PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 15 (UPI) -- Randall Cunningham, the NFL's all-time leader in rushing yards among quarterbacks, will officially retire as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles before the team's Aug. 23 preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens.
Cunningham, 39, played the first 11 seasons of his 16-year NFL career with the Eagles. He initially retired in 1995, when the Eagles declined to re-sign him. But after sitting out a year, Cunningham returned to the NFL with the Minnesota Vikings in 1997 and led them to the NFC championship game a year later. He played for the Dallas Cowboys in 2000 and the Baltimore Ravens last season.
"Randall brought so much excitement to the city of Philadelphia and to the NFL," Eagles chairman and CEO Jeffrey Lurie said. "Personally, I'm very proud and excited that he wanted to retire as an Eagle. He's meant so much to this city and this franchise."
Known for his scrambles and slingshot throwing motion, Cunningham led the Eagles in rushing four straight years and led them to the NFC East title in 1988. As an Eagle, he passed for 22,877 yards and 150 touchdowns and rushed for 4,482 yards and 32 scores.
"Randall was a big part of Eagles history, at least in the modern era of Eagles football," said Eagles coach and vice president of football operations Andy Reid. "When you think of Eagles football, you think of Randall Cunningham and the great things he did as a quarterback. Really, he kind of changed the position and added flair to it.
"It's great to have him retire as an Eagle and it's great to have the former players come back and be part of this organization again."
In 162 NFL games, including 135 starts, Cunningham completed 57 percent of his passes for 29,979 yards and 207 touchdowns and rushed for 4,928 yards and 35 scores.
