Emlen Tunnell - The Gremlin
 Emlen Tunnell, the first Black player to make the new York Giants roster, the first Black assistant coach for the Giants and the first Black player to be named to the NFL of Fame enjoyed an incredible career in Pro Ball.Â
 While playing at Toledo Emlen broke his neck and was told he’d never play ball again. He was even denied entry into the Army and Navy during World War II because of his injury. Determined he would serve his country he signed up with the Coast Guard where he saw action and even saved fellow service members lives twice. He also played on the base assignment’s football team. After his discharge he went back to school at Iowa and joined the football team there after being highly recommended by another player who served with him in the Coast Guard.Â
 Leaving Iowa in 1948, Emlen Tunnell hitch-hiked to New York then marched into Giants owner Tim Mara’s office and requested a try-out with the team. After some calls the Giants front office were quickly convinced Tunnell deserved a chance and his rookie year was playing defensive back and returning kicks. He started 3 games and intercepted 7 passes. Against the Packers he had 4 picks. In 1949 he had 10 picks and scored twice on interception returns. When he left New York in 1958 he was the franchise’s All-Time Interception Leader with 74 picks. Today, almost 70 years later, he still holds that spot.Â
 He spent the final 2 seasons of his career in Green Bay. After the Packers won the NFL Title in 1961 he retired as a player and re-joined New York as an assistant coach and scout. In 1967 he was inducted into the Hall of Fame. In 1975 he suffered a heart attack during a Giants practice and passed away at the age of 50.
 Breaking racial barriers during the late 1940s into the 1950s, Emlen Tunnell was always one of the most well-liked and respected players of his time. Known for his competitive nature and ferocious tackling he was always a favorite of Giants fans. When he retired after 1961 he was the NFL’s All-Time Interception leader (79), All-Time Interception Return Yardage Leader (1,282), All-Time Punter Returner (258 returns and 2,209 return yards) and played the Most Consecutive games – 158. He was selected to the 1950s All-NFL Team as a Safety was ranked #79 on the NFL Networks 100 Greatest Players.
Emlen Tunnell, Defensive Back, Return Man 1949-1961
Emlen Tunnell Football Cards
Emlen Tunnell All-Time Career Statistics
| Year | Age | Team | Position | # | Games | Int | Yards | TD | Long | Fumbles | Fumble Recoveries |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1948 | 23 | NYG | Â | 45 | 10 | 7 | 116 | 1 | 43 | 3 | 0 |
| 1949 | 24 | NYG |  | 45 | 12 | 10 | 251 | 2♦ | 55 | 0 | 0 |
| 1950* | 25 | NYG | SS | 45 | 12 | 7 | 167 | 0 | 35 | 1 | 1 |
| 1951*+ | 26 | NYG | LDH | 45 | 12 | 9 | 74 | 0 | 30 | 2 | 1 |
| 1952*+ | 27 | NYG | LDH | 45 | 12 | 7 | 149 | 0 | 40 | 4 | 6♦ |
| 1953* | 28 | NYG | SS | 45 | 12 | 6 | 117 | 0 | 44 | 0 | 0 |
| 1954* | 29 | NYG | SS | 45 | 12 | 8 | 108 | 0 | 43 | 1 | 4 |
| 1955*+ | 30 | NYG | SS | 45 | 12 | 7 | 76 | 0 | 26 | 1 | 1 |
| 1956*+ | 31 | NYG♚ | SS | 45 | 12 | 6 | 87 | 0 | 23 | 0 | 1 |
| 1957* | 32 | NYG | SS | 45 | 12 | 6 | 87 | 1 | 52 | 0 | 1 |
| 1958 | 33 | NYG | SS | 45 | 12 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| 1959* | 34 | GNB | SS | 45 | 12 | 2 | 20 | 0 | 18 | 0 | 0 |
| 1960 | 35 | GNB | SS | 45 | 12 | 3 | 22 | 0 | 22 | 0 | 1 |
| 1961 | 36 | GNB♚ | DB | 45 | 13 |  |  | 0 |  |  |  |
| 11 seasons Giants | 130 | 74 | 1240 | 4 | 55 | 12 | 15 | ||||
| 3 seasons Packers | 37 | 5 | 42 | 0 | 22 | 0 | 1 | ||||
| 14 Year NFL Career | 167 | 79 | 1282 | 4 | 55 | 12 | 16 | ||||
| Punt Returns | Kick Returns | All-Purpose Yards | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Age | Tm | Pos | # | Games | Returns | Yards | Y/R | Long | TD | Returns | Yards | Y/Rt | Long | TD | |
| 1948 | 23 | NYG | 45 | 10 | 12 | 115 | 9.6 | 25 | 0 | 1 | 21 | 21.0 | 21 | 0 | 327 | |
| 1949 | 24 | NYG | 45 | 12 | 26 | 315 | 12.1 | 67 | 1 | 2 | 26 | 13.0 | 23 | 0 | 599 | |
| 1950* | 25 | NYG | SS | 45 | 12 | 31 | 305 | 9.8 | 43 | 0 | 0 | 472 | ||||
| 1951*+ | 26 | NYG | LDH | 45 | 12 | 34♦ | 489♦ | 14.4 | 81 | 3 | 6 | 227 | 37.8 | 100♦ | 1♦ | 797 |
| 1952*+ | 27 | NYG | LDH | 45 | 12 | 30 | 411♦ | 13.7 | 60 | 0 | 15 | 364 | 24.3 | 39 | 0 | 927 |
| 1953* | 28 | NYG | SS | 45 | 12 | 38♦ | 223 | 5.9 | 37 | 0 | 17 | 479 | 28.2 | 86 | 0 | 819 |
| 1954* | 29 | NYG | SS | 45 | 12 | 21 | 70 | 3.3 | 12 | 0 | 5 | 98 | 19.6 | 25 | 0 | 276 |
| 1955*+ | 30 | NYG | SS | 45 | 12 | 25 | 98 | 3.9 | 66 | 1 | 0 | 174 | ||||
| 1956*+ | 31 | NYG♚ | SS | 45 | 12 | 22 | 120 | 5.5 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 207 | ||||
| 1957* | 32 | NYG | SS | 45 | 12 | 12 | 60 | 5.0 | 23 | 0 | 0 | 147 | ||||
| 1958 | 33 | NYG | SS | 45 | 12 | 6 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | ||||
| 1959* | 34 | GNB | SS | 45 | 12 | 1 | 3 | 3.0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 23 | ||||
| 11 seasons Giants | 130 | 257 | 2206 | 8.6 | 81 | 5 | 46 | 1215 | 26.4 | 100 | 1 | 4753 | ||||
| 3 seasons Packers | 37 | 1 | 3 | 3.0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 45 | ||||||||
| 14-Year NFL Career | 167 | 258 | 2209 | 8.6 | 81 | 5 | 46 | 1215 | 26.4 | 100 | 1 | 4798 | ||||
- + – All-Pro Selection
- * – Pro Bowl Selection
- ♦ – Led the League
- ♚ – NFL Champion
