Center Mel Hein #7 of the New York Giants poses for a publicity photo during training camp on August 1, 1941 in Superior, Wisconsin. (National Football League)

New York Giants' captain Mel Hein gets a watch from Joseph Carr, president of the National Pro Football League, Dec. 11, 1938, as a token of Hein's being chosen as Most Valuable Player at the Polo Grounds in New York. (Associated Press)

New York Giants' Mel Hein (7) charges during training action in New York, Sept. 25, 1941. (Associated Press)

Eleven of the 17 charter members who were enshrined into the national pro football Hall of Fame at Canton, Ohio, on Sept. 7, 1963. From row from left: Earl "Dutch" Clark, Earl "Curley" Lambeau, Mel Hein, John "Blood" McNally and Don Hutson. Back row from left: Sammy Baugh, Cal Hubbard, Bronko Nagurski, George Halas, Red Grange and Ernie Nevers. They hold busts of themselves to be displayed in the Hall. (Associated Press)

Pro Football Hall of Fame Chicago Bears fullback Bronko Nagurski is tackled by fellow hall of famer Mel Hein of the Giants during a 30 to 13 New York Giants victory over the Bears in the NFL Championship game played at the Polo Grounds on Dec. 9, 1934 in New York. (Pro Football Hall of Fame)

New York Giants' Mel Heins in seen in New York, Sept. 25, 1941. (Associated Press)

Football player Mel Hein of the New York Giants, Oct 26, 1941. (Associated Press)

Mel Hein examines the official game guide with "Solid" Steve Owen, coach of the Giants, and Tuffy Leemans, sparkplug and signal-caller of the team, during a practice session in New York Oct. 26, 1941. Hein is known throughout the proranks as an expert on the football rules reciting them from memory and frequently bringing about a decision in favor of his team on disputed interpretations Umpires get out the book when Mel protests their rulings. (Associated Press)

Capt. Mel Hein, left, says goodbye to coach Steve Owen on Dec. 6, 1942 in New York, after the New York Giants' center helped teammates whip the Brooklyn Dodgers 10-0. (Associated Press)

Coach Steve Owen, center, of the New York Giants football team, talks with Ken Strong, left and Mel Hein, right, during a practice session in New York City Oct. 11, 1945 for their opening game of the season Oct. 14 against the Boston Tigers at Yankee Stadium. (Associated Press)

New York Giants' center Mel Hein is seen Oct. 11, 1945, in New York. (AP Photo/John Lindsay)

New York Giants' Mel Hein is seen at practice at the Polo Grounds, New York, Oct. 11, 1945. (AP Photo/John Lindsay)

Coach Steve Owen (center), of the New York Giants football team, talks with two of the Giant's old reliables, Ken Strong (left) and Mel Hein (right), during a practice session on Oct. 11, 1945 in New York City. For their opening game of the season Oct 14 against the Boston Tigers in Yankee Stadium. (AP Photo/ John Lindsay

Andy Uram of the Green Bay Packers cracks through a hole in the center of the line to run smack into Mel Hein (7) New York Giants center, in the first quarter of a National Professional Football League game in New York City, Nov. 17, 1940. Uram made just one yard on the play. The Giants won, 7-3. Identifiable players: Packers Pete Tinsley (21) guard Bill Lee (40) tackle and George Svendsen (66) center; Giants Jim Poole (23) end. (Associated Press)

Capt. Mel Hein and Coach Steve Owen of the New York Giants football team in New York on Oct. 8, 1941. (AP Photo/Robert Kradin)

New York Giants' Mel Hein is seen in 1939. (Associated Press)

A pair of veterans discus the fine point of centering with a pair of promising newcomers to the professional ranks, Mel Hein, left and Kayo Lunday, right, of Arkansas a member of the GiantS team for five years offer a bit of advice to Chester Gladchuk (26) All-American center of the Boston College team last, year, and Louis P. DeFilippo, star pivot of the Fordham University Rams, who have donned Giant uniforms for the first time this season in New York in an undated photo. (Associated Press)

Washington State Center Mel Hein (1928-30) , is considered the finest at his position. His 1930 team was 9-0 before losing to Alabama in The Rose Bowl. (Associated Press)

Co-coach Mel Hein (left) gives his backs, Glenn Dobbs (65) and John Kimbrough (77), some advice as the Los Angeles Dons leave the field between halves of the Brooklyn-Los Angeles all-America Conference game at Ebbets field, Brooklyn on November 23, 1047. Don's were tailing 12-3 at the time but railed to win their first in last four starts, 16-12. (Associated Press)

New York Giants center Mel Hein #7 poses for a publicity photo during training camp on August 1, 1941 in Pearl River, New York. (National Football League)

New York Giants center Mel Hein #7 poses for a publicity photo during training camp on August 1, 1941 in Pearl River, New York. (National Football League)

Center Mel Hein of the New York Giants. (National Football League)

Center Mel Hein of the New York Giants in 1934. (National Football League)

Center Mel Hein of the New York Giants in 1938. (National Football League)

Center for Washington State football team is Mel Hein, shown in December 1930. (Associated Press)

Football player Mel Hein of the New York Giants, November 20, 1940. (Associated Press)