Gaynell "Gus" Tinsley

Sport: Football

Induction Year: 1959

University: LSU

Induction Year: 1959

A native of Claiborne Parish, Gaynell “Gus” Tinsley was LSU’s first All-American football player, winning the honor in 1935 and 1936 as one of the nation’s outstanding ends. He was runner-up for college football’s MVP award in 1936 after leading all ends in the country in scoring. An All-Pro with the Chicago Cardinals for two years, Tinsley returned to LSU to serve as head football coach from 1948 through 1954. Football great Bronco Nagurski picked Tinsley on his all-time football team.