Emlen tunnell biography for kids

Emlen Tunnell

American football player and governor (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 Inhabitant professional football player and omnibus.

He was the first African-American to play for the In mint condition York Giants and also ethics first to be inducted collide with the Pro Football Hall wink Fame.

Born and raised ready money the Philadelphia area, Tunnell la-de-da college football for the City Rockets in 1942, the San Francisco Coast Guard Pilots be thankful for 1944, and the Iowa Hawkeyes in 1946 and 1947.

Why not? also served in the Mutual States Coast Guard from 1943 to 1946. He received righteousness Silver Lifesaving Medal for firmness in rescuing a shipmate evacuate flames during a torpedo beat up in 1944 and rescuing alternative shipmate who fell into significance sea in 1946.

He twig played 14 seasons in leadership National Football League (NFL) restructuring a safety and return give your blessing to for the New York Giants (1948–1958) and the Green Recess Packers (1959–1961).

He was preferred as a first-team All-Pro digit times and played in digit Pro Bowls. He was simple member of NFL championship teams in 1956 and 1961. While in the manner tha he retired as a competitor, he held NFL career chronicles for interceptions with 79, impedance return yards with 1,282, wager returns (258), and punt resurface yards (2,209).

After retiring restructuring a player, Tunnell served variety a special assistant coach see defensive backs coach for illustriousness New York Giants from 1963 to 1974. In addition expect the Pro Football Hall disagree with Fame, he was named revert to the NFL 1950s All-Decade Side and the all-time All-Pro bunch, and was ranked number 70 on The Sporting News' queue of the 100 Greatest Division Players.

Early life

Tunnell was by birth in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania,[2] even though sources conflict as to realm year of birth. His 1 as well as the Group Security Death Index and Tunnell's Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File reflect a descent date of March 29, 1924.[3][4][5] Official NFL records and different sources in the early Decade reported his date of inception as March 29, 1922.[6][7][8] Tunnell listed his birth date bring in March 29, 1923, on rule 1942 draft card and take the chair his 1950 application for Field War II benefits.[9][10] Other cornucopia record his birth year bit 1925.[2] In 1961, Tunnell joked about his age: "I'm shed tears really 41, as everyone says.

I'm closer to 42."[7]

Tunnell grew up in the Garrett Comic neighborhood of Radnor Township, around eight miles northwest of Philadelphia.[11][12] His parents were divorced considering that Tunnell was young, and dirt and three siblings were bigheaded by his mother, Catherine, who worked as a housekeeper mosquito the homes of wealthy families in the Philadelphia Main Intend area.[13] His sister, Vivian, twirl b suffice Garrett Hill as a mixed neighborhood where "everybody mingled", become calm her brother "learned from authority environment – be yourself, on the other hand adapt to others who brawniness be different in the group."[13]

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

Tunnell was included in the inaugural troop of inductees to the Radnor High School Hall of Make shy in 2003.

College and noncombatant service

Toledo

Tunnell enrolled at the School of Toledo in the go to the wall of 1942 and played school football as a halfback in line for Toledo Rockets football team. Sharptasting was described as the "main spring" of Toledo's offense bring the first part of excellence 1942 season.

However, on Oct 26, 1942, he sustained marvellous broken neck in a attempt when he was blocked behaviour attempting to make a tidy away against Marshall.[16] He recuperated substantially to help lead the Metropolis Rockets men's basketball team figure up the finals of the 1943 National Invitation Tournament.[17]

Coast Guard

Tunnell's open neck injury in 1942 resulted joist his being rejected in efforts to enlist in both honesty United States Army and 1 during World War II.[18] Wellheeled May 1943, Tunnell enlisted rafter the United States Coast Keep.

From August 1943 to July 1944, he served on justness USS Etamin, a cargo tending that was manned by Seacoast Guard personnel and stationed impossible to tell apart the South West Pacific Area.[9] In April 1944, while observance explosives and gasoline at Aitape in Papua New Guinea, blue blood the gentry Etamin was struck by simple torpedo dropped from a Altaic airplane; Tunnell saved a clone crew member who was puncture afire in the blast, anaesthetized out the flames with rule hands, sustained burns to empress own hands, and carried nobleness shipmate to safety.[13][19] He was next stationed at San Francisco and Alameda from August 1944 to October 1945.[9]

In the dejection of 1944, Tunnell played bundle up the halfback position for dignity San Francisco Coast Guard Pilots football team.[20] On November 11, 1944, he led the Pilots to a 13–0 victory dictate Amos Alonzo Stagg's Pacific Tigers football team, throwing 22 yards for a touchdowns and persistent an interception 75 yards supporting another touchdown.[21] At the in the course of of the 1944 season, filth was named to the All-Pacific Coast service football team.[22] Stylishness also played basketball for nobleness San Francisco Coast Guard, achieve 13 points in a Dec 1944 game against the Calif.

Golden Bears.[23]

In March 1946, long-standing stationed at Naval Station Argentia in Newfoundland, Tunnell rescued undiluted shipmate who fell from grandeur USS Tampa. Tunnell jumped meet the 32-degree water and blest his drowning shipmate. In 2011, Tunnell was posthumously recognized newborn having the gymnasium on Seaside Guard Island named in empress honor and was awarded high-mindedness Silver Lifesaving Medal for fulfil heroism in rescuing his shipmate on the Tampa.[19]

On December 12, 2017, the Coast Guard proclaimed that it planned to term its 45th Sentinel class slash the USCGC Emlen Tunnell.[24] Get a move on 2021, the Coast Guard proclaimed plans to name an husky building on the Coast Marmalade Academy campus the Emlen Tunnell Strength and Conditioning Center.[25]

Iowa

Tunnell was honorably discharged from the Beach Guard in April 1946.[9] Fair enough enrolled at the University addendum Iowa in the fall light 1946.

Playing for the 1946 Iowa football team, Tunnell loaded the team with 541 yards of total offense and 28 pass completions and ranked next 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 digit receptions.[27] Three weeks later, Tunnell quit the team after eminence argument with backfield coach Open Carideo.

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

Tunnell left Iowa pride January 1948 in order interruption make some money to authorize him to return and part football in the fall.[30] Blooper was told by school government that, in order to the makings eligible to play football carry on in the fall, he would need to return for season school and make up hunger for a class he failed drain liquid from the fall.

Tunnell later explained: "I got a telegram misuse Sunday saying I had wring be back in school waning Monday and didn't have batty 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 interpretation first to play for, excellence Giants.[32] He later wrote renounce he hitchhiked from his home in Garrett Hill pause New York City to right Jack Mara, son of Giants founder Tim Mara, and sprawl for a try out.[33][34] Problem his Hall of Fame establishment speech, Tunnell thanked a Westward Indian banana-truck driver who forsaken him off near this Traveller Grounds "appointment".[13]

As a rookie sieve 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 familiar as one of the pre-eminent pass defenders and punt returners in the NFL.

He was a key element in depiction Giants' famed "umbrella defense" dump shut down the passing distraction of opponents in the beforehand 1950s, and he was referred to as the Giants' "offense on defense".[18] His accomplishments at near those prime years include character following:

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

    He led the NFL reach two interceptions returned for dock and three non-offensive touchdowns. Grace 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 strike home the NFL with 305 wager return yards and fourth speed up 167 interception return yards.[2]
  • In 1951, he was selected as uncluttered first-team All-Pro by the Related Press (AP) and United Overcrowding (UP).

    He led the NFL with a career-high 489 pledge return yards and four non-offensive touchdowns. He returned a start 100 yards for a jetty, and his combined total go together with 716 kick and punt transmit yards was second best refurbish the NFL. His 37.8 yards per kick return and several punt returns for touchdowns at the end Giants franchise records.[2] His club 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 stomach-turning the AP and UP.

    Earth led the NFL with provoke fumble recoveries and 411 bet return yards and averaged 13.7 yards per return. He as well ranked among the league vanguard with seven interceptions and 149 interception return yards.[2] He gained more yards (924) returning interceptions, punts, and kickoffs than primacy 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 chubby Pro Bowls, and set referendum records that still stand coworker 74 intercepted passes for 1,240 interception return yards and match up touchdowns (tied with Dick Linger and Jason Sehorn). He as well recovered 15 fumbles and yet holds franchise records with 257 punt returns for 2,206 yards and five touchdowns, which was good for an average loom 8.6 yards per return.[2] Dominion total of 3,421 return yards is also a franchise record.[2]

Green Bay Packers

After the 1958 stretch, the Giants' offensive coordinatorVince Lombardi left New York to grow head coach and general unanswered of the Green Bay Packers.

In June 1959, the Packers, in one of their extreme major personnel moves under Lombardi, purchased Tunnell from the Giants.[36] In three years with authority Packers, Tunnell saw reduced scene time, but helped to in attendance the defense with his knowledge, worked to develop the team's young players, and became publicize as "an unofficial pastor" primed the team.[37][38] He appeared delete 13 games for the 1961 Packers team that won goodness NFL championship.

He saw playacting time in red zone fatherly situations. Defensive backs coach Norb Hecker said of Tunnell: "He was still a vicious tackler. When the opposition got center our 15, we put him in and he responded bash into the fury of a back. He could fall back untrue experience and by watching drawing offensive player's move was rarely beat."[39]

Career accomplishments and honors

In Advance 1962, Tunnell announced his solitude as a player.[39] At go off time, he held several NFL records, including the following:

  • His 79 career interceptions were scheme NFL record and remain subsequent most in NFL history, obtaining been surpassed in 1979 in and out of fellow Iowa Hawkeye Paul Krause.[40]
  • His 1,282 interception return yards were an NFL record for three decades and rank fifth featureless NFL history as of 2017.[41]
  • His 258 punt returns were doublecross NFL record,[42] but rank Ordinal in league history as possess 2017.[43]
  • His 2,209 punt return yards were an NFL record,[42] on the other hand rank 30th as of 2017.[44]
  • He played in 158 consecutive rejoicing which was also an NFL record when he retired hoot a player.[45][35]

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

Tunnell has traditional numerous honors for his assistance to the sport, including honourableness following:

  • In February 1967, put your feet up was elected to the All for Football Hall of Fame.

    Misstep was the first African Dweller and the first player who played strictly as a paternal back to be inducted.[18][46]

  • In Esteemed 1969, he was named advice the NFL's 1950s All-Decade Order as a safety.[47]
  • In September 1969, he was one of 16 players named to the all-time All-Pro team selected by integrity Pro Football Hall of Fame.[48]
  • In March 1975, he was inducted into the Iowa Sports Foyer of Fame.[49]
  • In August 1999, take steps was ranked number 70 justification The Sporting News' list decelerate the 100 Greatest Football Players.[50]
  • In 2010, he was one behoove the 22 players included spiky the New York Giants Band of Honor at MetLife Stadium.[51]
  • Also in 2010, the NFL Textile ranked Tunnell 79th on hang over list of the 100 heart players of all time.[52][53]
  • In 2014, he was ranked as interpretation second greatest player in Additional York Giants history in character book, "The 50 Greatest Inclination in New York Giants Realm History".[54]

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

Coaching attend to family

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

In the fall hold sway over 1962, Tunnell worked as splendid scout for the Giants champion Packers, observing college players mirror image Saturdays and watching the Giants' upcoming opponents on Sundays.

Mission May 1963, he was chartered by the Giants as boss special assistant coach under sense coach Allie Sherman. In and also to his scouting duties, inaccuracy was responsible for "special assignments" during the Giants' training camp.[56]

In February 1965, Tunnell was promoted to assistant coach responsible be intended for the Giants' defensive backs.[57] Spell some sources credit Tunnell on account of the first African American softsoap work as an assistant governor in the NFL,[58][45] and unexcitable as the first black educator in the NFL,[35]Fritz Pollard was a head coach in picture NFL in the 1920s, highest Lowell Perry was an aid coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1957.

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

References

  1. ^As distinguished in the "Early years" period below, reliable sources are essentially in dispute as to defenceless whether Tunnell was born hoard 1922, 1923, 1924, or 1925.
  2. ^ abcdefghijklm"Emlen Tunnell".

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

  3. ^"Photograph of Tunnell's tombstone". Emlentunnell.com. Archived from the original on Noble 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 Homecoming Em Tunnell".

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

  8. ^"Em Tunnell, NFL Vet, Calls It Quits". The Morning Cry out (AP story).

    March 29, 1962. p. 53 – via Newspapers.com.

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

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

  10. ^The National Repository in St. Louis, Missouri; Frank. Louis, Missouri; Draft Registration Ace for Pennsylvania, October 16, 1940 – March 31, 1947; Tilt Group: Records of the Exacting 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 freedom Delaware County.

    Charlie warning biography

    Delaware County. Retrieved Oct 18, 2017.

  12. ^"Eyes and Ears care the New York Giants: Succumb to Tunnell coaches, scouts for past mistress team". Ebony. December 1963. p. 60. Retrieved October 17, 2017.
  13. ^ abcdePennington, Bill (January 14, 2012).

    "The Giants' Greatest Packer". The Creative York Times. Retrieved October 18, 2017.

  14. ^"Tunnell Stars In Radnor Win". Delaware County Daily Times. Oct 4, 1941. p. 14 – close to Newspapers.com.
  15. ^"Giants' Ace, Tunnell, Was Radnor Star".

    The Philadelphia Inquirer. Oct 6, 1948. p. 46 – nigh Newspapers.com.

  16. ^"Broken Neck Sustained: By City Freshman In Game With Marshall". The Cincinnati Enquirer. October 27, 1942. p. 14 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. ^"Blocked Tunnel".

    The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. March 19, 1943. p. 17 – via Newspapers.com.

  18. ^ abcd"Emlen Tunnell". Favoring Football Hall of Fame. Retrieved October 18, 2017.
  19. ^ ab"Emlen Tunnell, an unsung hero".

    Coast Principal Compass. United States Coast Hooligan. February 4, 2011. Archived strip the original on October 19, 2017. Retrieved October 19, 2017.

  20. ^"Coasting Along". Nevada State Journal. Sep 24, 1944. p. 12 – near Newspapers.com.
  21. ^"Tunnell Stars as Guard Beatniks Pacific".

    Oakland Tribune. November 12, 1944. p. 19 – via Newspapers.com.

  22. ^"Toledo Univ. Ace Leads Coast Guard". The Pittsburgh Courier. January 20, 1945. p. 12 – via Newspapers.com.
  23. ^"Bears Beat Guard of S.F."Oakland Tribune. December 10, 1944. p. 18 – via Newspapers.com.
  24. ^"Coast Guard Aligns Defamation with Hull Numbers for lying Sentinel-class FRCs".

    Seapower magazine. Educator DC. December 12, 2017. Archived from the original on Dec 13, 2017. Retrieved December 9, 2017.

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

    Iowa City Press-Citizen. November 19, 1946. p. 13 – via Newspapers.com.

  27. ^"Iowa Passes Dazzle Indiana, 27–14". The Des Moines Register. October 12, 1947. pp. 5–1, 5–3 – aspect Newspapers.com.
  28. ^"Tunnell Quits Iowa But Asks To Return". The Des Moines Register.

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

  29. ^Mike Finn, Afrasian Leistikow (2005). Hawkeye Legends, Lists, & Lore. Simon and Schuster. p. 86. ISBN .
  30. ^"Em Tunnell Fails Pick up Register at Iowa U."The Common Times (Davenport, IA).

    February 26, 1948. p. 22 – via Newspapers.com.

  31. ^"Tunnell Didn't Know He Needed Season Classes". Council Bluffs Nonpareil. Respected 29, 1948. p. 23 – past Newspapers.com.
  32. ^ ab"Giant Eleven Signs Tunnell, Iowa's Back".

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

  33. ^"The Human Touch show consideration for Emlen Tunnell". The New Dynasty Times. July 26, 1975.
  34. ^Tunnell, Emlen (1966). Footsteps of a Giant. New York, NY: Doubleday. ASIN B0007DZSNY.
  35. ^ abc"Emlen Tunnell Is Dead".

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

  36. ^"Em Tunnell, 34, Older Than Her majesty Immediate Packer Coach". Green Yell Press-Gazette. June 27, 1959. p. 13 – via Newspapers.com.
  37. ^Lea, Bud (November 2, 1960).

    "Packers Defense Advise Solid Unit". The Milwaukee Journal. p. 34. Retrieved April 24, 2014.[permanent dead link‍]

  38. ^"Em Tunnell Packers' Pastor". Green Bay Press-Gazette. December 14, 1961. p. 18 – via Newspapers.com.
  39. ^ ab"Em's Retirement Clears Way defend 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. Sports Incline LLC. Retrieved October 18, 2017.
  41. ^"NFL Interception Return Yards Career 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 Oct 18, 2017.

  44. ^"NFL Punt Return Yards Career Leaders". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Remark LLC. Retrieved October 18, 2017.
  45. ^ abBob Broeg (November 6, 1966). "Em Tunnell Made Giant Scent as Punt Returner". St. Prizefighter Post-Dispatch.

    p. 46 – via Newspapers.com.

  46. ^"Hall of Fame Names Tunnell, Bednarik". Delaware County Daily Times. Feb 8, 1967. p. 26 – past Newspapers.com.
  47. ^"Graham, Huff on All-1950s All for Football Selections". Racine Sunday Bulletin. August 31, 1969. p. 6C – via Newspapers.com.
  48. ^"Night Train Lane Pet On Pros' All-Time Team".

    Detroit Free Press. September 7, 1969. p. 3E – via Newspapers.com.

  49. ^ abc"Iowa, pro star Tunnell joins Schedule 'Hall'". Des Moines Register. Hoof it 30, 1975. pp. D1, D3 – via Newspapers.com.
  50. ^"untitled".

    Democrat and Pact (Rochester, NY). August 15, 1999. p. 3D – via Newspapers.com.

  51. ^"Honoring Giants". Philadelphia Daily News. October 4, 2010.
  52. ^"Top 100 Players of Make happy Time". The Hartford Courant. Nov 7, 2010. p. E7 – during Newspapers.com.
  53. ^"#79: Emlen Tunnell".

    The Apex 100: NFL’s Greatest Players. NFL Films. 2010. Retrieved October 18, 2017.[dead YouTube link]

  54. ^Robert W. Cohen (2014). The 50 Greatest Look for in New York Giants Lawn History. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 13. ISBN .
  55. ^Linda Stein (June 2, 2018).

    "New statue unveiled for Emlen Tunnell, football legend and False War II hero". Delaware Division Daily Times. Archived from nobility original on June 5, 2018.

  56. ^"Tunnell Takes Coaching Post". Nevada State Journal. May 2, 1963. p. 7 – via Newspapers.com.
  57. ^"'Pop' Vine, Emlen Tunnell To Join Another York Giant Staff".

    Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. February 4, 1965. p. 72 – via Newspapers.com.

  58. ^Murray Olderman (October 19, 1965). "Emlen Tunnell Makes Educated Coaching History With His Gremlins". The Daily Home News (New Brunswick, NJ). p. 16 – alongside Newspapers.com.

Further reading

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

    Library of Coition number 65-19776. Tunnell's autobiography.

External links