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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 a “Jackie Robinson-type leader” 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 black football star of his era, the first African American to be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.