Darren Hayes
00:01:42
We're talking about the New York Giants in their 100th season and one of the greatest players that ever played for them.
Darren Hayes
00:01:48
And that's a little clue today.
Darren Hayes
00:01:49
He's a defensive player.
Darren Hayes
00:01:51
We have this and more coming up in just a moment.
Host
00:01:54
This is the Pigskin Daily History Dispatch, a podcast that covers the anniversaries of american football events throughout history.
Host
00:02:02
Your host, Darren Hayes, is podcasting from America's North Shore to bring you the memories of the gridiron one day at a time.
Darren Hayes
00:02:13
Hello, my football friends.
Darren Hayes
00:02:14
This is Darren Hayes of pigskindispatch.com dot.
Darren Hayes
00:02:16
Welcome once again to the pigpen your port on a positive football history and welcome to our New York Giants 100 celebration, 100 seasons of the New York Giants.
Darren Hayes
00:02:25
And boy, have we had a lot of fun talking about this great historic franchise and some of the great players and legends of the game that are played.
Darren Hayes
00:02:33
We're going to talk about a hall of famer today, one of the greatest defensive backs that ever play the game.
Darren Hayes
00:02:39
He wore big blue in New York City.
Darren Hayes
00:02:43
His name was Emlyn Tennell, and he left his mark on the sport of football.
Darren Hayes
00:02:47
As one of the first african american players to break the color barrier in the National Football League, Tennell excelled on the field and paved the way for countless black athletes to follow in his footsteps.
Darren Hayes
00:02:57
Born just west of Philadelphia in Bern Maher, Pennsylvania in 1926, some have it down as 1924.
Darren Hayes
00:03:04
We're not sure of that.
Darren Hayes
00:03:05
There's been some little bit of discrepancy on that.
Darren Hayes
00:03:08
But Tonnell's athletic prowess was no discrepancy.
Darren Hayes
00:03:12
It's a fact.
Darren Hayes
00:03:13
It was evidence from a young age.
Darren Hayes
00:03:14
He was a great athlete as a youth.
Darren Hayes
00:03:16
Star of the Radnor High school eleven, where he played halfback in 1940 and 1941 and went on to play football in college for the Toledo Rockets in 1942.
Darren Hayes
00:03:27
But World War Two interrupted his playing career and he served his country in the US Coast Guard and he honed his skills with the San Francisco Coast Guard pilots in 1944 with their team that they had going on now.
Darren Hayes
00:03:41
Tunnel was dedicated to the Coast Guard member and a hero.
Darren Hayes
00:03:44
The youngster was decorated for bravery and camaraderie when he received the silver life saving Medal for rescuing a shipmate from a fire during an enemy torpedo attack in 1944.
Darren Hayes
00:03:56
He also rescued another fellow crewman who fell into the ocean two years later in 1946, when his service to his country ended.
Darren Hayes
00:04:04
After the war, Tunnel resumed his studies and collegiate gridiron career with the Iowa Hawkeyes in 1946 and 1947.
Darren Hayes
00:04:12
In 46, Emily led the team in total offense and was second in rushing yards.
Darren Hayes
00:04:17
The following season, he trumped out with a fantastic game in which the speedster registered an Iowa single game, single game record with 155 receiving yards and three touchdowns on six receptions, returning to Garrett Hill neighborhood where his family lived just outside of Philadelphia with leaving school to to earn money to now hitched a ride on a banana truck from his PA home to the Polo grounds to try out for Jack Mara and the New York Giants of football.
Darren Hayes
00:04:47
On July 4, 1948, Emily was signed by the New York Giants, becoming the first African American to ever be on the franchise's roster.
Darren Hayes
00:04:57
To now's rookie season with the Giants was a resounding success.
Darren Hayes
00:05:00
In just three starts in ten appearances, he intercepted seven passes and returned one touchdown, one of those for a touchdown in ten games.
Darren Hayes
00:05:10
Now throughout his career, Tennell excelled on the field.
Darren Hayes
00:05:13
He was a nine time Pro bowl selection, named to the NFL's 50th anniversary all time team and ranked 79th on the NFL's top 100 players in the 2010 NFL Network show.
Darren Hayes
00:05:24
In addition to his defensive prowess, Tenell made significant contributions as a punt and kickoff returner.
Darren Hayes
00:05:31
Tonnell's exceptional performance in 1951 earned him recognition as a first team All Pro by the Associated Press and United Press Entertainment national.
Darren Hayes
00:05:39
His remarkable achievements that year included leading the NFL with a career high 489 point return yards and scoring on four non offensive touchdowns.
Emlyn Tennell
00:05:50
Now, one of those touchdowns came on a 100 yard kickoff return, showcasing his speed and agility.
Emlyn Tennell
00:05:57
Tennell's total 716 kick and punt return yards ranked second best in the NFL in 1951.
Emlyn Tennell
00:06:05
His impressive average of 37.8 yards per kick return and three punt returns for touchdowns remain a Giants franchise record.
Emlyn Tennell
00:06:13
Additionally, his nine interceptions and an average of 14.4 yards per punt for interception return ranked him third in the NFL that season, further highlighting his defensive prowess in 1952.
Emlyn Tennell
00:06:26
Hash 40 five's exceptional performance earned him further recognition.
Emlyn Tennell
00:06:30
He was again selected as a first team All Pro by the Associated Press and Upiyadh.
Emlyn Tennell
00:06:35
His defensive prowess was on display as he led the NFL with six fumble recovers.
Emlyn Tennell
00:06:39
Additionally, Tennell showcases versatility by leading the league and punt returns with 411 yards and averaging 13.7 yards per return.
Emlyn Tennell
00:06:48
It was remarkable that he gained more yardage in his kick and interception returns than any one Giants running back did in rushing that season.
Emlyn Tennell
00:06:57
He played on the G Men till 1958 when his defensive coordinator, Vince Lombardi, left his position with the Giants to become the head coach of the Green Bay packers, and Tennell followed suit and went to Green Bay after him after retiring from playing tennis, would become one of the first black men to be a full time NFL assistant coach.
Emlyn Tennell
00:07:17
His accomplishments and accolades testified to his uncanny ability to excel on the field.
Emlyn Tennell
00:07:23
He had 79 career interceptions were an NFL record and remained second in NFL history, having surpassed in 1979 bye by fellow Iowa Hawkeye Paul Krause.
Emlyn Tennell
00:07:34
His 1282 interception return yards were an NFL record for four decades and ranked fifth in the NFL history.
Emlyn Tennell
00:07:41
As of 2017, his 258 punt return yards were an NFL record but ranked 19th in league history.
Emlyn Tennell
00:07:48
His 2209 punt return yards are an NFL record but ranked 30th.
Emlyn Tennell
00:07:54
He played 158 consecutive games, which is also was an NFL record when he retired.
Emlyn Tennell
00:08:00
During his 14 year NFL career, Tennell totaled 16 fumble recoveries and 8.6 yards for punt return, 1215 yards on 46 kickoff returns for a 26.4 average.
Emlyn Tennell
00:08:14
On those kick returns, Tennell's achievements were honored in numerous occasions.
Emlyn Tennell
00:08:19
He was the first black American to be inducted into the Pro Football hall of Fame and the first strictly defensive player to to be inducted into the hall.
Emlyn Tennell
00:08:28
He was on the all decade team of 1969 for the all sixties team, NFL's I'm sorry, the 1950s all decade team, solidifying his status as one of the best players of that era.
Emlyn Tennell
00:08:41
The All Pro team.
Emlyn Tennell
00:08:42
That same year, the Pro Football hall of Fame named him to the all time All Pro team, further cementing his legendary status.
Emlyn Tennell
00:08:49
He also made it to the Iowa Sports hall of Fame in 1975, being recognized as one of the best contributors to football at the school.
Emlyn Tennell
00:08:58
University of Iowa.
Emlyn Tennell
00:09:00
The Sporting News in 1999 ranked him number 70 on the Sporting News list of top 100 greatest football players, showcasing his enduring impact on the team and New York Giants Ring of Honor was he was selected in 2010, honored by the Giants and being included on the team's Ring of Honor at MetLife Stadium, a testament to the significant contributions to the franchise.
Darren Hayes
00:09:21
Also, as we said earlier, he was 79th on the NFL's 100 greatest players of all time on NFL Network in 2010 and the 50 greatest players in.
Emlyn Tennell
00:09:31
New York Giants history in 2014, ranked second most outstanding player in New York Giants history, a testament to his exceptional.
Darren Hayes
00:09:39
Impact on a team.
Emlyn Tennell
00:09:40
He had a statue erected in his honor in 2018 in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, honoring Tinel's legacy and commemorating his significant contributions to the sport near his hometown.
Emlyn Tennell
00:09:51
And one of the highest honors to his legacy occurred on October 15, 2021.
Darren Hayes
00:09:55
When the US Coast Guard commissioned the.
Emlyn Tennell
00:09:58
USGC Emlyn Tennel WPC 1145 patrol forces Southwest Asia's 4th 154 foot sentinel class cutter into service at Penn's Landing in Philadelphia.
Emlyn Tennell
00:10:13
Now that was just some tremendous things.
Darren Hayes
00:10:16
For a tremendous player, a great defensive.
Emlyn Tennell
00:10:18
Back, the great returner, m one to.
Darren Hayes
00:10:20
Now hall of Fame and one of.
Emlyn Tennell
00:10:22
The greatest players in New York Giants and NFL history.
Darren Hayes
00:10:26
Hope you enjoyed this little bit of football history.
Emlyn Tennell
00:10:28
We hope you join us each and every Monday as we talk about the Giants during 2024 during their 100 season.
Darren Hayes
00:10:34
Some of the greatest players, events, coaches and items that concern with the Giants.
Darren Hayes
00:10:39
And we have more coming at you.
Emlyn Tennell
00:10:40
For the rest of this season.
Darren Hayes
00:10:41
If you haven't listened to them yet.
Emlyn Tennell
00:10:43
Make sure you check out this little.
Darren Hayes
00:10:45
Ditty that we have coming up that we had last week.
Darren Hayes
00:10:48
Then you'll enjoy that, too.
Emlyn Tennell
00:10:50
So next time everybody, have a great gridiron day.
Narrator
00:10:54
That's all the football history we have today, folks.
Narrator
00:10:56
Join us back tomorrow for more of your football history, we invite you to check out our website, pigskindispatch.com, not only to see the daily football history, but to experience positive football with our many.
Darren Hayes
00:11:10
Articles on the good people of the.
Narrator
00:11:11
Game, as well as our own football comic strip cleat marks comics.
Narrator
00:11:15
Pigskindispatch.com is also on social media outlets, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and don't forget the bigskin Dispatch YouTube channel to get all of your positive football news and history.
Emlyn Tennell
00:11:27
Special thanks to the talents of Mike.
Narrator
00:11:29
And Gene Monroe, as well as Jason Neff for letting us use their music during our podcast.
Sports History Network
00:11:35
This podcast is part of the sports history Network, your headquarters for the yesterday year of your favorite sport.
Sports History Network
00:11:40
You can learn more@sportshistorynetwork.com.
00:01:42
We're talking about the New York Giants in their 100th season and one of the greatest players that ever played for them.
Darren Hayes
00:01:48
And that's a little clue today.
Darren Hayes
00:01:49
He's a defensive player.
Darren Hayes
00:01:51
We have this and more coming up in just a moment.
Host
00:01:54
This is the Pigskin Daily History Dispatch, a podcast that covers the anniversaries of american football events throughout history.
Host
00:02:02
Your host, Darren Hayes, is podcasting from America's North Shore to bring you the memories of the gridiron one day at a time.
Darren Hayes
00:02:13
Hello, my football friends.
Darren Hayes
00:02:14
This is Darren Hayes of pigskindispatch.com dot.
Darren Hayes
00:02:16
Welcome once again to the pigpen your port on a positive football history and welcome to our New York Giants 100 celebration, 100 seasons of the New York Giants.
Darren Hayes
00:02:25
And boy, have we had a lot of fun talking about this great historic franchise and some of the great players and legends of the game that are played.
Darren Hayes
00:02:33
We're going to talk about a hall of famer today, one of the greatest defensive backs that ever play the game.
Darren Hayes
00:02:39
He wore big blue in New York City.
Darren Hayes
00:02:43
His name was Emlyn Tennell, and he left his mark on the sport of football.
Darren Hayes
00:02:47
As one of the first african american players to break the color barrier in the National Football League, Tennell excelled on the field and paved the way for countless black athletes to follow in his footsteps.
Darren Hayes
00:02:57
Born just west of Philadelphia in Bern Maher, Pennsylvania in 1926, some have it down as 1924.
Darren Hayes
00:03:04
We're not sure of that.
Darren Hayes
00:03:05
There's been some little bit of discrepancy on that.
Darren Hayes
00:03:08
But Tonnell's athletic prowess was no discrepancy.
Darren Hayes
00:03:12
It's a fact.
Darren Hayes
00:03:13
It was evidence from a young age.
Darren Hayes
00:03:14
He was a great athlete as a youth.
Darren Hayes
00:03:16
Star of the Radnor High school eleven, where he played halfback in 1940 and 1941 and went on to play football in college for the Toledo Rockets in 1942.
Darren Hayes
00:03:27
But World War Two interrupted his playing career and he served his country in the US Coast Guard and he honed his skills with the San Francisco Coast Guard pilots in 1944 with their team that they had going on now.
Darren Hayes
00:03:41
Tunnel was dedicated to the Coast Guard member and a hero.
Darren Hayes
00:03:44
The youngster was decorated for bravery and camaraderie when he received the silver life saving Medal for rescuing a shipmate from a fire during an enemy torpedo attack in 1944.
Darren Hayes
00:03:56
He also rescued another fellow crewman who fell into the ocean two years later in 1946, when his service to his country ended.
Darren Hayes
00:04:04
After the war, Tunnel resumed his studies and collegiate gridiron career with the Iowa Hawkeyes in 1946 and 1947.
Darren Hayes
00:04:12
In 46, Emily led the team in total offense and was second in rushing yards.
Darren Hayes
00:04:17
The following season, he trumped out with a fantastic game in which the speedster registered an Iowa single game, single game record with 155 receiving yards and three touchdowns on six receptions, returning to Garrett Hill neighborhood where his family lived just outside of Philadelphia with leaving school to to earn money to now hitched a ride on a banana truck from his PA home to the Polo grounds to try out for Jack Mara and the New York Giants of football.
Darren Hayes
00:04:47
On July 4, 1948, Emily was signed by the New York Giants, becoming the first African American to ever be on the franchise's roster.
Darren Hayes
00:04:57
To now's rookie season with the Giants was a resounding success.
Darren Hayes
00:05:00
In just three starts in ten appearances, he intercepted seven passes and returned one touchdown, one of those for a touchdown in ten games.
Darren Hayes
00:05:10
Now throughout his career, Tennell excelled on the field.
Darren Hayes
00:05:13
He was a nine time Pro bowl selection, named to the NFL's 50th anniversary all time team and ranked 79th on the NFL's top 100 players in the 2010 NFL Network show.
Darren Hayes
00:05:24
In addition to his defensive prowess, Tenell made significant contributions as a punt and kickoff returner.
Darren Hayes
00:05:31
Tonnell's exceptional performance in 1951 earned him recognition as a first team All Pro by the Associated Press and United Press Entertainment national.
Darren Hayes
00:05:39
His remarkable achievements that year included leading the NFL with a career high 489 point return yards and scoring on four non offensive touchdowns.
Emlyn Tennell
00:05:50
Now, one of those touchdowns came on a 100 yard kickoff return, showcasing his speed and agility.
Emlyn Tennell
00:05:57
Tennell's total 716 kick and punt return yards ranked second best in the NFL in 1951.
Emlyn Tennell
00:06:05
His impressive average of 37.8 yards per kick return and three punt returns for touchdowns remain a Giants franchise record.
Emlyn Tennell
00:06:13
Additionally, his nine interceptions and an average of 14.4 yards per punt for interception return ranked him third in the NFL that season, further highlighting his defensive prowess in 1952.
Emlyn Tennell
00:06:26
Hash 40 five's exceptional performance earned him further recognition.
Emlyn Tennell
00:06:30
He was again selected as a first team All Pro by the Associated Press and Upiyadh.
Emlyn Tennell
00:06:35
His defensive prowess was on display as he led the NFL with six fumble recovers.
Emlyn Tennell
00:06:39
Additionally, Tennell showcases versatility by leading the league and punt returns with 411 yards and averaging 13.7 yards per return.
Emlyn Tennell
00:06:48
It was remarkable that he gained more yardage in his kick and interception returns than any one Giants running back did in rushing that season.
Emlyn Tennell
00:06:57
He played on the G Men till 1958 when his defensive coordinator, Vince Lombardi, left his position with the Giants to become the head coach of the Green Bay packers, and Tennell followed suit and went to Green Bay after him after retiring from playing tennis, would become one of the first black men to be a full time NFL assistant coach.
Emlyn Tennell
00:07:17
His accomplishments and accolades testified to his uncanny ability to excel on the field.
Emlyn Tennell
00:07:23
He had 79 career interceptions were an NFL record and remained second in NFL history, having surpassed in 1979 bye by fellow Iowa Hawkeye Paul Krause.
Emlyn Tennell
00:07:34
His 1282 interception return yards were an NFL record for four decades and ranked fifth in the NFL history.
Emlyn Tennell
00:07:41
As of 2017, his 258 punt return yards were an NFL record but ranked 19th in league history.
Emlyn Tennell
00:07:48
His 2209 punt return yards are an NFL record but ranked 30th.
Emlyn Tennell
00:07:54
He played 158 consecutive games, which is also was an NFL record when he retired.
Emlyn Tennell
00:08:00
During his 14 year NFL career, Tennell totaled 16 fumble recoveries and 8.6 yards for punt return, 1215 yards on 46 kickoff returns for a 26.4 average.
Emlyn Tennell
00:08:14
On those kick returns, Tennell's achievements were honored in numerous occasions.
Emlyn Tennell
00:08:19
He was the first black American to be inducted into the Pro Football hall of Fame and the first strictly defensive player to to be inducted into the hall.
Emlyn Tennell
00:08:28
He was on the all decade team of 1969 for the all sixties team, NFL's I'm sorry, the 1950s all decade team, solidifying his status as one of the best players of that era.
Emlyn Tennell
00:08:41
The All Pro team.
Emlyn Tennell
00:08:42
That same year, the Pro Football hall of Fame named him to the all time All Pro team, further cementing his legendary status.
Emlyn Tennell
00:08:49
He also made it to the Iowa Sports hall of Fame in 1975, being recognized as one of the best contributors to football at the school.
Emlyn Tennell
00:08:58
University of Iowa.
Emlyn Tennell
00:09:00
The Sporting News in 1999 ranked him number 70 on the Sporting News list of top 100 greatest football players, showcasing his enduring impact on the team and New York Giants Ring of Honor was he was selected in 2010, honored by the Giants and being included on the team's Ring of Honor at MetLife Stadium, a testament to the significant contributions to the franchise.
Darren Hayes
00:09:21
Also, as we said earlier, he was 79th on the NFL's 100 greatest players of all time on NFL Network in 2010 and the 50 greatest players in.
Emlyn Tennell
00:09:31
New York Giants history in 2014, ranked second most outstanding player in New York Giants history, a testament to his exceptional.
Darren Hayes
00:09:39
Impact on a team.
Emlyn Tennell
00:09:40
He had a statue erected in his honor in 2018 in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, honoring Tinel's legacy and commemorating his significant contributions to the sport near his hometown.
Emlyn Tennell
00:09:51
And one of the highest honors to his legacy occurred on October 15, 2021.
Darren Hayes
00:09:55
When the US Coast Guard commissioned the.
Emlyn Tennell
00:09:58
USGC Emlyn Tennel WPC 1145 patrol forces Southwest Asia's 4th 154 foot sentinel class cutter into service at Penn's Landing in Philadelphia.
Emlyn Tennell
00:10:13
Now that was just some tremendous things.
Darren Hayes
00:10:16
For a tremendous player, a great defensive.
Emlyn Tennell
00:10:18
Back, the great returner, m one to.
Darren Hayes
00:10:20
Now hall of Fame and one of.
Emlyn Tennell
00:10:22
The greatest players in New York Giants and NFL history.
Darren Hayes
00:10:26
Hope you enjoyed this little bit of football history.
Emlyn Tennell
00:10:28
We hope you join us each and every Monday as we talk about the Giants during 2024 during their 100 season.
Darren Hayes
00:10:34
Some of the greatest players, events, coaches and items that concern with the Giants.
Darren Hayes
00:10:39
And we have more coming at you.
Emlyn Tennell
00:10:40
For the rest of this season.
Darren Hayes
00:10:41
If you haven't listened to them yet.
Emlyn Tennell
00:10:43
Make sure you check out this little.
Darren Hayes
00:10:45
Ditty that we have coming up that we had last week.
Darren Hayes
00:10:48
Then you'll enjoy that, too.
Emlyn Tennell
00:10:50
So next time everybody, have a great gridiron day.
Narrator
00:10:54
That's all the football history we have today, folks.
Narrator
00:10:56
Join us back tomorrow for more of your football history, we invite you to check out our website, pigskindispatch.com, not only to see the daily football history, but to experience positive football with our many.
Darren Hayes
00:11:10
Articles on the good people of the.
Narrator
00:11:11
Game, as well as our own football comic strip cleat marks comics.
Narrator
00:11:15
Pigskindispatch.com is also on social media outlets, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and don't forget the bigskin Dispatch YouTube channel to get all of your positive football news and history.
Emlyn Tennell
00:11:27
Special thanks to the talents of Mike.
Narrator
00:11:29
And Gene Monroe, as well as Jason Neff for letting us use their music during our podcast.
Sports History Network
00:11:35
This podcast is part of the sports history Network, your headquarters for the yesterday year of your favorite sport.
Sports History Network
00:11:40
You can learn more@sportshistorynetwork.com.
