The 1943 American football season was heavily shaped by World War II, resulting in unprecedented roster shortages, dominance by military training teams, and historic team mergers. Despite the wartime strain, both the professional and collegiate levels produced iconic seasons.
1943 NFL Season Overview
Wartime manpower shortages forced severe changes across the National Football League, contracting the league to just eight active teams.
- The “Steagles” Merger: The Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers did not have enough players to field separate squads, prompting a temporary single-season merger known informally as the “Steagles” (officially Phil-Pitt). They finished with a respectable 5-4-1 record. Meanwhile, the Cleveland Rams suspended operations entirely for the season.
- The Champions: The Chicago Bears captured the NFL Championship, defeating the Washington Redskins 41–21 on December 26 at Wrigley Field.
- Individual Greatness: Bears legendary quarterback Sid Luckman threw for 2,194 yards and 28 touchdowns, winning the Joe F. Carr Trophy (NFL MVP). On the other side, Washington’s Sammy Baugh pulled off an incredible triple-crown feat, leading the league in passing, punting, and defensive interceptions.
1943 College Football Season Overview
The college landscape was heavily altered by military service academies and specialized V-12 Navy College Training Programs, which allowed certain schools to field elite, older rosters.
- National Champion: Notre Dame claimed the AP National Championship with a 9–1 record under head coach Frank Leahy. Ironically, they lost their final game of the season to the Great Lakes Naval Training Station, but their dominant 6-0 start against top-tier opponents kept them at #1.
- The Military Teams: Service and training teams dominated the national rankings. The Iowa Pre-Flight Seahawks finished ranked #2 in the country, while the Great Lakes Navy placed #6.
- The Heisman Trophy: Notre Dame quarterback Angelo Bertelli won the Heisman Trophy, becoming the first T-formation quarterback to win the award. Remarkably, he only played six games before being called into active duty by the U.S. Marine Corps, winning the trophy while stationed at Parris Island.
And how about this fascinating 1943 college team, the Tulsa Golden Hurricanes story as told by our friend Timothy Brown of FootballArchaeology.com:
A Deep Dive into 1943 Football History and Highlights
- January 1, 1943 – In Pasadena, the 29th Rose Bowl game commenced with the Georgia Bulldogs taking on the UCLA Bruins. Georgia won the contest 9-0 behind the terrific play of game MVP Charley Trippi.
- April 7, 1943 – According to an NFL.com post, the League adopted several new rules. Free substitution was permitted, allowing players to be substituted more than once during a game; helmets became mandatory; and a 10-game schedule was adopted.
- April 8, 1943 – Frank Sinkwich from the University of Georgia was the first pick by the Detroit Lions in the 1943 NFL Draft.
- June 19, 1943 – A formal announcement from the NFL stated that the League franchises in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh would merge for the 1943 season due to manpower issues stemming from the War. They will forever be remembered as the Steagles.
- July 22, 1943 – Don Hutson announces he will quit the pro football ranks. The article stated that Green Bay Packers star wide receiver Don Hutson confirmed he would not be returning to the NFL for the upcoming season after setting 16 records the year prior. Speculation held that Hutson retired after quarterback Cecil Isbell announced he was leaving the pro circuit to coach at Purdue. Hutson refuted those claims and said his decision to leave the playing field was made long before Isbell’s. Despite these reports, the Alabama Antelope played all the way through the 1945 season, so they didn’t quit in 43. We will assume that the war effort limited the number of pro players available, and that one coach, Curly Lambeau, could have helped sway Hutson to return to the Packers. Plus, he probably just had a great desire to play the game as so many of our great athletes do.
- October 9, 1943 – Indiana’s Bob Hoernschemeyer—known as “Hunchy”—set a massive passing record that still resonates today. In the Hoosiers’ 54-13 victory over Nebraska, the young quarterback threw an incredible six touchdown passes.
- November 7, 1943 – Briggs Stadium, Detroit, Michigan – The last scoreless tie in the NFL occurred when the Detroit Lions hosted the New York Football Giants in front of a crowd of 16,992 fans.
- November 14, 1943 – Polo Grounds, New York – I don’t know if it has ever occurred before, but the home team held a special promotional day for the opposing quarterback. Yes, the New York Football Giants promoted their game against the Chicago Bears on November 14, 1943, as Sid Luckman Day. Luckman, originally from New York, played for Chicago.
- November 14, 1943 – Sammy Baugh had a day like no other has had in the history of Pro Football. Slingin’ Sammy intercepted four passes as a defensive back while also throwing four touchdown passes in a 42-20 win over the Detroit Lions.
- November 20, 1943 – Any time the top two teams in the Nation clash it is generally an epic game. During World War II, when the #1 Notre Dame Fighting Irish faced the #2 Iowa Pre-Flight Seahawks, it was a doozy! The Irish escaped with a narrow 14-13 win.
- November 27, 1943 – U.S. Marine Boot Camp – Angelo Bertelli is handed a telegram at boot camp on Parris Island, South Carolina, informing him that he had just won the 1943 Heisman Trophy.
- November 27, 1943 – Varsity Stadium, Toronto – In the CFL Grey Cup Game, the Hamilton Flying Wildcats defeated the Winnipeg RCAF Bombers, 23-14.
- December 3, 1943 – Notre Dame Quarterback Angelo Bertelli officially won the 9th Heisman Trophy Award, becoming the first player from the Fighting Irish to receive the honor.
- December 5, 1943 – The Merger of the Philadelphia Eagles and the Pittsburgh Steelers in the NFL, often referred to as the “Steagles,” dissolved as the season ended.
- December 26, 1943 – Wrigley Field, Chicago – The NFL Championship Game saw the Washington Redskins face the Chicago Bears. Hall of Fame Quarterback Sid Luckman led the Bears, coming off a stellar season. Luckman completed 110 of 202 passes for 2,194 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions, earning a 107.5 passer rating. The Bears finished 8-1-1, despite owner/coach George Halas serving in the Navy for much of the year. The Redskins, led by Sammy Baugh, were tough opponents. These teams had met in past championships: Bears crushed Washington 73-0 in 1940, but Washington won 21-7 in 1942. The Bleacher Report article gives all the details, but the final score is Bears 41, Redskins 21. It was the Bears’ sixth NFL title.
