Korey Cunningham, the former offensive tackle for the University of Cincinnati Bearcats who went on to play for the Arizona Cardinals, New England Patriots, and New York Giants, was found dead in his Clifton, New Jersy, home on April 25, 2024, at around 3:30 p.m. He was just 28 years old at the time of his sudden, unexpected death.
The Bearcats, announcing his passing in a short article, said, “Former Cincinnati football team captain and NFL veteran Korey Cunningham passed away earlier this week at the age of 28. The Montevallo, Ala. native was a member of the Bearcats football program from 2013 to 2017, starting his final two years on the offensive line. In addition to serving as a team captain, he collected All-AAC Second Team accolades in 2017 and played in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl postseason all-star game. Cunningham was a seventh-round draft pick by the Arizona Cardinals in 2018. He played 31 games over five seasons in the NFL with the Cardinals, New England Patriots and the New York Giants. He graduated from UC in 2017, earning a degree in health education with a concentration in exercise fitness.”
In a statement, the Bearcats Football program and Cincinnati Athletics said, “The Cincinnati Athletics Department and football family are heartbroken at the news of the passing of Korey Cunningham. Korey was a team captain with an incredible work ethic and an infectious personality. He will be sorely missed, and our thoughts are with his family, friends and teammates during this time.”
Further, in a post on X, the Cincinnati Bearcats wrote, “We’re heartbroken at the news of the passing of Korey Cunningham. Korey was a @GoBearcatsFB captain with an incredible work ethic and an infectious personality. He will be sorely missed, and our thoughts are with his family, friends and teammates.”
Also posting about Cunningham’s passing on X was the New England Patriots account, which said, “The New England Patriots are saddened to learn of the unexpected passing of Korey Cunningham. We extend our heartfelt sympathies to Korey’s family, teammates and all who mourn his loss.”
Brian Daboll of the New York Giants, the team for which Cunningham was playing, also spoke about Cunningham’s passing. Doing so during a press conference, Daboll said, “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”
Similarly, in a post on X, the New York Giants X account wrote, “We are saddened to hear of the passing of Korey Cunningham. He was a vital part of the spirit and camaraderie of the locker room. Our thoughts are with Korey’s family, friends and teammates.”
A friend of Cunningham’s wrote about his kindness and Christian faith in a post on X, saying, “Shocked and heartbroken to hear this news today! My deepest condolences and prayers to Korey Cunningham’s family and friends. Your reverence for Christ will remain in my heart and surely bring comfort to all who know you. Rest in peace my sweet friend 🤍A true country-boy! 🕊”
Featured image credit: By U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Aspen Reid – https://www.dvidshub.net/image/4880658/arizona-cardinals-salute-service-visit, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=76127188
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