T’was the “BAM” felt ’round the world. Youtube video from CBS

All ye young Trojans gather ’round. You may have heard the defiance of Rosa Parks, the triumphs of Martin Luther King Jr., or the impassioned speeches of Reverend Jesse Jackson. But have you heard of the great Trojan Soul Patrol?, Sam “Bam” Cunningham? Or the game that forever broke the Southern color-barrier?

Bleacher Report columnist BabyTate has written an article entitled USC Trojans Football: The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down, discussing the legendary 1970 game between USC and Alabama that ultimately led to the complete desegregation of the SEC.

“In a time long ago and a world away, there existed two universes of college football. One was racially integrated, one was not…”

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Southern Cal vs. Alabama: Clash of the Titans. The 1970 epic would be played in Birmingham in front of 78,000 fans. (Coach) Bryant’s Tide was non-integrated, (coach) McKay’s Trojans were integrated.

Southern Cal entered with quarterback Jimmy Jones, halfback Clarence Davis, and a sophomore fullback named Sam “Bam” Cunningham, collectively known as “The Soul Patrol.” The Patrol destroyed Alabama that night, 42-21, rushing for 485 yards. Bryant had seen enough.

The following Monday Bryant approached the school administration and advised “It’s over. A boy is a boy and he should be able to play where he wishes to play.”…Paul Bryant led the charge in the Deep South to make football color-blind. He was highly successful in doing so. The remaining segregated schools followed…”

It is commonly said that following the game, Alabama coach Bear Bryant turned to his all-white squad, pointed to USC’s Sam Cunningham and said “Men, this is what a football player looks like.” It also became a common saying in Alabama that Sam Cunningham did more to integrate the state in 60 minutes than Martin Luther King did in 20 years.

Either way, when legendary USC Coach John McKay accepted the offer to play his squad against the all-white Alabama Tide, he had no idea how massive the tide his Trojan were about to make would become. That one game created a wave that rippled through the fabric of our American nation. An despite his accomplished 127-40-8 NCAA coaching record, his four national championships and the two Heisman trophy winners he molded under his reign, this single unexpected game figures to be his most lasting accomplishment.

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