Emlen Tennell

          Emlen Tennell was a defensive back and a Punt Returner. Tennell wore number 45 playing for the New York Giants from (1948 - 1958) and for the Green Bay Packers from (1959 - 1961). He was also an Assistant Coach. Tennell was drafted to the army for two years in the United States Coast Guard during World War II. After he was done fighting in the war went to University of Iowa. That is where he played football for the Hawkeyes. Tennell was a Quarterback and a Halfback. In the season of 1946 he led the Hawkeyes in passing and in the season of 1947 he led the Hawkeyes in receiving. Tennell stopped playing college football so he could play in the NFL. Most teams of the NFL thought that Emlen Tennell would stay in college for a third year so he was not drafted in to the NFL in 1948.  Tennell was a free agent instead and the New York Giants offered him a contract. Tennell played 11 years with the New York Giants and 3 with the Green Bay Packers. Emlen became an Assistant Coach for the New York Giants. One day when Tennell was coaching during a practice session in 1975 he died because of a heart attack. He was inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame He was the first African American to play for the New York Giants and to make it to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Tennell made 9 pro-bowls out of 14 seasons. At the end of his career he had 7 interceptions, 1282 yards, and 4 touchdowns on defense. When he was punt returning he had 2217 yards, 262 punt returns, and 5 touchdowns.            

#45 Elmen Tennell 

   

Elmen Tennell football card

                                                                   Source: Wikipedia