| Randall Cunningham believes God has led him to Dallas for a simple two-word reason: Super Bowl.
Cunningham's football career has been "born again." After a dozen seasons that saw him become the NFL's all-time leading rusher among quarterbacks, he scrambled completely out of the game, leaving the pocket to retire following the 1995 campaign.
Cunningham contends that not taking a snap in '96 helped get him centered.
"My time away from football got me back in line with what God would have me to do," says Cunningham. "I had to sit back and think. I was really humbled as a person."
Admittedly, this fleet-footed player could no longer run from his heavenly pursuer.
"Sometimes you get outside God's will, and you don't realize it," he says. "I look at things now as, 'What is God saying to me?' In the past I cared about what the world was saying." That season allowed him to focus on a new strategy for his life and career.
With his personal priorities properly placed, Cunningham felt a fresh focus on football. This newfound perspective is evident as much on the field as off it.
The one-time league MVP (1990) is staying in the pocket and using his teammates more than ever before. "I've learned that it's done as a team," he says. "There were times when I thought I could lead a team to a Super Bowl, but now I realize that one person can't do it."
Cunningham is convinced that he was not ready to experience winning an NFL championship ... until now. The Vikings were one game away from the Super Bowl in 1998, losing to Atlanta in the NFC Championship Game.
"As a non-Christian, I handled not winning a Super Bowl without a problem. But as a Christian, I believe that God has put me here to play football with a purpose," he explains. "I have to make sure that I stay in His will so He can allow me the time to do it [win a title]. I am just going to have to wait on it."
Does he think it is time for him to claim the NFL crown with the Cowboys? "All I know is that it's God's will for me to be here."
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