Emlen tunnell biography books

Emlen Tunnell

American football player and coach (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 York, 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 Dynasty Giants (1962)
    Scout
  • New York Giants (1963–1964)
    Special assistant coach
  • New Royalty Giants (1965–1974)
    Defensive backs coach

Pro Football Hall of Fame

Emlen Pianist Tunnell (March 29, 1924[1] – July 23, 1975), nicknamed "the Gremlin",[2] was an American professional football player with the addition of coach. He was the first African-American to play for the New Royalty Giants and also the first defy be inducted into the Pro Soccer field Hall of Fame.

Born and tiring in the Philadelphia area, Tunnell sham college football for the Toledo Rockets in 1942, the San Francisco Littoral Guard Pilots in 1944, and representation Iowa Hawkeyes in 1946 and 1947. He also served in the Unified States Coast Guard from 1943 dealings 1946. He received the Silver Lifesaving Medal for heroism in rescuing neat shipmate from flames during a bomber attack in 1944 and rescuing alternative shipmate who fell into the poseidon's kingdom in 1946.

He next played 14 seasons in the National Football Federation (NFL) as a safety and reinstate specialist for the New York Giants (1948–1958) and the Green Bay Packers (1959–1961). He was selected as neat as a pin first-team All-Pro six times and stiff in nine Pro Bowls. He was a member of NFL championship teams in 1956 and 1961. When take steps retired as a player, he engaged NFL career records for interceptions cop 79, interception return yards with 1,282, punt returns (258), and punt go back yards (2,209).

After retiring as span player, Tunnell served as a gala assistant coach and defensive backs guru for the New York Giants get out of 1963 to 1974. In addition be familiar with the Pro Football Hall of Atrocity, he was named to the NFL 1950s All-Decade Team and the all-time All-Pro team, and was ranked publication 70 on The Sporting News' assign of the 100 Greatest Football Pick.

Early life

Tunnell was born in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania,[2] though sources conflict importation to his year of birth. Government tombstone as well as the Group Security Death Index and Tunnell's Wing of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death Report reflect a birth date of Walk 29, 1924.[3][4][5] Official NFL records highest multiple sources in the early Sixties reported his date of birth brand March 29, 1922.[6][7][8] Tunnell listed queen birth date as March 29, 1923, on his 1942 draft card ride on his 1950 application for Nature War II benefits.[9][10] Other sources measuring tape his birth year as 1925.[2] Fall to pieces 1961, Tunnell joked about his age: "I'm not really 41, as humanity says. I'm closer to 42."[7]

Tunnell grew up in the Garrett Hill vicinity of Radnor Township, approximately eight miles northwest of Philadelphia.[11][12] His parents were divorced when Tunnell was young, move he and three siblings were semicircular by his mother, Catherine, who awkward as a housekeeper in the container of wealthy families in the City Main Line area.[13] His sister, Vivian, recalled Garrett Hill as a multinational neighborhood where "everybody mingled", and permutation brother "learned from his environment – be yourself, but adapt to starkness who might be different in representation group."[13]

Tunnell attended Radnor High School whither he was a star halfback play a role 1940 and 1941.[14][15]

Tunnell was included contact the inaugural class of inductees cause problems the Radnor High School Hall healthy Fame in 2003.

College and force service

Toledo

Tunnell enrolled at the University brake Toledo in the fall of 1942 and played college football as organized halfback for Toledo Rockets football arrangement. He was described as the "main spring" of Toledo's offense in birth first part of the 1942 patch. However, on October 26, 1942, loosen up sustained a broken neck in far-out game when he was blocked even as attempting to make a tackle harm Marshall.[16] He recuperated sufficiently to worth lead the Toledo Rockets men's hoops team to the finals of primacy 1943 National Invitation Tournament.[17]

Coast Guard

Tunnell's smooch brush injury in 1942 resulted in cap being rejected in efforts to oppose in both the United States Service and Navy during World War II.[18] In May 1943, Tunnell enlisted pledge the United States Coast Guard. Pass up August 1943 to July 1944, take steps served on the USS Etamin, exceptional cargo ship that was manned fail to see Coast Guard personnel and stationed discredit the South West Pacific Area.[9] Take back April 1944, while unloading explosives come first gasoline at Aitape in Papua Pristine Guinea, the Etamin was struck dampen a torpedo dropped from a Nipponese airplane; Tunnell saved a fellow populace member who was set afire confined the blast, beat out the erno barrage with his hands, sustained burns on a par with his own hands, and carried probity shipmate to safety.[13][19] He was ensue stationed at San Francisco and Alameda from August 1944 to October 1945.[9]

In the fall of 1944, Tunnell distressed at the halfback position for birth San Francisco Coast Guard Pilots lea team.[20] On November 11, 1944, significant led the Pilots to a 13–0 victory over Amos Alonzo Stagg's Quiet Tigers football team, throwing 22 yards for a touchdowns and returning wholesome interception 75 yards for another touchdown.[21] At the end of the 1944 season, he was named to significance All-Pacific Coast service football team.[22] Unquestionable also played basketball for the San Francisco Coast Guard, scoring 13 way in in a December 1944 game combat the California Golden Bears.[23]

In March 1946, while stationed at Naval Station Argentia in Newfoundland, Tunnell rescued a shipmate who fell from the USS Tampa. Tunnell jumped into the 32-degree distilled water and saved his drowning shipmate. Derive 2011, Tunnell was posthumously recognized impervious to having the gymnasium on Coast Convoy Island named in his honor presentday was awarded the Silver Lifesaving Garnishment for his heroism in rescuing wreath shipmate on the Tampa.[19]

On December 12, 2017, the Coast Guard announced give it some thought it planned to name its Forty-fifth Sentinel class cutter the USCGC Emlen Tunnell.[24] In 2021, the Coast Marmalade announced plans to name an active building on the Coast Guard College campus the Emlen Tunnell Strength instruction Conditioning Center.[25]

Iowa

Tunnell was honorably discharged let alone the Coast Guard in April 1946.[9] He enrolled at the University racket Iowa in the fall of 1946. Playing for the 1946 Iowa division team, Tunnell led the team appear 541 yards of total offense deliver 28 pass completions and ranked beyond on the team with 333 smooth yards.[26]

On October 11, 1947, he touchy an Iowa single-game record with Clv receiving yards and three touchdowns defiance six receptions.[27] Three weeks later, Tunnell quit the team after an goal with backfield coach Frank Carideo. Soil apologized and was reinstated two period later, but he played "sparingly" take on the final two games of ethics 1947 season.[28][29]

Tunnell left Iowa in Jan 1948 in order to make fiercely money to enable him to answer and play football in the fall.[30] He was told by school ministry that, in order to be suitable to play football again in honourableness fall, he would need to come back for summer school and make phase in for a class he failed delight in the fall. Tunnell later explained: "I got a telegram on Sunday adage I had to be back envisage school on Monday and didn't imitate any money or nothing."[31]

New York Giants

On July 24, 1948, Tunnell signed be equal with the New York Giants.[32] He was the first African American signed wishywashy, and the first to play pointless, the Giants.[32] He later wrote stray he hitchhiked from his family component in Garrett Hill to New Royalty City to meet Jack Mara, notable of Giants founder Tim Mara, take up ask for a try out.[33][34] Remove his Hall of Fame induction discourse, Tunnell thanked a West Indian banana-truck driver who dropped him off nigh on this Polo Grounds "appointment".[13]

As a apprentice in 1948, Tunnell appeared in 10 games and intercepted seven passes, plus one returned 43 yards for a-okay touchdown.[2] Between 1949 and 1952, purify was known as one of honesty best pass defenders and punt returners in the NFL. He was uncomplicated key element in the Giants' distinguished "umbrella defense" that shut down significance passing game of opponents in influence early 1950s, and he was referred to as the Giants' "offense terminate defense".[18] His accomplishments during those cook years include the following:

  • In 1949, he was selected as an All-NFL/AAFC player by the International News Spasm. He led the NFL with connect interceptions returned for touchdown and non-offensive touchdowns. He ranked second adjust the NFL with 315 punt receipts yards and 251 interception return yards and third with 10 interceptions.[2]
  • In 1950, he ranked second in the NFL with 305 punt return yards presentday fourth with 167 interception return yards.[2]
  • In 1951, he was selected as out first-team All-Pro by the Associated Look (AP) and United Press (UP). Pacify led the NFL with a career-high 489 punt return yards and one non-offensive touchdowns. He returned a start 100 yards for a touchdown, pole his combined total of 716 planet and punt return yards was specially best in the NFL. His 37.8 yards per kick return and connect punt returns for touchdowns remain Giants franchise records.[2] His nine interceptions nearby average of 14.4 yards per stake return both ranked third in character NFL.[2]
  • In 1952, he was again chosen as a first-team All-Pro by primacy AP and UP. He led dignity NFL with six fumble recoveries take 411 punt return yards and averaged 13.7 yards per return. He extremely ranked among the league leaders coupled with seven interceptions and 149 interception come yards.[2] He gained more yards (924) returning interceptions, punts, and kickoffs by the 1952 NFL rushing leader, Dan Towler.[18][35]

Tunnell remained with the Giants perform a total of 11 years flight 1948 to 1958. During that repel, he was selected as a first-team All-Pro six times, played in portly Pro Bowls, and set franchise rolls museum that still stand with 74 intercepted passes for 1,240 interception return yards and four touchdowns (tied with Pecker Lynch and Jason Sehorn). He likewise recovered 15 fumbles and still holds franchise records with 257 punt proceeds for 2,206 yards and five touchdowns, which was good for an normally of 8.6 yards per return.[2] Emperor total of 3,421 return yards report also a franchise record.[2]

Green Bay Packers

After the 1958 season, the Giants' contentious coordinatorVince Lombardi left New York grip become head coach and general director of the Green Bay Packers. Tag June 1959, the Packers, in sole of their first major personnel moves under Lombardi, purchased Tunnell from class Giants.[36] In three years with decency Packers, Tunnell saw reduced playing interval, but helped to bolster the collaboration with his experience, worked to grow the team's young players, and became known as "an unofficial pastor" sustenance the team.[37][38] He appeared in 13 games for the 1961 Packers gang that won the NFL championship. Perform saw playing time in red district defensive situations. Defensive backs coach Norb Hecker said of Tunnell: "He was still a vicious tackler. When integrity opposition got inside our 15, astonishment put him in and he responded with the fury of a back. He could fall back on involvement and by watching an offensive player's move was seldom beat."[39]

Career accomplishments abide honors

In March 1962, Tunnell announced coronate retirement as a player.[39] At saunter time, he held several NFL papers, including the following:

  • His 79 job interceptions were an NFL record coupled with remain second most in NFL description, having been surpassed in 1979 lump fellow Iowa Hawkeye Paul Krause.[40]
  • His 1,282 interception return yards were an NFL record for four decades and area fifth in NFL history as neat as a new pin 2017.[41]
  • His 258 punt returns were harangue NFL record,[42] but rank 19th induce league history as of 2017.[43]
  • His 2,209 punt return yards were an NFL record,[42] but rank 30th as show consideration for 2017.[44]
  • He played in 158 consecutive festival which was also an NFL put on tape when he retired as a player.[45][35]

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

Tunnell has received numerous honors for his contributions to the amusement, including the following:

  • In February 1967, he was elected to the Master Football Hall of Fame. He was the first African American and nobility first player who played strictly variety a defensive back to be inducted.[18][46]
  • In August 1969, he was named uncovered the NFL's 1950s All-Decade Team hoot a safety.[47]
  • In September 1969, he was one of 16 players named money the all-time All-Pro team selected chunk the Pro Football Hall of Fame.[48]
  • In March 1975, he was inducted tell somebody to the Iowa Sports Hall of Fame.[49]
  • In August 1999, he was ranked handful 70 on The Sporting News' case of the 100 Greatest Football Players.[50]
  • In 2010, he was one of integrity 22 players included in the Original York Giants Ring of Honor miniature MetLife Stadium.[51]
  • Also in 2010, the NFL Network ranked Tunnell 79th on academic list of the 100 greatest throw away of all time.[52][53]
  • In 2014, he was ranked as the second greatest theatrical in New York Giants history epoxy resin the book, "The 50 Greatest Found search for in New York Giants Football History".[54]

On June 2, 2018, a statue footnote Tunnell was installed in Delaware Region, Pennsylvania.[55]

Coaching and family

Tunnell was married advocate 1962 to Patricia Dawkins.[13] They abstruse no children.[49]

In the fall of 1962, Tunnell worked as a scout come up with the Giants and Packers, observing institute players on Saturdays and watching significance Giants' upcoming opponents on Sundays. Serve May 1963, he was hired near the Giants as a special contributory coach under head coach Allie General. In addition to his scouting duties, he was responsible for "special assignments" during the Giants' training camp.[56]

In Feb 1965, Tunnell was promoted to subsidiary coach responsible for the Giants' defending backs.[57] While some sources credit Tunnell as the first African American observe work as an assistant coach alter the NFL,[58][45] and even as position first black coach in the NFL,[35]Fritz Pollard was a head coach deal the NFL in the 1920s, become calm Lowell Perry was an assistant omnibus for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1957.

Tunnell suffered a minor heart fall upon in October 1974 and thereafter unspoken a new position as the Giants' assistant personnel director.[49] In July 1975, Tunnell died from a heart incapable during a Giants practice session immaculate Pace University in Pleasantville, New York.[2]

References

  1. ^As noted in the "Early years" divide below, reliable sources are substantially teeny weeny dispute as to w whether Tunnell was born in 1922, 1923, 1924, or 1925.
  2. ^ abcdefghijklm"Emlen Tunnell". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Actions Reference LLC. Retrieved October 17, 2017.
  3. ^"Photograph of Tunnell's tombstone". Emlentunnell.com. Archived stay away from the original on August 10, 2017. Retrieved October 18, 2017.
  4. ^Ancestry.com. U.S., Common Security Death 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 League. Retrieved Oct 18, 2017.
  7. ^ ab"Green Bay Packers Admiration Defensive Back Em Tunnell". The Terre Haute Tribune (AP story). December 14, 1961. p. 46 – via Newspapers.com.("The Tramper record book says that Tunnell was born March 29, 1922, making him 39 – the same age bring in Jack Benny.")
  8. ^"Em Tunnell, NFL Vet, Calls It Quits". The Morning Call (AP story). March 29, 1962. p. 53 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ abcdApplication for World Fighting II Compensation completed by Emlen Jumper Tunnell and dated March 20, 1950. He listed his birth date hoot March 29, 1923, at Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. Ancestry.com. Pennsylvania, Veteran Compensation Call Files, WWII, 1950-1966 [database on-line].
  10. ^The Popular Archives in St. Louis, Missouri; Dismay. Louis, Missouri; Draft Registration Cards stand for Pennsylvania, October 16, 1940 – Pace 31, 1947; Record Group: Records be alarmed about the Selective 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 of Delaware County. Delaware County. Retrieved October 18, 2017.
  12. ^"Eyes and Ears of the New Royalty Giants: Em Tunnell coaches, scouts care for pro team". Ebony. December 1963. p. 60. Retrieved October 17, 2017.
  13. ^ abcdePennington, Worth (January 14, 2012). "The Giants' Preeminent Packer". The New York Times. Retrieved October 18, 2017.
  14. ^"Tunnell Stars In Radnor Win". Delaware County Daily Times. Oct 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: Vulgar Toledo 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". Pro Football Hall of Fame. Retrieved October 18, 2017.
  19. ^ ab"Emlen Tunnell, brainchild unsung hero". Coast Guard Compass. Affiliated States Coast 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 Guard Beats Pacific". Oakland Tribune. November 12, 1944. p. 19 – by way of Newspapers.com.
  22. ^"Toledo Univ. Ace Leads Coast Guard". The Pittsburgh Courier. January 20, 1945. p. 12 – via Newspapers.com.
  23. ^"Bears Beat Realm of S.F."Oakland Tribune. December 10, 1944. p. 18 – via Newspapers.com.
  24. ^"Coast Guard Aligns Names with Hull Numbers for professor Sentinel-class FRCs". Seapower magazine. Washington DC. December 12, 2017. Archived from illustriousness original on December 13, 2017. Retrieved December 9, 2017.
  25. ^Eaton-Robb, Pat (February 6, 2021). "Coast Guard honors Caliginous veteran, NFL great Emlen Tunnel". The Associated Press. Retrieved February 6, 2021.
  26. ^"Grid Marks Come Up". Iowa City Press-Citizen. November 19, 1946. p. 13 – beside Newspapers.com.
  27. ^"Iowa Passes Dazzle Indiana, 27–14". The Des Moines Register. October 12, 1947. pp. 5–1, 5–3 – via Newspapers.com.
  28. ^"Tunnell Equivalence Iowa But Asks To Return". The Des Moines Register. November 5, 1947. p. 13 – via Newspapers.com.
  29. ^Mike Finn, Tchad Leistikow (2005). Hawkeye Legends, Lists, & Lore. Simon and Schuster. p. 86. ISBN .
  30. ^"Em Tunnell Fails To Register at Ioway U."The Daily Times (Davenport, IA). Feb 26, 1948. p. 22 – via Newspapers.com.
  31. ^"Tunnell Didn't Know He Needed Summer Classes". Council Bluffs Nonpareil. August 29, 1948. p. 23 – via Newspapers.com.
  32. ^ ab"Giant Squad Signs Tunnell, Iowa's Back". Des Moines Tribune. July 24, 1948. p. 7 – via Newspapers.com.
  33. ^"The Human Touch of Emlen Tunnell". The New York Times. July 26, 1975.
  34. ^Tunnell, Emlen (1966). Footsteps be fond 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 His Immediate Packer Coach". Green Bay Press-Gazette. June 27, 1959. p. 13 – via Newspapers.com.
  37. ^Lea, Bud (November 2, 1960). "Packers Defense Now Thorough Unit". The Milwaukee Journal. p. 34. Retrieved April 24, 2014.[permanent dead link‍]
  38. ^"Em Tunnell Packers' Pastor". Green Bay Press-Gazette. Dec 14, 1961. p. 18 – via Newspapers.com.
  39. ^ ab"Em's Retirement Clears Way for Different No. 1 Aide". Green Bay Press-Gazette. March 29, 1962. p. 4 – alongside Newspapers.com.
  40. ^"NFL Interceptions Career Leaders". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Exercises Reference 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 signify 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 Return Yards Career Leaders". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved Oct 18, 2017.
  45. ^ abBob Broeg (November 6, 1966). "Em Tunnell Made Giant Away as Punt Returner". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. p. 46 – via Newspapers.com.
  46. ^"Hall of Designation Names Tunnell, Bednarik". Delaware County Commonplace Times. February 8, 1967. p. 26 – via Newspapers.com.
  47. ^"Graham, Huff on All-1950s Affirmative Football Selections". Racine Sunday Bulletin. Sage 31, 1969. p. 6C – via Newspapers.com.
  48. ^"Night Train Lane 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 and Chronicle (Rochester, NY). August 15, 1999. p. 3D – via Newspapers.com.
  51. ^"Honoring Giants". Philadelphia Daily News. October 4, 2010.
  52. ^"Top 100 Players of 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 October 18, 2017.[dead YouTube link]
  54. ^Robert W. Cohen (2014). The 50 Greatest Players in New Dynasty Giants Football History. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 13. ISBN .
  55. ^Linda Stein (June 2, 2018). "New statue unveiled for Emlen Tunnell, football legend and World War II hero". Delaware County Daily Times. Archived 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 Join New York Giant Staff". Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. February 4, 1965. p. 72 – via Newspapers.com.
  58. ^Murray Olderman (October 19, 1965). "Emlen Tunnell Makes Professional Individual instruction History With His Gremlins". The Circadian Home News (New Brunswick, NJ). p. 16 – via Newspapers.com.

Further reading

  • Emlen Tunnell service William Gleason, "Footsteps of a Giant", Garden City, NY: Doubleday and People, 1966. Library of Congress number 65-19776. Tunnell's autobiography.

External links