Aaron Johnson – Sports Editor
For former Southern Connecticut State and Waterbury native Jerome Cunningham, catching a football was always second nature to him. But his biggest obstacle was learning to be a productive run-blocker.
“[Former] Coach [Rich] Cavanaugh told me that you’re gonna be an all-around tight end,” Cunningham said. “I knew if I didn’t improve my run-blocking I wouldn’t get on the field.”
Cunningham was able to improve not only his run-blocking, but he was also able to hone his skills during his career at Southern. That was when the National Football League offered him a chance to fulfill a lifelong dream. It took many days and nights of hard work and after several attempts, Cunningham has achieved his dream of making an NFL roster when the New York Giants signed him to the practice squad this season.
“Jerome is a self-made man,” said Southern head coach Tom Godek. “He had all the physical attributes and he went into that combine and he had a drive in him to do it. There was no stopping him.”
While at Southern, Cunningham comprised a strong career over four seasons. He finished with 61 catches for 690 yards and seven touchdowns from 2009 to 2012. But it was the work ethic he showed off the field that endeared him to both teammates and coaches.
“He was an excellent player who loved the game of football,” said former teammate Sebron Woodley. “He knows the game of football and he just loves the game. He executed what he had to do. He played his role and he was a good team player.”
Godek, who was an assistant coach during Cunningham’s career, said that his hard work has not only paid off, but can be used to inspire current Southern Owls.
“Jerome has an off the scale work ethic,” Godek said. “He was determined and you could see he was on a mission to prove he could do this. His work ethic is a great measuring stick.”
The road to the NFL has been a bumpy one for Cunningham however. After the Division II NFL Combine, he was in training camp with the New Orleans Saints, Indianapolis Colts, and Arizona Cardinals before finding a home with the Giants. Cunningham said that when NFL teams were not contacting him back, it became a real wake-up call.
“My first year coming out I thought I would receive a call,” he said. “It took me back to earth. I really took it as a chance to refocus and just tried to take it as a positive.”
Despite not making a roster in his first few attempts, Cunningham continued to press on and remain motivated that one day he would achieve his dream of playing professional football. A key motivating factor he said, was the thought of being able to financially help his mother.
“I enjoy playing football every day,” he said. “But learning to use it as a means to provide for myself, my mother and the rest of my family was a big motivator.”
Cunningham looks to follow in the footsteps of former Southern Connecticut State players turned NFLer Ike Igbinosun, Joe Andruzzi, Jacques Cesaire, Nick DeFelice, Travis Tucker, and Scott Mersereau. But also he said he hopes to pave a way for other Connecticut-born football players to one day achieve their dreams of playing in the NFL.
“It means a lot coming from the inner-city especially when I go back,” Cunningham said. “It feels good. My old teammate opened the door. I walked through the door. Now it’s time for Southern and kids from Connecticut to kick the door down.”
Photo Credit: Anderson Mancini
