1940 NFL All-Star Game (December)

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1940 NFL All-Star Game (December)
1234Total
Chicago Bears777728
NFL All-Stars0140014
DateDecember 29, 1940
Stadium Gilmore Stadium, Los Angeles, California
MVP none selected
Referee John Olds
Attendance21,000
TV in the United States
Networknot televised

The 1940 National Football League All-star Game (December) was the professional football league's third all-star game. The game pitted the Chicago Bears, the league's champion for the 1940 season, against a team of all-stars. [1] The game was played on Sunday, December 29, 1940, at Gilmore Stadium in Los Angeles, California before an overflow crowd of 21,000, [2] with members of the Stanford and Nebraska football teams also in attendance; the two were scheduled to play in the Rose Bowl, with Nebraska using the All-Star Game to research the Bears' T formation, which was being used by Stanford head coach and former Bears assistant Clark Shaughnessy. [3] The Bears defeated the All-Stars by a score of 28–14. [2]

The Bears were an 8–5 favorite over the All-Stars after crushing the Washington Redskins 73–0 in the championship game a few weeks earlier. [4] Luke Johnsos coached the Bears in place of George Halas, who was hospitalized following an appendectomy. [5] The All-Stars were coached by Ray Flaherty of the Washington Redskins. [4] John Olds was the referee for the game. [5]

Quarterback Ace Parker of the Brooklyn Dodgers was voted into the game, but declined participation due to ankle and shoulder injuries he suffered during the season. His decision sparked a clash with NFL President Carl Storck, who warned him of potential expulsion from the league should he not play until Dodgers owner Dan Topping successfully pulled him out without consequence. [6] Rather than the All-Star Game, Parker decided to play two charity games in Virginia over the following weeks. [7]

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References

  1. "Players Nominated for Pro Bowl Game at L.A." Ventura County Star . United Press. December 10, 1940. Retrieved May 24, 2024 via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  2. 1 2 "Chicago Bears Defeat Pro All-Stars, 28 to 14". Milwaukee Journal . AP. December 30, 1940. p. L-5. Retrieved February 15, 2012.
  3. "Pro Gridmen Meet In Bowl Clash Today". The Baltimore Sun . Associated Press. December 29, 1940. Retrieved January 26, 2019 via Newspapers.com.
  4. 1 2 Conklin, Ed (December 29, 1940). "Chicago Bears Face All-Stars on Coast". Pittsburgh Press . United Press. p. 10 (3rd section). Retrieved February 15, 2012.
  5. 1 2 "18,500 to See Stars, Bears". Milwaukee Journal . AP. December 29, 1940. p. 3 (Section III). Retrieved February 15, 2012.
  6. "Parker is Excused". The Cincinnati Enquirer . Associated Press. December 16, 1940. Retrieved January 26, 2019 via Newspapers.com.
  7. "Ace Parker Excused From All-Star Game". The Courier-Journal . Associated Press. December 15, 1940. Retrieved January 26, 2019 via Newspapers.com.