Embree played football and ran track at Los Angeles City College for one year before transferring to Pepperdine University.
[1] Embree was named All-California Collegiate Athletic Association as a senior in 1950.
[2] After graduating from Pepperdine, Embree was signed by the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League (CFL), playing in one game before being released.
He was signed by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, but missed some games due to a contract dispute and finished the season with 16 receptions for 423 yards and seven touchdowns, including five in his first four games.
Embree was signed by the newly-formed Baltimore Colts at the end of the season and was a member of the team's inaugural roster.