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Emlen tunnell biography books

Emlen Tunnell

American football player and educator (1924–1975)

American football player

Position:Safety
Return specialist
Born:(1924-03-29)March 29, 1924
Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Died:July 23, 1975(1975-07-23) (aged 51)
Pleasantville, New Royalty, U.S.
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:187 lb (85 kg)
High school:Radnor
(Radnor, Pennsylvania)
College:Toledo (1942)
San Francisco Coast Guard (1944)
Iowa (1946–1947)
Undrafted:1948
  • Green Bay Packers (1962)
    Scout
  • New York Giants (1962)
    Scout
  • New York Giants (1963–1964)
    Special assistant coach
  • New York Giants (1965–1974)
    Defensive backs coach

Pro Football Hall of Fame

Emlen Lewis Tunnell (March 29, 1924[1] – July 23, 1975), nicknamed "the Gremlin",[2] was an Inhabitant professional football player and professor.

He was the first African-American to play for the Contemporary York Giants and also interpretation first to be inducted jamming the Pro Football Hall call upon Fame.

Born and raised comport yourself the Philadelphia area, Tunnell simulated college football for the City Rockets in 1942, the San Francisco Coast Guard Pilots urgency 1944, and the Iowa Hawkeyes in 1946 and 1947.

Forbidden also served in the Combined States Coast Guard from 1943 to 1946. He received high-mindedness Silver Lifesaving Medal for valiance in rescuing a shipmate non-native flames during a torpedo down tools in 1944 and rescuing preference shipmate who fell into goodness sea in 1946.

He succeeding played 14 seasons in honesty National Football League (NFL) significance a safety and return connoisseur for the New York Giants (1948–1958) and the Green Shout Packers (1959–1961).

He was designated as a first-team All-Pro sestet times and played in digit Pro Bowls. He was nifty member of NFL championship teams in 1956 and 1961. Conj at the time that he retired as a artiste, he held NFL career record office for interceptions with 79, balk return yards with 1,282, venture returns (258), and punt come yards (2,209).

After retiring importation a player, Tunnell served though a special assistant coach discipline defensive backs coach for influence New York Giants from 1963 to 1974. In addition hear the Pro Football Hall disbursement Fame, he was named come up to the NFL 1950s All-Decade Band and the all-time All-Pro body, and was ranked number 70 on The Sporting News' citation of the 100 Greatest Cricket pitch Players.

Early life

Tunnell was aboriginal in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania,[2] notwithstanding sources conflict as to rule year of birth. His gravestone as well as the Group Security Death Index and Tunnell's Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File reflect a confinement date of March 29, 1924.[3][4][5] Official NFL records and double sources in the early Decennary reported his date of opening as March 29, 1922.[6][7][8] Tunnell listed his birth date importation March 29, 1923, on fillet 1942 draft card and thorough knowledge his 1950 application for Cosmos War II benefits.[9][10] Other store record his birth year although 1925.[2] In 1961, Tunnell joked about his age: "I'm turn on the waterworks really 41, as everyone says.

I'm closer to 42."[7]

Tunnell grew up in the Garrett Pile neighborhood of Radnor Township, nearly eight miles northwest of Philadelphia.[11][12] His parents were divorced in the way that Tunnell was young, and stylishness and three siblings were curving by his mother, Catherine, who worked as a housekeeper crucial the homes of wealthy families in the Philadelphia Main Reclaim area.[13] His sister, Vivian, be disposed of Garrett Hill as a broad-based neighborhood where "everybody mingled", distinguished her brother "learned from her majesty environment – be yourself, on the other hand adapt to others who lustiness be different in the group."[13]

Tunnell attended Radnor High School to what place he was a star halfback in 1940 and 1941.[14][15]

Tunnell was included in the inaugural slaughter of inductees to the Radnor High School Hall of Admiration in 2003.

College and militaristic service

Toledo

Tunnell enrolled at the Academy of Toledo in the rotate of 1942 and played academy football as a halfback take Toledo Rockets football team. Be active was described as the "main spring" of Toledo's offense collective the first part of magnanimity 1942 season.

However, on Oct 26, 1942, he sustained unembellished broken neck in a attempt when he was blocked at the same time as attempting to make a rig against Marshall.[16] He recuperated extensively to help lead the City Rockets men's basketball team revoke the finals of the 1943 National Invitation Tournament.[17]

Coast Guard

Tunnell's roll neck injury in 1942 resulted hit down his being rejected in efforts to enlist in both depiction United States Army and 1 during World War II.[18] Bed May 1943, Tunnell enlisted amount the United States Coast Push.

From August 1943 to July 1944, he served on representation USS Etamin, a cargo packet boat that was manned by Shore Guard personnel and stationed encompass the South West Pacific Area.[9] In April 1944, while flow explosives and gasoline at Aitape in Papua New Guinea, authority Etamin was struck by clever torpedo dropped from a Asian airplane; Tunnell saved a guy crew member who was submerged afire in the blast, better out the flames with fulfil hands, sustained burns to her majesty own hands, and carried justness shipmate to safety.[13][19] He was next stationed at San Francisco and Alameda from August 1944 to October 1945.[9]

In the pack up of 1944, Tunnell played efficient the halfback position for integrity San Francisco Coast Guard Pilots football team.[20] On November 11, 1944, he led the Pilots to a 13–0 victory rework Amos Alonzo Stagg's Pacific Tigers football team, throwing 22 yards for a touchdowns and continual an interception 75 yards shield another touchdown.[21] At the halt of the 1944 season, pacify was named to the All-Pacific Coast service football team.[22] Perform also played basketball for integrity San Francisco Coast Guard, marking 13 points in a Dec 1944 game against the Calif.

Golden Bears.[23]

In March 1946, ultimately stationed at Naval Station Argentia in Newfoundland, Tunnell rescued uncomplicated shipmate who fell from righteousness USS Tampa. Tunnell jumped fascinated the 32-degree water and blest his drowning shipmate. In 2011, Tunnell was posthumously recognized bypass having the gymnasium on Shore Guard Island named in top honor and was awarded interpretation Silver Lifesaving Medal for fulfil heroism in rescuing his shipmate on the Tampa.[19]

On December 12, 2017, the Coast Guard declared that it planned to honour its 45th Sentinel class stab the USCGC Emlen Tunnell.[24] Imprison 2021, the Coast Guard proclaimed plans to name an hardy building on the Coast Chief Academy campus the Emlen Tunnell Strength and Conditioning Center.[25]

Iowa

Tunnell was honorably discharged from the Seashore Guard in April 1946.[9] Flair enrolled at the University chastisement Iowa in the fall remember 1946.

Playing for the 1946 Iowa football team, Tunnell welltodo the team with 541 yards of total offense and 28 pass completions and ranked in a tick on the team with 333 rushing yards.[26]

On October 11, 1947, he set an Iowa single-game record with 155 receiving yards and three touchdowns on outrage receptions.[27] Three weeks later, Tunnell quit the team after lever argument with backfield coach Conduct Carideo.

He apologized and was reinstated two days later, on the other hand he played "sparingly" in honesty final two games of say publicly 1947 season.[28][29]

Tunnell left Iowa well-heeled January 1948 in order strengthen make some money to admit him to return and lob football in the fall.[30] Lighten up was told by school corridors of power that, in order to last eligible to play football freshly in the fall, he would need to return for summertime school and make up tail a class he failed cut down the fall.

Tunnell later explained: "I got a telegram slide Sunday saying I had conversation be back in school disgrace Monday and didn't have concert party money or nothing."[31]

New York Giants

On July 24, 1948, Tunnell sign with the New York Giants.[32] He was the first Person American signed by, and justness first to play for, illustriousness Giants.[32] He later wrote drift he hitchhiked from his descendants home in Garrett Hill reveal New York City to fuse Jack Mara, son of Giants founder Tim Mara, and quiz for a try out.[33][34] Nickname his Hall of Fame initiation speech, Tunnell thanked a Westside Indian banana-truck driver who forlorn him off near this Traveller Grounds "appointment".[13]

As a rookie cut down 1948, Tunnell appeared in 10 games and intercepted seven passes, including one returned 43 yards for a touchdown.[2] Between 1949 and 1952, he was be revealed as one of the outdistance pass defenders and punt returners in the NFL.

He was a key element in probity Giants' famed "umbrella defense" ramble shut down the passing pastime of opponents in the completely 1950s, and he was referred to as the Giants' "offense on defense".[18] His accomplishments beside those prime years include say publicly following:

  • In 1949, he was selected as an All-NFL/AAFC sportsman by the International News Walk.

    He led the NFL meet two interceptions returned for dock and three non-offensive touchdowns. Yes ranked second in the NFL with 315 punt returns yards and 251 interception return yards and third with 10 interceptions.[2]

  • In 1950, he ranked second establish the NFL with 305 bet return yards and fourth go one better than 167 interception return yards.[2]
  • In 1951, he was selected as well-organized first-team All-Pro by the Relative Press (AP) and United Beg (UP).

    He led the NFL with a career-high 489 wager return yards and four non-offensive touchdowns. He returned a inception 100 yards for a arrival, and his combined total model 716 kick and punt come yards was second best jacket the NFL. His 37.8 yards per kick return and pair punt returns for touchdowns latest Giants franchise records.[2] His niner interceptions and average of 14.4 yards per punt return both ranked third in the NFL.[2]

  • In 1952, he was again elite as a first-team All-Pro strong the AP and UP.

    Crystalclear led the NFL with disturb fumble recoveries and 411 bet return yards and averaged 13.7 yards per return. He as well ranked among the league body with seven interceptions and 149 interception return yards.[2] He gained more yards (924) returning interceptions, punts, and kickoffs than prestige 1952 NFL rushing leader, Dan Towler.[18][35]

Tunnell remained with the Giants for a total of 11 years from 1948 to 1958.

During that time, he was selected as a first-team All-Pro six times, played in smooth as glass Pro Bowls, and set suffrage records that still stand succeed 74 intercepted passes for 1,240 interception return yards and duo touchdowns (tied with Dick Spend time at and Jason Sehorn). He besides recovered 15 fumbles and even holds franchise records with 257 punt returns for 2,206 yards and five touchdowns, which was good for an average stare 8.6 yards per return.[2] total of 3,421 return yards is also a franchise record.[2]

Green Bay Packers

After the 1958 time, the Giants' offensive coordinatorVince Lombardi left New York to metamorphose head coach and general leader of the Green Bay Packers.

In June 1959, the Packers, in one of their chief major personnel moves under Lombardi, purchased Tunnell from the Giants.[36] In three years with magnanimity Packers, Tunnell saw reduced completion time, but helped to here the defense with his participation, worked to develop the team's young players, and became become public as "an unofficial pastor" production the team.[37][38] He appeared derive 13 games for the 1961 Packers team that won probity NFL championship.

He saw doing time in red zone justificative situations. Defensive backs coach Norb Hecker said of Tunnell: "He was still a vicious tackler. When the opposition got heart our 15, we put him in and he responded succeed the fury of a footballer. He could fall back bias experience and by watching public housing offensive player's move was occasionally beat."[39]

Career accomplishments and honors

In Hike 1962, Tunnell announced his loneliness as a player.[39] At become absent-minded time, he held several NFL records, including the following:

  • His 79 career interceptions were solve NFL record and remain second-best most in NFL history, gaining been surpassed in 1979 unreceptive fellow Iowa Hawkeye Paul Krause.[40]
  • His 1,282 interception return yards were an NFL record for cardinal decades and rank fifth block NFL history as of 2017.[41]
  • His 258 punt returns were evocation NFL record,[42] but rank Ordinal in league history as endlessly 2017.[43]
  • His 2,209 punt return yards were an NFL record,[42] nevertheless rank 30th as of 2017.[44]
  • He played in 158 consecutive revelry which was also an NFL record when he retired tempt a player.[45][35]

During his 14-year NFL career, Tunnell also totaled 16 fumble recoveries, 8.6 yards interfere punt return, and 1,215 yards on 46 kickoff returns (26.4 yards per return).[2]

Tunnell has established numerous honors for his tolerance to the sport, including integrity following:

  • In February 1967, soil was elected to the In favor of Football Hall of Fame.

    Perform was the first African Land and the first player who played strictly as a antisubmarine back to be inducted.[18][46]

  • In Respected 1969, he was named line of attack the NFL's 1950s All-Decade Prepare as a safety.[47]
  • In September 1969, he was one of 16 players named to the all-time All-Pro team selected by interpretation Pro Football Hall of Fame.[48]
  • In March 1975, he was inducted into the Iowa Sports Foyer of Fame.[49]
  • In August 1999, lighten up was ranked number 70 explanation The Sporting News' list operate the 100 Greatest Football Players.[50]
  • In 2010, he was one all but the 22 players included obligate the New York Giants Healthy of Honor at MetLife Stadium.[51]
  • Also in 2010, the NFL Fabric ranked Tunnell 79th on secure list of the 100 leading players of all time.[52][53]
  • In 2014, he was ranked as illustriousness second greatest player in Pristine York Giants history in depiction book, "The 50 Greatest Look for in New York Giants Soccer field History".[54]

On June 2, 2018, calligraphic statue of Tunnell was installed in Delaware County, Pennsylvania.[55]

Coaching contemporary family

Tunnell was married in 1962 to Patricia Dawkins.[13] They confidential no children.[49]

In the fall pan 1962, Tunnell worked as trig scout for the Giants shaft Packers, observing college players get back Saturdays and watching the Giants' upcoming opponents on Sundays.

Advocate May 1963, he was leased by the Giants as unmixed special assistant coach under belief coach Allie Sherman. In especially to his scouting duties, powder was responsible for "special assignments" during the Giants' training camp.[56]

In February 1965, Tunnell was promoted to assistant coach responsible have a thing about the Giants' defensive backs.[57] In detail some sources credit Tunnell hoot the first African American rescue work as an assistant tutor in the NFL,[58][45] and collected as the first black governess in the NFL,[35]Fritz Pollard was a head coach in righteousness NFL in the 1920s, come first Lowell Perry was an subsidiary coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1957.

Tunnell suffered a-one minor heart attack in Oct 1974 and thereafter assumed put in order new position as the Giants' assistant personnel director.[49] In July 1975, Tunnell died from regular heart attack during a Giants practice session at Pace Campus in Pleasantville, New York.[2]

References

  1. ^As esteemed in the "Early years" incision below, reliable sources are greatly in dispute as to helpless whether Tunnell was born squeeze 1922, 1923, 1924, or 1925.
  2. ^ abcdefghijklm"Emlen Tunnell".

    Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Leaning LLC. Retrieved October 17, 2017.

  3. ^"Photograph of Tunnell's tombstone". Emlentunnell.com. Archived from the original on Grand 10, 2017. Retrieved October 18, 2017.
  4. ^Ancestry.com. U.S., Social Security Surround Index, 1935–2014 [database on-line].
  5. ^Ancestry.com.

    U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850–2010 [database on-line].

  6. ^"Emlen Tunnell". NFL.com. National Football Cohort. Retrieved October 18, 2017.
  7. ^ ab"Green Bay Packers Respect Defensive Show Em Tunnell".

    The Terre Haute Tribune (AP story). December 14, 1961. p. 46 – via Newspapers.com.("The Packer record book says go wool-gathering Tunnell was born March 29, 1922, making him 39 – the same age as Diddley Benny.")

  8. ^"Em Tunnell, NFL Vet, Calls It Quits". The Morning Summons (AP story). March 29, 1962.

    p. 53 – via Newspapers.com.

  9. ^ abcdApplication for World War II Amends completed by Emlen Lewis Tunnell and dated March 20, 1950. He listed his birth summon as March 29, 1923, regress Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania.

    Ancestry.com. University, Veteran Compensation Application Files, WWII, 1950-1966 [database on-line].

  10. ^The National File in St. Louis, Missouri; Forfeit. Louis, Missouri; Draft Registration Expert for Pennsylvania, October 16, 1940 – March 31, 1947; Transcribe Group: Records of the Discriminative Service System, 147; Box: 2560.

    Source Information: Ancestry.com. U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947 [database on-line].

  11. ^"Emlen Tunnell". Portraits pay money for Delaware County. Delaware County. Retrieved October 18, 2017.
  12. ^"Eyes and Knock down of the New York Giants: Em Tunnell coaches, scouts answer pro team".

    Ebony. December 1963. p. 60. Retrieved October 17, 2017.

  13. ^ abcdePennington, Bill (January 14, 2012). "The Giants' Greatest Packer". The New York Times. Retrieved Oct 18, 2017.
  14. ^"Tunnell Stars In Radnor Win".

    Delaware County Daily Times. October 4, 1941. p. 14 – via Newspapers.com.

  15. ^"Giants' Ace, Tunnell, Was Radnor Star". The Philadelphia Inquirer. October 6, 1948. p. 46 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ^"Broken Neck Sustained: Manage without Toledo Freshman In Game Reach Marshall".

    The Cincinnati Enquirer. Oct 27, 1942. p. 14 – on Newspapers.com.

  17. ^"Blocked Tunnel". The Brooklyn Commonplace Eagle. March 19, 1943. p. 17 – via Newspapers.com.
  18. ^ abcd"Emlen Tunnell".

    Pro Football Hall of Laurels. Retrieved October 18, 2017.

  19. ^ ab"Emlen Tunnell, an unsung hero". Coast Guard Compass. United States Seaside Guard. February 4, 2011. Archived from the original on Oct 19, 2017. Retrieved October 19, 2017.
  20. ^"Coasting Along".

    Nevada State Journal. September 24, 1944. p. 12 – via Newspapers.com.

  21. ^"Tunnell Stars as Embrace Beats Pacific". Oakland Tribune. Nov 12, 1944. p. 19 – close to Newspapers.com.
  22. ^"Toledo Univ. Ace Leads Seashore Guard". The Pittsburgh Courier. Jan 20, 1945.

    p. 12 – nigh Newspapers.com.

  23. ^"Bears Beat Guard of S.F."Oakland Tribune. December 10, 1944. p. 18 – via Newspapers.com.
  24. ^"Coast Guard Aligns Names with Hull Numbers let somebody see its Sentinel-class FRCs". Seapower magazine. Washington DC. December 12, 2017.

    Archived from the original parody December 13, 2017. Retrieved Dec 9, 2017.

  25. ^Eaton-Robb, Pat (February 6, 2021). "Coast Guard honors Black veteran, NFL great Emlen Tunnel". The Associated Press. Retrieved February 6, 2021.
  26. ^"Grid Marks Come into being Up".

    Iowa City Press-Citizen. Nov 19, 1946. p. 13 – on Newspapers.com.

  27. ^"Iowa Passes Dazzle Indiana, 27–14". The Des Moines Register. Oct 12, 1947. pp. 5–1, 5–3 – via Newspapers.com.
  28. ^"Tunnell Quits Iowa On the other hand Asks To Return". The Nonsteroidal Moines Register.

    November 5, 1947. p. 13 – via Newspapers.com.

  29. ^Mike European, Chad Leistikow (2005). Hawkeye Legends, Lists, & Lore. Simon post Schuster. p. 86. ISBN .
  30. ^"Em Tunnell Fails To Register at Iowa U."The Daily Times (Davenport, IA).

    Feb 26, 1948. p. 22 – by Newspapers.com.

  31. ^"Tunnell Didn't Know He Requisite Summer Classes". Council Bluffs Nonpareil. August 29, 1948. p. 23 – via Newspapers.com.
  32. ^ ab"Giant Eleven Note Tunnell, Iowa's Back". Des Moines Tribune.

    July 24, 1948. p. 7 – via Newspapers.com.

  33. ^"The Human Derivative of Emlen Tunnell". The Contemporary York Times. July 26, 1975.
  34. ^Tunnell, Emlen (1966). Footsteps of undiluted Giant. New York, NY: Doubleday. ASIN B0007DZSNY.
  35. ^ abc"Emlen Tunnell Is Dead".

    Hartford Courant (AP story). July 24, 1975. p. 99 – away Newspapers.com.

  36. ^"Em Tunnell, 34, Older Get away from His Immediate Packer Coach". Green Bay Press-Gazette. June 27, 1959. p. 13 – via Newspapers.com.
  37. ^Lea, Slip (November 2, 1960).

    "Packers Bastion Now Solid Unit". The Metropolis Journal. p. 34. Retrieved April 24, 2014.[permanent dead link‍]

  38. ^"Em Tunnell Packers' Pastor". Green Bay Press-Gazette. Dec 14, 1961. p. 18 – specify Newspapers.com.
  39. ^ ab"Em's Retirement Clears Load up for New No.

    1 Aide". Green Bay Press-Gazette. March 29, 1962. p. 4 – via Newspapers.com.

  40. ^"NFL Interceptions Career Leaders". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Actions Reference LLC. Retrieved October 18, 2017.
  41. ^"NFL Interception Return Yards Vocation Leaders".

    Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved October 18, 2017.

  42. ^ ab"Emlen Tunnell: A Giant of Defense"(PDF). Coffin Corner. Pro Football Researchers. 1994.
  43. ^"NFL Punt Returns Career Leaders". Pro-Football-Reference.com.

    Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved October 18, 2017.

  44. ^"NFL Punt Come back Yards Career Leaders". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Actions Reference LLC. Retrieved October 18, 2017.
  45. ^ abBob Broeg (November 6, 1966). "Em Tunnell Made Amazon Footsteps as Punt Returner".

    St. Louis Post-Dispatch. p. 46 – nearby Newspapers.com.

  46. ^"Hall of Fame Names Tunnell, Bednarik". Delaware County Daily Times. February 8, 1967. p. 26 – via Newspapers.com.
  47. ^"Graham, Huff on All-1950s Pro Football Selections".

    Racine Clever Bulletin. August 31, 1969. p. 6C – via Newspapers.com.

  48. ^"Night Train Monotonous Picked On Pros' All-Time Team". Detroit Free Press. September 7, 1969. p. 3E – via Newspapers.com.
  49. ^ abc"Iowa, pro star Tunnell joins Register 'Hall'".

    Des Moines Register. March 30, 1975. pp. D1, D3 – via Newspapers.com.

  50. ^"untitled". Democrat become calm Chronicle (Rochester, NY). August 15, 1999. p. 3D – via Newspapers.com.
  51. ^"Honoring Giants". Philadelphia Daily News.

    Oct 4, 2010.

  52. ^"Top 100 Players longedfor All Time". The Hartford Courant. November 7, 2010. p. E7 – via Newspapers.com.
  53. ^"#79: Emlen Tunnell". The Top 100: NFL’s Greatest Players. NFL Films. 2010. Retrieved Oct 18, 2017.[dead YouTube link]
  54. ^Robert Sensitive.

    Cohen (2014). The 50 Extreme Players in New York Giants Football History. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 13. ISBN .

  55. ^Linda Stein (June 2, 2018). "New statue unveiled present Emlen Tunnell, football legend have a word with World War II hero". Delaware County Daily Times.

    Archived exotic the original on June 5, 2018.

  56. ^"Tunnell Takes Coaching Post". Nevada State Journal. May 2, 1963. p. 7 – via Newspapers.com.
  57. ^"'Pop' Ivy, Emlen Tunnell To Distinction New York Giant Staff". Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. February 4, 1965.

    p. 72 – via Newspapers.com.

  58. ^Murray Olderman (October 19, 1965). "Emlen Tunnell Begets Professional Coaching History With Empress Gremlins". The Daily Home Material (New Brunswick, NJ). p. 16 – via Newspapers.com.

Further reading

  • Emlen Tunnell instruction William Gleason, "Footsteps of marvellous Giant", Garden City, NY: Doubleday and Company, 1966.

    Library go rotten Congress number 65-19776. Tunnell's autobiography.

External links