Father's Day 2021... A Philadelphia Eagles legend, Randall Cunningham, is watching his daughter qualify for the Tokyo Olympics. That alone is enough to make you feel old having watched 'The Ultimate Weapon'.
Before Lamar Jackson won two Most Valuable Player trophies... Before Michael Vick and Steve McNair, there was Randall. He wasn't just part of the offensive signal caller's evolution. He was a revolution who blazed a trail before seeing black men start at quarterback was commonplace.
But, it's his daughter's time to shine now.
Vashti Cunningham, the daughter of an Eagles legend, is headed to the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
Wow! Every time that thought goes through our minds, we can feel a tug in the hamstring and a few aches and pains that we weren't feeling a few hours earlier. Vashti Cunningham has qualified to compete in the Olympic Games yet again.
Dang! We are old!
Now that she's qualified for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, she'll be competing in the high jump. This is the third time she has done so.
She is widely known for being the youngest track and field athlete from the United States to qualify since 1980 when she debuted in Rio's games in 2016. There, she finished 13th before returning five years later to earn a sixth-place finish in Tokyo.
She is currently a 13-time US Champion. Check out some clips from both past and present as we walk down memory lane.
Like father like daughter.
— Whistle (@WhistleSports) July 7, 2023
Randall Cunningham's daughter Vashti is an ELITE athlete. 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/X7mTDvxNMv
Randall Cunningham’s daughter, Vashti, is trying qualify for her third consecutive Olympics in the high jump.
— Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) June 24, 2024
The NFL legend told us what advice he would give her as she aims to punch her ticket to Paris.
Watch her compete tonight at #TrackFieldTrials24 on NBC and Peacock. pic.twitter.com/dvNSG5M3lF
Vashti Cunningham (@vashtizzle_) wins her 6th consecutive outdoor high jump national title!#USATFOutdoors | 📺: @CNBC and @peacock pic.twitter.com/myYuip1RBX
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) July 8, 2023
On Father's Day, coach Randall Cunningham watches his daughter @vashtizzle_ attempt to qualify for Tokyo tonight. @OnHerTurf#TrackFieldTrials21 | #TokyoOlympics
— Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) June 21, 2021
📺 NBC
pic.twitter.com/8PrYU6wp18
She recently spoke with the Las Vegas Review-Journal:
“I’m looking forward to my third Olympics. I love jumping (in Paris). I’m just happy to be going to a place that is familiar to me. I’ve been to Paris multiple times, love the atmosphere and feel my energy is always great when I’m there."
We'll be watching. This kind of feels like cheering for family. Good luck Vashti! Go bring the gold home. We know you can do it!