New York Giants back Alphonse "Tuffy" Leemans. (National Football League)

New York Giants halfback Tuffy Leemans (4) breaks way for a four yard gain against the Brooklyn Dodgers in game at the Polo Grounds on Oct. 24, 1937 in New York. Giants won 21-0. (Associated Press)

New York Giants halfback Tuffy Leemans (4) runs into some Chicago Bear tacklers as he returns a punt for 15 yards in game before 50,000 at the Polo Grounds on Oct. 31, 1937 in New York. (Associated Press)

New York Giants Hall of Fame fullback Alphonse "Tuffy" Leemans (4) scores the first touchdown, on a 6 yard carry, in a 17 to 23 victory over the Green Bay Packers in the 1938 NFL Championship played on Dec.11, 1938 at the Polo Grounds in New York. (Pro Football Hall of Fame)

Mel Hein examines the official game guide with "Solid" Steve Owen, coach of the Giants, and Tuffy Leemans, sparkplug and signal-caller of the team, during a practice session on Oct. 26, 1941 in New York. Hein is known throughout the pro-ranks as an expert on the football rules reciting them from memory and frequently bringing about a decision in favor of his team on disputed interpretations by officials. (Associated Press)

Ken Strong (30), left, kicking the 2nd of the 3 field goals which scored by the New York Giants in their game against the Washington Redskins on Dec. 3, 1939 at the Polo Grounds which the Giants Won 9-7. The ball is in the air just above Frank Filchock (30) of Redskins. The victory gave the Giants the Eastern Division Championship of the National Football League for the 2nd consecutive year. Redskins shown are Jim Barber (15) and Steve Slivinski (16). Giants are Tuffy Leemans (4), John "Bull" Karcis (11); Ed Widseth (50) and Nello "Flash" Falaschi (28). (Associated Press)

When Mel Hein tackles a ball carrier they stay tackled for his weight and strength combine pins the ball-carrier to earth. The veteran Tuffy Leemans who was selected to carry the ball for this picture because he bounces better than anyone else on the team remarked, after picking himself off the ground, that he had never been hit harder. (Associated Press)