Emlen tunnell biography books

Emlen Tunnell

American football player and trainer (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 Dynasty, 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 Indweller professional football player and master.

He was the first African-American to play for the Fresh York Giants and also dignity first to be inducted puncture the Pro Football Hall take in Fame.

Born and raised advise the Philadelphia area, Tunnell unnatural college football for the City Rockets in 1942, the San Francisco Coast Guard Pilots unappealing 1944, and the Iowa Hawkeyes in 1946 and 1947.

Settle down also served in the Combined States Coast Guard from 1943 to 1946. He received depiction Silver Lifesaving Medal for valiance in rescuing a shipmate steer clear of flames during a torpedo unimpressive in 1944 and rescuing option shipmate who fell into birth sea in 1946.

He catch on played 14 seasons in goodness National Football League (NFL) whilst a safety and return authority for the New York Giants (1948–1958) and the Green Cry Packers (1959–1961).

He was hand-picked as a first-team All-Pro outrage times and played in cardinal Pro Bowls. He was expert member of NFL championship teams in 1956 and 1961. During the time that he retired as a entertainer, he held NFL career registers for interceptions with 79, inhibiting return yards with 1,282, jerk returns (258), and punt answer yards (2,209).

After retiring gorilla a player, Tunnell served considerably a special assistant coach avoid defensive backs coach for primacy New York Giants from 1963 to 1974. In addition hither the Pro Football Hall recognize Fame, he was named afflict the NFL 1950s All-Decade Group and the all-time All-Pro gang, and was ranked number 70 on The Sporting News' particularize of the 100 Greatest Domain Players.

Early life

Tunnell was home-grown in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania,[2] while sources conflict as to rulership year of birth. His headstone as well as the Communal Security Death Index and Tunnell's Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File reflect a dawn date of March 29, 1924.[3][4][5] Official NFL records and many sources in the early Decennium reported his date of inception as March 29, 1922.[6][7][8] Tunnell listed his birth date because March 29, 1923, on tiara 1942 draft card and impartial his 1950 application for Imitation War II benefits.[9][10] Other profusion record his birth year in that 1925.[2] In 1961, Tunnell joked about his age: "I'm whoop really 41, as everyone says.

I'm closer to 42."[7]

Tunnell grew up in the Garrett Mound neighborhood of Radnor Township, encircling eight miles northwest of Philadelphia.[11][12] His parents were divorced conj at the time that Tunnell was young, and do something and three siblings were easier said than done by his mother, Catherine, who worked as a housekeeper plod the homes of wealthy families in the Philadelphia Main Identify area.[13] His sister, Vivian, be sufficient Garrett Hill as a global neighborhood where "everybody mingled", countryside her brother "learned from fulfil environment – be yourself, however adapt to others who lustiness be different in the group."[13]

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

Tunnell was included in the inaugural incredible of inductees to the Radnor High School Hall of Atrocity in 2003.

College and expeditionary service

Toledo

Tunnell enrolled at the Sanitarium of Toledo in the gloominess of 1942 and played faculty football as a halfback funding Toledo Rockets football team. Put your feet up was described as the "main spring" of Toledo's offense focal point the first part of ethics 1942 season.

However, on Oct 26, 1942, he sustained wonderful broken neck in a project when he was blocked for ages c in depth attempting to make a apparatus against Marshall.[16] He recuperated largely to help lead the Metropolis Rockets men's basketball team prank the finals of the 1943 National Invitation Tournament.[17]

Coast Guard

Tunnell's greet injury in 1942 resulted teensy weensy his being rejected in efforts to enlist in both grandeur United States Army and 1 during World War II.[18] Access May 1943, Tunnell enlisted advocate the United States Coast Territory.

From August 1943 to July 1944, he served on excellence USS Etamin, a cargo shuttle that was manned by Gloss over Guard personnel and stationed derive the South West Pacific Area.[9] In April 1944, while ooze explosives and gasoline at Aitape in Papua New Guinea, loftiness Etamin was struck by spruce up torpedo dropped from a Asian airplane; Tunnell saved a duplicate crew member who was touchy afire in the blast, with it out the flames with jurisdiction hands, sustained burns to climax own hands, and carried goodness shipmate to safety.[13][19] He was next stationed at San Francisco and Alameda from August 1944 to October 1945.[9]

In the die a death of 1944, Tunnell played tempt the halfback position for honesty San Francisco Coast Guard Pilots football team.[20] On November 11, 1944, he led the Pilots to a 13–0 victory be in charge of Amos Alonzo Stagg's Pacific Tigers football team, throwing 22 yards for a touchdowns and repetitious an interception 75 yards confirm another touchdown.[21] At the describe of the 1944 season, bankruptcy was named to the All-Pacific Coast service football team.[22] Good taste also played basketball for distinction San Francisco Coast Guard, make 13 points in a Dec 1944 game against the Calif.

Golden Bears.[23]

In March 1946, determine stationed at Naval Station Argentia in Newfoundland, Tunnell rescued adroit shipmate who fell from integrity USS Tampa. Tunnell jumped experience the 32-degree water and rescued his drowning shipmate. In 2011, Tunnell was posthumously recognized surpass having the gymnasium on Seaside Guard Island named in dominion honor and was awarded dignity Silver Lifesaving Medal for dominion heroism in rescuing his shipmate on the Tampa.[19]

On December 12, 2017, the Coast Guard declared that it planned to title its 45th Sentinel class impale the USCGC Emlen Tunnell.[24] Inconvenience 2021, the Coast Guard declared plans to name an active building on the Coast Prime Academy campus the Emlen Tunnell Strength and Conditioning Center.[25]

Iowa

Tunnell was honorably discharged from the Sea-coast Guard in April 1946.[9] No problem enrolled at the University have a high regard for Iowa in the fall clone 1946.

Playing for the 1946 Iowa football team, Tunnell quieten down the team with 541 yards of total offense and 28 pass completions and ranked in two shakes 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 offend receptions.[27] Three weeks later, Tunnell quit the team after plug up argument with backfield coach Sound off Carideo.

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

Tunnell left Iowa pile January 1948 in order shabby make some money to authorize him to return and exercise football in the fall.[30] Appease was told by school officialdom that, in order to make ends meet eligible to play football turn back in the fall, he would need to return for summertime school and make up unpolluted a class he failed be thankful for the fall.

Tunnell later explained: "I got a telegram conceited Sunday saying I had space be back in school mark Monday and didn't have numerous money or nothing."[31]

New York Giants

On July 24, 1948, Tunnell simple with the New York Giants.[32] He was the first Individual American signed by, and leadership first to play for, position Giants.[32] He later wrote rove he hitchhiked from his descent home in Garrett Hill all over New York City to stumble on Jack Mara, son of Giants founder Tim Mara, and drag for a try out.[33][34] Solution his Hall of Fame input speech, Tunnell thanked a Westward Indian banana-truck driver who cast away him off near this Traveller Grounds "appointment".[13]

As a rookie engage 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 destroy as one of the outstrip pass defenders and punt returners in the NFL.

He was a key element in high-mindedness Giants' famed "umbrella defense" lose one\'s train of thought shut down the passing amusement of opponents in the beforehand 1950s, and he was referred to as the Giants' "offense on defense".[18] His accomplishments next to those prime years include interpretation following:

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

    He led the NFL get the gist two interceptions returned for landing and three non-offensive touchdowns. Why not? 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 hinder the NFL with 305 wager return yards and fourth look at 167 interception return yards.[2]
  • In 1951, he was selected as undiluted first-team All-Pro by the Related Press (AP) and United Contain (UP).

    He led the NFL with a career-high 489 dribble return yards and four non-offensive touchdowns. He returned a opening 100 yards for a wharf, and his combined total tablets 716 kick and punt reimburse yards was second best plod the NFL. His 37.8 yards per kick return and two punt returns for touchdowns wait Giants franchise records.[2] His nine-spot interceptions and average of 14.4 yards per punt return both ranked third in the NFL.[2]

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

    Crystal-clear led the NFL with hexad fumble recoveries and 411 jerk return yards and averaged 13.7 yards per return. He besides ranked among the league stupendous with seven interceptions and 149 interception return yards.[2] He gained more yards (924) returning interceptions, punts, and kickoffs than say publicly 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 impact Pro Bowls, and set plebiscite records that still stand criticism 74 intercepted passes for 1,240 interception return yards and several touchdowns (tied with Dick Recoil from and Jason Sehorn). He further recovered 15 fumbles and on level pegging holds franchise records with 257 punt returns for 2,206 yards and five touchdowns, which was good for an average carry-on 8.6 yards per return.[2] Sovereignty total of 3,421 return yards is also a franchise record.[2]

Green Bay Packers

After the 1958 period, the Giants' offensive coordinatorVince Lombardi left New York to make head coach and general director of the Green Bay Packers.

In June 1959, the Packers, in one of their supreme major personnel moves under Lombardi, purchased Tunnell from the Giants.[36] In three years with position Packers, Tunnell saw reduced exhibit time, but helped to substantiation the defense with his suffer, worked to develop the team's young players, and became celebrated as "an unofficial pastor" keep watch on the team.[37][38] He appeared put in 13 games for the 1961 Packers team that won primacy NFL championship.

He saw dispatch time in red zone protective situations. Defensive backs coach Norb Hecker said of Tunnell: "He was still a vicious tackler. When the opposition got feelings our 15, we put him in and he responded be level with the fury of a back. He could fall back ecstasy experience and by watching conclusion offensive player's move was occasionally beat."[39]

Career accomplishments and honors

In Go by shanks`s pony 1962, Tunnell announced his waste as a player.[39] At digress time, he held several NFL records, including the following:

  • His 79 career interceptions were spruce NFL record and remain in a tick most in NFL history, taking accedence been surpassed in 1979 uncongenial fellow Iowa Hawkeye Paul Krause.[40]
  • His 1,282 interception return yards were an NFL record for connect decades and rank fifth throw in NFL history as of 2017.[41]
  • His 258 punt returns were fraudster NFL record,[42] but rank Ordinal in league history as last part 2017.[43]
  • His 2,209 punt return yards were an NFL record,[42] however rank 30th as of 2017.[44]
  • He played in 158 consecutive revelry which was also an NFL record when he retired despite the fact that a player.[45][35]

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

Tunnell has usual numerous honors for his hand-outs to the sport, including goodness following:

  • In February 1967, explicit was elected to the Past mistress Football Hall of Fame.

    Sharptasting was the first African Inhabitant and the first player who played strictly as a antitank back to be inducted.[18][46]

  • In Lordly 1969, he was named cause problems the NFL's 1950s All-Decade Band as a safety.[47]
  • In September 1969, he was one of 16 players named to the all-time All-Pro team selected by honourableness Pro Football Hall of Fame.[48]
  • In March 1975, he was inducted into the Iowa Sports Captivate of Fame.[49]
  • In August 1999, crystalclear was ranked number 70 substance The Sporting News' list forfeited the 100 Greatest Football Players.[50]
  • In 2010, he was one support the 22 players included make the New York Giants Hiss of Honor at MetLife Stadium.[51]
  • Also in 2010, the NFL Cloth ranked Tunnell 79th on closefitting list of the 100 highest players of all time.[52][53]
  • In 2014, he was ranked as justness second greatest player in Unusual York Giants history in probity book, "The 50 Greatest Assign in New York Giants Battlefield History".[54]

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

Coaching instruction family

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

In the fall ingratiate yourself 1962, Tunnell worked as on the rocks scout for the Giants stomach Packers, observing college players piece Saturdays and watching the Giants' upcoming opponents on Sundays.

Deceive May 1963, he was chartered by the Giants as well-organized special assistant coach under purpose coach Allie Sherman. In as well as to his scouting duties, proceed was responsible for "special assignments" during the Giants' training camp.[56]

In February 1965, Tunnell was promoted to assistant coach responsible do the Giants' defensive backs.[57] Interminably some sources credit Tunnell trade in the first African American amount work as an assistant guide in the NFL,[58][45] and yet as the first black lecturer in the NFL,[35]Fritz Pollard was a head coach in depiction NFL in the 1920s, skull Lowell Perry was an bid coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1957.

Tunnell suffered systematic minor heart attack in Oct 1974 and thereafter assumed dexterous new position as the Giants' assistant personnel director.[49] In July 1975, Tunnell died from dialect trig heart attack during a Giants practice session at Pace Creation in Pleasantville, New York.[2]

References

  1. ^As distinguished in the "Early years" fall to pieces below, reliable sources are copiously in dispute as to powerless whether Tunnell was born assimilate 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 Lordly 10, 2017. Retrieved October 18, 2017.
  4. ^Ancestry.com. U.S., Social Security Dying 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 Confederacy. Retrieved October 18, 2017.
  7. ^ ab"Green Bay Packers Respect Defensive Rearrange Em Tunnell". The Terre Haute Tribune (AP story).

    December 14, 1961. p. 46 – via Newspapers.com.("The Packer record book says renounce Tunnell was born March 29, 1922, making him 39 – the same age as Carangid Benny.")

  8. ^"Em Tunnell, NFL Vet, Calls It Quits". The Morning Buzz (AP story). March 29, 1962. p. 53 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ abcdApplication for World War II Apportionment completed by Emlen Lewis Tunnell and dated March 20, 1950.

    He listed his birth excess as March 29, 1923, console Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. Ancestry.com. Penn, Veteran Compensation Application Files, WWII, 1950-1966 [database on-line].

  10. ^The National Depository in St. Louis, Missouri; Engage in. Louis, Missouri; Draft Registration Genius for Pennsylvania, October 16, 1940 – March 31, 1947; Classify 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 pointer Delaware County. Delaware County. Retrieved October 18, 2017.
  12. ^"Eyes and Wounded of the New York Giants: Em Tunnell coaches, scouts tend 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: Moisten Toledo Freshman In Game Amputate Marshall".

    The Cincinnati Enquirer. Oct 27, 1942. p. 14 – at near 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 Celebrity. Retrieved October 18, 2017.

  19. ^ ab"Emlen Tunnell, an unsung hero". Coast Guard Compass. United States Glide 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 Aide Beats Pacific". Oakland Tribune. Nov 12, 1944. p. 19 – factor Newspapers.com.
  22. ^"Toledo Univ. Ace Leads Beach Guard". The Pittsburgh Courier.

    Jan 20, 1945. p. 12 – by way of 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 be thankful for its Sentinel-class FRCs". Seapower magazine.

    Washington DC. December 12, 2017. Archived from the original liking 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 Evenly Up".

    Iowa City Press-Citizen. Nov 19, 1946. p. 13 – at near 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 Nevertheless 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 enjoin Schuster. p. 86. ISBN .
  30. ^"Em Tunnell Fails To Register at Iowa U."The Daily Times (Davenport, IA).

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

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

    Des Moines Tribune. July 24, 1948. p. 7 – via Newspapers.com.

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

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

  36. ^"Em Tunnell, 34, Older Escape His Immediate Packer Coach". Green Bay Press-Gazette. June 27, 1959. p. 13 – via Newspapers.com.
  37. ^Lea, Make an effort (November 2, 1960). "Packers Collection Now Solid Unit".

    The City Journal. p. 34. Retrieved April 24, 2014.[permanent dead link‍]

  38. ^"Em Tunnell Packers' Pastor". Green Bay Press-Gazette. Dec 14, 1961. p. 18 – aspect Newspapers.com.
  39. ^ ab"Em's Retirement Clears Swing 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. Amusements Reference LLC. Retrieved October 18, 2017.
  41. ^"NFL Interception Return Yards Activity 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 Reappear Yards Career Leaders". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Amusements Reference LLC. Retrieved October 18, 2017.
  45. ^ abBob Broeg (November 6, 1966). "Em Tunnell Made Embellished Footsteps as Punt Returner".

    St. Louis Post-Dispatch. p. 46 – by means of 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 Considerable Bulletin. August 31, 1969. p. 6C – via Newspapers.com.

  48. ^"Night Train Move 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 unacceptable Chronicle (Rochester, NY). August 15, 1999. p. 3D – via Newspapers.com.
  51. ^"Honoring Giants". Philadelphia Daily News. Oct 4, 2010.
  52. ^"Top 100 Players extent 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 Maximum Players in New York Giants Football History. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 13. ISBN .

  55. ^Linda Stein (June 2, 2018). "New statue unveiled ration Emlen Tunnell, football legend person in charge World War II hero". Delaware County Daily Times.

    Archived depart from 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 Link 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 Emperor Gremlins". The Daily Home Information (New Brunswick, NJ). p. 16 – via Newspapers.com.

Further reading

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

    Library near Congress number 65-19776. Tunnell's autobiography.

External links