a future contract.
On September 1, 2014, he was placed on injured reserve. On September 2, 2014, he was waived from injured reserve. On October 29, 2014, Cunningham was signed to the practice squad. On November 25, 2014, he was promoted to the active roster.
On September 5, 2015, he was waived and was signed to the practice squad the next day.{{cite web|title=Rams Reduce Roster to 53 Players|url=http://www.therams.com/news-and-events/article-1/Rams-Reduce-Roster-to-53-Players/bbb8735b-9b5a-4007-ae0f-b8e4cf251956|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729140810/http://www.therams.com/news-and-events/article-1/Rams-Reduce-Roster-to-53-Players/bbb8735b-9b5a-4007-ae0f-b8e4cf251956|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 29, 2017|author=Simmons, Myles|website=TheRams.com|date=September 5, 2015|accessdate=April 10, 2017}}{{cite web|title=Rams Announce Practice Squad|url=http://www.therams.com/news-and-events/article-1/Rams-Announce-Practice-Squad/32e2bb84-92ba-4610-87aa-51022a0f28c3|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729140028/http://www.therams.com/news-and-events/article-1/Rams-Announce-Practice-Squad/32e2bb84-92ba-4610-87aa-51022a0f28c3|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 29, 2017|author=Simmons, Myles|website=TheRams.com|date=September 6, 2015|accessdate=April 10, 2017}} On October 15, 2015, he was promoted to the active roster. On November 28, 2015, he was waived. On December 1, 2015, he was re-signed to the practice squad.
On September 3, 2016, Cunningham was waived by the Rams as part of final roster cuts.{{cite web|title=Rams Make 53-Man Roster Decisions|url=http://www.therams.com/news-and-events/article-1/Rams-Make-53-Man-Roster-Decisions/d9eabd99-516f-482a-ba08-783512f449de|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170831132249/http://www.therams.com/news-and-events/article-1/Rams-Make-53-Man-Roster-Decisions/d9eabd99-516f-482a-ba08-783512f449de|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 31, 2017|website=TheRams.com|date=September 3, 2016}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{MrIrrelevant}}
{{Indianapolis Colts 2013 draft navbox}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cunningham, Justice}}
Category:People from Pageland, South Carolina
Category:Players of American football from South Carolina
Category:American football tight ends
Category:South Carolina Gamecocks football players
Category:Indianapolis Colts players
Category:St. Louis Rams players