CLIFTON, New Jersey – The football community is mourning the tragic loss of Korey Cunningham, a former offensive lineman for the New York Giants, who sadly passed away at the young age of 28. Cunningham, who played for the Giants during the 2021-22 seasons, participated in 13 games with the team. Local media reports that his sudden death occurred at his residence in Clifton, New Jersey.
Law enforcement officials have confirmed that Cunningham’s death was self-inflicted. The news has left the Giants organization in deep sorrow, as they released a statement expressing their condolences. The team remembered Cunningham as an integral part of the locker room spirit and camaraderie, extending their thoughts to his family, friends, and teammates.
The incident was initially reported as an unconscious man at the residence on Thursday. Police and emergency services responded to the scene around 3:30 p.m., and the medical examiner later removed the body approximately an hour later.
Cunningham’s football career began at the University of Cincinnati before being drafted in the seventh round of the 2018 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals. He played six games with the Cardinals as a starter during his rookie season. After his first season, Cunningham was traded to the New England Patriots by the Cardinals in exchange for a sixth-round pick.
Following two seasons with the Patriots, Cunningham was signed by the Giants in the subsequent offseason. His former teammate, Justin Pugh, who played with the Giants and was with the Cardinals when Cunningham was drafted, shared a touching anecdote about Cunningham’s time with the team.
Pugh recalled how Cunningham was always invited to the offensive line dinner each week, despite not being on the team. This was a testament to Cunningham’s popularity among his peers, as these dinners were typically exclusive to team members. Pugh remembered Cunningham as a beloved figure who would regale the team with stories, leading to laughter-filled evenings.
The tragic passing of Korey Cunningham has left the football community reeling, as they remember his contributions on and off the field.