In 1926, E.A. “Tuffy” Maul pioneered in professional football.

A far cry from present-day pro-ball, the pro players of Tuffy’s day were rugged and barnstormed and played throughout the nation, traveling long distances by train and bus.

Maul played with the Los Angeles Buccaneers, the first West Coast team in the National Football League. He was the first Fresnan to play pro-football.

In 1926-27, he was picked as All-Pro-football fullback. In addition to his line plunging duties, Tuffy did the punting for the Buccaneers.

The Los Angeles pros chalked up a record of 12 wins against four losses that year.

Maul was grounded well in the fundamentals at Fresno High School under the coaching of J.W. “Pop” Warner. He competed as a full back, also on the baseball nine as a third baseman and as a hurdler.

He went to the University of California at Berkeley where he was fullback on the freshman football team and played third-base in baseball.

Playing for the Exeter American Legion football team in 1921, he helped the team to the California State Championship.

Playing the game to win and giving his best at all times, Tuffy Maul was one of the great pioneers in San Joaquin Valley sports.