Old Indestructible.
In the 1990s - either 1994 at LTs number retirement or 1999 when LT was inducted in Canton - Wellington Mara said that Mel Hein was the greatest Giant player and was only equalled by Lawrence Taylor.
Unfortunately, most fans know very little about how great a player Hein was. If there had been more game film and highlights available perhaps that would be different. Reading first hand newspaper accounts and game summaries illuminates what a high level performer Hein was.
He was a game changer on both offense and defense. He combined size and mobility, strength and quickness, intelligence and leadership, and most of all toughness. He played 15 years 60 minutes a game his entire career, and only left a game once with a broken nose.
Its no wonder he was one of four Giants honored on the NFL 100 Team this year.
1933 in the Polo Grounds
1934
1934 with Willis Smith
1935 with Coach Steve Owen welcoming Harry Newman back to the Giants
Giants bios from 1936 season preview magazine
1938
Giants vs Green Bay 11/20/38
training camp 1939
1940
training camp 1941
with Steve Owen & Tuffy Leemans 1941
with Leo Cantor 1942
12/2/42 Giants at Brooklyn Dodgers with Steve Owen
Giants vs Green Bay 10/31/43
1945 with Ken Strong & Steve Owen
1945