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196. Tank Younger

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196. Tank Younger

From the town of Grambling, Louisiana, and of course, playing at Grambling State, Paul “Tank” Younger was not chosen in the 1949 Draft, but he did not have to wait long to find a home as the Los Angeles Rams would sign him.

Considered one of the first real NFL stars from a historically black college, Younger was an excellent two-way player who would be chosen for a Pro Bowl (1951-53) predominantly for his defense and later for his work as a Fullback (1955).  Younger was an NFL Champion with L.A. in 1951, the same year he was named a First Team All-Pro Linebacker.   Younger would see more and more rushing action, and he would finish in the top seven in Rushing Yards in both 1954 and 1955, the latter season seeing him lead the NFL in Rushing Yards per Game.  He would finish his career with a year in Pittsburgh and would have 4,807 Yards from Scrimmage over his career.

The Bullet Points

  • Country of Origin: Grambling, Louisiana, U.S.A.
  • Eligible Since: Monday, 01 January 1968
  • Position: Fullback, Half Back, Linebacker
  • Games Played: 112
  • Notable Statistics: 770 Rushing Attempts
    3,640 Rushing Yards
    34 Rushing Touchdowns
    100 Receptions
    1,167 Receiving Yards
    1 Receiving Touchdown
    0 Pass Completions
    1 Pass Attempts
    1 Kick Return
    24 Kick Return Yards

    5 Playoff Games
    8 Rushing Attempts
    34 Rushing Yards
    1 Reception
    6 Receiving Yards
  • Played For: Los Angeles Rams, Pittsburgh Steelers
  • College: Grambling State
  • Drafted: Undrafted in 1949
  • Major Accolades and Awards:

    NFL Champion (1) (Los Angeles Rams, 1951)
    First Team All-Pro Selection (1) (1951)
    Second Team All-Pro Selection (1) (1954)
    Pro Bowl Selection (4) (1951, 1952, 1953 & 1955)
    Most Yards per Rushing Attempt (1) (1954)
    Most Rushing Yards per Game (1) (1955)
  • Other Points of Note:

    Top Ten Finishes: Rushing Attempts (1) (1955)
    Top Ten Finishes: Rushing Yards (2) (1954 & 1955)
    Top Ten Finishes: Rushing Touchdowns (3) (1953, 1954 & 1955)
    Top Ten Finishes: Yards per Rushing Attempt (4) (1954, 1955, 1956 & 1957)
    Top Ten Finishes: Rushing Yards per Game (2) (1954 & 1955)
    Top Ten Finishes: Touchdowns (2) (1953 & 1954)
  • Notable All Time Rankings: 24. Yards per Rushing Attempt: 4.7
  • Years Nominated for the Hall of Fame: None

Should Tank Younger be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 58.3%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 25%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 8.3%
No opinion. - 0%
No way! - 8.3%
Last modified on Sunday, 18 May 2025 01:16
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