The 1938 NFL Season History

The 1938 NFL season wasn't just another year in the young league's history; it was a turning point, a crackling crucible where legends were forged and rivalries ignited. Ten teams battled for gridiron supremacy, each with unique stories to tell. Let's step back in time and relive the drama through the lens of the top teams, giant games, and players that defined this historic year.

Rules Revisions

-Protecting the Pocket: The NFL throws its weight behind quarterback safety with a brand new 15-yard penalty for roughing the passer. Defenders, beware; unleashing your inner linebacker on the quarterback just got much more expensive.

-Kickoff Roulette: No more scrambling for loose balls near the sidelines! Now, if a kickoff sails out of bounds, the receiving team gets a sweet deal: they can take possession at their 45-yard line, setting themselves up for a better starting position.

-Double Pass Penalty Tweak: Throwing two forward passes in a single play was already risky, but the penalty just got slightly sweeter for offenses. Instead of losing a down and five yards, it's a five-yard penalty.

Top Teams Clash: In the East, the New York Giants, led by the legendary coach Steve Owen and the indomitable backfield duo of Ken Strong and Tuffy Leemans, were a force to be reckoned with. Their potent offense, fueled by the "Triple Threat" formation, shredded defenses, while their ironclad defense brutally shut down opponents. The Green Bay Packers, under the steady guidance of Curly Lambeau, were the perennial powerhouse of the West. Their offensive juggernaut, featuring the unstoppable Arnie Arber and the versatile Don Hutson, was beautiful, but their defense lacked the teeth to match.

Games That Etched History: The season's narrative unfolded through epic clashes. The Giants had a 23-17 victory over the Packers in the NFL Championship Game. According to onlookers, the game was dominated by the Giants. However, the Pack trailed by only two points at the intermission.

The halftime session was filled with some drama. Green Bay Packers Coach Curly Lambeau needed clarification walking off the field and into the Polo Grounds Visitors locker room. The Coach made a wrong turn and, by some bizarre circumstance, found himself outside of the stadium! When he tried to return, the gatekeepers did not recognize him and would not believe his story to let him reenter. Eventually, the commotion of Lambeau's pleas was heard by sportswriters who confirmed his identity, and Ole Curly was allowed entrance just in time to go back to the field with the team. So much for halftime adjustments and pep speeches.

The coach's absence did not phase the players as Green Bay eventually marched down the field and kicked a short field goal to take the lead. The New Yorkers responded on the next drive. The Giant Ed Danowski culminated the series with a sharp 23-yard TD pass to Hank Soar. The Giants kicked the extra point, and the teams held each other in check for a final of 23-17.

Stellar Players Shine: The 1938 season showcased some of the most extraordinary talents the league had ever seen. With his dazzling speed and elusive moves, Rookie running back Byron "Whizzer" White of the Pittsburgh Pirates electrified the league, leading the NFL in rushing. Don Hutson, the Green Bay Packers aerial maestro, cemented his legacy as the game's first actual receiving threat, hauling in an incredible 548 yards in an era before the passing game exploded. And on the defensive side, the indomitable Alex Wojciechowicz of the Philadelphia Eagles, nicknamed "The Mad Russian," was a one-person wrecking crew, earning a reputation for bone-crushing tackles and relentless pursuit.

Beyond the Field: The 1938 NFL season wasn't just about football; it was a reflection of the times. The nation was still grappling with the Great Depression, and the NFL offered a much-needed escape, a chance to cheer for heroes and forget the hardships of everyday life. The league also took its first steps towards racial integration, with Kenny Washington becoming the first African-American player in the NFL's modern era.