Tag: Emlen Tunnell

Giants legend Emlen Tunnell makes list of 11-best safeties of all time

In a list ranking the greatest safeties of all time, New York Giants legend Emlen Tunnell made the cut.

New York Giants Ring of Honor member and Pro Football Hall of Famer Emlen Tunnell was recently named to the 33rd Team’s list of the 11 best safeties of all time.

Tunnell, a two-time NFL champion (once with the Giants and once with Vince Lombardi’s Green Bay Packers) and nine-time Pro Bowler, came in at No. 11 on the list complied by researcher Elliott Kalb.

Tunnell was one of the greatest safeties to play the game. He played 14 years, 11 with the Giants in a career that ended in 1961. He was the first Black player signed by the Giants, the first Black player to be inducted into the Hall of Fame and (according to Tunnell’s 1975 obituary in The New York Times) the first Black person hired to a coaching position in the NFL’s modern era.

In 1952, Tunnell gained more yards (923) on interceptions and kickoff returns than the NFL rushing leader did running the ball. He earned the nickname “offense on defense.”

He intercepted a then-record 79 passes in his 14 seasons with the Giants and Green Bay Packers. He was certainly the best safety that played in the 1950s.

Tunnell was previously named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1950s, as well as the league’s 50th and 100th anniversary teams.

Tunnell played for the Giants from 1948-58, and with Green Bay from 1959-61.

The first ten players on the list from Nos. 1 through 10 are: Ronnie Lott, Ed Reed, Ken Houston, Troy Polamalu, Brian Dawkins, Larry Wilson, Donnie Shell, Cliff Harris, Johnny Robinson and John Lynch.

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Emlen Tunnell named Giants’ greatest-ever free agent signing

CBS Sports names DB Emlen Tunnell the greatest free agent signing in New York Giants franchise history.

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CBS Sports has named Emlen Tunnell the New York Giants’ best free agent signing of all time.

It’s certainly hard to argue with that choice.

The first Black player to be enshrined in Canton, Ohio, Tunnell was signed by the Giants as an undrafted rookie in 1948. Nicknamed “The Gremlin,” Tunnell helped the Giants capture their first league title in 1956. The best kickoff/punt returner of his era, Tunnell retired with 79 interceptions, the second-highest total in NFL history. Tunnell spent his final three seasons with the Packers, where he helped Vince Lombardi win his first of five NFL titles in 1961. Tunnell was named to the NFL 100 All-Time Team in 2019.

Tunnell started his collegiate sports career in 1942, playing football and basketball for the University of Toledo. In 1943, Tunnell attempted to join the Army to help in World War II but was rejected because of a neck injury he suffered playing football. He would then join the Coast Guard for the next few years, playing football for the San Francisco Coast Guard Pilots football team as a halfback and defender.

During his time with the Coast Guard, the star athlete also amazed off the field by saving a drowning teammate from freezing water. After his time with the Coast Guard, Tunnell enrolled at the University of Iowa, setting a single-game receiving record of 155 yards and three touchdowns for the Hawkeyes.

Tunnell passed on his final year of eligibility at Iowa in 1948. He hitchhiked to New York and persuaded the Giants front office to give him a tryout. The team had never signed a Black player, and Tunnell broke that barrier. During his 11 seasons with Big Blue, Tunnell had 74 interceptions for 1,240 return yards and four touchdowns while also adding 15 fumbles recovered. He was also a valuable returner, recording 2,206 yards and five touchdowns on punt returns and 1,215 yards and one touchdown on kick returns.

Tunnell went on to win two NFL championships (one with New York) and earn six first-team All-Pro nominations and nine Pro Bowl selections. He is rightfully in the Giants’ Ring of Honor and the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

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NFL’s all-time best by jersey number: 4 Giants make the cut

Touchdown Wire recently listed the best NFL players to wear a specific jersey number and 4 retired New York Giants made the cut.

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The NFL is entering its 104th season in 2023 and many great teams and great players have graced their fields and events for over a century. Over that time, every uniform number has been worn and made immortal by those players.

Which leads us to ask: which players wore each number the best?

In a recent article titled, ‘The best pro football player to wear every jersey number,’ Touchdown Wire’s Dug Farrar gives it his best shot.

For enthusiasts of the New York Giants, several members of Big Blue made the list:

  • Benny Friedman, No. 6
  • Emlen Tunnell, No. 45
  • Lawrence Taylor, No. 56
  • Roosevelt Brown, No. 79

All four are members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Other Giants receiving’ honorable mentions’ include the following:

Kerry Collins (No. 5), Ray Flaherty (No. 6), Mel Hein (No. 7), Steve Owen (No. 9), Eli Manning (No. 10), Phil Simms (No. 11), Y.A. Tittle (No. 14), Frank Gifford (No. 16), Sam Madison (No. 29), Harry Carson (No. 53), Kareem McKenzie (No. 67), Sam Huff and Leonard Marshall (No. 70), Andy Robustelli (No. 81), Fred Dryer (No. 89), Jason Pierre-Paul (No. 90), Michael Strahan (No. 92) and Jesse Armstead (No. 98).

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Ex-Giants VP accuses team of ‘inherent and unconscious’ racial biases

Former New York Giants VP Marc Ross says the team and many other NFL teams have “inherent and unconscious” racial biases.

The New York Giants are one of 13 NFL teams that have never hired a Black head coach. That social issue was compounded earlier this year when they passed on Brian Flores in favor of Brian Daboll.

Flores, who allegedly found out he had been passed over during a texting snafu with Bill Belichick, later filed a lawsuit against the Giants, the NFL and several other teams.

The lawsuit alleges the Giants’ interview process was a “sham” at that Flores was simply used to satisfy The Rooney Rule.

True or false, the optics of the messy hire and their lack of history with Black head coaches doesn’t reflect well for the Giants. And that’s because of their “inherent and unconscious” racial bias, says former Giants vice president of evaluation Marc Ross.

“There’s inherent and unconscious biases,” Ross told The Washington Post. “I heard that tons when I did my GM interviews: ‘We thought you were amazing. You’re outstanding. You’ll be a GM one day. We just felt comfortable with this guy.’ . . . And I think Black candidates, Black coaches just don’t get that benefit of the doubt of ‘We feel more comfortable.’ Why not? Because these owners are used to being around certain people and they’re comfortable with certain people.”

Ross wasn’t necessarily singling the Giants out, but his comments did stem from questions about co-owner John Mara, who he believes prefers white candidates over Black candidates. But in the same breath, Ross said he doesn’t believe Mara is overtly racist.

“We strongly believe that racial diversity, including among our most senior coaching and executive ranks, makes us a stronger and better organization,” said team spokesman, Pat Hanlon. “John Mara’s leadership on the NFL’s Diversity Committee is a direct reflection of the organization’s commitment to creating more diversity within the Giants organization and the league as a whole.”

The Giants may not have hired a Black coach in their history, but dating back to the days of Wellington Mara, diversity was never an issue. They signed defensive back Emlen Tunnell in 1948 and he went on to become the first Black Hall of Famer in NFL history. He also later joined the Giants’ coaching staff.

In 1976, the Giants brought in Ronnie Barnes as an athletic training intern. Four years later, he became the first Black head athletic trainer in NFL history and he remains with the team today.

Then, in 1994, the Giants hired Jerry Reese as a college scout. He became the team’s general manager 2007 and the first Black GM to ever win a Super Bowl.

Still, although they are confident in their hiring practices, Mara recognizes the lack of diversity among their head coaches throughout history.

“It’s certainly something I’m aware of,” Mara told NJ Advance Media this week. “At the end of the day, we want to get the right person. I think we have a good, diverse group of candidates right now, and will make a decision based on who we think will be the best person to lead us in the future. But it was very important that we have a diverse group of candidates.”

Given how well the Brian Daboll era has started, it’s unlikely the Giants will be thrust into a head coaching search any time soon, so questions about their past will persist.

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Full list of the Iowa Hawkeyes’ inductees into the College Football Hall of Fames

How many Iowa Hawkeyes have made the College Football Hall of Fames? Here’s a look at Iowa’s comprehensive list of inductees.

A pair of former Iowa Hawkeyes recently found their names included on the 2023 ballot for the College Football Hall of Fame. Former Iowa tight end Dallas Clark and Hawkeye offensive tackle Robert Gallery were listed on the National Football Foundation’s ballot for the College Football Hall of Fame.

Of course, Clark finished his career in 17th place on Iowa’s career receiving list with 1,281 yards on 81 receptions in his two seasons in Iowa City playing tight end. The Twin River Valley High School product from Bode, Iowa, helped the Hawkeyes to a share of the 2002 Big Ten title and the program’s first-ever 11-win season.

He also holds the record for the longest pass reception in school history, hauling in a 95-yard touchdown grab against Purdue during the 2002 season. In 2002, Clark was a consensus All-American and the recipient of the John Mackey Award, which is presented to the country’s top tight end annually.

Clark was selected by the Indianapolis Colts with the 24th pick of the first round in the 2003 NFL draft. In his 11 seasons as a professional, Clark reeled in 505 passes for 5,665 yards and 53 touchdowns.

Meanwhile, in 2003, Gallery was a consensus All-American and awarded the Outland Trophy, which is bestowed annually to the nation’s top interior lineman. He was a two-time first team All-Big Ten selection and helped anchor Iowa’s offensive line during its undefeated trek through Big Ten play in 2002. Gallery also helped lead Iowa to another 10-win season in 2003.

After being drafted by the Oakland Raiders with the No. 2 pick in the 2004 NFL draft, Gallery played eight seasons in the NFL and started in 103 of the 104 games he appeared in.

That duo will hopefully see their names called into the College Football Hall of Fame soon and join an illustrious list of former Hawkeyes that already have their seat at the table.

How many former Iowa Hawkeyes have been inducted into the College Football Hall of Fames? Here’s a look at the complete list below of National Football Foundation and Helms Athletic Foundation College Football Hall of Fame inductees.

Giants players honor Emlen Tunnell, Y.A. Tittle with practice jerseys

New York Giants players continued a new tradition during practice on Wednesday with several wearing Ring of Honor jerseys.

The New York Giants continued a recent tradition under first-year head coach Joe Judge where scout team players get to wear the jerseys of Giants Ring of Honorees. Two weeks go we reported on the first time the Giants did it:

Quarterback Colt McCoy donned the No. 16 jersey belonging to Frank Gifford, while cornerback Jarren Williams wore Mel Hein’s No. 7 and rookie linebacker Carter Coughlin wore Lawrence Taylor’s forever infamous No. 56.Offensive lineman Chad Slade also wore Chris Snee’s No. 76 and defensive lineman David Moa wore George Martin’s No. 75.

On Wednesday, at practice in the snowy confines of the Quest Diagnostics Training Center, there were more old jerseys on display.

Al Blozis was won offensive lineman for the Giants in 1942-43. At 6-foot and 250 pounds he was initially deemed to be too large for military service. But in 1943, Blozis found himself a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army. He was killed in action in 1945 and his No. 32 was retired by the Giants. Legend has it that Blozis’ name was once on a plaque in centerfield of the Polo Grounds. The plaque was reportedly stolen.

Emlen Tunnell’s career with the Giants is well-documented. A nine-time Pro Bowler who was a member of the 1956 NFL Championship team and who played the last three seasons of his career with Vince Lombardi’s Green Bay Packers. His No. 45 is not retired by the Giants.

Y.A. Tittle and Mel Hein’s careers are also well-documented. Tittle only played four seasons for the Giants but what a four seasons they were. His 36 touchdowns passes in 1963 stood as an NFL single season record until 1984 when Miami’s Dan Marino broke it with 48. His No. 14 is co-retired with Ward Cuff.

Hein played center and linebacker for the Giants for 15 seasons (1931-45). He was one of the 17 players indicted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s inaugural class in 1963. His No. 7 is retired by the Giants.

Dick Lynch was born in Oceanside, New York and began his NFL career in 1958 with the Washington Redskins after attending Notre Dame, where is is a member of their Hall of Fame. He was traded to the Giants in 1959 for fourth round draft pick.

A defensive back, Lynch played eight seasons for the Giants, leading the NFL in interceptions in 1961 and 1963. After misplaying career, Lynch worked as an analyst on Giants radio broadcasts from 1967 until his death in 2008. His No. 22 is not retired.

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Giants’ Emlen Tunnell named to NFL 100 All-Time Team

New York Giants legend and Pro Football Hall of Famer, Emlen Tunnell, has been named to the NFL 100 All-Time Team.

New York Giants legend and Pro Football Hall of Famer, Emlen Tunnell, was named to the NFL 100 All-Time Team on Friday night, joining linebacker Lawrence Taylor as the first two members of Big Blue to make the cut.

Tunnell was one of 14 finalists at the safety position, joining Jack Christiansen, Brian Dawkins, Kenny Easley, Ken Houston, Paul Krause, Yale Lary, Ronnie Lott, Troy Polamalu, Ed Reed, Johnny Robinson, Donnie Shell, Larry Wilson and Willie Wood.

“I thought watching, as a former receiver, some of the catches that he made, they were stunning,” Cris Collinsworth said. “Some of the interceptions that he made, he could do the one over the shoulder that is so hard, the high-point catches, and setting up wide receivers and quarterbacks to think that they were open. That’s what this guy was about because if it was in the neighborhood, it was his.”

Tunnell, the first African-American player to don Giants blue, played for the team from 1948-1958 before joining Vince Lombardi’s in 1959 for three seasons. Tunnell was a nine-time Pro Bowl selection and a six-time All-Pro. He was named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1950s and is a member of the Giants’ Ring of Honor.

Here’s what the Giants had to say:

Ignored in the NFL draft, Tunnell walked into the Giants’ office in 1948 and asked founder Tim Mara for a tryout. Thus he became the first African American to play for the Giants and eventually the first to be elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. That is only part of the incredible story that is Tunnell, who suffered a broken neck at the University of Toledo, an injury so severe that both the Army and Navy rejected his efforts to enlist during World War II.

The Coast Guard finally accepted him and, following his service, he enrolled at the University of Iowa. He left the Hawkeyes after the 1947 season and recorded seven interceptions in his debut campaign in the NFL, returning one for a touchdown to help him earn the nickname “offense on defense.”

Tunnell played 11 seasons for the Giants and still holds franchise records with 74 interceptions and 257 punt returns. In 1952, Tunnell gained more yards on interceptions and kickoff returns than the NFL rushing leader did running the ball. He was named All-NFL four times and played in nine Pro Bowls. After finishing his career with the Packers, Tunnell had a record 79 interceptions. A key strut in the Giants’ famed “Umbrella Defense” of the 1950s, Tunnell was a member of the 1956 championship team with Big Blue and won another title with Green Bay in 1961.

The NFL will continue its reveal of the NFL 100 All-Time Team next Friday night.

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Giants great Emlen Tunnell a finalist for NFL 100 All-Time Team

New York Giants legend Emlen Tunnell has been named a finalist for the NFL 100 All-Time Team.

New York Giants’ Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive back Emlen Tunnell has been named a finalist for the NFL 100 All-Time Team.

Tunnell, the first African-American player to don Giants blue, played for the team from 1948-1958 before joining Vince Lombardi’s in 1959 for three seasons. Tunnell was a nine-time Pro Bowl selection and a six-time All-Pro. He was named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1950s and is a member of the Giants’ Ring of Honor.

From the Giants:

Tunnell is one of 14 finalists vying for six spots at the safety position. The others are Jack Christiansen, Brian Dawkins, Kenny Easley, Ken Houston, Paul Krause, Yale Lary, Ronnie Lott, Troy Polamalu, Ed Reed, Johnny Robinson, Donnie Shell, Larry Wilson and Willie Wood. The members of the team will be announced Friday night at 8 p.m. ET on NFL Network, followed by a live reaction show.

Tunnell played 11 seasons for the Giants and holds franchise records with 74 interceptions and 257 punt returns. In 1952, Tunnell gained more yards on interceptions and kickoff returns (924) than the NFL rushing leader did running the ball. After finishing his career with the Packers, Tunnell had a record 79 interceptions.

Tunnell, if elected, would join linebacker Lawrence Taylor on the NFL 100 All-Time Team. Taylor was selected last week as one of the outside linebackers.

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