Community mourning the loss of Bennie Cunningham

The Upstate community is mourning the loss of Bennie Cunningham, who passed away Monday morning at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. The 63-year-old had been battling cancer at the clinic since early January. The Seneca native played tight end at Clemson University from 1972-75 and was a two-time, first team All-American. Cunningham was a first-round draft choice of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1976, winning two Super Bowl titles with the team. In 2007, he was named to the Steelers’ all-time team in conjunction with the 75-year anniversary of the franchise. After ten years playing in the NFL, Cunningham became a guidance counselor at West-Oak High School in the School District of Oconee County.