Son of hard-working Belgium immigrants, Alphonse “Tuffy” Leemans starred for the New York Giants from 1936-43, playing both running back and safety for founding owner Tim Mara’s team. Then-GM Wellington Mara, who would succeed his father as owner, was quoted as saying “If I am remembered for nothing else, I’d like to be remembered for discovering Tuffy Leemans.”
After leading the NFL with 830 rushing yards in his rookie season, Leemans helped his team win the 1938 NFL Championship and was a two-time First Team All-Pro selection. He would eventually have his No. 4 jersey retired, a well-deserved honor for his on-field play and long overdue after an unlucky break in 1941. On December 7th of that fateful year, the Giants celebrated “Tuffy Leemans Day” at the Polo Grounds, but the joyous event turned sour with the bombing of Pearl Harbor six time zones away. Loudspeakers blasted the news to the 55,000 spectators, commanding any military members to report to their bases immediately.
37 years after a date which will live in infamy, Leemans was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, called to the podium by Wellington Mara, fittingly. The 10-karat gold ring reads "PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME” in raised relief around a lovely blue stone with a white caricature of a football player on the face. One shank features a depiction of the Hall of Fame building in Canton, OH, the HOF emblem and "BACK" at the top for Tuffy’s position. The other shank has "LEEMANS” on top, with three football players at center, and “ELECTED 1978” below. "3C Balfour 10K" is hallmarked on the interior band. The size 14.75 ring (30 g) was worn proudly, yet still presents nicely with no condition issues. Leemans would pass away at the age of 66, one year after earning the ultimate honor for his storied career in the sport's early gridiron days.