Do you know the name of Emlen Tunnell?
You should.
Forget this kerfuffle over the Eagles, the National Anthem and Donald Trump.
As we said in this week's editorial, if you're looking for a real hero, Tunnell is the guy.
He was a star athlete at Radnor High School, went on to a stellar college football career, and was a standout for more than a decade with the New York Giants.
Tunnell blazed new trails all along the way.
He actually interrupted his collegiate career to enlist in the U.S. Coast Guard, and was honored for twice saving the lives of shipmates.
He was the first African American player to suit up for the Giants.
And he was the first black player enshrined in the National Football League Hall of Fame.
Last weekend the folks at the Sports Legends Museum of Delaware County honored Tunnell's legacy with the unveiling of a 7-foot bronze statue at the museum, which is located at the Radnor Township Building.
But they aren't done.
They think Tunnell deserves one more honor - and I could not agree more.
They would like the NFL to retire Tunnell's No. 45 jersey number.
Everybody knows the name of Jackie Robinson and his work in breaking the color barrier of Major League Baseball. It's time more people got to know Emlen Tunnell.
Join the push to have his No. 45 permanently retired.
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