Emlen “Em” Tunnell was an inspirational and adventurous figure who became a war hero and a professional football player—helping improve race relations in America in the process.

Emlen was similar to Jackie Robinson in the NFL, one of the first black players to be confronted with, and overcome, the indignity and injustice of racism in our country, on a national stage. Emlen was also the most successful defensive football star of his era, the first Black and the first solely defensive player to be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.