By Darin The annual NFL Draft is always a high-stakes event, but rarely has it taken place under such intense global pressure as the 1942 iteration. Held in Chicago on December 21, 1941, the mood in the room was defined by one overriding factor: the attack on Pearl Harbor, which had occurred exactly two weeks prior. This wasn’t merely a draft; it was the first major league event held following the United States’ entry into World War II, fundamentally changing the prospects of every young man whose name was called.
The historic significance of the 1942 draft lies in its immediate context. The league knew that almost every drafted player—and indeed, many established NFL veterans—would soon trade their football uniforms for military service. This draft thus served as both a pipeline for professional football and, inadvertently, a roster for the armed forces.
The first overall pick, taken by the Pittsburgh Steelers, was Bill Dudley, a star running back from the University of Virginia. While Dudley would go on to have a Hall of Fame career, winning the 1946 NFL MVP award, his pro debut was delayed by three years of service as a bomber pilot in the Army Air Forces. This pattern was repeated throughout the selection process. Players like Frank Sinkwich (1st round, Lions) and Aldo Forte (3rd round, Rams) all answered the call to duty first.
First Round Selections of the 1942 NFL Draft
Here is a glimpse of the first round talent taken in this Draft.
| Pick | Tm | Player | Pos | College/Univ |
| 1 | PIT | Bill Dudley | HB | Virginia |
| 2 | RAM | Jack Wilson | HB | Baylor |
| 3 | PHI | Pete Kmetovic | HB | Stanford |
| 4 | CRD | Steve Lach | WB | Duke |
| 5 | DET | Bob Westfall | FB | Michigan |
| 6 | WAS | Spec Sanders | TB | Texas |
| 7 | BKN | Bobby Robertson | C | USC |
| 8 | NYG | Merle Hapes | FB | Mississippi |
| 9 | GNB | Urban Odson | T | Minnesota |
| 10 | CHI | Frankie Albert | QB | Stanford |
Hall of Famers Selected inthe 1942 NFL Draft
This group was a pretty solid crop of talent coming out of college, especially during World War II. Here are the future Pro Football Hall of Fame players so far that came from this class.
- Bill Dudley
- Mac Speedie
Conclusion
The 1942 draft stands as a unique cultural marker, symbolizing the moment the NFL officially paused its pursuit of growth to support the war effort. Unlike other drafts that sought talent purely for the gridiron, the 1942 selections represented a pool of young men who would first fight for their country before fighting for yardage. The war heavily depleted NFL rosters for the next four seasons, forcing teams to merge, rely on older players, or suspend operations altogether.
Ultimately, the 1942 class is significant not just for the talent it produced but for the sacrifice it embodied. It is the draft forever defined by the fact that the greatest challenge facing its players was not making a roster, but surviving a global conflict. The players of 1942 are honored as members of both the greatest generation and one of the most historically important draft classes in NFL history.
Our thanks to Pro-Football-Reference.com
