As a junior in 1935, Tinsley was named a first-team All-American by the Associated Press,[2] United Press,[3] Liberty (selected based on a poll of 1,521 varsity players in all parts of the country),[4] Collier's Weekly,[5] the Newspaper Editors Association,[6] the International News Service,[7] and The New York Sun.

[9] In 1936, Tinsley repeated as a first-team All-American with each of these publications and also received the first-team designation from the Central Press Association (selected by the captains of more than 50 college football teams at "important universities and colleges throughout the United States"),[10] and the Walter Camp Football Foundation.

Tinsley scored the only points of the game on a 47-yard touchdown pass from Sammy Baugh, as the college players defeated the Green Bay Packers, 6–0.

[16] At the end of the 1937 season, Tinsley was selected as a first-team All-NFL player by the United Press, the NFL, New York Daily News, and Collyers Eye magazine.

He broke his own record the following season, against the Cleveland Rams in the Cardinals' final game, with a 98-yard touchdown reception from Doug Russell.

[21] His 41 receptions in 1938 tied the all-time NFL single-season record, set by Don Hutson two seasons prior.

He was again selected as a first-team All-NFL player, this time receiving the honor from Pro Football Writers, the NFL, and Collyers Eye magazine.

[23][24] He returned to the NFL and played in seven games in 1940 before he suffered a torn ligament in his left knee while making a tackle against the Cleveland Rams, which effectively ended his season.

[25] When Tinsley retired, he ranked fourth in NFL history in pass receptions, despite having played only three seasons of professional football.

"[23] After service in the U.S. Navy, Tinsley worked as a high school football coach in Haynesville, Louisiana.

In 1948, LSU's long-time football coach, Bernie Moore, retired, and Tinsley was promoted to replace his former mentor.

[30] Tinsley died in 2002 at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, at age 87.