The 1944 NFL Draft: Scouting in the Shadow of War

On April 19, 1944, at the Warwick Hotel in Philadelphia, the NFL held a draft that remains one of the most unusual and significant in the league’s century-long history. While modern drafts are billion-dollar spectacles, the 1944 event was a desperate exercise in logistics, held against the backdrop of World War II and the looming specter of the D-Day invasions.

The 1944 NFL Draft was a selection meeting unlike any other, shaped by the height of World War II and the desperate merging of franchises.

That day, the Boston Yanks kicked off the draft by selecting Notre Dame’s Heisman-winning quarterback, Angelo Bertelli, as the first overall pick. But the real story lies in the chaos behind the scenes: the birth of the “Card-Pitt” merger, team shortages, and a draft class that—despite the global conflict—produced legendary Hall of Famers like Otto Graham and Steve Van Buren. Dive into the day the NFL navigated the war to secure its future stars.

Drafting for a Future Uncertain

The primary significance of this draft was the sheer uncertainty of the player pool. By 1944, the “Manpower Shortage” was at its peak. Many of the names called that day were already in uniform or expected to be inducted shortly. Teams weren’t just scouting talent; they were scouting “availability.” This led to the drafting of younger players—underclassmen who hadn’t finished school—and older players who were deemed unfit for military service.

The Boston Yanks and Angelo Bertelli

The 1944 draft marked the debut of the Boston Yanks, an expansion team that held the first overall pick. They used it to select Angelo Bertelli, the Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback from Notre Dame.

Angelo Bertelli from the University of Notre Dame was the first player selected in the 1944 NFL Draft by the Boston Yanks. Bertelli was the 1943 Heisman Trophy winner. The Daily News article goes on to say that since Philadelphia and Pittsburgh were combined as the Steagles in the prior season, they would subsequently pick fifth and tenth in this draft.

The Steelers had to settle for the tenth pick because, for the upcoming season, they again would have to combine with another franchise, the Chicago Cardinals, due to player shortages caused by World War II.

There were a handful of future Hall of Famers to come out of this class, too, according to the Pro Football Reference. Otto Graham was the fourth pick by Detroit, although he never played for them, as he served in the US Navy during WWII, had a stint in Pro Basketball, and then signed on with the Cleveland Browns in the AAFC. The Eagles took Steve Van Buren with the fifth overall selection, and the Rams chose Bob Waterfield with pick number 42 in the fifth round.

A Legacy of Survival

Beyond the individual names like Bertelli or Hall of Famer Steve Van Buren (taken 5th overall by the Eagles), the 1944 draft was significant because it proved the NFL’s resilience. By continuing the draft process despite roster depletion, the league ensured a foundation of talent ready to return when the guns fell silent.

The April 19, 1944 draft wasn’t about immediate impact or jersey sales; it was about the league’s determination to bridge the gap between the pre-war era and the eventual post-war boom. It stands as a testament to a time when “gridiron lore” was inextricably linked to the preservation of the sport itself.

Complete List of Players Selected in the 1944 NFL Draft

Thanks to Pro-Football-Reference.com for the information above.