(From si.com)

No. 1. Emlen Tunnell, 1948-1958

Tunnell’s story could only occur in the Greatest Generation. The Philadelphia native originally attended the University of Toledo but broke his neck in a football game in 1942. Despite this, Tunnell helped the Rockets’ basketball team to the NIT Championship five months later.

He then enlisted in the Coast Guard during World War II and saved the lives of two of his fellow crew members on separate occasions.

In one instance, a crewman was set on fire in a Japanese bombing at Papua New Guinea, and Tunnell put out the blaze with his bare hands. Two years later, he dove into 32-degree water in Newfoundland to save a drowning shipmate.

After his honorable discharge, Tunnell transferred to the University of Iowa, where he played for two seasons before becoming the first African-American player in New York Giants history.

In his rookie year of 1948, Tunnell intercepted seven passes. The following year, he tallied ten picks.

By the time he left New York for Green Bay in 1959, Tunnell had set a franchise record with 74 interceptions, in addition to four All-Pro selections and a championship victory in 1956.

After three seasons with the Packers, he retired in 1961. He was elected to the Hall of Fame six years later, not only one of the greatest football players of all time but a legitimate American hero.

Article Link: https://www.google.com/url?rct=j&sa=t&ur...Ne5shCtSuA

Toledo actually finished 2nd in the NIT in 1943. St. John's won the tournament that year. This is per Wikopedia so it must be right.

Thanks for posting. Some great history there.

(05-26-2021 06:55 PM)Rocket75 Wrote:  Toledo actually finished 2nd in the NIT in 1943. St. John's won the tournament that year. This is per Wikopedia so it must be right.

Back when the NIT rivaled the NCAA as the national championship tournament.