Leemans, "Tuffy" (Alphonse E.)
Football
b. Nov. 12, 1912, Superior, WI
d. Jan. 19, 1979
Because he was constantly getting into fights, and usually winning them, when other boys teased him about his given name, Leemans won the nickname "Tuffy" when he was young and it stuck with him. After spending a year at the University of Oregon, Leemans became a starting fullback at George Washington University, where he gained 2,382 yards on 490 carries during his career.
He was named the most valuable player in the 1936 College All-Star game and then joined the NFL's New York Giants. Leemans led the league in rushing with 830 yards on 206 attempts and was the only rookie named to the All-Pro team, at right halfback. He was also an All-Pro in 1939.
Leemans scored New York's first touchdown on a 6-yard run when the Giants beat the Green Bay Packers 23-17 in the 1938 NFL championship game. As a tailback and sometimes fullback in the single wing, Leemans was also a passer and occasionally a pass receiver.
The Giants honored him with a "Tuffy" Leemans day at the Polo Grounds on December 7, 1941, which also turned out to be Pearl Harbor Day. U. S. Postmaster General James Farley presented him with $1,500 in defense bonds.
Leemans was waiting to be called into the Navy's V-12 training program in 1942 when he suffered a head injury against the Chicago Bears and lost the hearing in one ear, which kept him out of the service. He retired after the 1943 season.
For many years after his retirement from football, Leemans owned a popular duckpin bowling alley in Maryland. His daughter operated it after his death, until its closing in 2002.