Korey Cunningham, a former offensive lineman for the New York Giants, has tragically 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. His sudden death occurred at his residence in Clifton, New Jersey, as reported by local media.
Law enforcement officials confirmed that Cunningham’s death was self-inflicted. The news of his passing was met with deep sorrow by the Giants organization, which released a statement expressing their condolences. The team remembered Cunningham as a crucial part of the locker room’s 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 arrived at the scene around 3:30 p.m., and the medical examiner removed the body approximately an hour later.
Cunningham’s football career began at the University of Cincinnati, after which he was drafted in the seventh round of the 2018 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals. He played six games with the Cardinals, all as a starter, during his rookie season. Following his first season, the Cardinals traded Cunningham to the New England Patriots in exchange for a sixth-round pick.
Cunningham spent two seasons with the Patriots, appearing in 12 games before being 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.
Graham Gano, the Giants’ kicker and Cunningham’s former teammate, also expressed his grief over the loss. Gano shared a heartfelt message, stating that he and his wife were blessed to have known Cunningham and would forever be grateful for that.