Cunningham starred in football, baseball and track at Seneca High, and he was named a high school football All-American as a senior. He accepted an athletic scholarship to play at nearby Clemson. There, Cunningham's record-setting career as a tight end made him a Kodak and Playboy All-American. As a junior he was a consensus All-American, the first African American at Clemson to earn that honor.

Cunningham was the first-round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1976 NFL Draft. In his 10 years with the Steelers he participated in Super Bowls XII and XIV. Many still consider those teams the best in the history of the National Football League. Cunningham retired from professional football as the Steelers' all-time reception leader among tight ends. He was named to the Steelers 50th Anniversary team and the Atlantic Coast Conference's list of its 50 Greatest Players. He is also a member of the South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame.

Cunningham would eventually return to South Carolina after retiring from football in 1986. He completed his masters in Human Resources Development at Clemson. But long ago Cunningham dedicated himself to improving the lives of young people. While many of his peers have chosen to stay in athletics or pursue jobs in media or business, Cunningham, who majored in education as an undergraduate, chose to accept a job as a career counselor at Seneca's West Oak High School. At West Oak this world champion is connecting with young people, using the worldly experience he gained as a pro athlete to encourage his students to set high goals. And he's helping them acquire the skills to reach them. During this Black History Month, WJMZ salutes Bennie Cunningham for both his athletic accomplishments and his dedication to helping young people in our community.