KICKIN' BACK with Jeff Cunningham
FCD forward talks to MLSnet.com about his family, Thanksgiving plans and more
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Jeff Cunningham
FC Dallas # 9
Forward
Born: August 21, 1976
Hometown: Crystal River, Florida
Fun Facts
• Cunningham has a 13-month old daughter, Mikayla
• Born in Montego Bay, Jamaica
• Cunningham's favorite vacation destination is Montego Bay, Jamaica
1. Congratulations on finishing your first year as a father! Tell us something your daughter has taught you ...
Patience, patience.
2. What is one thing most people don't know about you?
I am a God-fearing person.
3. Explain how you would spend a full day visiting your home town Montego Bay, Jamaica ...
As soon as I land I would go to the ocean and take a dip and do a couple of laps. I would then go back to my community where I spent my early childhood and I would get everybody to prepare for a big party, an all day party (we call it a session in the Caribbean). An all day party where everything is free, all the worries people have for that day will be forgotten. Just whatever, bring some toys back, some clothes, some food, whatever is necessary that they need for the day, just provide it and everybody would have a good time.
4. How do you plan on spending Thanksgiving this year?
I will be with my wife's family, my in-laws. The baby will be a year old then, so I'm sure she's going to be the center of attention - besides the turkey. It's going to be enjoyable to see the family's reaction to her now. I'd also like to do something in the community and spend a few hours giving back in some way. I feel like I've been blessed this season and it would be a blessing for me to do something for others, in some way give back.
5. Besides scoring goals, what are you really good at?
I wouldn't even say I'm good at scoring goals. I've been fortunate over the years to have been on good teams and as a result I've been able to score some goals but I wouldn't say I'm great at it. My other interests - I'm still trying to figure that out. I'm good at watching TV. I'm a master flipper (channel surfer).
6. What is one of your best memories from your time at the University of South Florida?
I would say the year we went to the final eight [in the NCAA tournament] in my senior year that was a great run. FIU (Florida International University) was our big rival and the past three years they knocked us out of the tournament and my final year we were able to get past them. That year was very memorable for me, but I had a lot of great experiences and fun times at USF.
7. What is some of the best advice you have ever received?
I received many, but the one that is in my head at the moment, is my mother once told me it doesn't matter what I do in life just try to be the best at it. If I'm a garbage man, try to be the best garbage man. If I'm a server at a restaurant, be the best server. I try to apply that to every area in my life - being a father and parenting. That's the one that sticks out right now."
8. What's your favorite board game?
I'm good at checkers. We play a little differently in the Caribbean, so not many people like to play with me because they think I cheat but I think I am very good at that game.
9. Tell us about a time when you were really embarrassed ...
When I was playing for Toronto FC, I had scored 99 goals already in my career and it was a long season for me so in a game I scored a goal - or what I thought was a goal - and I started to celebrate in the stands with the fans. And then I turned around and wondered why wasn't anyone else celebrating? The referee called the goal offside. There was like 30,000 people looking at me and it was supposed to be my 100th goal, so I was a bit embarrassed. Everyday I do something embarrassing but that one sticks out the most.
10. What's the one thing you wish you knew at the start of your MLS career in 1998?
Never burn bridges and maybe not necessarily wearing your emotions on your sleeve. I think being a professional it's important to know when to speak and when to not show all your emotions. I think now I'm starting to realize - and that comes with age too, but I think those are some things that young players need to understand, and that's all well as life.
