1945 NFL Season and Championship
The 1945 NFL season holds a unique place in the history of professional American football. Played in the shadow of World War II, the league continued to operate, albeit with rosters depleted by the ongoing conflict. This unusual context shaped the season and its culmination in a dramatic championship game.
The backdrop of the war significantly impacted the composition of NFL teams. Many star players were serving in the armed forces, leading to a reliance on older veterans, younger, less experienced players, and even some who were classified as 4-F (unfit for service). Some teams were more affected than others, leading to imbalances in competition. For example, the Brooklyn Tigers and the Boston Yanks merged for the season to form "The Yanks" due to player shortages. This amalgamation was a stark reminder of the challenges the league faced in maintaining its operations. Despite these challenges, the NFL pressed on, providing a form of entertainment and normalcy for a nation grappling with the uncertainties and sacrifices of wartime.
The 1945 season saw some notable performances and developments. In the Western Division, the Cleveland Rams emerged as a dominant force, finishing with a 9-1 record. Led by rookie quarterback Bob Waterfield, who won the league's MVP award, the Rams showcased a potent offense. Waterfield's performance was a bright spot in a season marked by the absence of many established stars. The Rams' journey to the championship game demonstrated the resilience of a team that was able to capitalize on its strengths despite the challenges of the era.
In the Eastern Division, the Washington Redskins, coached by Dudley DeGroot, secured the top spot with an 8-2 record. Quarterback Sammy Baugh, a seasoned veteran, continued to be a key player for the team. The Redskins' path to the championship game highlighted their ability to navigate a competitive division and maintain a high level of play throughout the season.
The 1945 NFL Championship Game between the Cleveland Rams and the Washington Redskins, played in Cleveland, was a memorable contest. Played in frigid conditions, with temperatures well below freezing, the game was a low-scoring, hard-fought battle. The Rams ultimately prevailed with a narrow 15-14 victory. The game was decided by a single point and featured a controversial play that had a lasting impact on NFL rules. A safety was awarded to the Rams when Baugh's pass in his own end zone struck the goalpost. Because at that time, the goalposts were on the goal line, the play was ruled a safety. This odd play became a major talking point after the game and directly led to a rule change. Soon after the season, the NFL changed the rule, so a forward pass hitting the goalposts is ruled incomplete.
The 1945 NFL Championship Game, beyond the immediate result, symbolized the league's perseverance during a tumultuous period in American history. The fact that the league was able to complete the season and stage a championship game was a testament to the enduring appeal of football and its role in American culture. Even with diminished rosters and the backdrop of war, the game provided a sense of continuity and excitement.
The backdrop of the war significantly impacted the composition of NFL teams. Many star players were serving in the armed forces, leading to a reliance on older veterans, younger, less experienced players, and even some who were classified as 4-F (unfit for service). Some teams were more affected than others, leading to imbalances in competition. For example, the Brooklyn Tigers and the Boston Yanks merged for the season to form "The Yanks" due to player shortages. This amalgamation was a stark reminder of the challenges the league faced in maintaining its operations. Despite these challenges, the NFL pressed on, providing a form of entertainment and normalcy for a nation grappling with the uncertainties and sacrifices of wartime.
The 1945 season saw some notable performances and developments. In the Western Division, the Cleveland Rams emerged as a dominant force, finishing with a 9-1 record. Led by rookie quarterback Bob Waterfield, who won the league's MVP award, the Rams showcased a potent offense. Waterfield's performance was a bright spot in a season marked by the absence of many established stars. The Rams' journey to the championship game demonstrated the resilience of a team that was able to capitalize on its strengths despite the challenges of the era.
In the Eastern Division, the Washington Redskins, coached by Dudley DeGroot, secured the top spot with an 8-2 record. Quarterback Sammy Baugh, a seasoned veteran, continued to be a key player for the team. The Redskins' path to the championship game highlighted their ability to navigate a competitive division and maintain a high level of play throughout the season.
The 1945 NFL Championship Game between the Cleveland Rams and the Washington Redskins, played in Cleveland, was a memorable contest. Played in frigid conditions, with temperatures well below freezing, the game was a low-scoring, hard-fought battle. The Rams ultimately prevailed with a narrow 15-14 victory. The game was decided by a single point and featured a controversial play that had a lasting impact on NFL rules. A safety was awarded to the Rams when Baugh's pass in his own end zone struck the goalpost. Because at that time, the goalposts were on the goal line, the play was ruled a safety. This odd play became a major talking point after the game and directly led to a rule change. Soon after the season, the NFL changed the rule, so a forward pass hitting the goalposts is ruled incomplete.
The 1945 NFL Championship Game, beyond the immediate result, symbolized the league's perseverance during a tumultuous period in American history. The fact that the league was able to complete the season and stage a championship game was a testament to the enduring appeal of football and its role in American culture. Even with diminished rosters and the backdrop of war, the game provided a sense of continuity and excitement.
1945 NFL Meeting and Draft
Relive NFL history! The pivotal 1945 NFL Meeting and Draft on April 8th shaped the league's future. Discover wartime decisions, groundbreaking player selections, and the strategies that defined an era. Explore the key moments of this historic NFL Draft event!
The 1945 NFL Meeting, held alongside the draft on April 8th, navigated the challenges of World War II, impacting team rosters and player availability. Discussions focused on league stability, potential mergers, and rules adjustments amidst wartime constraints. This crucial meeting set the stage for the player selections that followed, influencing the competitive balance of the NFL in the post-war years.
April 8, 1945 - The NFL held its spring meetings and had a busy itinerary.
First on the docket was to take the level of franchises from the war-torn count of ten to a higher amount. Pittsburgh co-owner Bert Bell suggested 16 teams to bring talent from the newly rising rival leagues of the All-America Football Conference, the U.S. Football League, and the Trans America Conference. The owners settled on 12 teams as the former Brooklyn franchise would merge with Boston, the Card-Pitt combined team would again split into two franchises, plus one new franchise, possibly in Buffalo but that would be determined at a later meeting after careful study.
Another agenda item was that a draft of college players was conducted. The first round went like this:
1 Chicago Cardinals Charley Trippi Halfback Georgia
2 Pittsburgh Steelers Paul Duhart Halfback Florida
3 Brooklyn Tigers Joe Renfroe Back Tulane
4 Boston Yanks Eddie Prokop Back Georgia Tech
5 Cleveland Rams Elroy Hirsch Flanker Michigan
6 Detroit Lions Frank Szymanski Center Notre Dame
7 Chicago Bears Don Lund Back Michigan
8 Washington Redskins Jim Hardy Quarterback USC
9 Philadelphia Eagles John Yonakor Defensive end Notre Dame
10 New York Giants Elmer Barbour Quarterback Wake Forest
11 Green Bay Packers Walt Schlinkman Fullback Texas Tech
The 1946 NFL Draft produced a remarkable class of future Pro Football Hall of Famers, each leaving an indelible mark on the sport. Here's a look at those legends:
-Charley Trippi: Selected first overall by the Chicago Cardinals, the halfback from Georgia earned his place in Canton in 1968.
-Elroy "Crazylegs" Hirsch: The Cleveland Rams drafted the dynamic wide receiver from Michigan fifth overall, and he joined Trippi in the 1968 Hall of Fame class.
-Pete Pihos: The Philadelphia Eagles found a defensive powerhouse in the fifth round, selecting the defensive end from Indiana University. Pihos was inducted in 1970.
-Tom Fears: Also drafted by the Cleveland Rams, the end from UCLA was a steal in the 11th round. Like Pihos, he entered the Hall of Fame in 1970.
-Arnie Weinmeister: The Brooklyn Tigers selected the defensive tackle from Washington in the 17th round, and he was enshrined in 1984.
Source New York Daily News - Mon, Apr 09, 1945 ·Page 166
The 1945 NFL Meeting, held alongside the draft on April 8th, navigated the challenges of World War II, impacting team rosters and player availability. Discussions focused on league stability, potential mergers, and rules adjustments amidst wartime constraints. This crucial meeting set the stage for the player selections that followed, influencing the competitive balance of the NFL in the post-war years.
April 8, 1945 - The NFL held its spring meetings and had a busy itinerary.
First on the docket was to take the level of franchises from the war-torn count of ten to a higher amount. Pittsburgh co-owner Bert Bell suggested 16 teams to bring talent from the newly rising rival leagues of the All-America Football Conference, the U.S. Football League, and the Trans America Conference. The owners settled on 12 teams as the former Brooklyn franchise would merge with Boston, the Card-Pitt combined team would again split into two franchises, plus one new franchise, possibly in Buffalo but that would be determined at a later meeting after careful study.
Another agenda item was that a draft of college players was conducted. The first round went like this:
1 Chicago Cardinals Charley Trippi Halfback Georgia
2 Pittsburgh Steelers Paul Duhart Halfback Florida
3 Brooklyn Tigers Joe Renfroe Back Tulane
4 Boston Yanks Eddie Prokop Back Georgia Tech
5 Cleveland Rams Elroy Hirsch Flanker Michigan
6 Detroit Lions Frank Szymanski Center Notre Dame
7 Chicago Bears Don Lund Back Michigan
8 Washington Redskins Jim Hardy Quarterback USC
9 Philadelphia Eagles John Yonakor Defensive end Notre Dame
10 New York Giants Elmer Barbour Quarterback Wake Forest
11 Green Bay Packers Walt Schlinkman Fullback Texas Tech
The 1946 NFL Draft produced a remarkable class of future Pro Football Hall of Famers, each leaving an indelible mark on the sport. Here's a look at those legends:
-Charley Trippi: Selected first overall by the Chicago Cardinals, the halfback from Georgia earned his place in Canton in 1968.
-Elroy "Crazylegs" Hirsch: The Cleveland Rams drafted the dynamic wide receiver from Michigan fifth overall, and he joined Trippi in the 1968 Hall of Fame class.
-Pete Pihos: The Philadelphia Eagles found a defensive powerhouse in the fifth round, selecting the defensive end from Indiana University. Pihos was inducted in 1970.
-Tom Fears: Also drafted by the Cleveland Rams, the end from UCLA was a steal in the 11th round. Like Pihos, he entered the Hall of Fame in 1970.
-Arnie Weinmeister: The Brooklyn Tigers selected the defensive tackle from Washington in the 17th round, and he was enshrined in 1984.
Source New York Daily News - Mon, Apr 09, 1945 ·Page 166
YouTube
The video summarizes the 1945 NFL Championship game between the Cleveland Rams and the Washington Redskins. It was a close game, with both teams trading the lead throughout. The Redskins won the game 15-14 on a late interception by Pat West.
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