1942 NFL All-Star Game (December)

Last updated

1942 NFL All-Star Game (December)
DateDecember 27, 1942
Stadium Shibe Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
MVP none selected
Attendance18,671
TV in the United States
Networknot televised

The 1942 National Football League All-Star Game (December) was the National Football League's fifth all-star game. The game pitted the Washington Redskins, the league's champion for the 1942 season, against a team of all-stars. The game was played on Sunday, December 27, 1942, at Shibe Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in front of 18,671 fans. The All-Stars defeated the Redskins by a score of 17–14. [1]

Contents

Due to World War II, the All-Star Game was canceled following 1942 as travel restrictions were imposed. It would not return until 1951 as the Pro Bowl, with the champions vs. all-stars format changed to between divisions to avoid confusion with the Chicago College All-Star Game. [2]

Pre-game

The All-Star team was coached by Chicago Bears head coach Hunk Anderson while Ray Flaherty led his Washington Redskins. [3] Anderson and assistant coach Luke Johnsos elected to run the T formation after the players voted for the system, though they also implemented the Notre Dame Box as Green Bay Packers and All-Star quarterback Cecil Isbell excelled in such an offense. [4]

The All-Star roster was decided by fan vote, though some players did not participate for various reasons. Packers receiver Don Hutson missed the game due to a chest injury and a cold, though he had initially announced his intention to play and was only permitted to kick extra points. [5] Pittsburgh Steelers tackle Milt Simington suffered a heart attack during practice for the game and was forced to retire. [4]

Redskins players Willie Wilkin and Dick Todd also skipped the game, the former having to report for military service. [4] Quarterback Sammy Baugh was sick with the flu and failed to make his flight to Philadelphia for the game, which prompted NFL Commissioner Elmer Layden to launch an investigation into the matter. [6] According to a league official: "from all we know Baugh might have had a legitimate excuse for not showing up. But so far we can find no legitimate reason for his not notifying us that he could not or was not coming". [7] Baugh said the car that was supposed to take him from his Rotan, Texas home to a Dallas airport failed to materialize on time. [7]

Baugh's disappearance was allegedly condemned by his teammates, with a Detroit Free Press report claiming some players said he would "never be forgiven for failing to appear." [8] A "spokesman for the players" told the New York Daily News , "We were determined to win this game to prove that our victory over the Bears was no fluke. [...] We wanted to win this one as much as the playoff. And Sammy doesn't show up. Hell, suppose all of us did that? There wouldn't have been any game, and there wouldn't have been any money for the seamen." [9]

Washington owner George Preston Marshall and Bears player Lee Artoe defended Baugh, the former suggesting his illness prevented him from traveling, while Artoe accused the NFL of poor scheduling for placing the game in a "bad sports town" like Philadelphia and in late December. [10] [11]

Layden ended the case on January 20, 1943 with no punishment imposed on Baugh, concluding he was indeed sick and was unable to reach Dallas in time. In a league statement, Layden considered "the publicity and subsequent investigation attendant upon Baugh's failure to appear in Philadelphia" to be "sufficient punishment under the circumstances." [12]

Game

With the ongoing war, the game raised $75,000 for the United Seaman's Fund, while the game ball was auctioned at halftime to sell war bonds, raising $90,170 (the winning bid was $31,000). [13]

The Redskins scored first with Ki Aldrich's 30-yard punt return touchdown in the first quarter. After a scoreless second quarter, Bill Dudley of the Steelers intercepted a pass and returned it 97 yards to tie the game. [7] Later in the quarter, Fred Davis went offside and collided with Bears quarterback Sid Luckman, sparking a fight with Artoe that led to Davis being ejected from the game. [14] The next play, the Bears' John Petty recorded a two-yard rushing touchdown, which the Redskins answered on Roy Zimmerman's 15-yard touchdown throw to Bob Seymour. [7]

Early in the fourth quarter, Artoe kicked a 43-yard field goal to put the All-Stars ahead 17–14. Washington's Bob Masterson attempted to tie the game with seconds remaining, but his 27-yard kick was wide. The win was the first for the All-Stars in the game's history. [7]

Rosters

The rosters consisted of the following: [1] [15] [16]

NFL All-Stars roster

Position:Starters:Reserves:
Quarterback Tommy Thompson, Philadelphia Eagles Larry Craig, Green Bay Packers
Sid Luckman, Chicago Bears
Left Halfback Bill Dudley, Pittsburgh Steelers Cecil Isbell, Green Bay Packers
Right Halfback Merl Condit, Brooklyn Dodgers Dante Magnani, Cleveland Rams
Bosh Pritchard, Philadelphia Eagles
Fullback Harry Hopp, Detroit Lions Gary Famiglietti, Chicago Bears
Frank Maznicki, Chicago Bears
John Petty, Chicago Bears
Marshall Goldberg, Chicago Bears a [17]
Dick Riffle, Pittsburgh Steelers a [17]
Left End Perry Schwartz, Brooklyn Dodgers George Wilson, Chicago Bears
Don Hutson, Green Bay Packers a [3]
Right End Eddie Rucinski, Brooklyn Dodgers Pop Ivy, Chicago Cardinals
John Siegal, Chicago Bears
Left Tackle John Woudenberg, Pittsburgh Steelers Al Blozis, New York Giants
Frank "Bruiser" Kinard, Brooklyn Dodgers
Vic Sears, Philadelphia Eagles a [17]
Right Tackle Chet Adams, Cleveland Rams Lee Artoe, Chicago Bears
Ed Kolman, Chicago Bears
Frank Cope, New York Giants a [17]
Left Guard Augie Lio, Detroit Lions Dan Fortmann, Chicago Bears
Milt Simington, Pittsburgh Steelers a [3]
Right Guard Enio Conti, Philadelphia Eagles Chuck Drulis, Chicago Bears
Center Chuck Cherundolo, Pittsburgh Steelers Charley Brock, Green Bay Packers
Clyde "Bulldog" Turner, Chicago Bears a [17]

Washington Redskins roster

Position:Starters:Reserves:
Quarterback Ray Hare Cecil Hare
Wilbur Moore
Dick Poillon
Bob Seymour
Left Halfback Roy Zimmerman
Right Halfback Ed Justice
Fullback Andy Farkas
Left End Bob Masterson Bob McChesney
Right End Ed Cifers
Left Tackle Fred Davis Willie Wilkin
Right Tackle Bill Young
Left Guard Dick Farman Victor Carroll
Clem Stralka
Right Guard Steve Slivinski
Center Ki Aldrich George Smith

Roster Notes:

a Injured player; selected but did not play

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sammy Baugh</span> American football player and coach (1914–2008)

Samuel Adrian Baugh was an American professional football player. During his college and professional careers, he most notably played quarterback, but also played as a safety and punter. He played college football for the TCU Horned Frogs, where he was a two time All-American. He then played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Washington Redskins for 16 seasons from 1937 to 1952. After his playing career, he served as a college coach for the Hardin–Simmons Cowboys before coaching professionally for the New York Titans and the Houston Oilers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gale Sayers</span> American football player (1943–2020)

Gale Eugene Sayers was an American professional football halfback and return specialist in the National Football League (NFL). In a relatively brief but highly productive NFL career, Sayers spent seven seasons with the Chicago Bears from 1965 to 1971, though multiple injuries effectively limited him to five seasons of play. He was known for his elusiveness and agility and was regarded by his peers as one of the most difficult players to tackle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bulldog Turner</span> American football player and coach (1919–1998)

Clyde Douglas "Bulldog" Turner was an American professional football player and coach in the National Football League (NFL). He was elected, as a player, to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1960 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1966. He was also selected in 1969 to the NFL 1940s All-Decade Team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bob Waterfield</span> American football player and coach (1920–1983)

Robert Stanton Waterfield was an American professional football player and coach. A skilled player, he played in the National Football League (NFL) for eight seasons, primarily as a quarterback, but also as a safety, kicker, punter and sometimes return specialist with the Cleveland / Los Angeles Rams. He played college football for the UCLA Bruins. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1965. His No. 7 jersey was retired by the Rams in 1952. He was also a motion picture actor and producer.

The 1946 NFL season was the 27th regular season of the National Football League. Before the season, Elmer Layden resigned as NFL Commissioner and Bert Bell, co-founder of the Philadelphia Eagles, replaced him. Meanwhile, the All-America Football Conference was formed to rival the NFL, and the Rams became the first NFL team based on the West Coast after they relocated from Cleveland, Ohio, to Los Angeles, California. A regular season game was played on Tuesday, the last until the 2010 season, on October 1, between New York and Boston.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cliff Battles</span> American football player and coach (1910–1981)

Clifford Franklin Battles was an American professional football tailback who played in the National Football League (NFL). Battles was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1968.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eddie LeBaron</span> American gridiron football player and executive (1930–2015)

Edward Wayne LeBaron Jr. was an American Korean War veteran, United States Marine officer, and professional football player. He played as a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL) and Canadian Football League (CFL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">George Wilson (American football coach)</span> American football player and coach (1914–1978)

George William Wilson Sr. was a professional football end for the Chicago Bears and later a coach for the National Football League (NFL)'s Detroit Lions and the American Football League (AFL)'s Miami Dolphins. Wilson attended and played football at Northwestern University. He went undrafted in 1937, before being signed by the Chicago Bears. Wilson played for ten seasons with the Bears, compiling overall record of 111 pass receptions, 1,342 receiving yards, and fifteen touchdowns. He was a member of the Bears during their five appearances in the National Football League Championship Game from 1940 to 1943 and 1946. Additionally, he was selected for the NFL All-Star Game from 1940 to 1942. He also played one season of professional basketball for the Chicago Bruins in 1939–40. Wilson won seven championships combined as a player and coach.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ray Buivid</span> American football player (1915–1972)

Raymond Vincent Buivid was an American football player who played quarterback in the National Football League (NFL) for the Chicago Bears.

The 1942 NFL Championship Game was the tenth title game of the National Football League (NFL), played at Griffith Stadium in Washington, D.C., on December 13, with a sellout capacity attendance of 36,006.

The 1937 NFL Championship Game was the fifth championship game of the National Football League (NFL), held December 12 at Wrigley Field in Chicago with an attendance of 15,878. The game featured the Western Division champions Chicago Bears (9–1–1) and the Eastern Division champions Washington Redskins (8–3), with the Redskins winning 28–21.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1943 NFL Championship Game</span>

The 1943 NFL Championship Game was the 11th annual title game of the National Football League (NFL), held at Wrigley Field in Chicago on December 26 with an attendance of 34,320. In a rematch of the previous year's game, the Western Division champion Chicago Bears (8–1–1) met the Eastern Division champion Washington Redskins (6–3–1). The previous week, the Redskins had defeated the New York Giants at the Polo Grounds in a playoff game by a score of 28–0 to determine the champs of the east, after the teams ended the regular season with identical records. The Redskins had dropped their final three regular season games, including two to the Giants. Even though the Giants had swept the season series with Washington, the rules of the time called for a tiebreaker game.

The 1943 season was the Chicago Bears' 24th in the National Football League. The team failed to match on their 11–0 record from 1942 and finished at 8–1–1, under temporary co-coaches Hunk Anderson and Luke Johnsos. On the way to winning the Western Division, the Bears were, yet again, denied a chance at an undefeated season by the defending champion Redskins in Washington. The Bears had their revenge in the NFL title game and defeated the Redskins at Wrigley Field to claim their sixth league title. It was their third championship in four years, establishing themselves as the pro football dynasty of the early 1940s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Lookabaugh</span> American football player (1922–1993)

John Edgar Ellsworth Lookabaugh was an American football end who played two seasons in the National Football League (NFL) for the Washington Redskins. He played college football for the Maryland Terrapins and also spent time with the Wilmington Clippers in the American Football League (AFL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Doug Turley</span> American football player (1918–1992)

Douglas Pershing Turley was an American professional football player and coach and basketball player. He played end for five seasons for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League (NFL), two with the Wilmington Clippers and one with the Bethlehem Bulldogs of the American Association (AA), and additionally had stints in the NFL with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles. Turley also served as the Clippers' head coach for part of the 1949 season and played basketball with the Wilmington Blue Bombers of the American Basketball League (ABL), in addition to with several semi-professional teams. A resident of Delaware for most of his life, he was inducted into the Delaware Sports Hall of Fame in 1986.

The 1936 TCU Horned Frogs football team represented Texas Christian University (TCU) in the 1936 college football season. The team was coached by Dutch Meyer in his third year as coach, finishing the season 9–2–2. Led by senior quarterback Sammy Baugh, the offense scored 160 points, while the defense allowed 58 points. The Frogs defeated Marquette in the inaugural Cotton Bowl Classic, played in Dallas.

The 1940 NFL Championship Game, sometimes referred to simply as 73–0, was the eighth title game of the National Football League (NFL). It was played at Griffith Stadium in Washington, D.C., on December 8, with a sellout capacity attendance of 36,034.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1940 NFL All-Star Game (January)</span> NFL All-Star Game

The 1940 National Football League (NFL) All-Star Game was an exhibition contest that the NFL organized after the 1939 season. The game was played between the Green Bay Packers, the league's champion that season, and a team of All-Stars made up of players from the remaining NFL teams. The players on the All-Star team were selected by a national poll of fans. The game, which was delayed a week due to rain, was played on Sunday, January 14, 1940, at Gilmore Stadium in Los Angeles, California, in front of approximately 18,000 fans. The Packers defeated the All-Stars by a score of 16–7 on three field goals and a 92-yard touchdown pass from Cecil Isbell to Don Hutson. The all-star game format was continued for another three seasons before ending due to World War II. A new all-star format, branded as the Pro Bowl, began after the 1950 NFL season, with these all-star games retroactively considered the first Pro Bowls.

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. The game was played on Sunday, December 29, 1940, at Gilmore Stadium in Los Angeles, California before an overflow crowd of 21,000, 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. The Bears defeated the All-Stars by a score of 28–14.

The 1940 All-Pro Team consisted of American football players chosen by various selectors for the All-Pro team of the National Football League (NFL) for the 1940 NFL season. Teams were selected by, among others, the so-called "official" All-Pro team selected by 92 sports writers who were members of the Pro Football Writers Association of American (PFW), the sports writers of the Associated Press (AP), the United Press (UP), the International News Service (INS), Collyer's Eye (CE), the New York Daily News (NYDN), and the Chicago Herald American.

References

  1. 1 2 "Dudley's 97-yard Run Helps All-Stars Beat Redskins, 17–14". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette . AP. December 28, 1942. pp. 14–15. Retrieved February 15, 2012.
  2. ↑ "Pro Bowl Game Approved By National Grid League". The Palm Beach Post . Associated Press. June 4, 1950. Retrieved January 26, 2019– via Newspapers.com.
  3. 1 2 3 "Pro All-Stars Confident They Can Beat Redskins". Milwaukee Journal . Associated Press. December 26, 1942. p. 10. Retrieved February 15, 2012.
  4. 1 2 3 "All-Stars Set to Go Against the Redskins". Home News Tribune . Associated Press. December 26, 1942. Retrieved January 26, 2019– via Newspapers.com.
  5. ↑ "Don Hutson to Play With the All-Stars Against Washington". The Morning Call . Associated Press. December 18, 1942. Retrieved January 26, 2019– via Newspapers.com.
  6. ↑ "Sammy Baugh Denies Running Out on Game". Los Angeles Times . Associated Press. December 29, 1942. Retrieved February 24, 2019– via Newspapers.com.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 Meier, Ted (December 28, 1942). "All-Stars Beat Redskins; Investigate Failure Of Baugh To Appear For Tilt". The Journal Standard . Associated Press . Retrieved January 26, 2019– via Newspapers.com.
  8. ↑ "Baugh Faces League's Discipline, Mates' Wrath". Detroit Free Press . December 28, 1942. Retrieved January 26, 2019– via Newspapers.com.
  9. ↑ McCann, Dick (December 28, 1942). "Baugh Misses Pro Bowl, Rouses Redskins' Ire". New York Daily News . Retrieved January 26, 2019– via Newspapers.com.
  10. ↑ "Redskin Boss Thinks Baugh Wanted to Play". The Courier-Journal . Associated Press. December 29, 1942. Retrieved January 26, 2019– via Newspapers.com.
  11. ↑ International News Service (December 29, 1942). "Artoe Defends Sammy Baugh". Mansfield News Journal . Retrieved January 26, 2019– via Newspapers.com.
  12. ↑ International News Service (January 20, 1943). "Layden Drops Charges Against Sammy Baugh". Salt Lake Telegram. Retrieved January 26, 2019– via Newspapers.com.
  13. ↑ "Artoe's 43-Yard Field Goal Sends Redskins to 17-14 Defeat". Detroit Free Press . Associated Press. December 28, 1942. Retrieved January 26, 2019– via Newspapers.com.
  14. ↑ "Redskin-Bear Feud Flares into Fistics; Luckman Roughed". The Morning Post. December 28, 1942. Retrieved January 26, 2019– via Newspapers.com.
  15. ↑ "1942 NFL Pro Bowlers". Pro-football-reference.com. Archived from the original on December 6, 2011. Retrieved February 16, 2012.
  16. ↑ "1942 Washington Redskins roster". Pro-football-reference.com. Archived from the original on February 10, 2012. Retrieved February 16, 2012.
  17. 1 2 3 4 5 "Layden Names Pro League's All-Star Squad". Meriden Record . AP. December 15, 1942. p. 11. Retrieved February 16, 2012.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.