The 1943 Green Bay Packers - 7-2-1 (2ND)
Head Coach: Curly Lambeau
1943 PRE-SEASON RESULTS (2-0)
SEPTEMBER (1-1)
5 Washington Redskins at Baltimore W 23-21 1- 0-0 45,000
11 Phil-Pitt Steagles at Pittsburgh W 28-10 2- 0-0 19,369
1943 REGULAR SEASON RESULTS
SEPTEMBER (0-0-1)
26 G-CHICAGO BEARS (0-0-0) T 21-21 0- 0-1 23,675
OCTOBER (4-1)
3 at Chicago Cardinals (0-1-0) W 28- 7 1- 0-1 15,563
10 G-DETROIT LIONS (2-1-0) W 35-14 2- 0-1 21,396
17 M-WASHINGTON REDSKINS (1-0-0) L 7-33 2- 1-1 23,058
24 at Detroit Lions (3-2-0) W 27- 6 3- 1-1 41,463
31 at New York Giants (2-1-0) W 35-21 4- 1-1 46,208
NOVEMBER (2-1)
7 at Chicago Bears (5-0-1) L 7-21 4- 2-1 43,425
14 M-CHICAGO CARDINALS (0-7-0) W 35-14 5- 2-1 10,831
21 at Brooklyn Dodgers (2-6-0) W 31- 7 6- 2-1 18,992
28 X-at New London Diesels W 62-14 10,000
DECEMBER (1-0)
5 Z-at Phil-Pitt Steagles (5-3-1) W 38-28 7- 2-1 34,294
X - Non-League Game at Bristol, CT Z - at Philadelphia G - Green Bay M - Milwaukee
1943 IN REVIEW
Don Huston had hauled in many a pass into the end zone, but he got a chance to get on the other end of the pipe on one play. Huston took a handoff and headed off to what looked like an end run. With the defenders converging on him, the fast end pulled up short and tossed a 38-yard pass to Harry Jacunski all alone in the end zone. After the play, the poker-faced Huston broke into a grin. Passing, it seemed, was not that difficult. Most of the Green Bay passes were thrown by Tony Canadeo and Irv Comp, since star tailback Cecil Isbell had quit to coach the Purdue Boilermakers. Isbell explained why he quit while still young - "I had not been up in Green Bay long when I saw Lambeau around the locker room and tell players like Herber and Gantenbein and Hank Bruder that they were all done with the Packers. I sat there and watched and then I vowed it would never happen to me. I'd quit before they came around to tell me."
THE STEAGLES
Looking ahead to the 1943 season, the second one since the U.S. entered World War II, the National Football League faced a major problem. Like baseball, most of the players had been drafted by the armed forces. Unlike baseball, the NFL did not have a vast minor league system to draw on. The league had limped through the 1942 season with about 1/3 of its players in the service. Attendance had plummeted 20%. At its annual meeting in April, 1943, the NFL took stock. 150 more players had been lost to the armed forces. Most teams were decimated. The Pittsburgh Steelers had only 6 players under contract. The Philadelphia Eagles had 16, more than most clubs. The Cleveland Rams received permission to drop out of the league for the 1943 season. The good news from this move was that the Rams' 14 players could be disbused among the nine remaining clubs. The bad news was that an odd number of teams created a scheduling problem. The 1943 draft was mostly a waste of time as almost all the college draftees were already military draftees. Some players were coaxed out of retirement, led by the legendary Bronko Nagurski, who joined to the Bears at age 35 after 5 idle years. However, the Steelers still faced dire straits and might have to shut down as Cleveland had one. The Pittsburgh problem and the scheduling dilemma were solved by merging the Steelers with their cross-state rivals, the Eagles, for the 1943 season. The team would play four of its home games at Shibe Park in Philadelphia and two in Pittsburgh. Earl "Greasy" Neale of the Eagles and the Steelers' Walt Kiesling would be co-coaches. (This arrangement worked only after Neale took over the offense and Kiesling the defense.) The uniforms were the green and white of the Eagles. League standings would list the club as Phil-Pitt. However, sportswriters and fans preferred "Steagles." (SOURCE: Golden Moments in Sports Archives)
NAME NO POS HGT WGT COLLEGE YR PR A G HOW ACQUIRED
Chet Adams 27 T 6- 3 240 Ohio State 1 5 26 10 FA-Cleve (1942)
Paul Berezney 47 T 6- 2 220 Fordham 2 2 27 10
Charley Brock 29 C 6- 1 210 Nebraska 5 5 27 6 1939 Draft-3rd
Lou Brock 16 HB 6- 0 195 Purdue 4 4 25 10 1940 Draft-3rd
Tony Canadeo 3 HB 6- 0 195 Gonzaga 3 3 24 10 1941 Draft-7th
Irv Comp 51 HB 6- 3 192 St. Benedict 1 1 24 9 1943 Draft-3rd
Larry Craig 54 E 6- 0 208 S. Carolina 5 5 27 10 1939 Draft-6th
Tiny Croft 75 T 6- 4 298 Ripon 2 2 22
Dick Evans 22 E 6- 3 210 Iowa 2 4 25 10 FA-Cards (1942)
Tony Falkenstein 18 FB 5-10 210 St. Mary's (CA) 1 1 28 10
Bob Flowers 35 C 6- 1 215 Texas Tech 2 2 26 8
Sherwood Fries 46 G 6- 1 238 Colorado St 1 1 22 5
Ted Fritsch 64 FB 5-10 205 Stevens Point 2 2 22 10
Buckets Goldenberg 43 G 5-10 220 Wisconsin 11 11 31 10
Don Hutson 14 E 6- 1 178 Alabama 9 9 30 10
Harry Jacunski 48 E 6- 2 198 Fordham 5 5 27 10
Bob Kahler 8 T 6- 3 200 Nebraska 2 2 26
William Kuusisto 45 G 6- 0 230 Minnesota 3 3 25 10
Jim Lankas 23 FB 6- 2 215 St. Mary's (CA) 1 2 25 3 FA-Phil (1942)
Joe Laws 24 HB 5- 9 188 Iowa 10 10 32 10
Joel Mason 7 E 6- 0 198 W. Michigan 2 3 30 10 FA-Cards (1939)
Forrest McPherson 72 T-C 5-11 248 Nebraska 1 4 31 5 FA-Phil (1937)
Baby Ray 44 T 6- 6 250 Vanderbilt 6 6 27 8
Ade Schwammel 40 T 6- 2 215 Oregon St 4 4 34 2 FA-Gr Bay (1936)
Glen Sorenson 33 G 6- 0 225 Utah St 1 1 23 7
Ben Starret 63 B 5-11 215 St. Mary's (CA) 2 3 25 7 FA-Pitt (1941)
Pete Tinsley 21 G 5- 8 200 Georgia 6 6 30 10 1938 Draft-9th
Andy Uram 42 HB 5-10 190 Minnesota 6 6 28 8 1938 Draft-4th
NO - Jersey Number POS - Position HGT - Height WGT - Weight YR - Years with Packers PR - Years of Professional Football AGE - Age at Start of Season G - Games Played
1943 PACKERS DRAFT (April 8, 1943)
RND SEL NAME POS COLLEGE
1 8 Dick Wildung T Minnesota
RND SEL NAME POS COLLEGE
2 Did Not Draft
3 23 Irv Comp B St. Benedict
4 Did Not Draft
5 38 Roy McKay B Texas
6 48 Nick Susoeff E Washington State
7 58 Ken Snelling B UCLA
8 68 Lester Gatewood C Baylor
9 78 Norm Verry T Southern California
10 88 Solon Barnett G Baylor
11 98 Bob Forte B Arkansas
12 108 Van Davis E Georgia
13 118 Tom Brock C Notre Dame
14 128 Ralph Tate B Oklahoma State
15 138 Don Carlson T Denver
16 148 Mike Welch B Minnesota
17 158 Ron Thomas G Southern California
18 168 Jim Powers T St. Mary's (Calif.)
19 218 Harold Prescott E Hardin-Simmons
20 188 Eddie Forrest C Santa Clara
21 198 Lloyd Wasserbach T Wisconsin
22 208 Mark Hoskins B Wisconsin
23 218 Earl Bennett G Hardin-Simmons
24 228 George Zellick E Oregon State
25 238 Gene Bierhaus E Minnesota
26 248 George Makris G Wisconsin
27 258 Pete Susick B Washington
28 268 Bud Hasse E Northwestern
29 278 Dick Thornally T Wisconsin
30 288 Bob Ray B Wisconsin
31 293 Brunel Christensen T California
32 298 Ken Roskie B Southern California
BOLD - Played for the Packers
THIS IS SILVER JUBILEE YEAR FOR GREEN BAY PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL
JAN 5 (Green Bay) - When that little infant wearing a pair of 1943 diapers entered the picture at midnight New Year's eve, did any of you celebrants note that he carried a a football? At least, the little Mr. Nineteen Forty-Three that arrived in Green Bay did. The point is that the little guy, who replaced the battered Nineteen Forty-Two, ushered in the Green Bay Packers' 25th year in professional football - the sliver jubilee of the pay sport in this city. Of course, the war and its recruits may have something to do with Green Bay celebrating its 25th football birthday, but regardless the Packers still will be in their 25th year. They'll still hold a franchise, even though world events could force them from action. Coach Curly Lambeau launched pro football in Green Bay back in 1919, and, after two years of freelance ball, entered the NFL. The Packers remain as one of the three teams in the circuit since it was started, the other two being the Bears and Cardinals of Chicago. In the Bears' first year, they were known as the Staleys...COVERS FOUR DECADES: Lambeau's career in pro football - and the Packers (both the same) - represent four decades - 1910, 1920, 1930 and 1940. He covered the "roaring twenties" with one championship, and skipped over the "depression thirties" with four titles. The "warring forties" are still without a championship, but remember that Lambeau opened this decade with three seconds in the Western division...FIRST TIME EVER: When Hal Van Every cavorted for the Second Air Force Bombers against Hardin-Simmons in the Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas, New Year's day, it was the first time a former Packer ever played in a bowl game after he saw action with Green Bay. Generally, the Packer stars get into a bowl before they come here, but Van Every is an exception - made possible by the war. He scored the winning touchdown by the way...'I LIKE TO SCORE': Tackle Al Klug of Marquette suggested something the other day that pro coaches ought to try. Klug, who likes to score, asked his coach, Tom Stidham, to figure out some sort of a tackle-around play so "I can score". The rules forbid a tackle from carrying the ball from his position but he could always switch to end. Can you imagine Baby Ray, Ernie Pannell, Bill Lee or Paul Berezney "flashing" on tackle-around plays?...THIS AND THAT: Advertisers spent approximately $100,000 in getting up the souvenir program for the NFL's "pro bowl" game in Philadelphia Dec. 27. Before the Bear-Washington title test, veteran George Musso gave the Bruins a pep talk. Tony Canadeo, Packer halfback, left Green Bay this week for his home in Chicago. He'll go into the Navy Air corps sometime in March. Packer fullback Ted Fritsch has been placed in 4-F by his Stevens Point draft board. Coach Curly Lambeau was ready in case a draft session was held at the recent league meeting. He had complete reports from his numerous scouts on nearly every outstanding player in the country.
PACKER NOTES
JAN 6 (Wisconsin Rapids) - Ted Fritsch, former Central State Teachers college athlete, and more recently a fullback on the Green Bay Packers, probably has played in his last professional football game for the duration. Fritsch, whose high school days were spent at the little school at Spencer, where his brother Mike does the coaching, left last week with the draft contingent of Portage county for physical examinations in Milwaukee. Since the conclusion of the Green Bay Packer schedule, Ted has been employed as a substitute mail carrier at the post office in Stevens Point. He registered in that city while attending college there. Fritsch was Eddie Kotal's personal contribution to the Green Bay Packer club. When the Packer organization hired Eddie as backfield coach late last spring, it has no idea that Kotal would also bring the 1942 Packer fullback. But Fritsch, who is built like a bull and yet is extremely light on his feet, more than filled the bill for Curly Lambeau. Naturally Ted wasn't a Clark Hinkle in his first season of professional football. As a matter of fact, try and name anyone who has been the equal of the Hink. Possibly Bronko Nagurski and Ernie Never, but who else? Norm Standlee was a great line plunger for the Bears, but who wouldn't be with that Bear line to open the holes? For a rookie Fritsch did a splendid job. His field goal kicking contributed to the Packer scoring and he saved the Green Bay team from certain defeat in New York by breaking away for a long run in the closing minutes of the game against the Giants to enable the Packers to escape with a 21-21 tie. Another example of a small town boy who made good in a big way.
PACKER FANS OF BROOKLYN, N.Y., HELPS LAMBEAU FIND GRID TALENT
JAN 8 (Green Bay) - If football is still active next fall, Brooklyn is determined that the Green Bay Packers win the National league championship. 'Tis a rare statement, indeed, and Coach Curly Lambeau nearly swooned when he read it in a letter from a representative of the Brooklyn Chapter, Green Bay Packer Fans. The missive was signed: "Chapter President". The letter listed a raft of outstanding college players, after pointing out that "please do not deem this as an insult to your coaching proficiency as we are aware that you have scouts for the very work we undertook but we have so thoroughly covered the football picture this year we cannot see how anyone could surpass us on the subject." It might be explained that the Packers have paid scouts throughout the country keeping their eyes open for possible pro talent. In addition, there are many other personal friends of Lambeau who are on the watch for material. But this letter is something new, said Lambeau...CONCLUDED TEAM'S NEEDS: The letter points out that "we have covered every Packer game very closely, and most of the college contests. Therefore we consider ourselves in a position to accurately approximate the Packer status, in reference to the coming season. Our society has concluded the team's needs and has listed the college players most likely to succeed in the pro ranks." The chapter explains that it realizes that it is "pretty much impossible to corner these stars, due to the war, and the fact that other clubs will grab off some of these players. But you can pick some of them." Here is part of the letter telling of the players, written mostly in note form:...SCHREINER GREATEST: "Ends: Schreiner, Wisconsin, if not in service could be greatest of college crop. A natural pick, but probably won't be available for your pick. Currivan, Boston college, a close second, another natural choice. Then there are Poschner, Georgia, Dove of Notre Dame and Ferguson of California. But the three darkhorse predictions are Al Hurst, Tennessee, Marty Comer, Tulane, and Bob Shaw, Ohio State. Then follow Suesoff, Washington State, Gantt, Duke, Motl, Northwestern, and Smith, UCLA. Tackles: The Big Ten has four naturals for the pro league, Dick Wildung, Minnesota, Paul Hirschbrunner, Wisconsin, Chuck Csuri, Ohio State, and Al Wistert, Michigan. The best prospect, though, is big Don Whitemire from Alabama's great line. Also Johnson, Kentucky, Donaldson, Penn, Bouley, Boston College, Stamm and Banducci, Stanford, Wickett, Oregon State, and Palmer, TCU."...GUARD KINGPIN BASE: "Guards: The kingpin prospect here is Canale of Boston college, an immovable object on defense. Also come Lin Houston, Ohio State, Nick Burke, Northwestern, and Chuck Taylor, Stanford. Along with Ruark, Georgia, Ramsey, William and Mary, and Agase, Illinois. Hardy of Georgia Tech is tops but light for pro ball. Other good ones are Lescouli, UCLA, and McIntrye, Fordham. Centers: Harrison, Washington, Sabasteanski, Fordham, Manning, Georgia Tech, and Pregulman, Michigan, all on an even base. Backs: The backs the Packer need the most are the breakaway artists, and here they are: Black, Mississippi State, Gafford, Auburn, Daley, Minnesota, Steuber, Missouri, and Hillenbrand, Indiana. Also some welcome additions would be Jenkins, Vanderbilt, Kennedy, Washington State, Holovak, Boston college, Filipowicz, Fordham, Connolly, Boston college, Johnson and Longnere, William and Mary, Craft, Alabama, Waterfield, UCLA, Day, Oregon State, Griffin, Illinois, and Sarringhaus, Ohio State.
PACKER FANS WELCOME DORAIS AS NEW DETROIT LIONS COACH
JAN 12 (Green Bay) - Signing of Gus Dorais, the accomplished Detroit lawmaker and football coach, is welcome news around these parts. It means that the Green Bay Packer-Lion rivalry, just a spark the past few years, may start to burn. Besides making it hot for Coach Curly Lambeau's lads and at the same time interesting for the customers, Dorais' entrance in the National league could give the Chicago Bears one more worry in the Western division. In the last three years, the only headache the Bears had was the Packers. Good friends off the field but deadly enemies on the gridiron, Dorais and Lambeau started something back in 1937 when the College All-Stars nipped a dog-tired Packer club, 6-0, in Soldiers' field in Chicago. This should make for a lot of interesting copy come next fall. Lambeau is looking for Dorais to build up the old Detroit-Packer rivalry that resulted in more than one sellout crowd at City stadium. The Detroit game was shifted to Milwaukee last fall, and in 1941, the Packers defeated Detroit, 23-0, before a disappointed gathering. Detroit clubs featuring Ernie Caddell, Dutch Clark, Ace Gutowsky, Lloyd Cardwell and many others drew almost as well as the Bears not so long ago...PASSED TO ROCKNE: Lambeau considers Dorais one of the best coaches in the country, and believes he'll succeed because he is a great exponent of the forward pass. Dorais was one of the game's first great forward passers three decades ago while pitching aerials at Notre Dame to his roommate, Knute Rockne. His University of Detroit elevens have used the airways for nearly 18 years and a .700 winning average.
ISBELL, HUTSON VOTED TO ALL-LEAGUE TEAM
JAN 13 (Green Bay) - Cecil Isbell and Don Hutson, the Green Bay Packers' peerless passing combination, today were named to the NFL's 12th annual mythical all-league team. Packer Charles (Buckets) Goldenberg, a ten-year veteran, made right guard on the second team. Receiving honorable mention were tackle Buford (Baby) Ray, halfback Tony Canadeo and quarterback Larry Craig...HUTSON'S SIXTH YEAR: Hutson was the only unanimous choice. It was the fifth consecutive year he was named to the first string, and the sixth time in eight seasons that he topped the vote among ends. Isbell also was a member of the first team last year. The committee of nine newspapermen evinced a definite preference for Isbell over Sammy Baugh of Washington at halfback, principally because he is a better ball carrier and because of his greater passing productivity. He delivered at least one touchdown pass in his last 23 consecutive league games. Like nine of its predecessors, the team is dominated by Western division players. Five places went to Chicago's once invincible Bears. Three of them, including Danny Fortmann, guard; Clyde Turner, center; and Sid Luckman, quarterback, were first team selections in 1941. It was the fifth successive year for Fortmann, and the second year in a row that he missed being a unanimous choice by one first place vote...ARTOE, FAMIGLIETTI NAMED: Other Bears selected were tackle Lee Artoe and fullback Gary Famiglietti. It marked the first time since 1934, when New York won the title and placed five men on the all-league team, that one club has supplied so many first team selections. Tackle Wee Willie Wilkin and end Bob Masterson are the only members of the champion Washington Redskins voted first string berths. Guard Bill Edwards of New York and Bill Dudley of Pittsburgh, the rookie of the year, complete the eleven. Famiglietti, 230-pound line plunger who took over the Bears' fullbacking when Bill Osmanski was injured on the sixth play of the opening game here at Green Bay, polled four first place votes to beat out Andy Farkas of Washington by a margin of two points. Dudley, the league's ground gaining champion, is the first rookie to be chosen since Davey O'Brien was named quarterback in 1939. Like Fortmann, he missed being a unanimous choice by one vote, although he also appeared on all nine ballots. Sid Luckman's only opposition for quarterback came from Sammy Baugh, the Redskins' field general and passing paragon. Baugh missed first team selection when the committee split its ballot, some of the selectors placing him at halfback. Luckman received six first place votes...GUARD RACE WIDE OPEN: Failure of a Washington guard to make either the first or second team came as something of a surprise after the superb performance of Dick Farman, Steve Slivinski and Clyde Shugart in the championship game. Outside of Fortmann, however, the race for the guard positions was wide open with seven men receiving first team votes. There seemed to be little question about whom the committee consider the league's best centers. Chuck
Cherundolo, who played 25 consecutive quarters for Pittsburgh, and Turner received all the votes, except two for the second team, which went to Mel Hein, retiring star of the New York Giants. At end, opposite Hutson, Masterson took a commanding lead over George Wilson of the Bears and Perry Schwartz of Brooklyn, largely because of a better rounded performance, which combined Wilson's rugged play with Schwartz's pass receiving.
PRO FOOTBALL SHATTERS CROWD RECORDS; 1,725,764 NOSES
JAN 15 (Chicago) - A greater attendance than in any previous year since professional football was organized, watched teams of the NFL during 1942. Spectators totaled 1,725,764 despite the uncertainties of war and the most wretched weather conditions in 10 years, according to Elmer Layden, commissioner of professional football. Layden said 14 charity games drew 453,652 fans and preseason exhibitions were played before 156,958 more. The remaining 1,115,154 attended the regularly scheduled games of the championship season - a total that was 6 percent less than the record number attracted to the same number of games the previous season. However, 16 of the 1942 games, 30 percent of the regular schedule, were played in adverse weather. Layden said a better break from the elements in any five or six of these games would have sent the 1942 attendance above the all-time high of 1,186,616 for the regular schedule, set in 1941. Green Bay's annual visit to Chicago to engage the Bears topped attendance for regular contests, drawing 42,787 to Wrigley field on Nov. 15
PACKERS' HUTSON REPEATS AS MOST VALUABLE PLAYER
JAN 28 (Green Bay) - Doh Hutson, the Green Bay Packer end who capitalized on 'scientific loafing' to become a gridiron success, today was named the most valuable player in the NFL. The selection marked the second straight year Hutson has won the Joe F. Carr trophy. The eight-year Green Bay veteran, who will celebrate his 30th birthday Sunday, is the first performer ever to repeat in the most valuable player balloting. Previous winners of the award made in memory of the founder of the pro league were Mel Hein of the New York Giants; Parker Hall of the Cleveland Rams; and Ace Parker of the Brooklyn Dodgers...SIX FIRST-PLACE VOTES: His selection was a runaway in the poll of nine newspapermen in league cities. The glue-fingered Packer end received six first place votes for an aggregate of 39 points. Only two other players received consideration. They were Bill Dudley, the great rookie back of the Pittsburgh Steelers, who had 18 points as as the result of two first place and four second place votes, and Sammy Baugh of the Washington Redskins, who totaled 15 points on one first place and five second place votes. Announcement of Hutson's selection was made by the NFL office in Chicago. Coaches and competent critics attribute Hutson's play in eight seasons in the pro league to his "scientific loafing", a phrase which describes his seeming indifference to what goes on around him on a football field. His ability to elude defensemen to catch passes from Cecil Isbell can be traced to a baffling "change of pace" in his running. He has the uncanny knack of getting a step's "jump" on any player trying to cover him. The selection committee in outlining the reasons for Huston's selection said:...CONSIDER NUISANCE VALUE: "The selection did not rest alone on his great pass catching ability. Also considered were his nuisance value as a disrupter of enemy defenses and his ability to transform the Packers into a confident, powerful aggregation in clutch situations." A product of the University of Alabama, Hutson, who operates the Don Hutson Packer Playdium here, holds more records than any player in the league's 22-year history. His pro grid marks total 17. Popular and active in civic affairs, he recently was named chairman of the Brown County Red Cross drive. Hutson led the league in scoring last season for the third straight time, the first player ever to accomplish that trick. He posted 138 points in 11 league games. He recently was named to the all-league team for the sixth time...GAINED 5,515 YARDS: The marks that set Hutson apart from other superstars of pro football, however, are his pass catching achievements. In eight seasons he's caught 336 passes for a gain of 5,515 yards and 72 of his catches were good for touchdowns. Huston has played in 91 games during his pro career and has caught at least one pass in 89 of those encounters. The passes have ranged in gains from four inches to 92 yards.
ISBELL TAKES PASS FROM HUTSON IN MANITOWOC FETE HONORING CECE
FEB 5 (Green Bay) - Cecil Isbell, just a bit over his football weight, reversed his usual gridiron procedure here Thursday night and caught a pass from Don Hutson that went for a touchdown in the hearts of Manitowoc grid fans. The football in this case was a distinguished service medal which designated Isbell as the outstanding young man of Manitowoc for 1942. His achievements on the football field for the Green Bay Packers as well as his business activities here led to selection of Isbell as the receiver. Cece is in the water softening business here. Introduced by Del Brault, president of the Junior Chamber of Commerce which sponsored the banquet in the Hotel Manitowoc, Hutson gave an address before passing the award to Isbell, who, in turn, delivered a brief "thank you" message. Nearly 100 persons attended. Admitted that he was "blessed with outstanding passers from Dixie Howell (at Alabama) up to Isbell," Hutson said he owed Isbell "more than anything I know. He was responsible for any success I might have had on the gridiron." The Packer pas catcher recalled many times during the last season when 'we could have run with the ball". One of these incidents was a four-inch touchdown pass against Cleveland last fall...COULD TAKE BEATING: Hut praised Isbell as the "only passer in the National league who can take a beating if he knows a play will work the next time." The receiver, who completed his 13th year of football last fall, said the best break he ever got was in coming to Green Bay because "Curly Lambeau played the kind of football that I liked to play." Admitting that he was prejudiced, Hutson said that "football was the greatest game in the country. It develops good habits, a clean, health body, and is now preparing young men for a bigger game that we can't lose."
SAYS PRO LOOP WILL CARRY ON
FEB 11 (Kaukauna) - Earl (Curly) Lambeau, coach of the Green Bay Packers, believes there will be sufficient players available next fall to guarantee a full campaign for the NFL. Declaring that sandlots are not a good source of pro league material, Lambeau said at a high school banquet last night that National league teams could replenish their rosters with former college stars and ex-professionals who have been out of football only a few years and who have not yet been accepted for military service. "Mel Hein, Clarke Hinkle, Don Hutson, Joe Stydahar and Johnny Blood, among others, were pressing or past the 30-year mark while still starring," Lambeau said, supporting his view that younger men several years out of college can still make a go of it in the pro league. "If necessary our training periods could be lengthened to give these men an opportunity to regain their poise, and we also could adopt the free substitution rule to give them a better break in actual competition." He added that he disagreed with Elmer Layden, commissioner of the league, who said recently that the pro league "may have to go to the sandlots for players." The dinner was in honor of Paul Little, Kaukauna coach.
THIRD SCORING TITLE FOR HUTSON
FEB 17 (Green Bay) - Don Hutson, who is strictly a case for Thurman Arnold, cornered five more NFL records in 1942 as he won the scoring championship for the third straight season. It was no more a contest than the race for honors for receiving, which Hutson has monopolized for the last two years. The veteran Green Bay end froze out all of his competitors by scoring twice as many point as his nearest rival, Ray McLean of the Chicago Bears. McLean finished with 54, Hutson with 138. The mere winning of the scoring championship was a record in itself. No player had ever won three straight scoring titles, and only the redoubtable Dutch Clark had been able to finish first that many times. But with his typical leisurely indifference, Hutson added new records for touchdowns scored on forward passes (17), total touchdowns (17) and extra points in one season (33). Together with a field goal that gave him 138 points, also a new record. Previous highs for touchdown passes was ten, total touchdowns 12 and total points, 95, all of which Hutson set in 1941. The former record for most extra points in a season was 28, established by Automatic Jack Manders of the Bears, in 1934. These performances served to put Hutson's three lifetime scoring records farther beyond the reach of future
National leaguers. He now has caught 72 touchdown passes, scored 74 touchdowns and brought his total points for eight seasons to 524. Two big days on consecutive weekends were the deciding factors in his touchdown records. Against the Chicago Cardinals on Nov. 1 and the Cleveland Rams on Nov. 8, he lugged three passes over the goal line. This brought to six the number of times he has scored three times on passes against one opponent. Hutson kicked six extra points against the Chicago Cardinals on Nov. 1 to give him a total of 24 points for the day, the second largest ever scored by a National league player...MCLEAN CATCHES EIGHT: McLean, rapidly developing the only approach to Hutson's receiving ability in football, caught eight touchdown passes and returned a punt 89 yards against the Chicago Cardinals on Oct. 11 to nose out his teammate, All-League fullback Gary Famiglietti, for second place. Famiglietti smashed over enemy goal lines eight times to lead the league in touchdowns running. He was followed by two other Bears, rookie Frank Maznicki , who added 21 extra points to two touchdowns and four field goals for 45 points, and Hugh Gallaraneau, recently commissioned a lieutenant in the marines, who scored seven touchdowns. Team scoring slumped off slightly, ten clubs totaling 1,747 points in 55 league games against 1,812 in 1941. There were only 129 touchdowns scored by rushing. In 1941, National leaguers produced 144 times through this method. This deficit, however, was made up by 108 touchdowns by passing, against 100 the previous season. The Chicago Bears retained the team scoring championship with a total of 376 points and set a record for extra points by kicking 46. Washington rang up a new mark for safeties, scoring two. The only other team record was established by Green bay, which bettered its old mark of 20 touchdown passes, set in 1938. Led by Hutson, the Packer went over 28 times via the air. The Bears also broke the old record, scoring 21 times on passes.
TURNER BEST PASS STEALER
FEB 19 (Chicago) - Clyde (Bulldog) Turner, the Chicago Bears 235-pound center, turned out to be the best patrolman in the NFL passing traffic in 1942 - intercepting eight enemy tossers to establish a record. In the Bears' last game of the season, Turner filched a pass thrown by Bud Schwenk of the Chicago Cardinals to beat out the league's most consistent record-wrecker, Don Hutson. The Green Bay Packer star was in for several steals and may have made another had he not seen only limited action in his last game against Pittsburgh because of an injury. Art Jones of Pittsburgh and Marshall Goldberg of the Cardinals jointly held the interception record of seven, notching that mark in 1941...RUNS BACK 42 YARDS: Turner's longest runback of an interception was 42 yards against the Cardinals Oct. 11, and it have him his only touchdown of the season, official league statistics showed today. O'Neal Adams, New York Giant rookie, was credited with the longest return, going 66 yards for a score against Washington Sept. 27, in the only game the National championship Redskins lost. Passing accuracy was slightly improved in 1942, with only 9.7 percent of all passes thrown in league games being intercepted as compared with 9.9 percent the previous season. Only seven interceptions were returned for touchdowns in 1942, against a record total of 10 in 1941.
JOE LAWS THIRD BEST PASSER BY MAKING TWO OUT OF THREE
FEB 23 (Green Bay) - Things you might have missed in the NFL's batch of 1942 statistics - Joe Laws, aging Green Bay Packer halfback, was the third-best passer in the league - in percentage. Joe completed two out of three passes for a percentage of. 667. He gained 76 yards in the two completions and the longest, 62 yards, for a touchdown. The league had two perfect pitchers - Merle Hapes of the New York Giants and Len Janiak of the Cleveland Rams. Janiak threw one pass and completed it for 11 yards and 1.000, while Hapes completed two out of two tosses but lost 12 yards in the attempts. Anyway, Laws set some sort of a goal for the league's aerial champ, Cecil Isbell, to shoot at...Believe it or not, those poor Detroit Lions, who didn't win a game all year, shared a "championship" with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Both teams made all of their points after touchdown. Detroit only scored five touchdowns and Brooklyn 13. The Packers missed points after touchdown only twice after their 41 touchdowns...Green Bay and the Chicago Cardinals turned in the best performances in field goal kicking, each making five out of ten attempts. New York and Pittsburgh each tried 16 field goals, and each made three...Champ Seibold, the Oshkosh giant who played with the Packers several years back and who last year made a comeback with the Cardinals, was the only tackle to score a touchdown last fall. He did it against the Bears by intercepting a pass. Seibold was one of 45 players who scored one touchdown last season...Perry Schwartz of Brooklyn and the Packers' Hutson were the only pass receivers who gained over 70 yards in any one reception. Hutson picked one off for a 73-yard gain against the Cards and Schwartz snagged a pass for 71 yards. Eight players bettered 60 or more yards in a single catch, one of which was a 64-yard gain by Andy Uram in the Card game...The Cardinals favored neither passing nor rushing last season, scoring six times by each method for their dozen touchdowns. On the other hand, Pittsburgh was definitely rushing minded, counting 21 T.D.'s by rushing and only two by passing. The Packers were up in the air most of the time, scoring 28 times in the ozone and only 13 by rushing.
RED SMITH TO COACH BREWERS BALL CLUB
MAR 5 (Green Bay) - Richard (Red) Smith, manager of the Green Bay Bluejays for the last two seasons and long identified with baseball as a player, coach and manager, has been signed as a coach by the Milwaukee Brewers for the 1943 season. Contracts of nine Green Bay players also went to the Brewers, although it is unlikely that any of them will engage in professional baseball this year because of the war. Eight already are in uniform and the ninth is a reserve who is likely to be called for service soon...REPORTS IN APRIL: Smith said that he probably will report for work with the Milwaukee club sometime in April. He will be relieved of his duties in time next fall so that he may continue to serve as line coach for the Green Bay Packers. For the last several months he has been assistant director at the Columbus Community club. Becoming manager of the Bluejays in 1941, Smith carried the club to the Wisconsin State league championship. He had another strong team last year, finishing only one game behind the first-place Sheboygan club...LONG WITH BREWERS: Smith has been identified with the Brewers since 1936, although during the last two years he served only during the spring training period. In 1936 he was the Brewers' catcher for part of the season, and finished as manager of the Fieldale farm club. The next two seasons he was manager at Hopkinsville, another farm team, and in 1939 he was in Milwaukee all season as coach. The following year he returned as coach, but spent part of his time with the Brewer farm system.
NATIONAL FOOTBALL CIRCUIT TO DRAFT PLAYERS IN CHICAGO
MAR 5 (Chicago) - The player draft will highlight the annual business meeting of the NFL here April 6-8. The draft originally was scheduled last December, but postpones because of wartime uncertainties. The delay has given club owners in the professional league additional time to survey the field and determine what collegiate gridders will be available next fall. Other important matters to be discussed are the 1943 schedule and rules revisions. Commissioner Elmer Layden recently conferred with War Manpower Commissioner Paul V. McNutt and Defense Transportation Director Joseph B. Eastman and will report the outcome of those meetings to the league.
DUNN, BLOOD ONCE SCORED T.D. ON 140-YARD PLAY AFTER PUNT
MAR 11 (Green Bay) - Did you ever hear about the Red Dunn-Johnny Blood 140-yard touchdown play? Probably not, because it happened in Providence, R.I., back in 1929 after the Green Bay Packers had sewed up their National league championship. Dunn and Blood stood on their own 20 at opposite sides of of the field waiting to take a Providence punt, according to Spike Spachmann, former Packer ticket manager who saw the game?...
WATCHING SCENERY?: The long punt came to Dunn who ran up the sidelines to the Packers' 40, where he stopped and passed diagonally across the field to Blood who stayed on his own 20, apparently to watch the scenery. With the Providence gridders on Dunn's side of the field, Blood ran unmolested down his sideline for 80 yards and a touchdown. That makes a total of about 140 yards. The Packers won the game, 28 to 0. Incidentally, Blood, now a private at Chanute field, kept on running and went clear up the side of a banked motorcycle track which circled the field. He made gestures on his way down the track...HUTSON IN INDIA: Don Hutson of the Packers made "Victory", a publication for the India Command, writes Lieutenant A.M. Lison to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Alfred M. Lison, 126 S. Madison street. The paper comments: "Seems silly for a guy to risk life and limb butting through a wall of human flesh just to gain five yards when Hutson gets 20 yards catching a pass with nobody around. He is the biggest single drawing card in the game today. People exclaim that all Hutson can do is catch passes. Wrong. But he can do that better than any man who ever lived."...WORK AND PLAY: Sturgeon Bay and Manitowoc provide an excellent "working grounds" for the 1943 Green Bay Packers - if they are required to work during the day and practice at night. S.B. has regular bus service, too...REAL OLDTIMER: During the 1942 season end Joe Carter of the Green Bay Packers carried the distinction of being the only charter member of the Philadelphia Eagles still playing. 32 or over, Carter played with the Eagles since they entered the National league in 1933. He led the league in pass receiving in 1934.
PLAYER DRAFT CAN'T BE MUCH WORSE FOR BAYS THIS YEAR
MAR 16 (Green Bay) - The 1943 NFL draft to be held in Chicago April 6, 7 and 8 couldn't be much worse for the Green Bay Packers than the 1942 draft. Coach Curly Lambeau selected 20 players a year ago and got just one - Bob Ingalls, University of Michigan center. Ingalls is a private in the air corps at Atlantic City, N.J. The '43 draft is expected to be nothing more than a formality. In many instances, selections will be made only to establish property rights for the athletes when the war is over. Each coach, however, is expected to carry briefcases with notes on scores of players who are married and have children...Sergeant Bob Adkins, former Packer blocking back, writes Mrs. Sue L. Wallen that he has received a package from the Sullivan Post, American Legion. He adds "thanks and I am making good use of everything."...Don Hutson was the only Packer scoring in all three departments of play last season. He scored 17 touchdowns, kicked 33 extra points and booted one field goal in the final game. Rookie fullback Ted Fritsch was the only other Packer to boot a field goal, kicking four of them. He added one extra point but failed to score a touchdown...Chuck Sample went through a bruising NFL season as a Packer fullback and came out with nary a scratch. One week at Camp Grant, Ill., and he had a broken ankle, receiving while sauntering about the military premises...Coach Curly Lambeau is considering a survey among his 1942 Packers in order to get a line on their intentions for next season. Thus far, the results are encouraging with a number of the gridders planning to return next fall.
ROHRIG REACHED PEAK WHILE PLAYING WITH ARMY ALL-STARS
MAR 23 (Green Bay) - Although Herman Rohrig was a standout in prep, collegiate and professional football, the second lieutenant at Kessler field, Miss., claims he did not reach his peak last fall when he played with Major Wallace Wade's Western Army All-Stars. Rohrig, a left halfback with the Packers in 1941, operated with John Kimbrough and a raft of other stars with Wade's team for what could be called his second "pro" season. The All Stars played only professional opponents. With Nebraska, Rohrig tossed a 40-yard touchdown pass against Stanford in the Rose bowl and carried a kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown against Missouri...Charley Brock, Packer center who is well known for his famous ball theft in the Chicago Cardinals game last fall, may help coach spring football at Nebraska. Guard Buckets Goldenberg is now showing Milwaukeeans something about handball in physical education classes there, which should qualify him as a jack of all trades. Buckets, in his day, has played football, baseball and competed in track; sold real estate; wrestled in the pro ring; managed an investment company; and more recently opened a restaurant...'Tis said that Don Hutson would not be here today if he had not caught the touchdown pass that beat the Chicago Bears here in 1935 on the first play of the game. Coach Curly Lambeau was said to have told Hutson to keep right on running out of the stadium if he failed. And Hutson was running toward the west gate, too, when he snared Arnie Herber's 70-yard peg for the T.D...Guard Russ Letlow has completed boot training at Great Lakes and in all probability will be available to play on the Great Lakes eleven next fall. Tony Canadeo of the Naval Air corps will get his pre-flight training at Monmouth college. Private Pete Tinsley of the U.S. Army is losing weight at Miami Beach, Fla.
BAYS DRAW $2.96 FROM EACH FAN AT TILT WITH ARMY
MAR 31 (Green Bay) - Chalk up another "victory" for the Green Bay Packers. They drew $2.96 from each of the 14,146 persons attending the Western All-Star game in Milwaukee last fall, an average higher than for any other club in the National league, according to simple division of official figures released by the league office. Of gross receipts of $48,450.35, a total of $41,918.46 was paid to the Army Relief Fund. A total of $3,144.40 was taken out for taxes and the remainder for bare expenses. Although some of the other Army Relief games involving league teams contributed more than $41,918.46, the per customer gift was surprisingly low in comparison with the Packer figure. For instance, the 34,355 persons attending the Brooklyn Dodger-Eastern Army game contributed $46,093.05 or an average of only $1.34, or $1.62 less than the Packer figure...50,962 PAY $1: Take the Washington-Western Star game at Los Angeles which drew 50,963 persons. The amount to army relief was $52,873.74 or slightly over $1 per person. one case, War Relief got less than $1 per head. The New York-Army tussle at New York packed in 33,105 persons but only $20,615 for an average of nearly 63 cents per fan. The Giants' second game, at Syracuse, did better as 29,294 person contributed $49,549 for an average of just over $1.60. And Coach Curly Lambeau wasn't fooling last fall when he stated that expenses for the Army game would be cut to rock bottom. Let's figure the expenses for the eight games by deducting the taxes plus the Army Relief total from the gross receipts...BAY EXPENSES LOW: The Packers' expenses of $3,387.49 were the absolute low. Next were the New York game at Syracuse which cost the Giants $4,476.90. Other expense figures: New York at New York, $51,796.05; Bears at Boston, $28,476.87; Washington at Los Angeles, $27,222.23; Detroit at Detroit, $13,258.74; Brooklyn at Baltimore, $10,342.45; Chicago Cardinals at Denver, $9,975.79. In all, the league contributed $324,133.94 from the eight games attended by a total of 240,833. Other relief games like the College All-Star tilt and the Pro Bowl battle resulted in a relief melon of $514,671.46. The grand total raised for relief is $680,384.07. Here's another feather in the Packer hat:...BEST BOND EFFORT: The outstanding item in bond sales, which totaled approximately $4,000,000 at league games and rallies, is credited to Coach Curly Lambeau and his passing combination, Cecil Isbell and Don Hutson, who received a treasury citation for selling $2,100,000 worth in a single night's rally in Milwaukee.
PRO GRIDMEN ENROLLED AT M.U. MEDICAL SCHOOL
APR 1 (Milwaukee) - Paul Berezney, a tackle with the Green Bay Packers last year, and Bill Combs, Philadelphia Eagles end, are students at the Marquette university school of medicine. Both are reserves in the armed forces. Berezney a lieutenant in the medical administrative corps of the Army and Combs an engineer in the Navy.
PACKERS FIELD TO BE PLOWED UP!
APR 1 (Green Bay) - After heated discussion last night, the city council voted to plow under the Packer football field for use as a community victory garden this summer. Plowmen began to turn the sod this morning, and by Friday it is expected the field will be ready for cultivation. A woman's committee by noon today had secured a list of 47 women's groups who will form the first vanguard of Gridiron Gardeners. Councilmen decided to convert City stadium from football to food because of the acute shortage of both fresh and canned vegetables. At first Joannes or Fisk park were considered as sites, but proponents gave way when it was pointed out that the ticket windows will make ideal outlets both for handing out work assignments and distributing the produce. In addition, the high walls will keep out marauders...WHAT'S A LITTLE TILE: Conversion of the field to a garden will force the Green Bay Packers to use the West High stadium as a practice field, a shift which football spokesmen said they would gladly make in the interests of victory. It does not affect the Packer game schedule, however, as the corporation had earlier decided to play games this season only before army and navy camps. Chief council opponents of the measure to convert the field to food said that plowing will destroy the tile foundation on which the sod is laid, and which was put in at some cost. However, as proponents argued, what is tile when the city needs carrots. In addition, a 23rd ward councilman pointed out that salvage from the field can go into the tile collection campaign which will open next week to gather badly needed material from the Sturgeon Bay housing project...THERE'S A WAR ON: News of the city's latest sacrifice for war shocked Green Bay citizen when they heard it this morning. However, when they got into first shock, most admitted the wisdom of turning turfs into turnips and other needed articles. Leaders of the movement plan to turn the shower room into dressing compartments and lockers for the football farmerettes and others who will care for the crops. It is expected that the shifts of clubhouse women will do the bulk of the work in view of the shortage in manpower. In the fall produce will roll out through ticket windows and stadium gates as those who believe in Lirpa Loof stand in line to call for their beets at the box office. Those who wish to volunteer for gardening on the gridiron are advised to get their hoes sharpened up for today is - April Fool!
APRIL FOOL GAGS BROUGHT MANY LAUGHS AND THRILLS TO CITY
APR 2 (Green Bay) - Green Bay citizens fell for the Press-Gazette's Lirpa Loof gags Thursday - hook, line and sinker. The comment on the Packer field yarn was almost unbelievable; the city's girls were preparing to welcome a battalion of six-foot soldiers at that imaginary camp off the Cedar Creek road; and scores of persons were wondering where in Sam Hill is Sir C. Sandwich Hamm. It be wise to explain Lirpa Loof before someone starts to connect Mr. Loof hook, line and sinker. Lirpa Loof is April Fool spelled backward, and this story is designed as an explanation for a lot of shocked Green Bayites. The Packer field plow up hoax really took the cake. It was splattered under a picture of a farmer behind horses and plow, slicing up City stadium grass. It was said that the city council had just voted to plow up the field and use it for a community victory garden but of course there had been no such action...ZIMONICK GAVE HAND: The trick photography employed was the secret of success because more than one person interviewed on the street commented that "it's a shame to cut up a the field like that", or some similar statement. Most citizens admitted they were "darned mad" about the whole thing. Few of them noticed that a 23rd ward councilman was involved in the council voting. It can be revealed that there are only 22 wards in the city. What made it 'worse" was that the April Fool part of the story was "jumped" onto Page two. In their hurry, disgust and despair, many readers didn't turn the page. They just shook their heads, said, "Well, I'll be ---". and looked at the picture again. Now about that trick photography. Clarence Bredell, Press-Gazette photographer, went to the Zimonick Brothers trucking garden and snapped a hired hand plowing up a piece of land. It was all "fixed" up since Mr. Zimonick isn't ready to plow yet. Bredell loaded his camera again and drive two miles to City stadium where he 'shot" the field and East stands from the northwest corner. From the negatives he developed the prints. The horse farmer, his plow and the part that was plowed up was cut out of the print - 'twas like cutting out paper dolls - and pasted onto the print of the stadium. The plate was engraved from the "double" picture and that's what you saw on Page 1 Thursday night...LAMBEAU GOT A JOLT: Coach Curly Lambeau got a jolt when he grabbed the Press, but quickly survived when he got to thinking about it. In fact, Lambeau said he had a hard time convincing people that the field wasn't going to be plowed up; "they thought I was pulling an April Fool joke." Another "error" besides the 23rd ward councilman, deliberately put in the story was that the "city council voted to convert the area into a garden." It would be up to the board of education to say yes or no to cutting up the field and forming the Gridiron Gardeners.
MANDEL OBJECTS TO FREEZING OF PRO FRANCHISES
APR 3 (New York) - The NFL will start a three-day meeting in Chicago Tuesday to decide what's what for next fall. And indications are that the answer for most clubs will be "football is what". Three or four clubs have hinted that they'd like to suspend for the duration but Prexy Jack Mara of the Giants figures that if the others vote to play, the lukewarm gents will string along with them. Otherwise the word is that the franchise likely will be "frozen" and the remaining players distributed among the other clubs. What's more interesting, Mara said, will be to see whether the clubs draft college players for this season or pick the big name guys in hope that they'll still be available after the war...OPTIMISTIC NOTE: Still quoting Mara: "From what we have heard, there will be a good many football players next fall - boys in the various reserves who don't expect to be called until December or January and those who have been deferred. As long as we can get eleven men (maybe just a few more, eh, Jack) and the other guys can get eleven they'll be football at the Polo Grounds. Maybe we'll have to put a call out before the games and get some of those old A-1 Americans or old Monday morning quarterbacks in the stands to come and help us."...CONTROVERSIAL NOTE: Very much agin' freezing franchises is owner Fred Mandel of the Detroit Lions. "Unless the owners are in some branch of the armed forces," he says, "I feel that the franchise should be taken up. If a club quits because it hasn't the fortitude to take a losing season financially, or hasn't the aggressiveness to dig up the players, I think it should forfeit its right to play in the league."
LAMBEAU TO TAKE 500 NAMES TO CHICAGO SESSION NEXT WEEK
APR 3 (Green Bay) - Coach Curly Lambeau's famous briefcase will be loaded with the names of 500 prospective Green Bay Packer footballers when he goes to Chicago next week for the annual spring meeting of the NFL. There's a catch, though. Four hundred of the names represent boys who are in service or will be eligible for Uncle Sam's activity next fall, the time the National league will start its own form of activity...25 YEARS OLD: Of the remaining 100 gridders, Lambeau expects to gather up enough boys to form the "silver" edition of the Packers. It will be 25 years ago that Lambeau collected a crowd of boys and launched pro football in Green Bay. The coach expects to salvage about 15 players from the 1942 team. Complete historical data has been obtained on each of the 500 boys. Chief items of interest to Lambeau are their previous experience and status in the draft. About 70 percent of the players are married and about half of them have children. Lambeau isn't asking for any signatures yet. "We'll wait until after the meeting and see where we stand." If the go-ahead signal is flashed, Lambeau said he'd have some of the new boys under contract "very soon". In previous years, the gridders were signed shortly after they were drafted...DRAFT A FORMALITY: Incidentally, the draft at the Chicago meeting will be nothing more than a formality, chiefly to give the various teams player rights. Just about all of the 1942 collegiate stars are in service. A report by Commissioner Elmer Layden on his recent visit to Washington where he conferred with Paul V. McNutt and other officials is expected to be a highlight of the meeting. Since his trip to Washington, Layden has said that the league will operate next fall. Lambeau believes that no rule changes will be made, except possibly a new ruling on substitution. A member of the league's rule committee, Lambeau thinks unlimited substitution would make a more colorful and faster game. It would also give "older" players more opportunity to rest themselves...DRAW UP SCHEDULE: League officials will also draw up the 1943 schedule, although all of the teams know already who their opponents will be under the league's schedule setup. The Packers, for instance, will play host to the Washington Redskins, Brooklyn Dodgers and Philadelphia Eagles next fall. They also will play home-and-home series with teams in the Western division - Chicago Bears, Chicago Cardinals, Detroit and Cleveland. Previous to 1933, when the National league divided into its present Eastern and Western divisions, the schedule-making representatives had a merry time jockeying around in the effort to secure the most advantageous setup for each season. Now each team in each section must play its co-members twice during the season, home-and-home. It is then up to the individual clubs to book the other three games with any of the five in the other division. The latter are rotated.
NATIONAL FOOTBALL EXECUTIVES MEET IN CHICAGO
APR 5 (Chicago) - Executive of the NFL will go into a huddle here Tuesday to make plans for the professional game's kickoff of 1943. The three-day annual meeting, probably the most important in the league's 23-year history because of wartime difficulties, will decide for certain how to carry on this year. Commissioner Elmer Layden reiterated that ten teams will take the field and that the usual 55-game schedule will be played. Problems to be tackles include the annual players draft, which was postponed from last December, and ratification of the 1943 schedule.
GRID PROS WILL PLAY; LAYDEN TELLS PARLEY
APR 6 (Chicago) - "We can and will play football next fall," optimistically declared Elmer Layden, league president, as owners and coaches of the NFL assembled here Tuesday for a three day discussion of war created problems. "Pro football still has to be shown," he said, "that it cannot continue in the face of whatever demands selective service or the war in general make upon it." "It's not going to be easy, I know," he added. "Our easy source of playing material, college football, is gone for the duration. We're going to have to work to get players and prepare our teams for the schedule. And we can do it." Layden said there were certainly enough 3-A players available "somewhere in the country" to allow each club a workable minimum in 1943. He said that even under an accelerated selective service schedule not all players would necessarily be taken by fall. Reports continued to persist, as the league's executive committee convened Monday as a prelude to the league meeting, that two or four clubs would disband and ask that their territorial rights be "frozen" for the duration. Layden staunchly maintained, however, that he had not been notified officially that any league members intended to fold. With the manpower problem the chief concern, it was regarded as almost certain that the player limit would be reduced from 33, probably to 25. To permit full use of the limited material, it was also considered certain that the rules committee would recommend adoption of the free substitution rule. The agenda originally called for the player draft on Tuesday, but Fred Mandel of the Detroit Lions sought postponement until Thursday. Mandel attempted last week to get the player draft postponed indefinitely, but was defeated in a telephonic poll. The Lions owner's ostensible reason for the postponement was the illness of his new coach, Gus Dorais. Dorais is at his Detroit home recuperating from a skull fracture. There was no assurance, however, that he would be able to come here Thursday either. Thus the move generally was construed as one designed to stall the draft until after a general business meeting at which time all clubs would be forced to "show their hands" by making clear cut statements of their operating intentions in 1943.
PLAYERS DON'T WORRY LAMBEAU
APR 6 (Chicago Tribune) - Manpower shortage in pro football? Banish the thought, declared Curly Lambeau, the old warrior from Green Bay, last night as he prepared to participate in the NFL's three day get together starting today. Lambeau, with gray building up at the temples, has been in pro football since he was a boy. His contemporary of those early days, Lt. Comm. George Halas of the Chicago Bears, has detached himself from navy duties long enough to participate in the league's important discussions. But Lambeau is the dean of the active pro gents. "As I look at it," said Curly, "we had our big problem last year after losing 18 of our players. Well, somehow or other we got over that hurdle and managed to have a pretty fair team. Sure, we have our troubles, but for the Packers, 1942 was a tough year." The war is a challenge to pro football, says the master of the forward pass offense. "Well, our roster looked pretty sad this time a year ago," reminisced Curly. "Something had to be done. Someone told me about a fellow named Bob Flowers who was working in California, but who had been quite a center at Texas Tech. Well, I got Bob. We went to Baltimore for an exhibition game with the Washington Redskins. One of our players played 60 minutes. You guessed it - he was Bob Flowers. He'd been out of football for two years, but he got right back in the groove in a hurry. We had another example. Fred Vant Hull had been quite a ball player at Minnesota, but none of the pro teams had gone out of their way to line him up. With this player shortage staring at us, we jumped at the chance to give the boy a chance. When the season ended he was one of our best tackles, and he had been out of football for two seasons." Lambeau, a year ago, went through what many of the league clubs will be experiencing for the first time. He ridiculed any expression that the league can't find 250 to 300 ablebodied athletes and carry on with an exposition of pro football. "A lot of good boys like Flowers and Vant Hull slipped away from us," he declared. "A football player might be a trifle rusty after a two or three year layoff, but he'll come back quicker than you think. There are any number of Flowers and Vant Hulls who'll welcome the chance to play. It's up to us to find 'em." The master of the Packers almost is convinced that Don Hutson, his all-time all-league end, really means to retire. But he isn't crying. He's waiting for the results of this meeting before putting any pressure to get another typical Green Bay team.
NATIONAL GRID LOOP MAY OPERATE WITH ONLY SIX CLUBS NEXT FALL
APR 7 (Green Bay) - Coach Curly Lambeau of the Green Bay Packers today indicated that six clubs - three in each division - may operate in the NFL in 1943. In a long-distance call to Green Bay from the league's annual spring meeting at the Palmer House in Chicago this morning, Lambeau said there is a strong possibility that one or two more clubs may drop out. Cleveland decided to quit for the duration late Tuesday afternoon...MERGE TWO TEAMS: Remaining clubs would be Green Bay, Chicago Bears and Detroit in the Western division, and New York, Washington, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh in the Eastern section. To make three clubs in the east, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh would merge. If six clubs form the league, the teams would play a home-and-home basis, Lambeau believed. The league is expected to vote on this possibility late today. The annual draft will be held at 10 o'clock Thursday morning. Lambeau described Cleveland's move to quit as "a healthy situation," although he added that none of the owners and coaches wanted to see the Rams in the background. The Packer coach added that Cleveland's move cleared the way for "a smaller but more effective league."...VOTE FREE SUBSTITUTION: Lambeau, a member of the league's rules committee, said the group unanimously voted free substitution for next season. It was the only rule change, and all other rules were "frozen" for the duration. The league is expected to approve free substitution late today. The player limit will be up for vote today or late Tuesday.
BIG PROBLEMS CONFRONT PROS
APR 7 (Chicago) - With the Cleveland Rams a wartime casualty, the NFL's future was clouded by the possibility other clubs might drop out long before the 1943 schedule is inaugurated next September. Cleveland petitioned to suspend "for the duration" Tuesday and league officials countered by giving the Rams permission to drop out for the coming season. The Cleveland club must notify the league by March 1, 1944, of its future intentions. An extension of the suspension order can be obtained upon request. The withdrawal of the Rams immediately multiplied the league's problems. President Elmer Layden had a schedule drawn and was to submit it for approval today. However, the playing card must now be revised completely, and he doubted if the new chart could be ready for study at the present meeting...PARTICIPATE IN DRAFT: Despite dropping out of the league, Cleveland will go through with its participation in the player draft Thursday, but its title to the 20 college seniors it selects will be short-lived. The players the Rams select in the draft, coupled with 90 on the reserve list and 28 on the active list, immediately will be out up for grabs by the remaining nine clubs. Layden announced the following method would be used for distribution of the accumulated Cleveland talent: The names of all players on the active, reserved and drafted list will be placed in a hat. Then from another hat the clubs will select numbers from one to nine to determine the order in which the Rams gridders will be drawn. Players known to be in the armed services will be scratched from the Cleveland lists before selections are made...AVAILABLE TO PLAY: Coach Chile Walsh of the Rams estimated "that between 14 and 15 players on the active list remain available for play next season" but be declined to divulge names of those performers. "I do not believe it would be fair to the clubs to divulge this information," he said. Walsh said the suspension action wasn't a surprise to him. "I was well aware of the situation when I signed my coaching contract a month ago," he said. "My contract contains a war clause, but I anticipate that I will remain with the Rams until all necessary work is completed." Reeves and Levy gained control of the Rams on July 1, 1941 when they purchased franchise from Homer Marshman. The latter had paid $10,000 for a new franchise in the league in 1937...NEVER A WINNER: The Rams never had a winning team during the six-year tenure in the league. The best mark was five victories, five losses and a tie in 1939. Last season the club finished seventh in the standings with five triumphs and six losses. Cleveland's withdrawal focused attention on the difficulties the league faces, and while its lead was not followed immediately, four other club owners were known to be skeptical of their ability to operate. They were not "stampeded" into withdrawing along with the Rams because, as one official explained, "it is a long time before any money has to be placed on the table to indicate you mean business. You can play cards for a long time as long as every draw in the game is a free one."
PRO LEAGUE REDUCES PLAYER LIMIT TO 25
APR 7 (Chicago) - Club owners of the NFL cut the player limit today from 33 to 25 to meet manpower difficulties and voted to permit free substitution of players for the 1943 season against the wishes of most of the coaches. Elmer Layden, commissioner, said man mileage would be reduced 37 percent by adoption of the 25 player limit a cut in the schedule from 55 to 45 games, agreed upon tonight. Each team will meet the other eight clubs and, in addition, will play two other contests with traditional rivals for a total of 10 games. A rough draft of the revised schedule failed to satisfy the owners, however, and Layden was commissioner to submit it later for approval by mail. Reduction of the player limit brought about the change in the substitution rule. Coaches argues against making the rule permanent and were of the opinion that it was against the best interests of the professional game. In agreeing to reduce the player limit some of the club owners said they did not believe any of the nine teams would be able to carry 25 players throughout the season. Curly Lambeau, coach and part-owner of the Green Bay Packers, said, however, that he was of the opinion that he could muster at least 150 players if necessary. Charles (Gus) Dorais, new coach of the Detroit Lions, will be unable to attend tomorrow's draft session, at which 200 graduating collegians will be selected. Dorais has been undergoing hospital treatment in Detroit for a skull fracture and his physician refused him permission to make the trip. Although the Cleveland Rams have dropped out for the duration, their coach, Charles (Chili) Walsh, will be retained on full salary.
NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE CONDUCTS DRAFT OF MANPOWER TODAY; 1,000 COLLEGIANS LISTED
APR 8 (Chicago) - The NFL plunged its annual player draft Thursday morning. Off giant blackboards carrying approximately 1,000 names, each of the clubs set about to establish negotiating rights with 20 men. In a normal year the draft list included only about 400 names. The urgency of the times, however, and the need for manpower to keep the league operating influenced the officials to expand the list. Although he is already in the marines, coaches were virtually unanimous in the belief that Frankie Sinkwich, star of Georgia's Rose bowl eleven, would be the No. 1 to be drafted. It was believed most clubs would take several big name stars for "window dressing" purposes, then settle down to draw performers who might be on hand for use next fall. The draft has been postponed twice. It was originally scheduled for last December but delayed because of "uncertain conditions." Rescheduled for Tuesday it was put off until Thursday at the request of Fred Mandel, owner of the Detroit Lions. Mandel sought the delay in the hope his newly appointed coach, Gus Dorais, would be able to attend. Dorais, recovering from a skull fracture, has been forbidden by his physician, however, to make the trip here. Detroit, which lost 11 straight games last season to finish in the league cellar, got first choice. Philadelphia, the Chicago Cardinals Brooklyn, Cleveland, New York, Pittsburgh, Green Bay, Chicago Bears and Washington followed the Lions. Although Cleveland will not operate next season, it was permitted to participate in the draft. The players the Rams select, plus those now on its active and reserve lists, then will be distributed among the nine other league members.
PACKERS GET ADAMS, RAM TACKLE, AT DRAFT MEETING
APR 9 (Chicago) - Coach Curly Lambeau of the Green Bay Packers left here today with the makings of a powerful line - designed to operate with the Isbell-Hutson combination - and a handsome schedule setup for the 1943 season. Lambeau's "making" centered about Chet Adams, the 235-pound (married) tackle of the Cleveland Rams. The Bay coach drew Adams' number out of a hat containing names of the suspended Cleveland roster. A four-year veteran, Adams stands six feet three, and lists "special investigator" as his job. Lambeau's first choice in the NFL draft, held at the closing meeting at the Palmer house Thursday, was Dick Wildung, All-American tackle from the University of Minnesota...SELECT 19 LINEMAN: The Packer coach selected 19 linemen, indicating that he intends to put a powerful forward wall on the field next fall. He named three University of Wisconsin linemen: Dick Thornally, tackle, Lloyd Wasserbach, center, and George Makris, guard. The league will adopt a schedule at a place to be named later. In final sessions Thursday, the circuit abolished the home-and-home game rules and adopted a rule whereby every club must play one extra game with a team in its own division. Lambeau indicated that three clubs may discontinue operations before the June meeting. If six clubs play, the league will operate on a home-and-home basis, however. The "for sure" teams are Green Bay, New York, Washington, Detroit, Chicago Bears and either the Chicago Cardinals or a combination of the Pittsburgh and Philadelphia clubs...DRAWS MIKE HOLOVAK: Lambeau was elated over drawing Mike Holovak, great Boston college fullback, out of the Cleveland hat. Holovak was Cleveland's first choice in the draft. Other former Rams selected by the Packers are Jim Shepherd, Oregon; Bert Davis, Utah, and Dick Kieppe, Michigan State. The presence of one "corn college" player in a bevy of All-America stars drawn in the first five rounds of the league's draft served to jolt the gridiron experts. The "unknown" who popped up among the "big name" stars was Irv Comp from little St. Benedict college at Atchison, Kas., who was the second choice of the Bays...LAMBEAU PULL SURPRISE: While other teams in the pro circuit were scrambling for talented backs, Lambeau pulled the surprise of the draft meeting by picking Comp. He indicated his anxiousness to obtain Comp by signing him before the draft meeting, losing him by a league ruling and then regaining him through draft channels. Comp is a 205-pound Milwaukee boy. He attended the University of Wisconsin for part of his freshman year and then transferred to St. Benedict where he played four seasons under a pair of former Notre Dame stars, Don Elser and Marty Peters. Elser and Peters were the ones who "tipped" Lambeau, himself a former Irish star, on Comp's ability. When Lambeau investigated the gridder, he found portly Steve Owen of the New York Giants also on his trail. Comp, currently working in a defense plant, considered both offers and then agreed to sign with the Packers...COMP WAS "EXPOSED": Lambeau went into the draft meeting gloating over his good fortune, but his optimism was short-lived as President Elmer Layden ruled Comp had not been "exposed" to a draft period and therefore had to be put up for "grabs". While that was a jolt it didn't stop Lambeau for long. He picked Wildung as his first player and then took Comp on the second round. Comp figures to be available for football next fall. He is 4-F because of a serious defect in his vision. Wildung was the only lineman chosen on the first round of the draft. The other nine teams picked backfield men...300 PLAYERS DRAFTED: A total of 300 players, in contrast to the
to have a big year in view of the fact that he made a good showing as a freshman here last season. Paul, a student at the Marquette university medical school, weighs 220 pounds and stands six feet, two inches tall. Married and the father of a daughter, Berezney played to years with the Kenosha Cardinals after graduating from Fordham university. With the Cardinals, he earned money to continue his medical work at Marquette. Lambeau took a liking to Berezney's play during an exhibition game in Kenosha in 1941. Berezney was one of the "seven blocks of granite", as the Fordham university line of 1938 and 1939 was known. He was a teammate of Harry Jacunski, a former Packer who expects to return this year.
HAWAIIAN FLASH JOINS BAY PACKERS
JUL 20 (Green Bay) - Babe Webb, the flashy Hawaiian halfback, who was supposed to join the Green Bay Packers last season, has signed a contract for 1943 action. Webb, the third Packer under contract, wired Coach Curly Lambeau from Honolulu where he is employed with the news that "I'm going to make it this time." Webb could not get passage a year ago with the result that the Packers had Webb's contract but no Webb. The Hawaiian, who is believed to be on his way to the states now, will report for the opening practice Aug. 15. The former New Mexico star who was placed on the Border conference all-star team in 1939 was recommended last year by Red McQueen, sports editor of the Honolulu Advertiser. He had been playing with the Honolulu Bears, a semi-pro squad, and according to McQueen, Webb is the "sweetest running back I have ever seen." McQueen wrote Lambeau that Webb is interested in starting a professional football career. Lambeau feels that Webb should add considerable speed to the backfield. He goes 185 pounds, which is large for the average Hawaiian. Lambeau made his acquaintance with McQueen when the Packers played there in 1933. Lambeau was informed that Webb is a good passer. He undoubtedly will be one of the many players trying to fill the shoes left vacant by the resignation of Cecil Isbell, the front half of the Isbell-to-Hutson combination, who accepted a coaching position with Purdue university.;
HUTSON STILL CLAIMS THAT HE WILL RETIRE
JUL 21 (Green Bay) - Just about every big time athlete turns to golf when he retired - or is about to retire - from
his specialized sport. Babe Ruth, the Sultan of Swat, Joe Louis of boxing fame and a 101 others have picked up the clubs and retired to the links. This brings up the nationally known football pass catching and scoring champion - Don Hutson, by name. Hutson, who was 30 last December, has put in eight years of professional football with the Green Bay Packers; four years with the University of Alabama; and two years with Pine Bluff, Ark., High school - a total of 14 seasons of gridiron activity. If you haven't put two and two together, it might be explained that (1) Hutson is a golf addict, and (2) Hutson feels no different about retiring than one day last winter when he told the radio and newspapers that "1943 would be a good year to retire." The spectacular backstop was cornered Tuesday afternoon just before - you guessed it - leaving for a gold match. "Guess I cannot give you anything of a story," Hutson smiled as retirement, Cecil Isbell and many other questions were fired at him. "I certainly have no intentions of playing this fall, and feel the same as I did last winter when I told you after that radio talk that 1943 would be the year to retire."...GOOD PASSERS HELP: Hutson pointed out that he made up his mind long before it was announced that Isbell would join the Purdue university coaching staff, but added that any success he had on the gridiron was due largely to good passers like Isbell. The former (?) Packer intimated that he has played enough football. "Eight years is a mighty long time at an end or backfield position," he explained. And it might be added that Hutson dashes from 20 to 50 yards (average) every time the ball is snapped on offense - not to mention those 60, 70 and 80-yard touchdown runs. Under the new substitution rule, however, it can be pointed out that Hutson could be used only for offense. he could be inserted into action only when the Packers had the ball and removed on defense without a yardage penalty. President and manager of Don Hutson's Packer Playdium, Inc., the football star believes the loss of Isbell will be a tough blow to the Packers. "Cece is a great team player and would have held an inexperienced backfield together," he said...LEFT HALFBACK IMPORTANT: "A left halfback (Isbell's position) is as important to a football team as a pitcher is to a baseball team." Hutson said. And in Isbell's case, the similarity of the two positions is quite noticeable because Cece did all of the pitching. Retirement for Huston now would mean bowing out at the peak of his career. The Packer end broke something like 16 scoring and pass receiving records last fall. He was named the most valuable for the second straight season in 1942, and was again a unanimous choice for his position.
FORMER PACKERS DOING ALL RIGHT IN UNCLE SAM'S NAVY
JUL 21 (Green Bay) - Three former Green Bay Packer linemen are doing all right in the Navy. Lieut. (jg) George Svendsen, who played center and also coaches at Antigo, has been reported sent to sea on active duty. Gus Zarnas, a guard, has been commissioned an ensign and detached from Great Lakes for duty. Lieut. Milt Gantenbein, who played a lot of end for Wisconsin's Badgers before joining the Packers, has been transferred from the naval air station at Jacksonville to the base at Norman, Okla.
PACKERS HAVE TILTS AT HOME WITH BEARS, LIONS; PLAY REDSKINS, CARDS IN MILWAUKEE
JUL 22 (Green Bay) - Official word on the Green Bay Packers' home contests was released from Coach Curly Lambeau's office today just as the Packer mentor was going into a strategic huddle with his left halfback - Cecil Isbell. The Packers will play two NFL games in Green Bay and two of the same nature in Milwaukee. Guests at City stadium will be the Chicago Bears on Sept. 26 and the Detroit Lions on Oct. 10. Opposing the Bays at Milwaukee will be the champion Washington Redskins on Oct. 17 and the Chicago Cardinals on Nov. 14...OPEN LEAGUE PLAY: The Bear game will open
league action for both clubs, following the 1942 pattern when the Bears and Packers launched firing here Sept. 27. On Oct. 3, Lambeau's men will visit Chicago for a game with the Cardinals. This game, incidentally, will be the first pro league battle of the season in the Windy City. After the Oct. 10 and Oct. 17 dates with Detroit and Washington, the Packers go to Detroit and the Redskins, the Packers go to Detroit Oct. 24 and to New York Oct. 31. The classic Bear-Packer struggle in Chicago is set for Nov. 7. After the Card game in Milwaukee, the Bays close their season in the east - at Brooklyn on Nov. 21 and at Pitt-Phil Dec. 5. In order to save precious miles, the Packers will warm up in the east with two exhibition games, visiting Baltimore for a game with Washington Sept. 5 and Pittsburgh for a game with the combined Phil-Pitt team Sept. 12. The Pitt-Phil game was originally scheduled for Milwaukee Sept. 19. Under present plans the Packers will remain in the east for the two exhibitions...CHANGE ISBELL'S MIND: Lambeau is conducting conferences with Isbell, the Manitowoc merchant and, more recently, backfield coach at Purdue university, in an effort to get the shape passer to change his mind. Although realizing that Isbell has a great chance with Purdue, Lambeau feels that "Cece is making a mistake by leaving professional football at this time." Announcement of Isbell's position with Purdue was made at the Lafayette, Ind., school last week. Isbell, in a telephone conversation here, admitted that "I hated to get started in a coaching career." Isbell was a Purdue hero before coming to Green Bay five years ago. Both Isbell and his pass catcher, Don Hutson, hit the jackpot with the Packers last season, but Lambeau sees no reason why they cannot repeat their outstanding performances. Hutson announced Tuesday that he had no intentions of playing this fall. Lambeau thus far has three players under contract - Paul Berezney, a tackle, and backs Babe Webb and Irv Comp. Berezney will be starting his sophomore year here, although he put in two years with the Kenosha Cardinals after a great career at Fordham. Webb is the Hawaiian star who was supposed to report last season, but was unable to do so because he could not get passage from Honolulu. Comp, who heroed at St. Benedict's college, will come here with a reputation of being the "greatest ever" in Coach Harry Stuhldreher's book. Stuhldreher has Comp at Wisconsin for a year. Lambeau will herd his Packers onto the practice field for the first time Sunday, Aug. 15. By that time he expects to have 25 under contract.
PACKERS SIGN MCPHERSON, GIANT NEBRASKA, PROFESSIONAL CENTER
JUL 23 (Green Bay) - Forrest McPherson, who preceded Charley Brock at the University of Nebraska, has signed a contract with the Green Bay Packers, Coach Curly Lambeau announced today. McPherson, a 230-pound center who stands six feet, two inches tall, is the fourth Packer under contract. Brock, who is expected back for his fifth season, became the regular center at Nebraska when McPherson bowed out in 1934. McPherson formerly played with the Philadelphia Eagles and the Los Angeles Bulldogs. His home is in Burbank, Calif....WANT MORE MONEY: Lambeau has resumed negotiations with a large number of Packer veterans who returned their contracts unsigned. Most of the players are asking higher wages despite increases in salaries and living allowances specified in the contracts. A definite decision on Cecil Isbell's status is expected next Tuesday or Wednesday. Lambeau conferred with Isbell in Manitowoc, where Isbell has a water softener business, Thursday. Halfback Isbell recently signed as backfield coach at Purdue university and announced his retirement from professional football. Player activities are booming around the NFL. Philadelphia seems to be the hotbed since the combined Eagles-Pittsburgh Steelers team started an informal practice this week. Coach Greasy Neale had about 15 signed players out...HEWITT IS SIGNED: Among them were Bill Hewitt, former Chicago Bear and one of the few gridders who plays without a helmet; Jack Hinkle of Syracuse, backfield mate of Tom Harmon and Jack Kimbrough on the 1941 New York Yankees; Charlie Gauer, of Hampton-Sydney; and Dean Steward of Ursinus. The Chicago Cardinals have announced that they will practice at Carroll college in Waukesha, starting Aug. 20. New Card coach Phil Handler has signed Andy Puplis, former Notre Dame quarterback. Married and the father of two children, Puplis had been coaching at Maywood (Ill.) High. Things have been quiet in the Chicago Bear camp. Latest signee is Bob Steuer, the great Missouri halfback, who has been invited to play with the College All-Stars against Washington in Evanston, Aug. 25...TEN DETROIT MEN: Coach Gus Dorais has about ten players signed at Detroit, and this week announced that Joe Bach, 42, former University of Notre Dame lineman, will be the line coach of the Lions. Bach was one of the "seven mules" who helped Notre Dame's "four horsemen" to gridiron fame in the early 20s. In 1935 and 1936, Bach was head coach of the Steelers. Little news is coming out of New York and Brooklyn, although Stout Steve Owen, coach of the Giants, is said have over 20 players already under contract. Pete Cawthon, new coach of the Dodgers, is on a scouting trip in the South.
usual 200 gridders, were drafted in an effort to buoy the chances of getting full squads next fall. The choices were made from a list of prospective performers that totaled 1,150 players. Most of the 300 gridders picked already are in the armed services and shrewd pro circuit observers estimated that "not more than 10 percent" of those drafted would report. The reporting percentage a season ago was 28.5, with 57 out of the 200 selectees joining their clubs.
LAMBEAU SATISFIED WITH DRAFT RESULTS
APR 9 (Chicago) - Curly Lambeau and his right hand bower, the roly poly Red Smith, came out of the annual NFL draft meeting here Thursday night all smiles, and no wonder. They got everybody they really wanted for their Packers and a few they hardly dared hope to get. They got who they insisted was the best college tackle in the country last season. Dick Wildung of Minnesota; one of the best all-around fullbacks, Royal McKay of Texas; the best center, Buddy Gatewood of Baylor; one of the best guards, Bob Barnett of Baylor; the far west's best tackle, Norman Veery of Southern California, and a collection of others as good as any they have ever been able to draw out of these annual "grabs", including Irv Comp of St. Benedict's. The selection of Comp in the draft, after Lambeau had signed him as a free agent, followed what threatened for a while to become the year's "cause celebre" of the league. Lambeau signed him Sunday as the rules of the league specified he could: "No player shall be permitted to play on any club (or be signed) until his class has been graduated. The foregoing shall be construed to mean the class to which the player belonged when he first entered a collegiate institution." Comp enrolled at Wisconsin in 1937, so that his class was the class of '41. He never finished his freshman year at Wisconsin, however, subsequently enrolled at St. Benedict's, and, after four years of football there, was graduated last February. Comp's first collegiate class was clearly the class of '41. At the start of Thursday's meeting, however, Elmer Layden, president of the league, arbitrarily included Comp on the draft list. He returned the contract Lambeau had sent in, declared Comp's case a little "unusual" and flatly refused to entertain Lambeau's protest. It was hardly an auspicious beginning for Green Bay in the draft but it all ended well enough when Lambeau, on his second choice, still had a chance to pick Comp. He did. Wildung was the first choice. The players Lambeau hardly dared hope to get were those drawn in the "grab bag" by which the league disposed of the veterans and men drafted by the inactive Cleveland club. Lambeau wanted Chet Adams, one of the best tackles in the league, and Mike Holovak, the Boston Thunderbolt, above all others, but figured it was something too good to happen. And yet when he dug into a hat he came up with both. For the time in the history of the draft, 30 men were drawn instead of 20, and the selections continued from shortly before noon until 9 o'clock at night.
PACKER GRID DRAFTEE COMMISSIONED IN NAVY
APR 12 (Los Angeles) - Ken Snelling, UCLA fullback who was drawn by the Green Bay Packers in Thursday's draft, has been commissioned an ensign in the navy and will leave soon for training at Fort Schuyler, N.Y. The 212- pound Snelling led the 1942 Bruins' Rose Bowl team in scoring with 45 points.
FREE 'SUBBING' MAY REVOLUTIONIZE PRO FOOTBALL; MAKE TEAMS TOUGH
APR 23 (Green Bay) - Buried among the headlines of the recent NFL conclave in Chicago was this item: League coaches unanimously approve free substitution rule adopted by rules committee. The free substitution ruling was hardly noticed when Cleveland decided to drop from the circuit and coaches started drafting the nation's gridiron stars, but when the 'law" is applied next fall the game may be revolutionized. What will F.S. do to the Green Bay Packers next fall? Coach Curly Lambeau explains that men like Cecil Isbell and Don Hutson, who specialize in offense, can be taken out when the Packers go on defense. Generally, Lambeau can make a substitution any time he wants to. Under the old rule, a player could reenter the game only once during the first three quarters but int he final frame two players could reenter...CHANGE ENTIRE STRATEGY: Lambeau believes the rule will change the entire strategy of the game. In future years - possibly not in 1943 because there will be a shortage of players - coaches will employ two teams, once for defense and the other for offense. Coaches are always confronted with players who have certain weaknesses on offense or defense, but free substitution will give the pilots an opportunity to put their best players - defensively or offensively - on the field at the same time. Lambeau expects the rule to result in a better brand of football...WILL HELP TEAMS: The rule was passed chiefly to help player-shorted teams this season. With a large number of "old timers" on the bench, the rules committee, composed of Lt. Comdr. George Halas, Steve Owen, Ray Flaherty, Bert Bell and Lambeau, figured that the F.S. rule would give those "boys" more chance for rest and at the same time make them feel that they can go all-out when on the field. There were any number of occasions in 1942 when the Packers, and other teams in the league, could have used the free substitution rule. In the second Bear game, for instance, Hutson, despite the fact that he reached his defensive peak last season, could have been taken out when the Bears had the ball - which was often. Hutson, it may be recalled, was operating on an injured ankle and bruised ribs...LAMBEAU ON SCOUTING TRIP: Lambeau left today on a three-day scouting trip around the midwest. He expects to confer with - and sign - about 12 players. One of his chief goals will be Chet Adams, the 235 pound tackle who played with Cleveland the last four years. Lambeau drew Adams' name out of a hat when the Ram players were thrown up for grabs at the league meeting. Adams, together with Baby Ray and Tiny Croft, will form the nucleus of the 1943 Packer line. Adams, an investigator for the Erie railroad, is married and expects to be in civilian clothes most of this year.
LAMBEAU IS WINNER
MAY 4 (Green Bay) - Curly Lambeau has won more than one battle off, as well as on, the football field. His most recent triumph was at the meeting of the NFL some weeks ago and is described by Chester Smith of the Pittsburgh Press: "The league meeting wasn't without its hilarious by-play. This time it centered around Curly Lambeau of the Green Bay Packers, who discovered he was being made the victim of a whispering campaign by his old friend, George Halas of the Chicago Bears. George went around, telling everybody that the Packers, who have 18 eligible men, were a downright menace to the league and should not be helped in any way. What Halas purposely neglected to mention was the strength of his own team; it suited his purpose better to throw the burden of suspicion on Curly Lambeau. When it came time to draw for the players freed by Cleveland, all the names were dropped into a hat and the owner pulled them in turn, designated by a previous draw. Lambeau extracted No. 9, and there was a great laugh, for the magnates were sure Curly couldn't possibly get Chet Adams, the standout Ram tackle whom everybody wanted. One after another, the owners walked up to the hat and withdrew the slips. Faces fell as they learned the prizes they had won, until it came to Lambeau's turn. His slip read "Chet Adams", and the man from Green Bay let loose a bellow that rocked the room. The next order of business was the drawing of the college players Cleveland had picked. Now the goal was Mike Holovak, the Boston college fullback. Mike is in the navy, but he is so well thought of that everyone was perfectly willing to wait for him to come back. When 28 names had been pulled, Holovak's name was still in the hat, and Greasy Neale of the Philadelphia Eagles and Lambeau were left to decide which was to be the lucky coach. You guessed it. Neale missed, and Holovak became Green Bay property. The owners even joined in Lambeau's merriment on this occasion. They knew they had been taken for a ride, but it was such a boomerang on Halas they almost enjoyed the sensation."
WAR WORK SUGGESTED FOR PACKER GRIDDERS
MAY 4 (Green Bay) - Coach Curly Lambeau of the Green Bay Packers threw a little more light on the 1943 professional football setup at a luncheon meeting of the Kiwanis club Monday noon, with these statements: (1) Packer football will play a definite part in the morale of the city of Green Bay and war factories of northeastern Wisconsin; (2) Packer players may be given jobs in war industries here or in nearby communities; (3) Practice may be held late in the afternoon after the gridders finish war work; (4) The Packers feel it their duty to go ahead and operate pro football as a morale builder here as well as in other National league cities; (5) Professional football asks no deferments for its players. Under work or fight orders, Lambeau expressed the opinion that player may have to start their eight-hour war work day at 7 o'clock in the morning and practice after work. He recalled that the oldtimers played and worked at the same time, and saw no reason why the present crop of players could not do the same...MANPOWER BIG PROBLEM: The coach admitted that manpower is the biggest problem of the league teams, but quickly added that there are still 200 or 250 players available for action on the gridirons. Discussing the league teams, Lambeau explained that there is a possibility that the circuit may operate with six clubs last fall - Green Bay, New York, Washington, Detroit, the Chicago Bears and a combination of the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh clubs. He pointed out that Cleveland "did right in disbanding for the duration because both of the Ram owners are in service." With six or nine clubs operating, Lambeau stated that the Packers will have an attractive home schedule to offer fans of Wisconsin since New York and Washington, the top clubs of the Eastern division, are due in Packerland. In the even six teams play, a home-and-home schedule will be worked out...FREE SUBSTITUTION AID: Adoption of the new free substitution rule was described by Lambeau as an important move by the league. "Boys like Hutson and Isbell and a host of others who are experts on offense can be rested while we are on defense. Then, too, lads who are new to the game or have some offensive or defensive handicap can be drilled in one or the other department of play." Lambeau announced that Chet Adams, the Cleveland Ram ace who was picked out of a hat when Cleveland quit, will be able to play with Green Bay - "if there are no further developments". Adams is married and wants to play next fall, he added. Looking over prospects for next year, Lambeau said he expects to open with a right end - "something we didn't have last year". Harry Jacunski, rejected by the navy and the father of two children, will be at right end, with Hutson at left. The tackles will be similar to last year with the addition of Adams being the only real change. The coach failed to make a definite prediction for guard or center but said that Charley Brock may not return. Buckets Goldenberg will "help us considerably if he decides to play". Guards lost include Pete Tinsley, Fred Vant Hull and Russ Letlow...FRISTCH AT FULL: Of the 1942 backfield, only Tony Canadeo and Chuck Sample, halfback and fullback, respectively, are lost to service. Stepping in at fullback will be Ted Fritsch, the Stevens Point flash who has been placed in 4-F. After Lambeau's talk, the official Packer film, "Packer Highlights of 1942", was shown. Among interesting scenes were Charley Brock's steal of the ball and his ensuing touchdown run, the disputed out-of-bounds play during the first Bear game here last fall; and the spectacular pas catching of Don Hutson. In fact, the entire show was dotted with Isbell-Hutson aerials. The disputed play involved Andy Uram, who took a pass from Cecil Isbell on about the Bear 35-yard line and ran down the sidelines for a touchdown. The referee ruled that Uram stepped out on the 20. The picture, however, showed that Uram did not step out. The Kiwanians let out a mighty "NO" when Lambeau asked: "Did he step out?" The particular shot was run backwards and in slow motion.
URGE CONTINUATION OF SPORTING EVENTS
MAY 21 (Two Rivers) - Football and other sports should continue if at all possible, Cecil Isbell, ace passer of the Green Bay Packers told members of the Junior Chamber of Commerce last night at their installation dinner in he banquet room of the J.E. Hamilton Community house. The famed football star told the membership and guests that sports is "one of the greatest morale builders civilians and service men have" and cited several instances of how the boys in service await with interest results of sporting events in this country.
PRO FOOTBALL TEAMS CONSIDER CONSOLIDATIONS FOR NEXT FALL
JUN 9 (Pittsburgh) - NFL teams, struggling to keep going despite increasingly acute manpower shortages, may turn to consolidations that would produce a six or seven team league next fall. That possibility was suggested today by Art Rooney, co-owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers, who pointed out that only four of the 10 teams in the league last fall have announced they will operate this year. The others are definitely out or doubtful starters. Rooney listed his own team and the Philadelphia Eagles in the doubtful class. "Understand," he said, "we're going to make every effort to put a Steeler team on the field. But the outlook is not too good. If we can't round up enough men, we're going to ask about a merger with the Eagles. Perhaps the two Chicago teams may also want to merge." A spokesman for the Eagles said at Philadelphia that the consolidation "has been discussed" but added that the final decision is being withheld until the league meeting in Chicago June 19. He said the Eagles have a maximum possible total of 14 players available and "couldn't begin to field a team now." Rooney reported only five holdovers from last year's great Steeler club available for this season. Aggravating the manpower shortage is the fact that most of the 1942 college stars, who normally would fill the gaps in the league roster, already are in the armed forces. The Eagles, for instance, selected 30 players at the league draft meeting and not one will be available this year. As to the Chicago merger, Rooney said he understood both the Bears and Cardinals, in addition to loss of their regular coaches, face acute player shortages. Brooklyn, too, has been hit hard. The Cleveland Rams have announced they definitely will not operate. Only the champion Washington Redskins, Green Bay, New York and Detroit have declared they are ready to operate next fall.
LAYDEN HOLDS OPTIMISTIC VIEW FOR PRO LEAGUE
JUN 14 (Chicago) - Pointing to the success of baseball as a pattern for the future, Elmer Layden, commissioner of the NFL, said today he was confident the nine club owners who last April pledged themselves to carry on would go ahead with their 1943 plans after a league meeting in Chicago Saturday and Sunday. The main purpose of the special session will be to adopt schedules which had to be redrawn when Cleveland pulled out of the league. There will be supplemental selection of the collegians, he said, for most of those graduating between June and October were included in the player draft last spring. "I think our members feel that now is the time to assert ourselves, to show that pro football is deserving of its high position in the sports world. Baseball surely had as many problems last year, if not more, than now confront us. I am sure the league will prove it can survive under trying conditions." Discarding talk of mergers, such as the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles, Layden declared: "We won't have talent comparable to that of last year and we can't think in these teams of great unbeatable teams, but there will be lessening of competition and games will be just as hard fought and exciting as ever. Baseball and other sports have proved that competition is the big factor." He added that club owners have always recognized the importance of competitive sports and have not been guided solely by the dollar sign. "Many of them have lost money in normal seasons. Some of them never realized any profit. But still they continue."
LAMBEAU THINKS PREDICTION OF SIX-TEAM LOOP WILL COME TRUE
JUN 18 (Green Bay) - Last March Coach Curly Lambeau predicted that the NFL would operate with six clubs in 1943. Today, as the Green Bay Packer coach left for Chicago to attend an important league meeting, he was "certain" that a compact, six-team organization would come out of the Saturday and Sunday sessions. He feels that business interests which applied this week for franchises would be unable to get teams formed for next fall. Lambeau announced that he would favor a six-club circuit. He called such a setup a "healthy league with the cream of last year's stars and a crop of good rookies making up six strong squads." The six clubs ready to go, he reported, are Green Bay, Chicago Bears and Detroit in the Western division, and New York, Washington and a combination Philadelphia-Pittsburgh club in the Eastern...PLAY HOME-AND-HOME CARD: Going further into the six-club plan, Lambeau stated that the teams would play a home-and-home schedule. Green Bay, for instance, would play all three Eastern division clubs in its own backyard. The general assumption today seemed to be that the Chicago Cardinals and Brooklyn Dodgers are the "doubtful" starters. At least these two clubs would have to quit if the league hoped to operate with six teams. Lambeau in the last two months expected the Cards and Dodgers to fall out. However, an Associated Press dispatch from Tuscaloosa, Ala., today revealed that Pete Cawthon, newly-appointed coach of the Brooklyn Dodgers, has been granted a leave of absence from the University of Alabama, where he was assistant grid coach, and will assume his new duties immediately. Cawthon said his appointment as coach of the Dodgers was made Thursday by Dan Topping, the club's owner. Cawthon was formerly head coach at Texas Tech...RECALL WALSH APPOINTMENT: Whether new Dodger interest will swell the league to seven teams will be one of the many decisions to come out of the league meeting. It may be recalled that Chile Walsh was appointed coach of the Cleveland Rams just before Cleveland decided to quit the league for the duration. In regard to new franchises being sought by Don Ameche, Ted Collins and business interest in Baltimore, Lambeau believes it will be impossible to form a team without a nucleus of players from 1942. Although, he added, it would be possible to take the leftovers from the Cleveland Rams or an other team that decides not to operate. However, such a switchover of personnel of the Rams would be taking players out of the pockets of the coaches who drew the Ram gridders out of a hat at the last meeting in Chicago...SUCCESS AT LONG ISLAND: Lambeau said that Collins would make an "excellent" team owner in view of the success he had with the Long Island Indians, which operated as a Green Bay Packer farm club in an eastern league. The Packers supplied the coach, Verne Lewellen, and players. At any rate, Lambeau is looking for plenty of "hot talk" at the Saturday and Sunday meetings. In fact, Commissioner Elmer Layden wired each club representative to make reservations for the entire weekend, which, Lambeau said, may also include Monday and Tuesday. Lambeau expects to interview players in Chicago late today and early Saturday.
SHUFFLE OF GRID LOOP MEMBERS LOOMS AS PRO OWNERS CONVENE
JUN 19 (Chicago) - A shuffle of the NFL's membership appeared likely Saturday as club owners opened a two day meeting. The pro circuit has only seven "sure fire" members now, but the possibilities were good that the league might number 10 or 11 cities before adjournment. Clubs regarded as certain to operate next season were the champion Washington Redskins, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, New York Giants, Brooklyn Dodgers and a club which may represent a merger of the Philadelphia Eagles and the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Dodgers, along with the Chicago Cardinals, were on the "doubtful" list until Friday. Dennis J. Shea, general manager of the Brooklyn club, upon his arrival here announced the Dodgers would operate. "I have received the go ahead sign from owner Dan Topping," Shea said...CAWTHON SUCCEEDS GETTO: The Cardinals were left without a coach when Jimmy Conzelman resigned to take a position with the St. Louis Browns' baseball club. A recent check indicated only four players from last season were available for play. The application for the merger of the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh clubs presented the league with one of its most difficult problems. If the merger should be approved, the league would lose a member, but applications have been received from three bidders who purportedly desire to operate clubs next fall...CHECKS FOR $25,000: Two of the prospective owners backed their applications with cash. They were radio and screen star Don Ameche, who is seeking to place a club in Buffalo, and Ted Collins, manager of singer Kate Smith, who desires to operate at Boston. Ameche and Collins accompanied their bids by certified checks for $25,000. The third city that may be included in the league is Baltimore. While several coaches and owners were worried over the player shortage, Earl (Curly) Lambeau of the Green Bay Packers was not one of them. He was confident the league would continue with at least six clubs in operation and possibly as many as 12. Lambeau indicated he was not worried about his own prospects.
LEWELLEN 'LIKES' TED COLLINS AS OWNER IN PRO FOOTBALL CIRCUIT
JUN 19 (Green Bay) - Verne Lewellen, the former Green Bay Packer whose long distance punting has never been duplicated since he put away the moleskins, delivered a "hoot" today in favor of Ted Collins, the successful business pilot of Song Bird Kate Smith, who is seeking a franchise in the NFL. Lewellen worked with Collins in 1941 when the Packer hero coached the Long Island Indians of the American association. Collins and William A. Shea of New York were co-owners of the club. "Collins' promotion of Ms. Smith as the nation's leading radio songster speaks for itself," Lewellen said in describing whether or not Collins would "go" in the National league. Collins and Shea this week applied for permission to operate a pro grid team in Boston during the 1943 season, and the NFL will act on their request today or Sunday at a meeting in Chicago. Besides working on the business angles of the Long Island eleven, Collins took an active personal interest in the team itself, Lewellen recalled, adding that "he made practically every trip with the team."...FRIEND OF CROWLEY: The ex-Packer stated the Collins is football-minded. A personal friend of Sleepy Jim Crowley, former Fordham coach and at present a lieutenant commander
in the Navy, Collins and Miss Smith followed Fordham to New Orleans for a bowl game. "He was a great Fordham fan and a fan of Crowley," Verne stated. Lewellen had most of his dealing with Shea, whom he described as a "fine fellow and an able executive." Shea is Collins' attorney and will represent him at the Chicago meeting. Lewellen stated that Collins and Shea have enough business ability and interest in football to successfully promote a team in the NFL. Collins, only 38, has been successful in all of his promotions. He and Miss Smith formerly backed the famous New York Celtic basketball team...WON CHAMPIONSHIP: The business pair, together with Lewellen, were considerably successful with the Long Island team, which won the association title. The team lost, however, in postseason playoff, similar to the Shaughnessy system used in baseball. The Packers supplied Long Island with several players, and the Indians were known as a farm club of the Green Bay team.
EIGHT PRO GRID TEAMS WILL REMAIN IN LEAGUE
JUN 20 (Chicago) - Eight of last year's 10 NFL teams elected Saturday night to play pro ball next fall after the league owners had approved a merger of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles. Two other clubs which sought to merge, the Chicago Bears and Chicago Cardinals, withdrew their application after the league voted two rules constituting a stiff barrier to such consolidation. Subsequently, the rules were relaxed to allow the Pennsylvania members to merge after the Chicago request was withdrawn. The Bears-Cardinals merger was opposed by a group led by George Marshall, owner of the Washington Redskins, and believed to include Curly Lambeau of the Green Bay Packers, Fred Mandel of Detroit, Jack Mara of the New York Giants and Pete Cawthon, newly employed coach of the Brooklyn Dodgers. The Pennsylvania pro team will have no city designation but will play most of its home game in Philadelphia. The Eagles will have the one vote in league business for the combine. Walter Kiesling of Pittsburgh and Earle Neale of Philadelphia will be co-coaches of the new setup. The league, therefore, will be represented this fall by those eight clubs: The Cardinals, Bears, Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers in the west, and the New York Giants, Brooklyn Dodgers, Washington Redskins and the Pittsburgh-Philadelphia combine in the east. The Cleveland Rams withdrew from the circuit.
PRO GRID LEADERS ARGUE 1943 CARD; EIGHT CLUBS WILL OPERATE
JUN 21 (Chicago) - A bitter internal battle over the 1943 schedule plans threw the NFL meeting into a hopeless deadlock early today and forced the extension of the session for another day. After a continuous 16-hour session devoted principally to mapping the schedule, the pro grid moguls finally abandoned the futile task and agreed to reconvene today. As in the case in most controversial questions in the circuit the league centered around George P. Marshall, colorful owner of the champion Washington redskins. Marshall supposedly had an agreement with the league that he be given six home games. He advertised the season ticket sale in the capital on that basis. When the tentative schedule was drafted early Sunday, the team was given the six games. Then the furor started...GIANTS WANT SIX, TOO: The New York Giants said if the Redskins were entitled to six home games that they wanted a like number. At one time the Giants threatened to abandon competition unless their demand was met. Jack Mara, president of the Giants, later dropped the threat but stuck firm in his demand. Under the schedule President Elmer Layden originally proposed the Redskins would have six games
at home, the Chicago Cardinals four and all the remaining clubs five. That schedule plan was based upon a 10-game playing program. Each club in the league would have played home-and-home engagements with every other club in its division, and one game each with clubs in the opposite division...LAMBEAU DRAFTS CARD: When the impasse was reached this schedule tentatively was given up and Layden set about to draft a schedule proposed by Earl (Curly) Lambeau of the Green Bay Packers. This calls for one game with every other club in the league and the remaining three contests against "selected" rivals. The schedule wrangle was one of the longest and bitterest in the 22-year history of the league. The adoption of the playing program has been postponed twice and all owners felt it imperative that it be drawn at the current meeting. Most of the pro grid clubs play in major league baseball parks and the late closing of the diamond season is another factor that complicates the picture. Outside of the schedule question the only other important issue to come up Sunday was the granting of permission to the pro clubs to sign undergraduate collegians who are enrolled at schools that have abandoned football for the duration...BOSTON COMING IN 1944: Although the league will operate with eight teams next fall - seven of its old members and a combine made up of two others - Boston is coming in for 1944 and there's a strong move to bring in Don Ameche's Los Angeles team, too. Marshall backed the admission request of Ted Collins for Boston and says he will lead the campaign to bring Los Angeles into the fold. "Right now," Marshall said today, "we have 11 memberships. Eight are going teams, Cleveland is inactive for the duration - and to me that was a big mistake we made permitting such a move at the April meeting. Technically, since their merger, the membership either of Philadelphia or Pittsburgh is inactive. And we have voted Boston in. Now we'll have to vote a 12th for balance, and I most certainly believe it should be Los Angeles."...OPPOSES CHICAGO MERGER: It was Marshall who spearheaded the successful opposition to a requested merger of the Chicago Bears and Chicago Cardinals at Saturday's initial meeting of the league. It was Marshall who jumped to his feet and made the motion to accept the franchise bid of Collins, manager of singer Kate Smith, for a Boston membership effective at the close of the 1943 season. That will permit Collins to participate in the December draft of college players and begin assembling his team for the future.
ANNOUNCE 12-GAME SCHEDULE FOR GREEN BAY PACKERS
JUN 22 (Green Bay) - Green Bay's Packers will play ten NFL games and two exhibition contests with league opponents next fall, Coach Curly Lambeau announced today in a long-distance telephone conversation from Chicago where the circuit has just completed a three day meeting. Four of the league battles are schedule at home - Green Bay or Milwaukee - but the decision on the exact site of the games will be made after a meeting of the Packer corporation within the next few weeks. The first exhibition game will pit the Packers against the World Champion Washington Redskins at Baltimore Sept. 5. The Bays will continue "practice" against the combination Philadelphia-Pittsburgh team in Milwaukee Sept. 19...BEARS OPEN HERE: As usual, the Packers will take on their hated rivals, the Chicago Bears, in their league opener at home on Sunday, Sept. 26. The other home contests will bring Detroit Oct. 10; Washington, Oct. 17, and the Chicago Cardinals, Nov. 14. After the opening Bear game, the Bays will visit Chicago in their road opener with the Cardinals Oct. 3. After the Detroit and Washington home tilts, Green Bay will launch a three-game road trip, going to Detroit Oct. 24; to New York Oct 31; and to Chicago Bearland, Nov. 7. The Cardinal game at home will be followed by a trip to Brooklyn Nov. 21 and to the Philadelphia-Pittsburgh Eagles lot in Philadelphia Dec. 5. The eight-team league will play a 40-game program which will extend from September 19 through Dec. 5. Each team will play ten league contests. Home and home games will be played with the Eastern and Western division memberships with four interdivision games for each club. The schedule gives the newly-formed club, created by the merger of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, six home games, four at Philadelphia and two at Pittsburgh. Six home games also were awarded to Washington and New York...CARDS, LIONS PLAY SEPT. 19: The Chicago Cardinals and Detroit Lions will open the season Sept. 19 at Detroit. The rest of the clubs will play the following Sunday. In a last minute ruling, the delegates swept aside the Sept. 20 deadline for reducing team rosters to 25. For the duration it was voted the clubs may retail all preseason squad members until their opening games. Buffalo, which has applied for a league franchise, was named the site of an Oct. 10 contest between Detroit and the Cards. Buffalo was selected, it was announced, to avoid possible conflict with World Series baseball games. Lambeau said that after the war pro football may no longer be a sectionalized sport, but may expand to such proportions that far western cities heretofore regarded as out-of-reach will find the game on their doorstep. This new frontier will be realized if the NFL, at its next session in December, votes to accept Don Ameche's franchise for Los Angeles. There also is a mover to obtain a franchise for San Francisco...LOS ANGELES LIKELY NEWCOMER: With Boston already in, starting next year, and with Cleveland returning after the wars when the new Philadelphia-Pittsburgh combine will separate, the league will have 11 new members - six in its Eastern division and five in the west. The need for another western club is evident for balance, and Los Angeles is the likely newcomer. This would mean teams would shuttle back and forth throughout the west, passing through such cities as Kansas City and Denver and Salt Lake City to reach their destinations. It is possible that
these cities may eventually sponsor teams.
PACKER 'DRAFTEE SELECTED ON CHICAGO ALL-STAR GRID SQUAD
JUN 23 (Green Bay) - Roy McKay, the six-foot, 200-pound fullback drafted by the Green Bay Packers, was invited on Tuesday to join the All-Star football squad which will take on the Washington Redskins at Evanston, Ill., Aug. 25. He was Coach Curly Lambeau's second selection in the NFL's draft last April. Although single, McKay is expected to be available for pro football next fall. The big University of Texas product was the first backfield man named to the Star squad. The others selected to date, all linemen, are Pat Lyons of Wisconsin, Del Dickerhoof of Iowa and Al Wistert of Michigan. Lyons was drafted by the Chicago Bears.
START GROUND WORK
JUL 8 (Green Bay) - City Stadium, pride of the Green Bay Packers and the NFL, is getting greener these days as old Mother Spring makes her late appearance. The stadium grass, claimed by the Packer gridders as well as opponents to be the softest and best in the circuit, soon will get everyday attention in preparation for the 1943 season.
14 PACKERS UNDER CONTRACT YEAR AGO; ONLY ONE SIGNED FOR 1943
JUL 10 (Green Bay) - That strange, haunting silence regarding the Green Bay Packer football players will likely be broken next week when Coach Curly Lambeau expects to announce several signings. The haunting part of the 1943 setup is that Lambeau is about a month behind the pace set in 1942 when, on July 10, he had 14 players under contract. Up to today, the Packer pilot has only one announced gridder under his fingers - Irv Comp, the classy back from St. Benedict's college. A year ago the signees included ends John Stonebraker and Earl Ohlgren; tackles Paul Berezney, Fred Vant Hill and Ernie Pannell; guards Tony Cianci, Joe Krivonek, Clarence Herndon, Russ Letlow, Pete Tinsley and Bill Kuusisto; center Charley Brock; and backs Ted Fritsch and Lou Brock. The first report meeting last year was set for Aug. 8. This year the Packers will assemble Aug. 15. You can be sure there is nothing really alarming about the delayed contract activity. Lambeau, for one, isn't worrying too much and appears confident that he can field a team with players to spare. The coach has his own reasons for keeping names of the boys under his hat until the "last minute". It may be added that those reasons are confidential. While on the subject of players, one Ted Fritsch, a star fullback as a freshman last fall, is completing study for his master's degree in physical education at the University of Wisconsin. The former Stevens Point ace, 'tis said, will be finished come report-for-pro-football time...PACKER MARINES: Don Miller, the big University of Wisconsin back who tried out with the Packers last fall, is a second lieutenant in the Marines and is operating in the South Pacific. His career was cut short by induction into the service...Claude Perry, who played tackle for the Bays in the mid '20s, is a private in the Marines at the Hawthorne, Neb., ammunition depot.
PACKERS' FIRST GAME IS SHIFTED TO EAST
JUL 16 (Philadelphia) - A change in the date and site of the NFL opener between the Philadelphia-Pittsburgh entry and the Green Bay Packers was announced here Thursday. The Eagles-Steelers management said Curly Lambeau, coach and vice-president of the Packers, has agreed to play the game September 12 at Forbes field, Pittsburgh, instead of September 19 at Milwaukee as originally schedule. Official approval of the change is expected from Commissioner Elmer Layden.
CECIL ISBELL LEAVES PACKERS, JOINS PURDUE STAFF
JUL 16 (Green Bay) - Professional football's greatest scoring twins - Cecil Isbell and Don Hutson - were separated Thursday night with the announcement from Lafayette, Ind., that Isbell, the National league's passing champion, has joined the Purdue university coaching staff. The announcement was made by Guy Mackey, athletic director at Purdue, shortly before Isbell broke the news to the grid boss, Coach Curly Lambeau Thursday night. Isbell will assume the duties of backfield coach, normally handled by Mel Taube, now on leave as a lieutenant in the naval reserve. A former Texas high school star, Isbell scintillated on Boilermaker gridiron teams of 1935, 1936 and 1937. For the past three years, the Isbell-to-Hutson combination, according to the records, blasted league records to the four winds. Isbell, by winning the passing title last fall, became the first pitcher in league history to take the crown two years in succession...CHANGE GAME SITE: Lambeau also announced today a change in the date and site of the exhibition game between the Philadelphia-Pittsburgh entry and the Packers. The game, originally scheduled for Milwaukee Sept. 19, will be played at Forbes Field, Pittsburgh, on Sept. 12. One of the chief reasons for the switch is a doubleheader baseball game in Milwaukee on Sept. 19, ending the Brewers' 1943 season in the American association. It may be recalled that Milwaukee fought for the association pennant in its last game at Brewertown last fall. Lambeau, of course, was disappointed at news that Isbell would leave his left halfback position with the Packers. At the same time, he congratulated Isbell for his chance in the coaching ranks and wished him the best of luck...ONE OF BAD BREAKS: Lambeau said that "Isbell's leaving is one of the bad breaks that must be expected in the pro game. We've just got to take then and hope for the best." Loss of Isbell robs Hutson the second time of a pitcher. Arnie Herber, the former West High star, originally hurled strikes to the league's leading scorer, and Isbell took up where Herber left off in 1938. Lambeau discovered Isbell's passing ability in the College All-Star game of 1938, when he threw a touchdown pass in the Stars' 28 to 16 victory over Washington. Together with Hutson, Isbell, who resides in Manitowoc, reached his peak last season. He threw 24 touchdown passes, one a 73-yarder to Hutson against the Cardinals here. In 268 attempts, Isbell had 146 completions for a gain of 2,021 yards. One of Isbell's chief accomplishments was beating out the highly-publicized Sammy Baugh of the Washington Redskins for the passing title in 1941 and 1942. In his five-year career, Isbell threw 813 passes and completed 408 for a gain of 5,975 yards. His passes resulted in 61 touchdowns. Isbell holds the most unusual records in the books - a four-inch touchdown pass to Hutson against Cleveland here last fall, and a consecutive game touchdown passing mark of 23 over the 1941-42 seasons. In all, Isbell holds nine records. He reached his single-game peak against the Cards last fall when he pitched five touchdown passes in the same game, his passes gained 333 yards for a new record.
BEREZNEY SIGNS PACKER PAPERS
JUL 16 (Green Bay) - Paul Berezney, the big right tackle who carried his medical books to and from Green Bay Packer games last fall, has signed a 1943 Packer contract, Coach Curly Lambeau announced today. Berenzey is the first of the veterans to sign, and the second Bay under contract. The other is Irv Comp, a triple-threat halfback from St. Benedict's college, who was picked out of the draft. Lambeau expects Berezney
DICK EVANS RETURNS FOR 1943 PACKER SEASON; GUARD SIGNED
JUL 27 (Green Bay) - Big, rough and tough is the type of line Coach Curly Lambeau expects to field this fall. The Green Bay Packer pilot indicated this today as he announced "purchase" of 435 more pounds of beef in the form of two linemen - Sherwood Fries, 230-pound guard of Colorado State, and Dick Evans, the former Packer who scales around 205 pounds. Lambeau thus far has four linemen and two backs under contract. In announcing the signing of Fries and Evans, Lambeau said he expects great things from Evans, who was one of Coach Eddie Anderson's 60-minute men at Iowa in 1939. Evans, the coach believes, didn't have a chance to show his real stuff here in 1940 because he was unable t0 go 60 minutes per game. In 1940, Lambeau found it necessary to divide up action between boys like Don Hutson, Harry Jacunski, Ray Riddick, Milt Gantenbein and Larry Craig. As a result, Evans, who later joined the Chicago Cardinals, got rusty on the Packer bench. Lambeau expects to correct that condition next fall. Evans, who played three years of varsity ball at Iowa, made the 1940 College All-Star team. He also was a varsity basketball player at Iowa. Now 26, Evans writes Lambeau that he should have a good season with the Packers. Fries, despite the fact that he's a guard, will come to Green Bay with the reputation of being a good punter. He played fullback and guard at Colorado State, and did most of the punting. Lambeau announced that he'll use Fries at guard. Fries later saw action with Hollywood and the Los Angeles Bulldogs. Lambeau, at present, is negotiating for the services of Tony Falkenstein, former St. Mary's (Calif.) fullback who was recommended a year ago by Lt. Comdr. Jimmy Crowley, the former Fordham university football coach now on duty in the South Pacific...PLAYED PACKER SYSTEM: Crowley gave Lambeau the "glad-eye" after watching Falkenstein play against Fordham in New York two years ago. Falkenstein lives on the coast, is married, and has two children. At St. Mary's, the 206-pound Falkenstein played the Packer-Notre Dame system. Lambeau received some encouraging news from Chet Adams, the former Cleveland all-National league tackle, who was drawn out of a hat when Cleveland quit the league last winter. Adams says he is looking forward to joining the Packers, but admitted he may have draft difficulties. A married man, Adams has no children. Signing of Adams would mean more experience in the Packer line. Adams goes 225 pounds and stands six feet, three inches tall. A native of Cleveland, Adams may be starting his fifth season.
PACKER TICKET OFFICE IS SET UP
JUL 28 (Green Bay) - Starting his second year as Green Bay Packer ticket director, Ralph C. Smith announced today that the Packer ticket office in the Legion building is now open for business. The office is open from 9 o'clock to 12 noon and from 1:30 to 5 o'clock daily except Sundays, with Mrs. Ruth Golden, Smith's secretary, presiding. Smith reported that he has no actual tickets to sell as yet, but applications for season ducats as well as pasteboards for any single game may be made. The office will handle tickets for the Packers' two games at City stadium, the Chicago Bears on Sept. 27 and Detroit Lions on Oct. 10, and the two contests in Milwaukee, Washington on Oct. 17 and Chicago Cardinals on Nov. 14. The office also will sell a limited number of tickets for the Packer-Bear game in Chicago Nov. 7 and the Packer-Cardinal game in the Windy City Oct. 3. Smith announced that the office will again distribute single game tickets to about 30 agencies in Northeastern Wisconsin, the Fox river valley, Upper Michigan and Milwaukee. A large number will be sent to Prange's store in Sturgeon Bay, where shipyard workers are expected to take advantage of big time football in their backyard. The Pettibone- Peabody company at Appleton is the veteran agency. A.H. Falk, in charge of tickets there, will handle ducats for the 13th year. Approximately 2,000 tickets were sold in Appleton last season. The annual Packer season ticket drive, plans for which will be announced later, will herald the real bloom of business at the officer. However, Smith announced that fans may now make reservations for the two home contests.
JOE LAWS BACK FOR 10TH SEASON WITH PACKERS; CROFT ALSO SIGNED
JUL 29 (Green Bay) - More weight was added to the Green Bay Packer line and a "slight" addition was made to the backfield today as Coach Curly Lambeau announced singing of Milburn (Tiny) Croft and Joe (Fat) Laws. In order not to confuse the P.P. (Packer public) over nicknames of the two aforementioned football players, it must be explained that Croft is "the fat" one and Laws the "tiny" one. Croft's contract means that the former Ripon college tackle will lug his 300 pounds back into the Packer forward wall, while Laws' signature on the dotted line has an extra special significance. Laws, now 32, married and the father of three children, is hereby starting his 10th season with Lambeau's warriors, a real distinction in view of the strenuous work a halfback is forced to do. He weighs 190 pounds now, but expects to be down to his playing weight of 182 a week after the coach calls his charges together Aug. 15. Signing of Croft and Laws gives Lambeau eight players under contract...THEY'RE NOT HOLDOUTS: Thought it's too early to dangle that word holdout before the public, the Packer pilot is having trouble getting his veterans and several newcomers to put their John Hancock on the contracts. Lambeau, in a measure, blames the price rise because all of the boys want more money. The weekly living allowance during training in Green Bay has been boosted. Since Laws was named the most valuable player in the Big Ten conference as a member of the University of Iowa eleven, the midget Packer ace has had his ups and downs, though his ability as a field general has never diminished. Whether Laws can regain his peak as a runner this season is a matter of conjecture, but it's a known fact up at Sturgeon Bay that months of hard work in the shipyards have toughened him considerably and he seems ready for a productive season. Laws got his toughest break in the Packer-Cardinal game in Milwaukee Sept. 29, 1940, when he wrenched his knee. The injury kept him out all season, but he returned in 1941 to help the Packers reach and "overtime" playoff with the Chicago Bears to settle the Western division championship. Laws' 1942 performance was most unusual in view of the fact that he lefthanded three passes and completed two of them, one for a 62-yard touchdown gain by Andy Uram. In receiving, Laws caught six for a total gain of 96 yards. He took one reception from Tony Canadeo for 28 yards and a touchdown. Laws carried the ball 29 times and gained an even 100 yards for an average of 3.4 yards per try. His longest gain was 17 yards...LOW PRICES HERE?: Unhappy in Washington where he worked out with the Redskins, Croft came to Green Bay last fall, happy about the low prices here (as compared with Washington), and a chance to play with the Packers. The "grand awakening" for Croft came in the second Bear game in Chicago in the form of extra hard knocks from Lee Artoe and Joe Stydahar. From that game on, Croft was able to hold his own and got several starting assignments. Lambeau is pleased with the speed of the big boy and feels Croft can be a terror in the line if he'd get his "dander" up more often. Last year, it took Artoe and Stydahar to put Croft to real work. This year? The Packers meet the Bears in their first league tussle Sept. 27.
GUDAUSKAS, MURRAY STATE GUARD, NINTH PACKER UNDER CONTRACT
JUL 30 (Green Bay) - Coach Curly Lambeau had enough football players for a baseball team today as he announced signing of Pete Gudaukas, former Cleveland Ram and Murray State college guard. The Green Bay Packer nine-man team now includes three backs, two guards, two tackles, one center and one end - a far cry from the 19 gridsters signed by the Detroit Lions, for instance. If he expects to put 25 or 30 men on the practice field Sunday, Aug. 15, Lambeau must average more than one signee a day during the 17 days from now until the opening drill. Lambeau, however, is far from worried and expects to sign a raft of gridders next week by which time most player-finance difficulties will be ironed out...HIGHLY PRIZED TOE: Gudauskas will come to the Packer squad with a highly prized toe - one that gave him quite a reputation for kicking off and booting field goals and extra points at Murray State. And he's a big guy as football players go, standing 6 feet, 2 inches tall and weighing 232 pounds. Gudauskas appears to have a good chance to take up where Russ Letlow left off in view of his ability to kick off. Letlow, now in the United State Navy, did most of the kicking off last year. Gudauskas is the second new guard to come to Packer terms. The other is Sherwood Fries, 225-pound Colorado State alumnus. Lamebau expects to do plenty of rebuilding at the "devil dog" position. Besides Letlow, Lambeau lost Pete Tinsley, the Georgia Peach, to the Army...START 11TH SEASON?: Other guard veterans not mentioned thus far are Charles (Buckets) Goldenberg and Bill Kuusisto. Goldenberg, if he signs, will be starting his 11th season. The Milwaukee restaurant owner made the second all-National league team last season, which is proof enough of the type of ball he played in his tenth season. Goldenberg is 32 years old. Kuusisto may be starting his third season here. If Bob Flowers, the promising Texas Tech center, returns, Lambeau may consider the possibility of switching him to guard. Flowers played both positions at Tech and Lambeau feels he would be at home at guard here.
LOOKING OVER LIST OF 36 PROSPECTS, LAMBEAU SEES HARDEST-RUNNING, HEAVIEST GREEN BAY PACKER '11'
JUL 31 (Green Bay) - Coach Curly Lambeau looked over a list of 36 prospective Green Bay Packer players today and came up smiling. "Did somebody say something about a manpower shortage?" he asked as he reeled off the names of 36 married-with-children or 4-F gentlemen who are skilled in the art of football. What the curly-headed mentor emphasized about his 36 charges was just this: "They are going to make up one of the hardest-running, heaviest and best defensive team we've had around here in many a year. Our 1943 team will outweigh last year's club and will be tougher and more rugged." Thus far Lambeau has nine of those 36 players, none of whom are in service, under contract. He expects to have the remaining 27 on the dotted line before practice starts Aug. 15. Lambeau asserted that many of the veterans' requests for pay increases are "unreasonable", and added that he is having little trouble signing newcomers...TACKLE BRIGHT SPOT: The 36-player list includes 16 backs, six guards, six tackles, five ends and three centers. The bright spot in the line is the tackle position, which was woefully weak in reserve power last season. Tackles already signed are Paul Berezney and Tiny Croft, while those "on their way" are Buford (Baby) Ray and Chet Adams, who made the all-league second team with the Cleveland Rams last year. With four veterans back at tackle, Lambeau already has the nucleus of his line. He had signed two 230-pound guards, Sherwood Fries and Pete Gudauskas, and hopes to get Buckets Goldenberg and Bill Kuusisto, both veterans, back into the fold. He is counting on Charley Brock, Bob Flowers and newcomer Forrest McPherson for center. The end setup is rather mysterious in view of the fact that the status of one Don Hutson, the league's most valuable player for two straight years, is still a question mark. The only end signed thus far is Dick Evans, ex-Packer and Chicago Cardinal. With Ray Riddick in the service, Lambeau undoubtedly is counting on Harry Jacunski for experience at the wings. Joe Laws is the only veteran signed thus far for the backfield and the youngsters coming up are Babe Webb and Irv Comp, both highly rated. Here again is a question mark. He is one Cecil Isbell. But Lambeau, in reviewing prospects, emphasized that Comp is a "fine passer with a good record behind him at St. Benedict's college."..."DON'T SELL PASSING SHORT": In fact, Lambeau exclaimed, "Don't sell our passing short when speaking about the great running squad we expect to have. We'll have some mighty good receivers and passers on the team, too." Just who will do all of the running will have to wait until the contracts are on Lambeau's desk, but a number of the "old guard" like Andy Uram, Lou Brock, Larry Craig, Ted Fritsch and many others likely will be back. Brock, incidentally, is working on his farm in Stafford, Kas., and will be late in reporting, although he has yet to come to terms with Lambeau. Brock will finish early in September and will be here about ten days before the league opener with the Bears Sept. 26, missing the two exhibition tilts in the east Sept. 5 and 12.
BIG NEWS! BABY RAY SIGNS PACKER PAPERS
AUG 2 (Green Bay) - Tackle stock of the Green Bay Packers leaped forward today as Coach Curly Lambeau announced signing of Buford (Baby) Ray, the liquor merchant from Nashville, Tenn. Ray's signing came on the heels of new hopes for another veteran tackle - Chet Adams, formerly of the Cleveland Rams. Too tall for the armed services, Ray will be starting his sixth season with Lambeau's outfit. He weighs 250 pounds and stands a fraction over six feet, six inches tall. He is the 10th player to sign. Adams' name was drawn out of a hat by Lambeau last spring when the NFL threw up names for grabs after Cleveland decided to disband for the duration. He's an investigator for a railroad company out east but is also on Uncle Sam's calling list. Adams wired Lambeau recently that he wanted to play this fall. If the tackle, who made the league's second All-Star team last fall, has time before possible induction he'll report to Green Bay. Last fall, Adams booted a 46-yard field goal against the Packers at Cleveland. Now 28 years of age, Ray came to the Packers after three years of varsity ball at Vanderbilt. There he weighed 280 pounds, but during the past several seasons he has managed to stay some 30 pounds under that figure. Ray won honorable mention on the league's mythical teams of the past three seasons. Thus far, Lambeau has 770 pounds of tackle under contract, and if Adams come the Packer tackle will weigh a composite half ton. The other two veteran tackles under contract are Tiny Croft, who goes 300 pounds, and Paul Berezney, who weighs slightly over 220 pounds.
FALKENSTEIN, MCWILLIAMS SIGNED BY PACKERS; BOTH BACKFIELD MEN
AUG 3 (Green Bay) - Tony Falkenstein, a highly recommended fullback from St. Mary (Calif.), and halfback Bill McWilliams of Jordan college have signed contracts, boosting the roster to 12 players, Coach Curly Lambeau announced today. Lambeau saw Falkenstein play several years ago and put the stamp of approval on him immediately. However, Tony decided against the pro sport until this season. Lt. Comdr. Jimmy Crowley, now on duty in the South Pacific, tipped off Lambeau on Falkenstein after watching him play against Crowley's Fordham team two years ago. Ben Starrett, the St. Mary's blocking back who played with the Packers last season, speaks highly as well of Falkenstein...DEFENSE AGAINST PASSES: Falkenstein weighs 210 pounds and stands six feet, one inch tall. He's booked as a rugged charger, a good defensive operator, especially against passes, and a brilliant tackler. He has already proven his
ability as a broken field runner. As for McWilliams, a fast and shifty back who packs 216 pounds on a 6-foot-2 structure, had one tryout with the Detroit Lions but, because of his career in baseball, arrived late for practice and was in no condition to make the squad. Two years ago he married and quit sports, but in a recent letter to Lambeau the halfback stated that he wants to play pro football and feels that he can make the grade. McWilliams, besides a fair pitching arm, is highly rated as a punter. Falkenstein and McWilliams are the fourth and fifth backs signed. All are halfbacks except Falkenstein and Irv Comp.
ENDS JACUNSKI, MASON RENEW GREEN BAY PACKER CONTRACTS
AUG 4 (Green Bay) - Harry Jacunski, who a year ago said he liked playing second fiddle to Don Hutson, and Joel Mason, the bald sophomore, have signed Green Bay Packer contracts, Coach Curly Lambeau announced today. Signing of the two ends boosts the Packer roster to 14 players, 22 less than Lambeau's goal of 36. The list now includes three ends, three tackles, two guards, one center and five backs. Addition of the two ends also makes Lambeau's present roster look something like a team. He has veterans at every position except center and guard. The tackle situation appears well in hand with Baby Ray, Paul Berezney and Milburn (Tiny) Croft under contract. The third end, Dick Evans, is a veteran of many campaigns with the Packers and Chicago Cardinals. Jacunski will be starting his fifth season here-almost. He had decided to quit the game last year in favor of a Navy career but the water forces put thumbs down for physical reasons. As a result, Jacunski joined the club midway in the season. A former Fordham university product recommended by Lt. Comdr. Jimmy Crowley, Jacunski labeled himself as a great pass receiver in the Pittsburgh game at Milwaukee last December. On third down on the Packer 37-yard line, Jacunski took a 14-yard pas from Cecil Isbell for a first down on the Steeler 49. On the next play, Isbell fired a long pass that Jacunski caught with Steeler back Vernon Martin hanging on his shoulders near the ten-yard line. The Fordham flash shook off Martin and scored...GAINED 125 YARDS: This was the third touchdown pass Jacunski caught in his career here. The chief reason for his T.D. inactivity was Hutson, who was Jacunski's ideal player. Harry was substitute for Hutson until last year when Lambeau switched him to right end. In all last season, Jacunski caught eight passes for a gain of 125 yards. Jacunski accounted for two touchdowns by passes in the Packer championship campaign of 1939. He is six feet, two inches tall and tips the beam at almost 200 pounds. At Fordham in 1938, Harry was named the most valuable player by his teammates and the fans selected him as one of the few eastern gridders on the 1939 All-Star team in Chicago. Mason stamped himself as a promising defensive end last year although, like Jacunski, the former Western State star didn't have much chance to distinguish himself as a pass catcher because of Hutson's spectacular work. At that, Mason caught seven passes for a gain of 86 yards. All these figures are slightly "off" when you compare them with Hutson's 74 passes caught for a gain of 1,211 yards, but the fact remains that Hutson was an exception to all the rules of football the last few seasons...TRIED OUT WITH CARDS: Mason tried out with the Cardinals in 1941 but an oversupply of material forced former Coach Jimmy Conzelman to release him. Lambeau lost no time signing Mason last season on learning that he was still anxious to play football. Mason is six feet tall and weighs 197 pounds. His home is in Stambaugh, Mich., and is married and the father of one child.
SPEEDY BOB KAHLER 15TH PACKER TO SIGN; DUE FOR KEY POSITION
AUG 5 (Green Bay) - Bob Kahler may get many chances to run 100 yards in ten seconds flat this fall. The rangu University of Nebraska back - signed today by Coach Curly Lambeau of the Green Bay Packers - is due for an important role in the 1943 professional gridiron drama. Buried under the performance of Andy Uram and Joe Laws at right halfback last season, Kahler didn't get much chance to scatter his legs. A year ago Bobbin' Bob was the fastest man on the team because of his ability to run the length of the field in ten seconds. At Nebraska he tied the IC-3A 70-yard hurdles record of 8.6 seconds and ran the 60-yard dash in 6.5 seconds. He ran the 100 in 9.7 - in track clothes. Lambeau expects to keep Kahler at right half chiefly because he can slash the ends with blazing speed and catch passes. The former Cornhusker is coming for his third try. In 1941, he was sent to Coach Verne Lewellen's and the Packers' Long Island Indians for seasoning after working out with the Bays. He carried the ball only eight times during the 1942 program...15TH PLAYER TO SIGN: Kahler, who packs 200 pounds on his six-foot, three-inch frame, is the sixth back and the 15th player to come to terms. With Chet Adams, the former Cleveland steamroller, coming to terms, the tackle setup appears at the moment as the most promising...Tony Canadeo, the left halfback who pitched and ran when Cecil Isbell wasn't on the field the last two years, is well on his way to becoming a fighter pilot for Uncle Sam. Canadeo has put in 25 hours of flying time and has passed all of his pre-flight tests. He's "working out" over the navy base at Glenwood, Ill., almost every day and occasionally gets the football itch when his squadron wings near the football stadia in Chicago and suburbs. Tony may play a football game this fall, but THE game is still a secret...Remember the 1943 pro football draft? Coach Lambeau of the Packers picked 30 players, as did each of the other coaches in the league, but the only draftee holding a Packer contract is Irv Comp, a fullback. The general opinion at the draft meeting was that each coach ought to salvage five percent of their 30 pickees. Lambeau is dealing with "all" of the boys who haven't gone into service. And there may be a surprise - in the person of Dick Wildung, the all-American Minnesota tackle who was Lambeau's first choice...Coach Red Bergman and his assistant, Turk Edwards, are installing a new system for the Washington Redskins. Instead of the unbalanced line used by Lt. Ray Flaherty last season, the Redskins will now operate from a balanced line. Washington will show in Milwaukee against the Packers Oct. 17.
DON HUTSON SIGNS NINTH GREEN BAY PACKER CONTRACT
AUG 7 (Green Bay) - Left end Don Hutson signed his ninth Green Bay Packer contract today and thereby continued a spectacular career which for the past eight years has bordered on the unbelievable. Hutson's signing came on the heels of repeated threats to retire, but Coach Curly Lambeau, who announced Hutson's return, explained it this way: "Don feels he owes it too football to continue. Most of his success in his off-the-field life has resulted from his work on the gridiron. The game needs Hutson and we feel that Don, besides being a definite help to the Packers, will pay a big part in building home front morale as a result of his past record and great playing." To say that Hutson's name is magic in the gridiron world is putting it mildly. The former University of Alabama wizard is to professional football what Babe Ruth was to baseball, and Joe Louis or Jack Dempsey to boxing. The Packer pass receiver and scorer is always a marked man in a grid battle. Hutson holds more records than any player in the NFL's 22-year history - 17 of them. He was named the league's most valuable player for the 1941 and 1942 seasons, and will receive the 1942 MVP award during the College All-Star game in Chicago later this month. A year ago, 100,000 people thundered their applause when he was presented with the 1941 most valuable player trophy in Soldier's field. What has made Hutson the gridiron success he is? Writers throughout the country have tried to answer that question. The committee of sports experts who picked him for the most valuable player award seemed to have the best answer when they came through with this announcement last spring...ELUDE DEFENSE MEN: "Coaches and competent critics attribute Huston's phenomenal play in eight seasons in the pro league to his 'scientific loafing', a phrase which describes his seeming indifference to what goes on around him on a football field. His ability to elude defense men to catch passes from Cecil Isbell can be traced to a baffling change of pace in running. He has the uncanny knack of getting a step's jump on any player trying to corner him. His selection didn't rest alone on his great pass catching ability. Also considered were his nuisance value as a disrupter of enemy defenses, and his ability to transform the Packers into a confident, powerful aggregation in clutch situations." Hutson was named at left end on the official all-league team in 1936, 1938, 1939, 1940, 1941 and 1942 which is proof enough of his ability. Hutson led the league in scoring last season for the third straight time, the first player ever to accomplish that trick. He posted 138 points in 11 league games. As an added sideline, Hutson developed the knack of kicking extra points and proceeded to set a season record of 33 in 1942, a mark formerly held by Jack Manders of the Chicago Bears...FOUR INCHES TO 92 YARDS: The marks that set Hutson apart from other superstars of pro football, however, are his pass catching achievements. In eight seasons he has caught 336 passes for a gain of 5,515 yards and 72 of his caches were for touchdowns. He played in 91 games during his pro career, and has caught at least one pass in 89 of those encounters. The passes have ranged in gains from four inches to 92 yards. Hutson hit the ceiling in 1942 when he set eight new records while winning the pass receiving championship for the fifth time in eight years. He set five more league records when he won the scoring championship for the third consecutive season last year.
PACKER NOTES
AUG 7 (Milwaukee Sentinel) - Joy reigns in Packertown this morning. Don Hutson has signed to play another football season with the Green Bay Packers. That adds up to touchdowns and victories in any language. And that bitter grinding noise you've heard coming out of the south the past few hours is merely the molar gnashings of the Chicago Bears, who thought that at long last they would not have the Hutson bugaboo to contend with any longer. This corner believed right along that Don would be back in Packer regalia despite his "annual" retirement last winter and later statements that he had definitely decided to give up the game and devote his time to the bowling business...DON IS GRATEFUL: First of all the kind of money Don draws from the Bays is important money. Pro football has been good to Don. Not any more so than he deserved, due to his unparalleled record, but the fact remains that it was through pro football and the Packers that Don, comparatively young, is well established. Don, himself, brought the point up after signing, saying, "Green Bay and the Packers have been very fine to me. I wanted very much to retire and devote my time to business, but the more I thought of what this community has done for me the more my conscience clamored that it wouldn't be quite cricket to leave at this time when there is a shortage of available talent and when the league needs every experienced player. So I'm ready to give the grand old game another fling." Well said, Don, my lad, well said. And here's hoping you run the pants off rival pass defenses...FIVE LEAGUE RECORDS: Just how valuable the shufflin' man from Alabama is to the Packer cause is attested by the frank statement by Lt. Com. George Halas, now of the U.S. Navy, but in civilian life owner-coach of the Bears, who said: "I gave up believing long ago that any defense can stop him. We concede him two touchdowns per game and then stress our own offense with the aim of scoring more than two touchdowns." It must be admitted that George is right, not only on the Hutson angle, but also in building an offense that scores more than two touchdowns. Fleet footed Don holds five NFL records: Most passes caught, 336; most touchdown passes, 72; most yards gained on passes, 5,515; most points scored, 524; and most touchdowns, 74. He had been the loop's leading scorer three years in a row and twice was named the loop's most valuable player. Last year the veteran flanker had one of his greatest campaigns, establishing five season records: Most passes caught, 78; most points scored, 138; most touchdowns, 17; most extra points, 23, and most yards gained, 1,211.
STARRETT, FLOWERS SIGN PACKER CONTRACTS; OPEN DRILLS SUNDAY
AUG 10 (Green Bay) - Two sophomores and a freshman guard, who has two fingers missing from his right hand, today fattened Coach Curly Lambeau's Green Bay Packer roster to 19 players. The pro sophs are halfback Ben Starrett of St. Mary's (Calif.) and center Bob Flowers of Texas Tech, while the eight-fingered lad is Glen Sorenson, 190-pound guard from Utah State. Signing of the three gridders gives Lambeau a working capital of seven backs, two centers, three guards, three tackles and four ends including that flypaper wing, Don Hutson. Lambeau worked far into Monday night wiring and telephoning 15 unsigned veterans, players drafted at the spring meeting of the NFL, and others interested in making a comeback in the pro game. The Packer teacher expects about 30 gents out for the initial workout Sunday afternoon. Great things are expected from the three signees, and Lambeau has every reason to believe that they will be spreading stardust this fall. Starrett and Flowers, for instance, played under such experienced operators as Larry Craig and Charley Brock, but this year signs point to plenty of playing for these two. Sorenson has the attitude that Lambeau believes will make a mediocre college player or a star in pro ball. As an example of his spirit, Sorenson writes that "pro football has been a lifelong ambition with me."...STRING ON SORENSON: There is a string tied to Sorenson, however. The all-Big Seven conference guard,a junior, last winter said that Utah State had decided to quit football for the duration. Recently, Utah State officials hinted that they may sport a team despite the war this fall. At present, Sorenson is undecided whether to return to Utah State for his senior year or join the Packers, although he turned in his signed contract to Lambeau. Flowers went to the head of Lambeau's class in the first game last year, an exhibition tilt with Brooklyn. Flowers played 59 1/2 minutes and personally sparked the Packer line on offense and defense. Flowers had the misfortune of playing on the same team with Brock, who had a great year. Flowers will weigh in at 210 pounds Sunday. He stands an inch over six feet tall. Starrett will have one of his old St. Mary teammates, fullback Tony Falkenstein, to work with this season. Falkenstein was the ninth Packer to sign and was recommended by Lt. Comdr. Jimmy Crowley, former Fordham coach. Starrett is as tough as they come, and Lambeau almost had a notion to switch him to fullback last season after watching Ben bowl over the coach's regulars in a scrimmage last fall. Starrett, like Flowers, had some trouble unseating Craig, who has played a dual role with Hutson the last couple of years, switching from blocking quarterback to end on defense...PLACEKICKING SPECIALIST: Sorenson specializes in placekicking and blocking. A native of Las Animas, Col., Sorenson plays left guard, is 20 years of age and stands six feet one inch tall....Coach Curly Lambeau was informed of two "happy" events this week. A card from Dr. and Mrs. Paul Berezney announced birth of a son, Paul Lawrence, at Marinette. The Berezneys were parents of a daughter shortly before the 1942 season opened. Attached to guard Bill Kuusisto's unsigned contract was a note saying that "I've just been married and am on my honeymoon." A Minneapolis boy, Kuusisto said he'd be in Green Bay on Aug. 15...Howard (Smiley) Johnson, former Packer guard, has been promoted to first lieutenant in the U.S. Marines at Ocean Side, Cal. Sgt. Bob Adkins, the ex-Packer blocking back, has left his port in an Australian hospital for an officer's commission. Adkins' basketball and baseball teams have won seven cups in service competition in the last several months...Don Hutson will be recognized as the NFL's most valuable player for the second straight year at the annual College All-Star game at Northwestern's Dyche stadium Aug. 25. George Strickler, public relations director for the league, reported on a brief visit here last week. Last year, over 100,000 persons witnessed the presentation from Commissioner Elmer Layden at Soldier's field.
PACKERS GATHER SUNDAY; SMITH, LOU BROCK BACK FOR '43 WARS
AUG 11 (Green Bay) - Coach Curly Lambeau started to move the crank that raises the curtain on the Green Bay Packers' 1943 season today. He will wind up the curtain up to the top at 11 o'clock Sunday morning when he squeezes about 25 of America's supermen into a room at the Hotel Northland for a how-do-you-do meeting and general discussion on training, the aims of the current campaign and a few nasty cracks about the Chicago Bears, who open here Sept. 26. Lambeau will get his first look at most of his charges in sweat shirts at the practice field near City stadium at 2 o'clock Sunday afternoon. The coach announced today that he will have between 22 and 26 players out Sunday. Seven or eight of the lads will be coming in later in the week. In another week or two, Lambeau will have 30 to 34 gridders operating. Lambeau reported that Lou Brock, fullback and right halfback of 1942, has come to terms. However, Brock will not report until Sept. 8 in Pittsburgh - four days before the Phil-Pitt exhibition game - and will be in condition for the Bear opener. Brock is helping his father harvest the crops on their farm in Stafford, Kan., which is reason enough for his late arrival in view of the nation's food situation. Larry Craig will be late in reporting for the same reason. Another late arrival will be Babe Webb, the Hawaiian halfback, who left recently from Honolulu for the states. Lambeau also said that Richard (Red) Smith, line coach, will report for the Monday drill. He'll finish his first-base coaching duties with the Milwaukee Brewers in Louisville Sunday. The Packers coach today found himself in a position to become the envy of every pilot in the National league. It's quite possible that he may get tackle Dick Wildung and fullback Ray McCay, both All-Americans from Minnesota and Texas, respectively. However, both will be playing with the College All-Stars against the Washington Redskins in Dyche stadium Sept. 25, and will not report here until a day or two later - if they sign. Wildung, a 220-pound husky, was Lambeau's first choice in the draft, and McCay, the south's thunderbolt, was third in the coach's pick. With Brock in the fold, Lambeau now has 20 players for sure. He may obtain several more this weekend.
ANDY URAM, NO. 2 PASS RECEIVER, TO ARRIVE FRIDAY FOR PARLEY WITH BAY PACKER COACH
AUG 12 (Green Bay) - Right halfback and No. 2 pass receiver Andy Uram is on his way from Minneapolis to sign a contract with the Green Bay Packers. The former Minnesota ball lugger is due to report Friday and go into a huddle with Coach Curly Lambeau on the delicate matter of money. Although Andy is unsigned, Lambeau feels that Uram intends to put in his sixth season on the basis of this wire from Minneapolis: "Coming to Green Bay Friday to talk over contract." With the belief that Uram will be the 21st Packer to sign, a brief history of Andy's exploits might be in order. Uram averaged between seven and eight yards every time he carried the ball over a stretch of three years for Minnesota. In 1939, he was named starting halfback opposite Cecil Isbell, the former Packer passing great, in the College All-Star game. Lambeau made him his No. 1 choice in the National league draft that year. Until the 1942 season, Uram was chiefly a runner of high quality with a Packer team that featured throwing and catching the ball. Last year, Andy caught the fever and turned out to be the Packers' second best receiver and the league's eighth best. He averaged 20 yards every time he caught a pass, picking up 420 yards in 21 snatches...SCORED 31 POINTS: The incomparable master of pass receiving, Don Hutson, averaged "only" 16.3 yards in catching 74 passes for 1,211 yards. In the Cleveland game here last fall, Uram took a first down throw form Isbell and raced 64 yards for a touchdown. Andy scored four touchdowns by passing and one by running and kicked an extra point for 31 points, a figure well below Huston's 138 but still second in the Packer record. Uram has one spell of tough luck last fall. Late in the Chicago Bear game here, he fumbled on a left end run in Packer territory, and Ray Nolting dashed for a touchdown. What made Andy fumble? At least 700 pounds of Bear meat fell on him. Lambeau today is making ready an optimistic statement for Friday or Saturday. He has several ace cards up his sleeve but they cannot be played until contract difficulties are ironed out...GREAT TEAM IN MAKING: Just as a hint, It might be reported that Lambeau may have a great club in the making. The coach is enthusiastic about the names he has on a sheet of paper in his office safe. Anyhow, the Packers will start practice Sunday afternoon about 2 o'clock after a report meeting in the Hotel Northland at 11 o'clock that morning. The pilot will have from 22 to 26 players out for the first drill.
LAMBEAU PREDICTS 'ONE OF THE BEST' PACKER TEAMS FOR 1943 SEASON
AUG13 (Green Bay) - Coach Curly Lambeau was filled with optimism today as he gloated over a list of 35 players. Though he has only 20 gridsters signed to Green Bay Packer contracts, Lambeau believes that "we may have one of the best teams in the league." The Packer pilot also came up with a big, fat IF, meaning that "if we are successful in getting veterans, not in service, signed to Packer contracts we could have one of the best teams in the league." But the coach isn't worrying too much about that IF. He revealed that much today in going over each position and pointing out the veterans and promising freshmen for each branch of duty. He's keeping certain names under his hat - for reasons which may be revealed later...ONE LIKES SPAGHETTI: For instance, Lambeau expects to sport two of the best backs in the country. One is a fullback, and the other a left halfback who would fill Cecil Isbell's shoes to a tee. One of the boys has a particular yen for spaghetti. They are expected to report in about two weeks. Lambeau looked over the line first today. The end situation appears definitely healthy with veterans Don Hutson and Harry Jacunski back in the fold. In addition, Joel Mason, the Western State toughy, is signed. Lambeau is dealing with John Freiberger, a six foot, eight inch giant from the University of Arkansas, for more power at the wings. The
tackles present a bright picture. Chet Adams, the former Cleveland all-league selection, will report Tuesday, although he has yet to sign his contract, while Dick Wildung, an All-American from Minnesota, will come after the College All-Star game in Chicago...ROYAL KAHLER QUITS: Adams and Wildung represent what's on the way. Look at the tackles Lambeau already has: Baby Ray, Paul Berezney and Tiny Croft. Ray is ticketed for a great season and Berezney and Croft both are packed with valuable experience from their freshmen 1942 years. On the bad side, however, Lambeau has been informed that Royal Kahler, brother of Bob, will not be able to play. The guard picture brightened somewhat today when junior Glen Sorenson, the eight-fingered "devil dog" from Utah State, informed Lambeau that he definitely will not play at Utah State this fall. His alma mater is undecided about continuing the game this fall. Two other freshmen guards are Pete Gudauskas, Murray State, and Sherwood Fries, Colorado State, both of whom are expected to make the pro grade. Lambeau is dickering with Buckets Goldenberg and Bill Kuusisto, both veterans who undoubtedly will form the backbone of the guard corps. Goldenberg would be starting his 11th season. Kuusisto announced that he is coming to Green Bay but said nothing about terms...CHARLIE BROCK UNDECIDED: Charlie Brock is undecided about returning this fall but Lambeau has not given up the ghost on him yet. The only veteran center is Bob Flowers, a tough lad from Texas Tech who had a good season in 1942. The rookie center is Forrest McPherson, who preceded Brock at Nebraska. Lambeau has eight backs signed and four or five on the wire. Ted Fritsch, a star as a rookie last year at fullback, is coming in Saturday to talk turkey with the coach, while right halfback Andy Uram was due today. Larry Craig, the veteran blocking back, expects to report as soon as he finds a man to run his farm in Central, S.C....ACE VETERAN BACKS: Ace veteran backs already signed are Lou Brock, who will report Sept. 5; Joe Laws, who is starting his 10th season; Ben Starrett, a good blocking back; and Bob Kahler, who is the fastest man on the team. Ticketed for sharp scrutiny by Lambeau are Irv Comp, St. Benedict triple-threat, Babe Webb, the Hawaiian flash, and Bill McWilliams. Starrett, Kahler and Mason have started workouts on their own hook at the practice field. Most of the boys are expected in Saturday. Practice will open with a report meeting at the Hotel Northland at 11 o'clock Sunday morning and the first drill near City stadium at 2 o'clock in the afternoon.
RED SMITH TO KEEP POST WITH BREWERS
AUG 14 (Green Bay) - Line Coach Red Smith of the Green Bay Packers will resume his old position with Curly Lambeau's club August 17, but he plans to commute to Milwaukee nightly to continue his work as assistant to Manager Charley Grimm of the Milwaukee Brewers. The Brewers will make a long home stand late this month and Smith will be able to hold both his major athletic jobs.
LAMBEAU, PACKERS LAUNCH 25TH SEASON IN PRO FOOTBALL SEASON
AUG 14 (Green Bay) - Coach Curly Lambeau launches his 25th year in professional football and his 23rd year in the National league Sunday. Two dozen years ago, he got a bunch of individuals together and organized what was known as a semi-pro football team. Sunday, he will herd another bunch of fellows together to represent what is generally termed as the Green Bay Packers of the National league. The silver jubilee practice will start about 2:30 on Sunday afternoon and will feature about 25 signed players and a number of others who are about to be signed. The group will gather at the Hotel Northland at 11 o'clock in the morning for general instruction. The usual calisthenics will occupy the athletes for the first half-hour or so, after which the backs and linemen will be segregated for passing, punting, running and charging. Lambeau boosted his record Friday with signing of Bill Welch, a 205 pound fullback from the University of Minnesota. Welch was recommended to Lambeau by Coach Bernie Bierman and Bill Daley, ace Gopher halfback, who claimed Welch was the most underrated player at Minnesota...FORGET HE'S FULLBACK: Welch stands six feet, one inch tall and comes here with one of those certain-to-make-good tags hanging on him. The Minnesota ace possesses ideal fullback qualities in that he can't forget he's a fullback once he's past the line and turn into a halfback. Lambeau is giving a Milwaukee high school star a chance to make the grade with the Packers. He is Don Quinn, a left halfback from Nathan Hale High in Milwaukee Suburban conference, a punter and passer who weights 178 pounds. He is 19 years of age. There may be some surprises Sunday afternoon, and chances are the coach will be carrying a stack of contracts in his back pocket. A number of the veterans are now being classed in the holdout division, since they have expressed themselves in favor of playing but not in favor of signing a contract. This group might include Ted Fritsch, former Stevens Point fullback; Andy Uram, the Minnesota runner and pass catcher; Buckets Goldenberg, who may be starting his 11th season; Charley Brock, the center who is finding it hard to decide between business at home or football in Green Bay, and several others...FARMERS CRAIG, BROCK: Two familiar faces will not be here. They belong to blocking back Larry Craig and halfback or fullback Lou Brock. Craig is looking for somebody to run his farm, while Lou and his father are busy harvesting the crops on their Stafford, Kan., acreage. Brock will report in Pittsburgh Sept. 5, and Craig will come to Green Bay later next week.
TED FRITSCH, KUUSISTO SIGN CONTRACT; 17 REPORT FOR PACKERS' FIRST PRACTICE
AUG 16 (Green Bay) - Five newcomers and a dozen veterans helped Coach Curly Lambeau lift the lid on the Green Bay Packers' 1943 season, before about 800 pairs of eyes at the City stadium practice field Sunday afternoon. Rather history in that it was the first time since the "old days" that Lambeau did not have two full teams out for opening practice, the 25th annual drill session lasted two hours and left the 17 athletes with numerous aches and pains. Unofficially, the gridsters sweated down from 3,445 pounds to about 3,340. The Packers were scheduled to go to the post again about 2:30 this afternoon, with a larger squad reporting. Among the late arrivals are Chet Adams, the former Cleveland tackle; fullback Tony Falkenstein of St. Mary's; Pete Gudauskas, Murray State guard; and halfback Bill McWilliams of Jordan college. Adams went into a lengthy conference with Lambeau and the valuable veteran was expected to sign late this afternoon. Big news from the Packer camp Sunday was the signing of fullback Ted Fritsch and guard Bill Kuusisto, who immediately put on their practice uniforms. Still unsigned is Andy Uram, the Minnesota flash, although he went through Sunday's drill. Fritsch is starting his sophomore year here while Kuusisto is a junior...FOUR NEWCOMERS SHINE: The work of four rookies caught the fancy of Lambeau and the spectators. Irv Comp, the former St. Benedict halfback, looked good at left half - the position vacated by Cecil Isbell, Don Hutson's one-time pitching mate. Comp fitted into the Packers system surprisingly well for the first practice. He left-footed some long punts, and tosses several sharp passes. The other newcomers who sparkled included Glen Sorenson, a guard from Utah State; Sherwood Fries, a guard from Colorado State; and center Forrest McPherson of Nebraska. McPherson "talked up" the entire session. Lambeau had four ends - Hutson, Harry Jacunski, Joel Mason and Dick Evans, a former Packer and Chicago Cardinal. The tackles included Paul Berezney, who can officially tack the word "doctor" in front of his name early in October, and Tiny Croft. Besides Fries and Sorenson at guards was Kuusisto. McPherson was the only center, while the backs included Uram, Comp, Don Quinn, Milwaukee high school lad, Bob Kahler, Fritsch, Ben Starrett and Joe Laws. Sunday's drill featured calisthenics and brief exercists in punting, passing, placekicking and running. Several plays were called by Lambeau and an assortment of backfield combinations were used. Punting were Starrett, Kahler, Fries, Fritsch, Quinn and Comp, while Comp, Laws, Hutson and Uram did most of the passing. Despite a deep cold, Hutson made several neat pass catches, all of which made many a fan smile with relief. The old master seemed to be just as sticky-fingered as he was a year ago this time, as he performed a couple of those on-the-end-of-his-fingertip snatches. Assisting Lambeau was Eddie Kotal, who served as backfield coach last season. Now an investigator for the Office of Price Administration, Kotal will serve as a scout for the Packers this season. Transportation difficulties held up a number of players over the weekend. Baby Ray, for one, was believed to be delayed somewhere between South Carolina and Chicago. The squad, with the exception of Lou Brock and Larry Craig, who are busy on their farms, probably will be completed by Wednesday or Thursday.
PACKERS SIGN TRAINER AIDE
AUG 17 (Green Bay) - Gus Seaburg, of Wilmington, Del., has been signed as assistant trainer of the Green Bay Packers, Trainer Bud Jorgensen announced today. Seaburg, recently given a medical discharge from the United States Army, formerly worked under Joe Bach, one-time Notre Dame grid star, with the Army football team at Fort Knox, Ky. Bach is now serving as line coach of the Detroit Lions. Weighing nearly 240 pounds and standing six feet tall, Seaburg also worked as assistant trainer with Jim Pierce of the Indianapolis baseball club of the American association...BUD IN 19TH YEAR: Jorgensen is in his 19th year with the Packers. While Bud was still attending West High school, he volunteered his services as property boy to Coach Curly Lambeau. He eventually advanced to the position of chief of properties and then to assistant trainer. When the popular Dave Woodward, regular Packer trainer, died three and a half years ago, "Jorgy" moved up to fill the vacancy. Dick Miller will help Jorgensen as property man. He replaces Jimmy Schymanski, former Bluejay catcher, who joined the U.S. Marines after last year.
LAMBEAU SIGNS CRAIG, URAM
AUG 17 (Green Bay) - There is no manpower shortage in the Green Bay Packers' camp and, barring a sudden call from Uncle Sam, the 1943 brain and brawn picture may be brighter than it was during the late 1930's when selective service was just a thought. Nearly 30 gridders reported for action on the second day of practice Monday afternoon and at least five more were expected out for this afternoon's workout. Among the Monday arrivals included Chet Adams, former Cleveland tackle; Bob Flowers, Texas Tech center;' Pete Gudauskas, Murray State guard; Bill McWilliams, blocking back from Jordan college, and Tony Falkenstein, the St. Mary's fullback. Expected today is Baby Ray, giant veteran tackle who is believed to be stranded somewhere between Nashville and Chicago, while Babe Webb, the Hawaiian back who signed his contract by cablegram, is said to be on his way from Honolulu. Lambeau tacked the name of Andy Uram to a contract today, although Uram came in Sunday for the first workout. The pilot came to terms with Larry Craig, veteran blocking quarterback, by letter and the "deal" will be confirmed when Craig arrives Friday. Larry is busy in Central, S.C., trying to get someone to manage his farm during the grid season. With Craig and Uram in the fold, and Lou Brock coming Sept. 5, by which time his Kansas crops will be harvested, Lambeau has a good start in organizing his backfield. One signed player, Bill Welch of Minnesota, and two other backs whose names are still "off the record" make up the remainder of the backfield corps. Lambeau sent his charges through about 10 different plays Monday afternoon and the new backs showed up well. Falkenstin looked and played the part of a power-driving fullback. He stands about 5-11 and goes 225 pounds. McWilliams paired with veteran Ben Starrett at blocking back, as Lambeau shuffled various backfield combinations. Irv Comp, the closest thing to a replacement for Cecil Isbell and Don Quinn, the high school lad, threw most of the passes. Running at right halfback were Bob Kahler, Uram and Joe Laws who operated from both left and right. The fullbacks were Falkenstein and Ted Fritsch, who had himself a nice time catching passes. Two different lines worked in front of the backs and in back of the dummies. One wall included Don Hutson and Dick Evans at ends; Chet Adams and Paul Berezney at tackles; Bill Kuusisto and Gudauskas at guards; and Forrest McPherson at center. The other line contained Joel Mason and Harry Jacunski at ends; Berezney and Tiny Croft at tackles; Sherwood Fries and Glen Sorenson at guards; and Flowers at center...RED SMITH ARRIVES: Line Coach Richard (Red) Smith arrived during Monday afternoon's drill, and wore his workout clothes for the first time this afternoon. He left the Milwaukee Brewers in Louisville Sunday night. This week is the official opening period for the National league. Steve Owen will assemble 35 members of the New York giants at Bear Mountain, N.Y., Wednesday, and will share that camp site beginning Aug. 26 with the Brooklyn Dodgers, who will be skippered this year by Pete Cawthon of Texas Tech...BEARS, CARDS IN STATE: Three clubs report for opening drills Thursday. The Chicago Bears go to St. John's, Delafield, Wis.; Phil Handler, who replaced Jimmy Conzelman as head coach of the Chicago Cardinals, will start workouts at Waukesha, and Gus Dorais, new coach of the Lions, will greet a squad of 28 at Detroit's West Shore Golf club...PACKER QUIP: Tiny Croft owes Red Smith 19 laps from last year, the line coach told the "thin man" upon greeting him Monday afternoon. And Smith added that the 300-pound tackle will do his "homework" within the next two weeks. Bill Kuusisto was married last week in Starbuck, Minn., the hometown of Mrs. Earl Ohlgren, whose former Packers husband is with Uncle Sam's glider troops in South Carolina. Kuusisto is here on his honeymoon, so to speak. The married Packer are having a tough time finding apartments. Harry Jacunski, for instance, is here with his missus and there sons, two of whom are twins, is scouting the city for a suitable apartment. The twins are just past two years of age and the other lad is nine months old, and Harry adds, "they're at an age when I just can't get long without them."
PUSHES PACKER TICKET SALES
AUG 17 (Manitowoc) - R.C. Smith of Green Bay, director of ticket sales for the Packer Football corporation, was in Manitowoc and Two Rivers Monday arranging for the sale of season tickets for the home games of the Packers. These home games at the Bay this year are with the Chicago Bears, opening game of the season, Sunday September 26 and the Detroit Lions Sunday October 10. A season ticket for these two games will cost from $1.10 to $3.30 including tax, according to location. They may be purchased at the Stangel Hardware company in this city, at the Galecki Clothing Store in Two Rivers or be procured by sending direct to the Packer ticket office in Green Bay. Top price for a season ticket for the two games will be $6.60. While there is no reduction in purchasing tickets for these two games the advantage is that the purchaser will have them in advance. Mr. Smith said that persons buying the $3.30 tickets can be assured seats in the south stand, below the broadcasting and press booth. Season tickets may also be purchased for the two games to be played by the Packers in State Fair park, Milwaukee. The price range for these two games is $1.10 to $2.75. The Packers meet the world champion Washington Redskins in Milwaukee October 17 and the Chicago Cardinal November 14. Mr. Smith said there is already a heavy demand for the Bear game, opening the season for both clubs and Manitowoc fans are urged to get their reservations in as quickly as possible if they desire the choice locations. The scale of prices for the Bear and Lion games in Green Bay are $1.10, $1.65, $2.20, $2.75 and $3.30 including tax.
LAMBEAU PLANS JOBS FOR PACKER PLAYERS
AUG 18 (Green Bay) - Green Bay Packer football players will have a full schedule if the plan of Coach E.L. Lambeau works. Lambeau has contacted Sturgeon Bay shipyard officials and Green Bay war plants for jobs for his athletes. He reasons that if they expect to play on the professional gridiron they'll have to go into war work. Lambeau is suggesting a 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. work day for the gridsters with football practice in the early evening...Coach E.L. (Curly) Lambeau of the Packers announced yesterday the signing of the veterans Andy Uram, former Minnesota back, and Larry Craig, a blocking back from South Carolina, for his 1943 professional football team.
CHET ADAMS SIGNS PACKER CONTRACT
AUG 18 (Green Bay) - Chet Adams, 240 pounds of tackle who averaged 55 minutes a game with the Cleveland Rams a year ago, put his John Henry on a Green Bay Packer contract today and thereby increased Coach Curly Lambeay's football family to 28 members. An unusual man, Adams came to Packerland under unusual circumstances. Lambeau literally lifted him out of a hat at the at NFL meeting last spring when Commissioner Elmer Layden threw the Rams up for grabs after Cleveland decided to quit the circuit for the duration. Adams gives the Bay driver four experienced tackles, the others being Baby Ray, who arrived Tuesday night, Paul Berezney, the former Fordham block of granite, and Tiny Croft, the 300-pound giant who, in his days of Ripon college, asked movie actress Ann Sheridan for a date to the senior prom. (She refused) Besides being a tackle of some note, Adams, under terms of his contract, will furnish his experienced toe which last year made good on 14 of 15 extra point kicks, three out of six field goals, one a 46-yarder against the Packers at Cleveland, and numerous over-the-goal-line kickoffs...BLOCKED BEAR PUNT: Adams, who plays on the left side of the line, also gets himself tangled up in opponents' backfields. He blocked two kicks against Philadelphia in 1940 and blocked another against those nasty Chicago Bears in 1941. The Ram right tackle, Moose Dunston, scooped up the ball and ran 20 yards for a touchdown. That was the closest Chet ever came to scoring a touchdown. The first local boy ever to make the Rams. Adams also can play end in a pinch. In the Rams-Packers 13-13 game in Cleveland in 1940, he played both positions while against Detroit in 1940 he played 60 minutes at end as the Rams won, 24-0. Adams is starting his fifth year in pro ball with the Packers. He played tackle and guard at Cleveland South High and made the all-city team in his senior year. He made the Little All-American team at Ohio university at Athens, O., in his senior year. Graduating with a summer session at Ohio Aug. 5, 1939, he joined the Rams nine days later. Dutch Clark, former Ram coach, interested him in placekicking. Long hours of practice did the rest. The tackle setup will be strengthened even further when Dick Wildung, All-American from Minnesota, reports after the College All-Star game Aug. 25. Wildung, a surefire star, was Lambeau's first choice in the draft list spring and was the only lineman drafted in the coaches' first pick...HUTSON DOWN TO 172: Lambeau's charges started to show signs of becoming accustomed to the tough football exercises. There were less huffing and puffing and some of the boys were losing excess poundage fast. Although not one to gain much weight during the offseason, pass receiver Don Hutson is down to 172 pounds, which is six pounds under his playing weight. A cold which has bothered him for the past month may have pulled down his weight. Line coach Red Smith got his first look at the 1943 forward wall Thursday afternoon and immediately sent them through a long drill on the charging dummy. Lambeau gave his new left halfback, Irv Comp, a sharp passing drill with Hutson on the receiving end. Comp is working at Cecil Isbell's position, and the big boy seems to be catching on fast. Lambeau will get a better view of his promising youngsters this weekend or early next week when he sends the gridders through a light scrimmage, while "live" tackling and blocking will also reveal much...JOIN CLUB IN PITTSBURGH: Besides Wildung, Larry Craig, Lou Brock and several newcomers have yet to report. Craig is schedule to arrive Friday while Brock will join the club in Pittsburgh Sept. 5. Bill Welch, the Minnesota fullback, is expected along any one of these days. A new tackle, still unannounced, may get in this weekend. Efforts are still being made to get Charlie Brock, the veteran center, and guard Buckets Goldenberg into the fold. Goldenberg, it is said, is interested in playing this season but is having trouble finding a capable person to manage his restaurant in Milwaukee during his absence. Brock is in business in Columbus, Neb., and is undecided about playing.
BABY RAY LOSES GAS RATION BOOK IN ILLINOIS; HE GOT HERE
AUG 18 (Green Bay) - This is a history about a six-foot, six-inch Green Bay Packer, a gas ration book and the world's most honest man. The scene is the gas ration rooms of the Kankakee, Ill,. Office of Price Administration. The principal character is Buford (Bay) Ray, Packer tackle who was on his way to work in Green Bay from Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday afternoon. Ray flooded into the office out of breath with this announcement: "Sir, I've just lost my gas ration book and I've got to continue on to Green Bay to start practice with the Packers. I've just got to get enough extra gas or extra coupons." The OPA official eyed the big Irish gridder and pointed out that an investigation would have to be made. Since the OPA probe would last a day or so, Ray scratched his head and thought, "Why not call the boss in Green Bay," Ray said to himself as one of those mental pictures of Coach Curly Lambeau flashed across his mind. Why sure Curly could fix it, he smiled to himself..."TELL THE COACH": Five minutes later, the phone ran in the Packer training quarters. Trainer Bud Jorgensen answered it and heard the whole story. "Would you tell the coach?" Ray asked. Jorgensen dashed out to the practice field while Ray waited patiently. Lambeau's advice was to notify the OPA here so that the Kankakee office could get official word that Ray's request was on the "up and up". After all, any big man could pose as a football player. Like most stories, this one has a happy ending. While John Haywood, OPA attorney here, called the Kankakee office, some super honest man (he probably didn't own a car) dashed into the Illinois office with Ray's ration book. Ray arrived Tuesday night.
GRIDDERS GAIN STEAM IN DRILL
AUG 19 (Green Bay) - Under a hot sun Wednesday afternoon, the Green Bay Packers were sunburned with spirit - the first official sign that the players are rapidly approaching the point where they want to mix it. Babbling out with a lot of crazy chatter, the linemen, led by chief spokesmen Baby Ray and Forrest McPherson, the 10-year veteran from the west coast, operated to Coach Curly Lambeau's liking as they knocked over the dummies at the correct angles and pulled out to block at the right time. There may be more shouting this afternoon when Paul Newell, a star tackle from Kearney State, reports. Lambeau announced his signing Wednesday afternoon. Newell, recently given an honorable discharge from the United States Marines weighs 205 pounds and stands 6-2. Lambeau believes the newcomer is solid as a rock because he weighed 230 pounds before he went into service. With the tough Marine training to fall back on in cases of emergency (with the Bears, for instance), Newell is expected to be a valuable addition. Backfield operations featured passing by Irv Comp, the newcomer from St. Benedict's college, and Andy Uram, the veteran from Minnesota. Uram was switched from right to left half, indicating that Comp will get some stiff competition in his aim to fill Cecil Isbell's boots...FIELD OLD POSITION?: With Uram moving to left half, it's a good bet Lou Brock will field his old position at right half when he joins the club Sept. 5. Last year, Brock worked at fullback to replace Clarke Hinkle, now of the United States Coast Guard. Ted Fritsch, who appears due for a starting fullback role, has an experienced mate. Tony Falkenstein, a tough looking lad from St. Mary's. Loosening up more every day, Comp began to throw like Isbell in Wednesday's practice. The blackhaired warrior winds up and lets go like Isbell who had something of a baseball pitcher's style. The youngster looked particularly good on short shots over the line and in the "flat" zone. Don Hutson, the ace of the pass receiving corps, indicated that Comp is beginning to throw an easy-to-catch ball. However, Comp still must learn Isbell's famous trick of "leading" Hutson with his passes...PASSED AS A GOPHER: Uram came here five years ago with a good pitching arm and a good completion record to King, the Minnesota end who gained All-American mention, along with Uram. When Andy joined the Packers after a great running show in the All-Star game, the Finnish ace specialized in running - with Isbell and Herber to do the pegging. In Wednesday's drill, Uram demonstrated that he can really toss the apple as he got off some sharp liners to the back and end receivers. Uram worked in one backfield
with Joe Laws, Ted Fritsch and Bill McWilliams. Comp operated with Falkenstein, Bob Kahler and Ben Starrett. The combinations were juggled from time to time. Ray, who arrived in Green Bay shortly before midnight Wednesday night after a harrowing experience in Kankakee, Ill., appeared in great physical condition. The big boy said got several chances to work out in Nashville when not in his liquor store. Babe Webb, the Hawaiian flash, and veteran blocking back Larry Craig are expected to arrive Friday. There is a possibility that Buckets Goldenberg, who may be starting his 11th season, will report over the weekend from Milwaukee where he is operating a restaurant. Goldenberg would help out the guard corps considerably since that position has only one experienced veteran - Bill Kuusisto, who is starting his third season. The newcomers, Pete Gudauskas, Glen Sorenson and Sherwood Fries, are showing promise while Sorenson looks particularly good in his kicking. Lambeau indicated that a surplus of tackles would make it possible to switch one of them to guard. A year ago, for instance, Russ Letlow was moved from guard to tackle with good results. Besides rookie Newell, Lambeau has veteran tackles in Ray, Chet Adams, late of Cleveland, Paul Berezney and Tiny Croft.
PACKER TICKET DRIVE AUG 31; LAMBEAU SIGNS TACKLE NEWELL
AUG 19 (Green Bay) - The second annual Green Bay Packer one-day ticket drive will be held Tuesday, Aug. 31, the Association of Commerce announced today. More than 100 workers will gather at 8 o'clock on the morning of Aug. 31 at the Beaumont for a kickoff breakfast, and will spend the rest of the day soliciting ticket business for the Packers' two home games. The men will report back to the Beaumont hotel at 6 o'clock in the evening for detailed reports of the day's activities. All arrangements for the campaign are being conducted by the Association of Commerce. This year's campaign is rather unique. The workers will have no bargain prices to offer. Last year, the solicitors could sell three $3.30 tickets for $8.25 - a savings of $1.65. This year, though, the workers will reveal the advantages of buying a season ticket to the fans, such as the assurance of having good, and the same, seats for the two contests. No money will be collected, but a pledge promising to pay a representative of the Packer ticket office will be signed by each ticket buyer. Another change in the procedure was announced by the Association of Commerce. This year there will be no mail order sales, principally due to the fact that there are only two home games. Names of those who generally purchase tickets by mail will be supplied to the workers...ASSIGN WORKING AREAS: Workers will be divided into 10 teams of 10 "players" each. Various working areas will be assigned and the solicitors will be given the names of "prospects", or those who purchased tickets last year. With many of last year's workers in the armed forces, the Association of Commerce today announced an urgent appeal for civic-minded citizens to "give the Packers a lift by taking part in the season ticket drive." You can call Secretary Earl S. Ward at the Association of Commerce, Adams 4705, and make reservations for a plate at the breakfast and a position on one of the 10 teams. The Packers will open their National league season against the Chicago Bears at City stadium Sunday, Sept. 28. The other league game will bring the Detroit Lions here Sunday, Oct. 10. The Lions are coached for the first time this season by Gus Dorais, who with Knute Rockne helped originate the forward pass idea at Notre Dame. Dorais has featured passes throughout his college coaching career, indicating that two aerial-minded clubs will collide in the Packer-Detroit tilt.
DON HUTSON WORKS OVERTIME WITH COMP; PACKER PASSER IMPROVES '200 PERCENT'
AUG 20 (Green Bay) - Receiver Don Hutson worked overtime with passer Irv Comp Thursday afternoon, and when the half-hour throw-and-catch session was over the NFL's most valuable players told Coach Curly Lambeau that "Irv has improved 200 percent." It was a case of history repeating itself for Huston. When Cecil Isbell arrived here fresh from Purdue university five years ago, Hutson, then a four-year veteran, kept Cece "after school" to learn just how, when and where to throw the ball. Despite a chest cold which shortened his wind considerably, Hutson revealed all of his old tricks while Comp tossed. The gridiron magician showed Comp his famous "take off" to the right or left, his equally famous stop-on-a-dime maneuver and other actions that have baffled league foes for eight years. The new kid from St. Benedict college learned where to throw the ball so that no opponent could intercept it if it missed Hutson. He was taught how to "lead" the receiver, and how to work his timing with Hutson's moves. This may sound as if Comp had never tossed a football in his life, but the fact remains that the youngster never pegged to Hutson before. Since Hutson is a once-in-a-lifetime receiver, the newcomer is learning to throw with a perfection that he probably never achieved in college play. Hutson believes that Comp is beginning to settle down. "All that talk about him replacing Cece kinda had the boy on edge and he was pretty tight but he's loosening up and improving every day now," Hutson said. Lambeau feels Comp has the necessary physical equipment and the right mental attitude to handle the hurling...GOOD YEAR FOR FRITSCH?: During the regular drill, Lambeau commented, "Ted (Fritsch) should have a good year." The Central State Teachers college ace seems to have as much speed, if not more, than a year ago. In a 60-yard sprint Fritsch beat out halfback Andy Uram and Joe Laws, who finished second and third, respectively. In the sprint for tackles, guards, and centers, Chet Adams came in first, while Hutson "defeated" the ends and several backs. For the second straight day, Uram was used at left halfback and divided passing duties with Comp, with Bob Kahler and Joe Laws at right. Tony Falkenstein worked with Fritsch at fullback. With a surplus of tackles, Lambeau is toying with the idea of moving Chet Adams, former Cleveland tackle, from left to right tackle. Adams played both positions in school while at Cleveland he saw action at left tackle and at both ends. Paul Newell, 205-pound tackle from Kearney State, reported Thursday afternoon and dived into a hot charging session under Line Coach Red Smith. Newell is in great shape, having just completed the Marines' tough body building course. He was given an honorable discharge...CRAIG, WEBB COMING: Larry Craig, veteran blocking quarterback, and Babe Webb, Hawaiian halfback, were expected to report for this afternoon's practice. Craig has been busy on his South Carolina farm looking for a manager during the grid season, while Webb is believed to have been delayed on the west coast after his trip from Honolulu. The blocking aprons were brought out for today's practice, the chief reason being to teach the linemen the proper blocking assignments on the various plays. Although undecided on the exact day, Lambeau plans to send the boys out for a "dress rehearsal" over the weekend. Thus far, the gridders have been wearing only sweat suits. The first morning practice will be held at 9:30 Sunday.
GREEN BAY PACKERS 'FREE' FOR WORK IN DEFENSE FACTORIES
AUG 20 (Green Bay) - The Green Bay Packers are here for two reasons this wartime year - (1) to play football and (2) to help the war effort. This was Coach Curly Lambeau's way of announcing today that the Packers are free for morning or night jobs in labor-shorted defense plants in Green Bay. For instance, Lambeau herds his gridders onto the City stadium practice field shortly after 2 o'clock in the afternoon. The boys are usually showered and dressed, ready for war work, sometime between 4:30 and 5 o'clock...PLENTY OF SLEEP: This gives the gridders a great chance to work a night shift and follow up with plenty of sleep early the next day. On the gridders could work in the morning, practice in the afternoon and get to bed earlier in the night. Lambeau has let the bars down on the regular 11 o'clock at-home-and-in-bed order for those who work at night, while the boys who work in the morning and drill in the afternoon are tired enough to retire with the chickens. First players to take jobs were fullback Ted Fritsch and guard Sherwood Fries, both of whom are working at the Green Bay Food company. Being husky boys, Fritsch and Fries are doing plenty of hard and heavy work there. The work doesn't hamper the boys in practice either. The other afternoon, after Fritsch put in his first night shift, the Central States Teachers college back won a 60-yard sprint after nearly two hours of practice...DISTANCE FROM CHICAGO: Lambeau believes Green Bay is the only team in the National league that can allow its players to work. The Chicago Bears and Cardinals are drilling at Delafield and Waukesha, a considerable distance from the Chicago war plant area, while the Washington Redskins drilled on the west coast. Players in large cities like Detroit, New York, Brooklyn and Philadelphia find it hard to get to defense plants before or after practice because of crowded travel conditions within the cities. In Green Bay, it's a matter of a good walk to a defense plant.
CANADEO JOINS BAYS
AUG 21 (Green Bay) - To an honorable discharge from the U.S. Navy Air corps in his back pocket, Tony Canadeo this morning added another document - a contract with the Green Bay Packers. Canadeo came to terms with Coach Curly Lambeau today after working out for the first time Friday afternoon. The Grey Ghost is in excellent shape for his third year here. He pegged about 25 passes and believe it or not, delivered the longest punts of the afternoon - a performance that was particularly pleasing to Lambeau. Canadeo seems to be greyer than ever, what with his G-1 (government issue) haircut. He was nicknamed the Grey Ghost at Gonzaga university because of his prematurely grey hair and his phenomenal running. A brilliant man in the open field, Tony twice made touchdown runs of more than 100 yards - considered something of a record on the west coast. A year ago Canadeo was Lambeau's No. 2 passer, working behind Cecil Isbell. This year, the Ghost likely will fight with Irv Comp, the St. Benedict college flash, for the No. 1 position. Canadeo averaged 3.1 per running try a year ago, gaining 272 yards in 89 attempts. His longest gain was a 50-yard touchdown scamper around right end during the Ram massacre at City stadium last fall. He dashed within a foot of the sidelines the last 25 yards...GAINED 310 YARDS: In forward passing, Canadeo last year completed 24 out of 59 passes for a gain of 310 yards. Three were good for touchdowns, and four were intercepted. Friday afternoon, Canadeo worked in a backfield composed of Ted Fritsch at full, Bill McWilliams at blocking quarter, and Bob Kahler at right half. The other backfield had Joe Laws at right, Andy Uram at left, Ben Starrett at blocking quarter, and Tony Falkenstein at full. Lambeau beamed as he watched his forward wall - or walls - perform. The line is two deep at every position, with reinforcements on the way if necessary. How's this for a starting line: Don Hutson and Harry Jacunski at left and right end, respectively; Baby Ray and Chet Adams at left and right tackle; Bill Kuusisto and Sherwood Fries at left and right guard; and Bob Flowers at center. The other line has Dick Evans and Joel Mason at ends; Paul Berezney and Tiny Croft at tackles; Glen Sorenson and Pete Gudauskas at guard; and Forrest McPherson at center...POSITIONS WIDE OPEN: The "first" line has only one rookie, Fries, who looks as if he could handle himself among the pros. The other line is bolstered by "veteran power" at the ends and tackles, and two aggressive guards and center McPherson. But don't write these names down yet because Lambeau feels that every position is "still" wide open. For instance, Dick Wildung, great Minnesota tackle and Lambeau's first choice in the draft, will probably give the tackles a run for their money when he reports after the College All-Star game in Chicago Wednesday night. Wildung today was picked as a co-captain of the Stars with tackle Al Wistert of Michigan. Lambeau will confer with Wildung before the All-Star game and discuss contract terms. In correspondence with the Packer coach, Wildung announced that he will play pro football this fall. The Packers will start morning practice at 9:30 Sunday morning and will follow with similar drill sessions next week. The players will be issued uniforms and a brief period will be devoted to picture taking.
BUCKETS LOOK IN AND THEN LEAVES
AUG 21 (Green Bay) - Buckets Goldenberg, retired captain of the U.S.P.M.R. (United States Packer Morale Reserve), looked in on Green Bay Packer practice Friday afternoon and left for Milwaukee without signing a contract. The chunky guard, who captained the Bays last year, is in the market for his 11th season here, but Coach Curly Lambeau, as yet, has been unable to sell him a bill of goods, often called a contract. Don Hutson, joking with Buckets as the gridders walked off the field, said, "what sa matter, Buckets, we held up practice 10 minutes waiting for our captain to put on a uniform."
DON'T LET HUTSON AND ISBELL QUIT, FIGHTING SOLDIER WRITES LAMBEAU
AUG 21 (Green Bay) - Convincing evidence that the soldiers on the fighting fronts want sports to continue
was furnished by Coach Curly Lambeau of the Green Bay Packers in a letter he received from Pvt. Ray Bodenberger, West Allis, on duty in North Africa. His letter is written in protest to the retirement of Don Hutson and Cecil Isbell, great Packer stars, and the soldier even asked Lambeau to show his letter to Hutson and Isbell in hopes that it may make them change their minds. Since Lambeau received the letter, however, Hutson had signed for his ninth season, but Isbell had started his duties as assistant coach at Purdue university. But read the letter for yourself...WAS "VERY DISAPPOINTING": "I have just read in the Stars and Stripes newspaper an article concerning Don Hutson and Cecil Isbell. It stated that Hutson has retired from pro football and that Isbell has taken a job as assistant coach at Purdue. This was very disappointing to me, and many other Green Bay fans. I have seen them play many times with exception to the last two years since I was in the Army. I have not been overseas 15 months. Last year I was unable to hear the games on the radio but my mother would send me the complete story of each game from the newspaper. While I was at home in West Allis, I would see every game at Fair park. Not only for myself but for many Packer fans and my friends who are also in the Army and Navy would you please show this letter to Don Hutson and Cecil Isbell. It may make them change their minds and play this year."...SPORTS ON SHAKY SIDE: "Sports is on the shaky side just now, and with their retiring it makes it that much harder for pro ball to keep going, not only on the Packer club but the rest of the teams also. Even if the Packers didn't win the championship last year we were behind them all the way, and always will be. So I do hope that they both will change their mind. We boys over here are fighting so you boys over there will always be able to play football. So here is wishing you all of the luck in the world that you sign them up. Neither of them is too old to retire. I know you will win the championship this year. So maybe next year we will all be back home and see you and the Packers in Soldier's field, Chicago, for the All-Star game."
CANADEO, URAM, COMP TABBED AS 'MOST LIKELY TO SUCCEED'
AUG 23 (Green Bay) - Two weeks from today - when the Green Bay Packers will have beaten or lost to the Washington Redskins - the current football mystery entitled, "Who Will Replace the Disappeared Cecil Isbell", will be solved. There are three candidates trying to fill Isbell's leathers - namely, Tony Canadeo, No. 2 man behind Cece last season; Andy Uram, the Minnesota utility ace who can do everything but play center; and Irv Comp, the flashy rubber-armed back from St. Benedict college. The guy who wheels the ball to Don Hutson will have a lot of shoe to fill, since this Mr. Isbell won the NFL passing championship the second season in succession last fall. He threw the ball 268 times, and completed 146 aerials for a gain of 2,021 yards. Twenty-four of his heaves went for touchdowns. When the honorable Isbell decided to assistant coach Purdue's gridders, he left a mark that probably won't be snapped in many a pro grid moon - 23 straight games in which he completed one or more touchdown passes starting in 1941. Last year he set eight new records and tied another...REALLY QUITE SIMPLE: Well, Messrs. Canadeo, Uram and Comp, are you ready? It's really quite simple. All you have to do is throw the ball reasonably close to Peerless Don and dodge the opposing linemen. (P.S. Chicago Bear Lee Artoe is in the service) Just what kind of right arm exercises Lambeau is prescribing for the three throwers is something of a secret, but it will have a to be a fair-to-middlin' tonic. One day last fall in Milwaukee, Canadeo took over late in the second quarter after Isbell and Hutson made hash out of the Lions and proceeded to throw 22 passes. "Sufferin' cats," Tony said, "I never threw that many passes in all my life, but my arm feels wonderful." How long Canadeo will be with the Packers this fall is something of a question. After receiving an honorable discharge from the Navy Air corps, Tony was given the alternative of going into the Navy as a seaman or entering civilian life where he'd be eligible for the draft. He is single...URAM SHIFTED TO LEFT HALF: Canadeo, at present, seems to be the best passer on the field, although Comp and Uram, who recently was shifted from right to left halfback, are pressing him hard. Comp, built along the lines of Isbell, is hitting the mark well on short bullet-like tosses but still needs polish on his long throws. Uram, who did a lot of passing at Minnesota, throws a light ball and is accurate. There is a fourth prospect, too, but his name is strictly a secret. He'll be revealed come Bear time Sunday, Sept. 26.
LAARY CRAIG ARRIVES IN BAY CAMP
AUG 23 (Green Bay) - Farmer Larry Craig, who feels Wisconsin is a much better state for farming than his home state of South Carolina, breezed into the Green Bay Packer camp Saturday looking like a city slicker. Arrival of the blocking quarterback, master of 33 milk cows and many acres of land during the offseason, provided the only real news of a weekend that saw some of the gridders look sour Saturday afternoon and sweet on Sunday morning - for the benefit of the cameraman. Craig reported 10 pounds underweight, but the big boy, nicknamed superman because of his slick build, looks and feels in top shape. He's had a good year on his farm with little help to speak of. His arrival was delayed, incidentally, because he had a hard time finding a man to run his farm. Craig is Don Hutson's shadow, since the blocking back shifts to end of defense while Hutson moves into the backfield. In fact, the first time Craig ever played a defensive role in the backfield for any length of time was in the Pittsburgh game in Milwaukee last year. Hutson was badly injured and went in only to kick extra points and a field goal. Ray Riddick, now in the Army, held forth at Hutson's end spot. Lambeau now has three blocking backs, the others being Ben Starrett of St. Mary's and Bill McWilliams of Jordan college. Dick Weisgerber, who worked with Craig and Starrett in 1942, was caught in the draft last spring. Coach Curly Lambeau was disappointed with the Saturday drill. "We're making too many mistakes," he bellowed as a back failed to hit the right hole; the blocker didn't take out the right opponent; the lineman checked the wrong defensive forward; or the signals and shifts were slightly balled up. Most of the players were run over two or three times. The Packer coach "stepped up" the pace for this morning's practice session, and he was fairly well pleased since most of the boys had their assignments down pat. The gridders will start work at 9:30 in the morning every day this week and next. The first rough stuff session will be held later this week and a couple of good scrimmage periods are booked for early next week. The team will tangle with the Washington Redskins in an exhibition game in Baltimore Sept. 5. After the tilt in Baltimore, Lambeau will move his players into Pittsburgh for an exhibition with the combined Phil-Pitt eleven on Sept. 12, giving the Bays two weeks in which to prepare for the classic Chicago Bears NFL opener at City stadium Sept. 26. After a trip to Chicago for a tussle with the Cardinals, the Packers will return home for their final here - against Detroit on Oct. 10.
LOOKING UP IN THE REALM OF SPORTS
AUG 23 (Green Bay) - Optimism, defined by Webster as the doctrine that everything is for the best, is one of Curly Lambeau's main weapons. The man is a confirmed optimist, and, some say, incurable. One day last winter and then again in spring, the Green Bay Packer coach took an optimistic viewpoint on the 1943 manpower setup. He was quoted in this paper and Chicago, Milwaukee and eastern sheets that "we had our toughest manpower year in 1942; there will be plenty of material in 1943." Pro grid magnates in Chicago (the Cardinals), Brooklyn, Cleveland, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and even Detroit swooned, "What manner of talk does this man Lambeau give out with," they opined. Today they know all about those words from the northwest and if they don't Lambeau can mail his friendly enemies postcards reading, "I told you so." Today the eight league clubs have over 300 players working out - about the same number that the circuit contributed to the U.S. armed forces from the 1941 and 1942 rosters. A good 80 percent of the 1943 gridders are married and have children, while the rest have received discharges from duty, 4-F classifications, or are married by fatherless and awaiting call. When Lambeau said that 1942 was the toughest year, he meant that the outlook then was blacker because of upsetting Pearl Harbor memories; that the team owners would naturally be frightened by the sudden and mad rush for fighting manpower; and the coaches would have to take the loss of a star or a group of them with a smile. And if you think Lambeau didn't lose plenty shortly before or during the 1942 years, listen to these names, now all in service: Clarke Hinkle, Bill Lee, Howie Johnson, George Svendsen, Ernie Pannell, Bob Adkins, Ed Frutig, Tom Greenfield, Eddie Jankowski, Bill Johnson, Carl Mulleneaux, George Schultz, Hal Van Every and many others. This left the coach with a complete rebuilding to do. But, even in 1942, there were enough players to go around and Lambeau finished off with a second-place team. Then came 1943 and the crucial league meetings in Chicago. And how could the mentor be anything but optimistic; his briefcase contained the names of 500 players (yes, 500) who were not in service and eligible to play. Of course, 10 other teams might be interested in many of those names but the important thing was that there were not that many gridders available. To make it all the more rosy, Lambeau wrote to every one of his 1942 gridders and even a few of those who quit in 1940 and 1941 and 90 percent of the '42 players said they were not in service and would like to play. Right now Coach Lambeau is on the spot. The player limit is 25 this season and he has over 30 boys he'd like to keep. Did his optimism pay off? And how.
STRONG GROUND GAME SEEN FOR BAYS; ADAMS, MCPHERSON PACE SCRIMMAGE
AUG 24 (Green Bay) - Green Bay Packers, Inc., had a busy day Monday. The on-the-field members held their first scrimmage in the morning and the off-the-field members, the officers and stockholders, held their annual meeting in the evening. Busiest of the lot was Coach Curly Lambeau, who directed the scrimmage, signed two players after lunch and then gave his annual report on the squad at the business meeting at the courthouse...TOUGH COMBINATION: In reporting on the team, Lambeau put emphasis on the Packers' 1943 running game which, he said, should be "very good and a definite improvement over a year ago when we depended too much on passing." He listed Ted Fritsch at fullback, Larry Craig at blocking quarterback, Tony Canadeo at left half and Lou Brock at right half as a "tough" combination. Lambeau spoke highly of his newcomers, saying that they will help considerably at every position. "Although the 25-player limit makes it hard for us to cut the squad, we feel that we will outman the Bears for a change," he pointed out. Under the present limit, he can carry the minimum of five ends, five tackles, five guards, two centers and only eight backs. "We need more than eight backs, although unlimited substitution will give us an opportunity to give the players a rest," he added. The coach admitted he was puzzled about center Charley Brock and guard Buckets Goldenberg, explaining that "I don't know whether they are holding out for more money or just intend to quit."...MEET WITH ISBELL: The coach revealed that he will meet with Cecil Isbell, former Bay passer and now assistant Purdue backfield coach, at the Sherman hotel in Chicago Wednesday noon. He added that he didn't
know the nature of the confab but stated that "there is a 50-50 chance of getting him back." The two will attend the All-Star game in Chicago Wednesday night. Lambeau said he expects to return from Chicago with Dick Wildung, All-American tackle from the University of Minnesota. Wildung is co-captain of the All-Stars and is rated highly among the pro coaches. They have agreed on salary terms and the coach hopes to sign him before the game...ON THE FIELD: Lambeau signed a fullback, Don Perkins of Platteville State Teachers college, and an end, Don Wilson of Milwaukee West high school, after practice. Perkins, who packs 190 pounds around a five foot, 11 inch frame, had been here on a tryout basis. Wilson, who stands 6-2 and weighs 220, arrived Sunday night and put in a good showing. He saw some action with the Milwaukee Falks, a semi-pro team. Bill Kuusisto, Minnesota guard, was the only casualty in the initial scrimmage. He sustained a cut over his left eye. Tony Falkenstein, new fullback from St. Mary's, is bothered with a charley horse. Of the newcomers, Chet Adams, former Cleveland Ram tackle, and Forest McPherson, who has nearly 10 years of pro ball under his belt, looked best in the rough stuff workout. The pair led the entire line in a display of defensive fireworks that left Lambeau smiling. Of offense, Adams combined with Harry Jacunski, veteran right end, in blocking several punts. The first line of Jacunski and Larry Craig at ends, Adams and Baby Ray at tackles, Bill Kuusisto and Sherwood Fries at guards and McPherson at center shapes up as Lambeau's strongest defensive unit. On offense, the only change would be Don Hutson at left end, replacing Craig who would move into the quarterback slot.
PACKER DUCAT SELLERS EYE ALL-TIME RECORD
AUG 24 (Green Bay) - The 100 or more Green Bay "packers" who will carry the ball all day Tuesday, Aug. 31 will shoot for a new season ticket record. They won't be dressed in grid uniforms, nor will be they doing any blocking or tackling; they'll be selling season tickets for the Packers' two home games - Sept. 26 with the Chicago Bears and Oct. 10 with Detroit's Gus Doraised Lions. They'll be out to sell 4,000, 4,500 or any number above 3,764 - the championship or all-time figured turned in during the Association of Commerce's first annual one-day campaign a year ago. The drive this season will again be fostered by the Association. Since 1936, generous strides have been made in the matter of selling season tickets - a vital cog in the Packers' wheel of activities, according to the team's ticket director, Ralph Smith...YEARLY INCREASES SHOWN: Smith points out that since 1935 season ticket results have shown yearly increases. For instance, in 1936, when the Green Bay Packers, Inc., was adjusting itself after the depression, a total of 1,070 season tickets were sold. The next year the figure leaped to 1,533. While Hitler and Mussolini were planning headaches in Europe in 1938, the season ticket total soared to 2,205. In 1939, the figure reached 2,345, while in 1940 a total of 2,869 season tickets were sold. A total of 2,878 were sold in 1941, and in 1942 the total skyrocketed to 3,764. Not all of these tickets were sold in the campaigns, since the regular customers were given an opportunity to buy them by mail. The setup will be changed this season, and the names of all former season ticket holders will be turned over to the solicitors. Those not contacted will be notified by mail later...MAKE SURE OF SEATS: There is a possibility that no individual game tickets will be available in Sections D, E, F and G - or the four center sections on the south side. In other words, you can be assured of seats in those four section by getting season ducats. And here's another tip: People last year had to sit in Sections O and P because their reservations come in late. This year they can get on the south side merely by getting their tickets on the day of the drive or shortly thereafter. Smith and the Association of Commerce reported that the response thus far has been good. There may be difficulty in liming up enough workers but the Association is making a special appeal for "citizens to get out and boost the Packers."
SMITH NAMED CLUB EXECUTIVE
AUG 25 (Green Bay) - Richard (Red) Smith, line coach of the Green Bay Packers, has been re-appointed as assistant manager of the Columbus Community club for the second consecutive season, it was announced today by the Rev. S.M. Killeen, club manager. Smith, former Packer lineman, Green Bay Bluejay manager, and Milwaukee Brewer coach, will start his duties Sept. 1. Father Killeen announced that Smith will be in complete charge of the bowling alleys and will promote activities in the alleys. Smith will represent the CCC at all business meetings in the building and also will give a number of talks in promoting activities there...WITH WAR EFFORT: Among programs planned tentatively by Smith are organization of exercise clubs and conditioning groups in line with the war effort. Such activities would be the first at the club in several years. A native of Combined Locks, Wis., Smith has been connected with Green Bay athletic programs for a number of years. He played with the Packers in 1927 and 1929 and acted as line coach at the same time. He coached football at Georgetown university, Seton Hall and the University of Wisconsin before renewing his contract with the Packers in 1936. In baseball, Smith played with the New York Giants in the National league in 1926 and '27. He joined Montreal of the International league in 1928 and then played with the Boston Braves in 1929. Since 1935 Smith has been connected with the Milwaukee Brewers of the American association. Besides playing with them, he managed their farm club in the south. Smith managed the Bluejays in 1941 and 1942, leading them to the Wisconsin State league pennant in 1941 and to second place last year.
PACKERS TAKE LIGHT WORKOUT, SET SIGNS ON STIFF SCRIMMAGE, WILDUNG TO REPORT
AUG 25 (Green Bay) - Nearing the end of their practice rope, the Green Bay Packers today took a light workout in preparation for a stiff scrimmage session Friday or Saturday, when Coach Curly Lambeau and Don Hutson will have returned from Chicago. Though the Packers will be here a full week before leaving for their exhibition opener against the Washington Redskins at Baltimore Sept. 5, only two more scrimmage session will be held. The second probably will be on tap Tuesday. The team leaves Sept. 2 and will arrive in Baltimore Sept. 3. Richard (Red) Smith, line coach, and veteran end Don Hutson were in charge of workouts Tuesday in the absence of Coach Lambeau who is in Chicago for a NFL meeting, a conference with Cecil Isbell and the All-Star
game where he will scout the Redskins. Smith handled the team alone today, since Hutson left this morning for Chicago where during the All-Star tilt tonight, he will be presented the Joe Carr Memorial trophy for being the most valuable player in the league in 1942. He also won the honor for the 1941 season. An offensive drill with two teams running through plays was held Tuesday, and the general impression was that Washington may bump into a smooth running attack. In previous years, the Redskins could work on pass defense all week because the Bays were sure to pitch most of the time...SUPREME TEST FOR LINE: The Redskin game will be a supreme test for the untested Packer line, although the tentative starting wall has only one rookie - Sherwood Fries at guard. Others include Hutson and Harry Jacunski at ends; Chet Adams and Baby Ray at tackles; Bill Kuusisto, guard; and Bob Flowers or Forrest McPherson at center. The guard picture is none too bright, although the rookies are promising. With Kuusisto being the only veteran, there is a possibility that a tackle may be switched to the "devil dog" spot. 'Tis rumored, too, that Pete Tinsley, four-year veteran, may get a discharge from the Army. There is also the possibility that Buckets Goldenberg will return for his 11th season. Lambeau was schedule to talk with Isbell in Chicago this noon, although no news has been received up to early this afternoon. Isbell, now coaching at Purdue, asked for the appointment and the coach said Monday night that there is a "50-50 chance of getting him back."...ROSTER FAIRLY COMPLETE: With the exception of Isbell, center Charley Brock and Goldenberg, the Packer roster is fairly well complete, although Lambeau will return from Chicago with tackle Dick Wildung, who will co-captain against the Stars tonight. Wildung was to be signed this afternoon. Lambeau will cut his squad to 25 players for the Chicago Bears game here Sept. 26. The player limit has been slashed from 33 to 25 for this season.
CRACK PACKER TACKLE UNIT HITS 1,193 POUNDS; 'BEST IN YEARS'
AUG 25 (Green Bay) - The Green Bay Packers have tackles to burn, only Coach Curly Lambeau isn't planning on starting any fires these days. And, brother, he really has 'em. For instance, a year ago he started with three veterans, Bill Lee, Baby Ray and Ernie Pannell, and a couple of rookies named Paul Berezney and Tiny Croft. After the first few games, Pannell and Lee were in the service, leaving Ray alone with his experience of previous years. How times have changed. This year, Lambeau is sporting four veteran tackle and two rookies. The veterans besides Ray are Chet Adams, an all-league ace from Cleveland, Berezney and Croft. The "youngsters" are Paul Newell, a good looking boy from Kearney State, and Dick Wildung, All-American from Minnesota. Oh, what to do with all those tackles?...SWITCH TO BE MADE: Well, Lambeau is toying with the idea of making one or two of them into guards - a spot that may need rehabilitation in the near future. A year ago guards Russ Letlow and Fred Vant Hull moved over to tackle - just to prove that a switch can be made. Not counting Wildung, the Packer tackles go a total of 1,193 pounds for an average of 238.6. That sounds like Chicago Bear proportions. Most experienced of the lot are Ray and Dams. Ray is starting his sixth season in a Packer uniform while Adams saw four years of play at Cleveland. Adams weighs 222 pounds and Ray 252...DUE FOR HOT YEAR: Berezney, who played two seasons with the Kenosha Cardinals, is due for a hot sophomore year. The big lad, who will become a doctor on Oct. 1, is tough as nails and can give and take plenty. Croft, the former Ripon College bearcat, who weighs two pounds under 300, has learned to "fight like mad" when in the game. A year ago, it took a couple of "socks" from Bears like Lee Artoe and Joe Stydahar to make Croft a new man. Newell possesses plenty of speed and is rapidly regaining weight lost while in a Marine hospital. Wildung is coming here with a great reputation, but he'll be starting from scratch in the pro league.
PRO PLAY ROSTER BOOSTED TO 28; LAMBEAU STILL HAS HIS WORRIED
AUG 26 (Green Bay) - When the Green Bay Packers open NFL play against the Chicago Bears here Sept. 26, Coach Curly Lambeau will have 28 players in uniform - three more than the previously-set player limit. This was made possible at the annual fall meeting of coaches in Chicago Wednesday when the loop increased the limit from 25 to 28 men. The limit was reduced from 33 to 25 at last April's meeting. Wednesday, the coaches took notice of an improved manpower situation and the talked about draft of fathers in boosting the limit. However, Lambeau still has plenty of worries about cutting his squad. At present he has five tackles, four guards, two center, six ends and 10 backs - a total of 27 players. Lou Brock, Bill Welch of Minnesota and Babe Webb of Hawaii are signed and are expected to report later. Then there is Dick Wildung, All-Star tackle, who is expected to arrive here with Lambeau tonight. Charley Brock, Buckets Goldenberg and Cecil Isbell are listed as "possibilities." Nothing has been heard from Chicago on the reported conference between Isbell and Lambeau Wednesday noon. Although Lambeau and Wildung have agreed on terms in correspondence, no contract has been signed as yet. Line Coach Red Smith was in charge of workouts at the City stadium practice field tonight. Smith continued to work his forwards hard on their signals and proper blocking assignments, while the backs polish their running plays. Lambeau is expected to dish out a stiff scrimmage session Friday morning, with another one coming up next Monday or Tuesday. The team will leave early next Thursday morning for the exhibition game with Washington at Baltimore Sunday, Sept. 5. It was reported today that there was considerable backroom discussion of trades at Wednesday's Chicago meeting but none materialized. The Packers and Detroit Lions were said to be discussing a swap of linemen and the combined Pittsburgh-Philadelphia club was seeking to do business with the Chicago Cardinals. A number of Packer players attended the All-Star game. Their chief comment was "the Redskins are a better team than they showed last night."
WOMEN URGED TO BACK PACKERS WITH ATTENDANCE AT CONTESTS
AUG 26 (Green Bay) - "We owe it to Green Bay and her sons in service to back the Packers with our attendance." The speaker was Mrs. Vivian C. Bergen, 628 Doty street, and she is talking to the women of Green Bay who she thinks represents a really good market for season tickets. The principal reason is just this: "There are hundreds of women, young and old, who are now working and in a better position than ever before to purchase a season ticket for the Packers' two home games. We should, and can, get out and boost the team with our presence during this crucial war year. Let's go in groups, and make the game a definite date. Women's bowling leagues and scores of other organizations can talk it up and sends delegations to the games. We feel that the Packers have put the city of Green Bay on the map and we owe it to the team and our boys in service to keep it on the map."...HERE IS WHAT TO DO: There are hundreds of "Mrs. Bergens" in Green Bay, women who have bought season tickets for the last five, 10 or even 15 years. Your best bet is to contact any one of the 125 workers who will take part in the Association of Commerce's annual one-day drive Tuesday, or if that cannot be arranged be sure and make application with Ralph Smith, ticket director, at the Packer ducat office in the Legion building. The 125 worker, announced today by captains of 10 teams in the "ticket league", will gather at the Beaumont hotel at 8 o'clock Tuesday morning for a kickoff breakfast and will report back at a dinner at 6 o'clock in the evening.
DON HUTSON HONORS CECIL ISBELL IN TALK BEFORE STAR CROWD
AUG 26 (Evanston, IL) - Don Hutson, great Green Bay end, paid tribute to Cecil Isbell, his former passer, as he received the NFL's most valuable player trophy for the second consecutive year at the All-Star game last night. After Commissioner Elmer Layden presented the trophy, Hutson said, "there is an error in the engraving on this
trophy; it should also include the names of all of the Green Bay Packers. Any records that I have made were made only as a result of the excellent passing of Cecil Isbell." Over 50,000 persons heard him speak over a public address system. On the same program, Bruce Smith, former Minnesota back and a Green Bay Packer draftee, was given a trophy by Fielding Yost of Michigan as the most valuable player in the 1942 All-Star game.
SIGNAL-STEALER STOPS IN CITY; HE'S 10 POUNDS 'OVERWEIGHT'
AUG 26 (Green Bay) - Howard E. (Cub) Buck, one of the greatest of Packer tackles, came into Green Bay looking fit enough to put in a season on the gridiron. Now 51, Buck packs 300 pounds - only 10 over his playing weight. He's traveling as a Wisconsin district manager for Buick corporation, and stopped here for just a "brief" look at the 1943 Packers. Besides his great defensive and offensive work at tackle, Buck can be remembered most for his uncanny knack of calling the opposing team's plays just before the ball is snapped...STILL CALLING PLAYS: And the big guy is still calling plays. At college and pro games in Chicago where is headquartered, Buck wagers with members of his office force on what play would be called next. "They won't bet anymore," the former tackle smiled. How did he do it in the old days - 1921-25? "Well, in those days they didn't have the huddle so it was easy to catch the emphasis that the quarterback put on the number of the play that was to be used," he explained, adding that many backs will tip off the play by shifting their eyes or feet to the spot where the ball will be carried. This may sound quite simple, but any of Buck's teammates will tell you that Cub was an expert at it. He'd stand up at the line, stare at the opposing backfield, and then shot out what play was coming up. Sometimes Buck would run back into his own backfield when he "smelled" a pass play and intercept the ball. Buck remarked that "opposing players would ask me before the games not to call their plays." Of course, Cub joked, "I wouldn't call them." Further explaining his knack, Buck said "catching the quarterback's pattern is very important. Just keep the order of plays in mind, and you cannot miss." He made it sound very easy, but it must have been extremely difficult because there has never been a signal stealer like him in pro or collegiate ball. Though he never scored a touchdown, Buck left here with 60 points to his credit. He was an expert at kicking field goals and extra points, getting a dozen F.G.'s and two E.P.'s. He also handled most of the punting. Before coming to here, an All-American from the University of Wisconsin, backed up the line for Jim Thorpe's Canton Bulldogs. Incidentally, it was at Wisconsin where Buck said he "trained myself" to catch signals.
CHARLEY BROCK RETURNS TO BAY ELEVEN; WILDUNG, WELCH DUE
AUG 27 (Green Bay) - Charley Brock, the NFL's self-made thief, will return to the Green Bay Packers. The veteran center, who will be starting his fifth year here, agreed to terms in a long-distance telephone conversation from Columbus, Neb., with Coach Curly Lambeau this morning. He'll report the first of next week when Brock will put his name on a Packer contract to make it official. Brock's coming gives Lambeau three veteran centers, the other two being Bob Flowers, the Texas Tech lad who is starting his second year here, and Forrest McPherson, who already has 10 years of pro ball under his belt with west coast clubs. Lambeau was mum today on the reported player development in Chicago this week, saying that "we may have something later." He conferred with Cecil Isbell Wednesday, and rumors leaking out of the Windy City said that the Packers and Detroit Lions were involved in player trades. Isbell is assistant coach at Purdue university. Brock gained nationwide recognition last fall when, under the bright lights of Comiskey park in Chicago, he stole the ball from fullback John Morrow and scampered 25 yards for the touchdown that gave the Packers a 17 to 13 victory...PASS DEFENSIVE ACE: The former University of Nebraska star is regarded as the outstanding pass defensive center in the league. He won All-American honors in his senior year and played on the Chicago All-Star team in 1939. Lou Brock, a Packer back for the last three years and a graduate of Purdue, is a cousin. Twenty-seven years old, Charley is six feet, one inch tall and usually weighs around 205 pounds. With Lambeau and Don Hutson back from the College All-Star game and league meetings in Chicago, the Packers were at full strength today for a long scrimmage session that highlighted ground plays. Lambeau announced that Dick Wildung, co-captain of the All-Stars and a former Minnesota tackle, will report over the weekend. Another Minnesota player, fullback Mike Welch, graduates today and is expected to report Saturday or Sunday...WASHINGTON FIRST FOE: The Packers will leave next Thursday morning for their eastern exhibition tour. They'll battle the Washington Redskins in Baltimore Sept. 5 and then move into Pittsburgh for a game with the combined Phil-Pitt club Sept. 12. The next big assignment is that team from Chicago known as the Bears. In fact, one month from today the Packers will be nursing grounds for the Bear game here Sept. 26.
FRITSCH ACE OF FULLBACK CORPS; FALKENSTEIN, PERKINS RATE HIGH
AUG 27 (Green Bay) - If fullbacks come from small schools, the Green Bay Packers are fairly well fixed. Remember Clarke Hinkle? He came from a university called Bucknell - a comparative dot on the gridiron map until Hinkle distinguished himself as an All-American back in 1931. Leading the trio of "blockbusters" is Theodore (Ted) Fritsch, who picked up higher book learning at Central State Teachers college in Stevens Point. The others include Tony Falkenstein of St. Mary's and Don Perkins at Platteville...PLAYS IN LINE, TOO: Fritsch is a sophomore with the Packers, while Falkenstein and Perkins are newcomers. Falkenstein, however, already has five years of pro ball under his belt. He lugged the ball and played in the line, mostly at guard, for the Stockton, Calif., Packers, the San Francisco Packers and the Treasure Island All-Stars. Perkins put in a season with the old Milwaukee Chiefs, playing there with Packer tackle Paul Berezney three years ago. Fritsch presents Coach Curly Lambeau with an unusual assortment of abilities. The youngster - he's only 22 - can plunge, run like a halfback through an open field, kick field goals, punt, and, oddly enough, catch passes like the best of ends. Last season as a freshman he averaged an even three yards on the ground, carrying the ball 74 times for 223 yards. His best effort was a 55-yard late last quarter run in New York that helped the Packers gain a tie with the Giants. Lambeau is looking for big things from the lad this fall. He's basing his hopes on the fact that Fritsch has picked up more speed as well as experience. He's five feet, 11 inches tall and weighs 205 pounds...HE'S THE BEARISH TYPE: Falkenstein is the "bearish" type of player. He not only looks like one of your "neighbors" from Chicago but cavorts around the field like one. In Falkenstein, Lambeau has principally a terrific line cracker and an all-around handyman, since he can play any position in the line. He packs 210 pounds around a 5-10 frame. Perkins the lightest of the group - 195 pounds - and is six feet tall. He is fast and particularly capable of slashing the ends and running in a broken field. A fourth fullback possibility is Lou Brock, who was switched to that position last season, although Lambeau is considering moving him back to right half, his natural position.
RUMORS PERSIST THAT CECE ISBELL TO REJOIN THE PACKERS
AUG 27 (Green Bay) - Reports still persist that Cecil Isbell, former Green Bay Packer passing star, will be back with the team this fall. He is now at Purdue as backfield coach. Coach Lambeau conferred with Cece in Chicago just prior to the All-Star game. Inside dope is that Isbell is not satisfied with the Purdue setup which is probably only for the duration and it will not surprise the fans to see the Manitowoc soft water merchant back in Packer togs come the Bear game at Green Bay September 26. When Don Hutson was presented with the most valuable player award before 50,000 in Dyche stadium Wednesday night his most significant statement was: "It it wasn't for him (Isbell) I wouldn't be here tonight."
REDKINS BETTER THAN ALL-STAR PERFORMANCE
AUG 28 (Green Bay) - Coach Curly Lambeau dished out his first pep talk of the 1943 season this morning and then followed it with an all-out scrimmage session. The Green Bay Packer coach's speech concerned the Sept. 5 meeting with the Washington Redskins in Baltimore, and the general impression left was "Washington still is the champion of the NFL and not the club that lost to the All-Stars." More specifically Lambeau pointed out that "we are assigned to the job of beating a club that defeated our arch enemy, the Chicago Bears, Washington cannot be measured by its defeat against the Stars. The Redskins were off color Wednesday night, they were not following the ball, and their blocking and tackling was bad."..."THEY'LL BE SHARP": The coach added that "we cannot expect to meet such a Redskin club a week from Sunday. They'll be sharp and much more polished." The scrimmage this morning was designed to give the Packers the closest thing to actual game conditions. There were no holds barred and the opposing linemen and backs were instructed to cut loose. Lambeau geared his men for the scrimmage with a long signal drill and blocking session Friday morning. The gridders also spent a half hour throwing low blocks at the dummy and tackling it...LAMBEAU TO SMITH: After the players went to the showers Friday, Lambeau and Line Coach Red Smith put on a brisk 15-minute passing exhibition. The "game" was particularly amusing in that it revealed that Lambeau still can peg a football with accuracy and distance. The coach did all of the passing for the Packers when he organized the club 25 years ago, and he's still in the book as the Mr. Pass of the Packers. Oddly enough, the Packers are without the usual preseason limps, although no reports had been received on the results of the scrimmage today. Bill Kuusisto, veteran guard, suffered a cut over his eye in the last scrimmage early this week, while fullback Tony Falkenstein pulled a muscle in his leg in a signal drill. Light workouts are booked for Sunday morning at 9:30 and again Monday. A brief scrimmage session may be held next Tuesday. The club will leave for a two-game exhibition tour in the east on the Milwaukee Road at 7 o'clock Thursday morning. After the Washington game, the Packers will meet the twin Phil-Pitt outfit in Pittsburgh Sept. 12...PLAYERS ARE EXPECTED: Mike Welch, who played fullback behind Bill Daley at Minnesota last fall, is expected in the Packer camp later today or early Sunday. There is a possibility that Charley Brock, veteran center who agreed to terms Friday, will arrive Sunday from his home in Columbus, Neb. Dick Wildung, co-captain of the College All-Stars, will visit his parents in LaVerne, Minn., over the weekend before reporting here. He'll join the club shortly before it goes east. Wildung put in a great performance against Washington and received several votes in the sportswriters' most valuable player ballot. Lambeau believes his experience against the Redskins may help on Sept. 5.
UNNOTICED BLOCKING QUARTERS PLENTIFUL ON GREEN BAY TEAM
AUG 28 (Green Bay) - And now the blocking quarterback...They are the forgotten men of the Green Bay Packers' backfield. In the varied Notre Dame system, Coach Curly Lambeau uses the quarterback's chief duty is to block on every play except the famous old quarterback sneak. He rarely get a chance to score or catch a pass or make an all-league team. In fact, quarterback is the only position at which the Packers have not placed a man on any all-loop team since the writers started picking them 20 years ago. The quarterback in most other systems, particularly the T-formation, is the chief operator, the best example being Sid Luckman of the Chicago Bears...BASEBALL CUTS IN: At any rate, the Packers are sporting three blocking quarterbacks - Larry Craig of South Carolina; Ben Starrett of St. Mary's and Bill McWilliams of Jordan college. McWilliams, a former big league baseball player, always wanted to play pro football but the length of the diamond season prevented him from reporting in time. This was the case two years ago when he came to the Detroit Lions a month late. McWilliams weighs 215 pounds and is six feet, two inches tall. Most experienced of the trio is Craig, who is known as Don Hutson's shadow. The former S.C. track and grid star plays Hutson's end on defense and shifts back to blocking quarter on offense...CRAIG CALLED SUPERMAN: Owner of a farm in his home state of South Carolina, Craig is called Superman by his teammates because of his perfect build. He packs 208 pounds - around a six-foot frame, and is starting his sixth season here. Starrett, although he has the experienced Craig to contend with, should have a good year, his second here. The big boy runs like a fullback and it wouldn't take much coaching to change him into a fullback. He has shown good blocking in practice this season. Starrett weighs 215 and stands 5-11.
above any defensive back. The current Hutson talk is his ability to regain his 1942 form without a passer like Cecil Isbell. Nobody knows the answer to that one now but wait until after the Chicago Bear game here. In practice, Don is as spry as he was back in 1935. His teammates call him "Flea" because of his 174 pounds - four less than he weighed a year ago. He's taking special pains this season with Irv Comp, the rookie passer from St. Benedict's college. Comp, Tony Canadeo, No. 2 to Isbell last year, and Andy Uram, who did plenty of passing at Minnesota, are Hutson's throwers now. With free substitution this season, Hutson will probably see more offensive action than ever before. On defense, the veteran will get a chance to catch his breath under wraps on the bench.
LOOKING UP IN THE REALM OF SPORTS
AUG 28 (Green Bay) - Many things have been written about Don Hutson, the Packers' once-in-a-lifetime pass receiver. We adjective slingers have strained ourselves almost beyond "vocabularytion" telling about his terrific speed, his footwork, cool headedness, his records and a million other things in the last eight years. But let's touch on a subject that heretofore has been untouched - Hutson's hands. And before going further let's explain that he doesn't palm glue; his fingers do not contain magnetic devices; and he practices no form of magic. Don's fingers are long and sinewy; they're as willowy as Dizzy Dean's famous pitching arm used to. His hands are "hooked" onto powerful wrists which in turn are connected with an expanse of muscles leading down from the shoulder. Much of his success has resulted from his ability to catch a football like a major leaguer would snare a baseball. This is where his hands come in. Those long and strong fingers, sometimes grasping 12 feet off the ground, are wrapped around the ball like you would grab a ring of sausage. Those one-handed catches, usually made on a mad run to his right, show best the strength and coordination in his hands. Besides stopping the flight of the ball, he must grab it tightly so that the spin is stopped and thereby prevent it from leaping out of his mitt. Once he has it in his hands he pulls it tightly to his chest or under his arm. Hutson rarely catches a ball with his arms or in his chest, a fact which Packer passers always keep in mind. Sometimes, he catches short shots over the line in the pit of his stomach, while other times he jumps that proverbial mile for them. On long throws, Huston must be led with a "high" ball - one that will make the man jump two feet
PACKER PLAYERS DEFEAT THEMSELVES, 85-0, IN TOUGH SCRIMMAGE SATURDAY; GROUND ACTION, LINE SHINE
AUG 30 (Green Bay) - The Green Bay Packers defeated themselves, 85 to 0, in a great offensive and defensive display on the newly-cut grass of City stadium Saturday. About 200 persons, including Packers president L.H. Joannes and Secretary-Treasurer Frank J. Jonet, sat in the stands for this unique two-hour contest which left Coach Curly Lambeau in a delightful mood. Tony Canadeo opened the scoring with a 50-yard touchdown run around right end and down the sidelines almost identical to the T.D. scamper he made against Cleveland here last fall. Irv Comp, new back from St. Benedict college, threaded his way over right tackle for 11 yards and the next touchdown. Chet Adams, who did not leave his tactful toe in Cleveland, kicked both extra points, the result of which forced Assistant Trainer Gus Seaburg to look under the west end zone stands for the ball. The sideline statisticians stopped counting after Ted Fritsch, Comp and Canadeo slammed over touchdowns again...KEEP FIGURE CONSERVATIVE: Some estimates on the final pointage ran as high as 125, but the figure had to be conservative because, really, there wasn't any opposition - none that would carry the ball. Generally, the scrimmage gave Lambeau a hint that he has a good running game to throw against National league opponents. What few passes were thrown also looked good, although the team's ace pass receiver, Don Hutson, did not take part. He and Lambeau directed the defense, while Line Coach Red Smith kept his eye on the defense. Lambeau's "ace" forward wall raised particular havoc both on defense and offense. He started Joel Mason and Harry Jacunski at ends, Baby Ray and Adams at tackle, Bill Kuusisto and Sherwood Fries at guards, and Bob Flowers at center. On the defense were Bob Kircher, a new lad from Georgetown university here on a trial basis, and Dick Evans at end, Tiny Croft and Paul Newell at tackles, Pete Gudauskas and Glen Sorenson at guards, and Forrest McPherson at center. Starting in the offensive backfield were Ben Starrett at blocking quarterback, Joe Laws at right half, Irv Comp at left half and Ted Fritsch at right half. On the defense were Bill McWilliams at blocking back, Bob Kahler at right half, Andy Uram at left and Don Perkins at fullback...REFEREE LARRY CRAIG: As the scrimmage progressed, the offensive linemen and backs were put on defense and vice versa. The only bench warmers, tackle Paul Berezney, fullback Tony Falkenstein, and end John Wilson, were given great portions of duty as was Larry Craig who started the game as referee. So pleased was Lambeau that he rewarded his charges with a free Sunday, which will probably be the last until sometime in December. He chased his boys back into action this morning for a light workout. A scrimmage may be held Tuesday on Wednesday morning. The team goes east Thursday morning for games with Washington in Baltimore next Sunday afternoon and with Phil-Pitt in Pittsburgh Sept. 12. The Saturday scrimmage produced no serious injuries. Trainer Bud Jorgensen's list revealed the following slight hurts: Don Perkins, kink in back; Bob Kahler, charley horse; Glen Sorenson, pulled internal ligament; Bill McWilliams, pulled muscle in shoulder; Bob Kircher, charley horse...WELCH IN U.S. NAVY: Lambeau announced today that fullback Mike Welch, who had signed a Packer contract, would be unable to report this season. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy Saturday afternoon. Welch played fullback under All-American Bill Daley at Minnesota last fall. Charley Brock, the veteran center who came to Lambeau's terms by telephone Friday, is expected to arrive in Green Bay from his home in Nebraska tonight. The only other player expected this week is Dick Wildung, College All-Star tackle who left for LuVerne, Minn., after the All-Star game last Wednesday to spend several days with his parents.
BIG SALE EXPECTED IN PACKERS' SEASON TICKET DRIVE TUESDAY
AUG 30 (Green Bay) - A corps of 100 or more super Green Bay Packer fans will take to the streets, offices and stores Tuesday for the second annual Association of Commerce season ticket drive. The soliciting will follow an 8 o'clock breakfast in the Beaumont hotel Tuesday morning and will close with a report dinner at 6 o'clock in the evening. The workers will take pledged to purchase ducats for the Bays' two home games - the Chicago Bears Sept. 26 and the Detroit Lions Oct. 10. No money will be collected, but a pledge promising to pay a representative of the Packer ticket office will be signed by each ticket purchaser...SPECIAL INDUSTRIAL FORCE: Besides the street corps, there will be a special industrial force of 20 or more men, all representatives of 20 Green Bay firms, who will contact employees in their respective plants. Plant men selling the most tickets will receive a ticket and an all-expenses-paid trip to the Washington-Packer game in Milwaukee Oct. 17. The workers will have no bargain prices to offer. Last year, the solicitors could sell three $3.30 tickets for $8.25 - a saving of $1.65. This year, however, the workers will reveal the advantages of buying a season ticket to the fan, such as the assurance of having good, and the same, seats for the two contests. Another change in the procedure was announced by Ralph Smith, Packer ticket director. This year there will be no mail order sales, principally due to the fact that there are only two home games. Names of those who generally purchase tickets by mail will be supplied the workers. Workers will be divided into ten teams of ten or more players each. Various working areas will be assigned and the solicitors will be given the names of "prospect" or those who purchased tickets last year...PROSPECTS ARE BRIGHT: Possibilities of a record-breaking campaign became brighter today with developments on the Packer field where Coach Curly Lambeau is lining up what appears to be another championship contender. Signing of center Charley Brock is expected to bolster an already-experienced and tough forward wall. When buying season tickets, fans will assure themselves of a seat at what likely will be two of the best games of the season. The Bears, being the Packers' natural rivals, need little introduction, while the Detroit Lions will be playing under a pass-minded coach, Gus Dorais. The Lions have more manpower than any other club in the circuit, 55 players having reported for the opening practice.
WORKERS REPORT RESULTS OF PACKER SEASON TICKET CAMPAIGN AT DINNER MEETING TONIGHT
AUG 31 (Green Bay) - The Green Bay Packers kept their fingers crossed today - a hopeful gesture of good luck for the 125 men who are selling season tickets. Today the Association of Commerce conducted its annual breakfast-to-dinner campaign for season tickets. The workers reported for a breakfast at the Beaumont hotel at 8 o'clock this morning, and they'll report back to the Beaumont to reveal results at 6 o'clock this evening. Besides this group, there are 20 plant representatives who are contacting employees at their respective places of work. There were no campaign results available up to noon today, but full details will be revealed at the dinner meeting. Coach Curly Lambeau stepped up practice today and dished out several "hand-to-hand" assignments that involved live blocking and tackling. The team will taper off with a light workout Wednesday...LEAVE THURSDAY MORNING: The Packers will leave for their eastern tour at 7 o'clock Thursday morning on the Milwaukee Road. They'll put out of Chicago at 3:15 Thursday afternoon and get into Baltimore at 8 o'clock Friday morning. A stiff workout is on tap for sometime Friday in Baltimore, where they will take on the Washington Redskins Sunday afternoon. They'll remain in the east until after their game with the combined Phil-Pitt unit in Pittsburgh Sept. 12. Preparations for the classic Chicago Bear game here will start about Sept. 14. The big Bears will invade City stadium Sept. 26 in the opening National league encounter. Charley Brock, veteran center who agreed to Packer terms over the weekend, was expected to report sometime today. It is doubtful whether Brock will play against Washington, although he may be in shape for the Phil-Pitt game. All depends on whether or not he had been working out at his home in Columbus, Neb...TWO WORKOUTS DAILY: This week marked the start of double practice sessions. The morning workout starts at 9:30 and the club meets again on the practice field at 2:30 for the afternoon drill. Monday's action saw the backs get nearly two hours of drills on dashes through the center of the line and around the ends. Lambeau harped on "deception and more deception" on every play. Lack of deception was a thorn in the sides of the Packers a year ago, especially in the Chicago game here. Sideline observers at the practice Monday has some difficulty in following the ball as one back shot around right end, the other around left, and the remaining two through the center of the forward wall...TRAIN FOR MAGIC: Lambeau is teaching all of his backs to be first-rate magicians, with equal ability to make the ball disappear - at least out of the sight of the opponents. As usual, Lambeau spent considerable time polishing up his passing attack, with Tony Canadeo and Irv Comp doing most of the throwing. All of the backs and, of course, the ends had a hand in the receiving.
TED FRITSCH, ASSERTS LAMBEAU, IS MUCH LIKE GREAT CLARKE HINKLE
AUG 31 (Green Bay) - Ted Fritsch, the Green Bay Packers' sophomore fullback, was mentioned in the same breath with Clarke Hinkle by Coach Curly Lambeau during a football cocktail hour following the Kiwanis club's luncheon at the Hotel Northland Monday noon. "Ted is a better prospect now than Hinkle was in his second year with the Packers," the coach revealed, adding that "Fritsch is vicious at the line and a fellow who catches passes like the loosest of ends or halfbacks." The coach declared that the two are similar in many respects. Both are expert field goal kickers and punters and both can run through an open field like a halfback, while the line-shattering abilities of Hinkle are being duplicated by Fritsch. Although he said Fritsch "still must prove his value this fall," Lambeau pointed out that "we'll have another Hinkle in Fritsch."...CHECKS EACH POSITION: The coach went over each position, discussed the possibilities of the newcomers and, in general, painted a rather rosy picture for 1943. He admitted that "we had good breaks in getting players," but added that "they could go the other way over night." Development of a running attack, which he described as the best in the last several years, is one of the highlights thus far, although he expressed great enthusiasm over the line as well. One backfield listing included Larry Craig at blocking quarterback, Tony Canadeo at left half, Lou Brock at right half, and Fritsch at full. "Besides that we have Andy Uram for left or right half, Irv Comp at left half, Bob Kahler and Joe Laws at right half, Don Perkins and Tony Falkenstein at fullback, and Bill McWilliams and Ben Starrett at blocking quarterback."...MANY GOOD TACKLES: The coach admitted he had trouble trying to name a starting line because "we have so many good tackles." The top defensive line included Craig, who shifts from back to end with Don Hutson, and Harry Jacunski at ends, Chet Adams and Baby Ray at tackles,
Sherwood Fries and Bill Kuusisto at guards and Charley Brock at center. He made special mention of Paul Berezney, whom he called a "great tackle." Other line replacements mentioned were Dick Evans, Bob Kircher, and Joel Mason at ends, Tiny Croft and Paul Newell at tackles, Glen Sorenson and Pete Gudauskas at guards, and Forrest McPherson and Bob Flowers at center...CANADEO BEST PASSER: The coach said that "Canadeo is the best passer on the field while Comp is coming along." He called Comp a combination of Verne Lewellen and George Sauer, with great abilities as a runner." In discussing Cecil Isbell, great passer of the last five years, Lambeau said that "Cece may come yet but everything is quite indefinite," and added that "Isbell was a natural passer, a man who cannot be replaced in one season and many times in many years." Discussing the College All-Star game, the coach said that Dick Wildung, the Minnesota star who will report to the Packers, "didn't allow the Redskins to gain a foot over his tackle all night." He described the Redskins as a "great club that was far off color against the Stars." Lambeau was introduced by Dr. G.J. Mortell, Kiwanis club president.
PACKER SEASON TICKET CAMPAIGN IS HUGE SUCCESS
SEPT 1 (Green Bay) - Green Bay Packer fans made a most practical demonstration of their interest in the fate and fortunes of the 1943 eleven by a highly enthusiastic response to Tuesday's season ticket drive. Nearly 125 campaign workers assembled at the Beaumont hotel for a 6:30 report dinner to hear that the one-day drive had netted a total of 3,390 pledges for tickets to the two home games this season. This total considerably exceeds the goal of 3,000 that the workers had set for themselves. Last year, the first time such an organized one-day drive was sponsored by the Green Bay Association of Commerce, 1,381 tickets were taken by fans. The entire season ticket sale last year, including out-of-town orders, amounted to approximately 3,800, the all-time high. Earl S, Ward, Association of Commerce secretary, and Bob Gage, retail secretary, were in charge. It is apparent then that a new record for season tickets will be set this year. Numerous regular customers living in the city could not reached Tuesday in the drive, and there also should be a fair sale among fans in neighboring communities, despite the gasoline rationing...PLAY BEARS, LIONS: The two games in Green Bay this year involve the Packers' bitterest and more colorful foes. Coach Curly Lambeau's eleven will open the National league season here Sept. 26 against the Chicago Bears. The other league game here will be against the Detroit Lions Oct. 10. The report meeting was a spirited affair. Packer president Lee H. Joannes won a big round of applause for a very brief speech. "I want to thank you all - campaign workers and fans. I know from today's results that you're solidly behind the team," he declared. Of the 3,390 season tickets that were pledged Tuesday, 2,683 were signed by the street corps and 707 were obtained by a special force working in the 20 industrial plants in the city. The ten teams were broken up into two-man squads, and the pair doing the best work included Les Kelly and Dan McGuire, members of the Philadelphia "eleven" captained by Harry Masse. Kelly and McGuire obtained a total of 211 pledges, and for their reward as the top paid they will go to Milwaukee Oct. 17 for the Washington Redskins encounter with all "normal" expenses paid. The two high men of the industrial sales force, Rodney Stewart and Walter Hobbins, also will get trips to the Milwaukee game. They won on the basis of having the highest percentage of tickets to workers in their respective five plants. Stewart, one of the youngest workers to take part in the campaign, sold 90 tickets to Wheeler corporation employees. This plant has a personnel of 150, Stewart signing up 60 percent of them. Hobbins canvassed the Olson Transportation company and returned with 73 pledges for tickets. His percentage was approximately 42, since he had 175 potential buyers. Lee F. Lodl and Normal Wall will receive Bay football for being third and fourth in industrial sales. Lodl worked among Standard Oil company employees, signing 26, and Wall contacted Cobb's Sunlit bakery personnel, and obtained 13.
BAYS POLISH DEFENSE AGAINST 'SKIN PASSES
SEPT 1 (Green Bay) - Coach Curly Lambeau and his Green Bay Packers took note of the fact this morning that Sammy Baugh has completely recovered from his spring training back injury and will be in 1-A condition for the Packer-Washington Redskin tussle in Baltimore Sunday afternoon. By way of introduction, Mr. Baugh is
is the classy Washington pass thrower who ran second to Cecil Isbell, the former Packer, in the race of the passing champion of the NFL the last two years. With Isbell remaining at Purdue (though it is rumored otherwise), Baugh has things to himself this fall. Regardless, Lambeau spent nearly two hours explaining to his chaps how Baugh throws the ball and where he might peg it. The general idea was to have the speediest backs in the "backyard" as a defense against the Redskins' pass attack. With free substitution this fall, Lambeau is expected to keep Don Hutson a sharp pass defenseman, on the bench when the Packers do have the ball. In previous years, Larry Craig, a turnabout blocking back, went to end and Hutson moved into the backfield on defense. This season, however, Craig will remain in the backfield. One of the best pass defense experts in the league, center Charley Brock reported for today's workout. He arrived from his home in Nebraska Tuesday night and will make the trip east...SEE MOTION PICTURES: Tuesday morning's drill was washed out but in the afternoon Lambeau showed his charges motion picture of last year's Washington game. In the 1942 exhibition, the Redskins came through with two touchdowns in the last quarter to trim the Packers, 21 to 7. Lambeau received a jolt this morning when Dick Wildung, All-American tackle at Minnesota, wired the coach that he had received orders to report to the U.S. Navy. Wildung, a tackle, was expected to bring greater strength to the Packer line, as well as enable the coach to switch one of his tackles to a guard position. On the brighter side, however, there was a possibility that Buckets Goldenberg may sign his contract. Bucket, who would be starting his 11th season here, had several conferences with Lambeau Tuesday and the Packer pilot believes the 230-pound guard is on the fence. Expected to join the club in the east is Lou Brock, right halfback, who signed three weeks ago, and his father are working overtime on their farm in Kansas. Lambeau expects to have Lou in shape for the Chicago Bear contest here Sept. 26.
BALTIMORE SCRIBE PRAISES PACKERS
SEPT 1 (Green Bay) - Down east in Baltimore, where Green Bay's 1943 edition of the usually potent Packers is booked for an exhibition fray with the Washington Redskins next Sunday afternoon, they are making preparations for a gala weekend. The game not only will be the first one of the season, but it will be the renewal of a colorful and friendly rivalry. If sentiments expressed by sports scribes can be taken as an indication, the Packers are both liked and respected by the Redskins and their fans. They've always spoken highly of the Green Bay warriors. For instance, here's what Sports Editor Rodger H. Pippen of the Baltimore American wrote last Sunday: "The Packers, sometimes known as the 'Green Bay Monsters', come back as old and popular friends. They were the Redskins' opponent in the game last year that was Baltimore's first taste of big time professional football." (Just to be honest, I'd better remind you that the 'Skins whipped the Packers by 28 to 7 that time.) Pippen devotes the rest of his column, and it is a long one, to a detailed biography of the Packers, whom he calls "one of the really big teams of major league football". Except for one or two minor errors, it is an accurate and highly complimentary historical sketch. The Baltimore writer tells of the Packers' early days, how Curly Lambeau started from scratch, and how the community lent its support. Speaking of the team's debut, he writes that "in 1921 when the present NFL was organized, the Packers joined up, although several of the competing members from the larger metropolitan cities frowned on taking such a small town into the league. Little did the dissenters know that the Packers would eventually become the greatest drawing card in the league when on the road." City stadium in Green Bay, Pippen tells his readers, "is considered one of the finest in the country, and seats 30,000. Imaging this in a town boasting of 40,000 population." (Here is one of his slight inaccuracies: the population is about 50,000). "The Packers have been five times champions of the pro league, and in 1929 won the title with 11 wins and no losses. This team in '29 is considered to be the greatest in Packer history, and many agrees one of the greatest grid aggregations in the history of the game," Pippen declares. Many Packer stars remain in Green Bay to enter business or professional life, and numerous others build successful careers elsewhere, Pippen says in asserting that good football players usually make good citizens. For example: "Don Hutson, football's greatest end, operates a bowling alley in Green Bay; he is married with two children. Don is president of the Lions club and an active worker for the Red Cross and YMCA. And so, with Laverne Dilweg in Congress, and other Packers holding similar responsible positions throughout the nation," he concludes, "it must no doubt made the many businessmen and merchants in the little city proud that they had the confidence back in 1931 to shell out $35,000 to keep the Packers in the NFL."
PACKERS, BEARS PLAN FOR BATTLE
SEPT 1 (Green Bay) - The Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears, while ostensibly practicing for exhibition games in the offing, have their eyes cocked on a more important date - Sunday September 26. At that time the two bitter rivals in the National Pro loop will meet in the first scheduled game for both elevens, in City stadium at Green Bay. Coach Curly Lambeau this week is giving the Packers final drills before they entrain tomorrow for the east to meet the Washington Redskins, pro league champions, in an exhibition game in Baltimore September 6. The coach is much impressed with Ted Fritsch, plunging fullback who, he said, gets to look more like Clarke Hinkle every day. Development of a running attack by the Packers has been one of
the highlights of the practice sessions so far. One backfield listing included Larry Craig at blocking quarter, Tony Canadeo at left half, Lou Brock at right half and Fritsch at full. "Besides that we have Andy Uram for left or right half, Irv Comp at left half, Bob Kahler and Joe Laws at right half, Don Perkins and Tony Falkenstein at fullback and Bill McWilliams and Ben Starrett at blocking quarterback," Lambeau said. The coach admits he is pretty well stocked with tackles. In discussing Cecil Isbell, his great passer the past five years, Lambeau said, "Cece may come yet but everything is quite indefinite," and added that, "Isbell was a natural passer, a man who cannot be replaced in one season and many times in many years." Discussing the College All-Star game, the coach said that Dick Wildung, the Minnesota star will will report to the Packers, "didn't allow the Redskins to gain a foot over his tackle all night." He described Washington as a "great club that was far off color against the Stars." Down at Delafield the Chicago Bears are getting in some heavy practice sessions. Battle-scarred Bronko Nagurski evidently fits solidly into the 1943 comeback plans of the Bears, who relinquished the NFL championship to the Washington team last season after a two-year supremacy. Getting the 34-year old Nagurski out of professional wrestling arenas - where he accumulated a vast share of the mat, mauling "champeen" belts in circulation - and back into his old football harness has brought snickers from some corners of the pro grid league. "The Bears have signed him for inspirational purposes and to help coach the youngsters," these critics decry. They like to think that Bronk, All-America at Minnesota and three-time All-National League fullback a decade ago with the Bears, is burned out. But the fact is the roughhewn Minnesota farmer is going to play a lot of tackle for the Bears this fall. He is about all they've got at that position. All of last year's keymen are now in the Delafield training camp with the exception of the tackles - Joe Stydahar, Lee Artoe and Art Kolman. "The tackle situation had us worried, but when the Bronk arrives we won't have anything to fret about," Co-Coach Luke Johnsos frankly asserted. "He isn't washed up by a long shot."
WILDUNG, WELCH LOST TO PACKERS
SEPT 1 (Green Bay) - Gloom hung over the Packers' practice field Tuesday. Dick Wildung, Minnesota's All-American tackle, and Mike Welch, Gopher fullback, who were expected to report Wednesday, sent word that they had just been called for Navy training. Both will be sent to school in the V-7 program. They had not expected to be called until October or November. The Packers meanwhile tapered off on training for their exhibition with the Washington Redskins in Baltimore Sunday. The team will leave for the east Thursday morning. An exhibition with the combined Pittsburgh-Philadelphia team in Pittsburgh will follow a week later.
HOPES FADE THAT CECE ISBELL WILL BE WITH THE PACKERS
SEPT 2 (Green Bay) - It begins to look as if the Green Bay Packers will have to get along this season without their passing ace, Cecil Isbell, who quit the pro ranks for a coaching job at Purdue. Associated Press advises from Lafayette today said Isbell started teaching tricks of the trade to Purdue's grid squad yesterday. Isbell, a Purdue graduate, returned to his alma mater this year as assistant to coach Elmer Burnham and yesterday Burnham had Isbell drilling the Boilermaker passers. Burnham indicated the 113-man Purdue squad probably would have it first scrimmage today. Coach Curly Lambeau endeavored to get Cece to reconsider his decision to quit the Packers.
PACKER SQUAD OF 26 LEAVES FOR EASTERN EXHIBITION TOUR; TILT AT BALTIMORE SUNDAY
SEPT 2 (Green Bay) - Twenty-six Green Bay Packers left their local bailiwick today for their first and last reconnaissance assignments of the 1943 NFL exhibition campaign. After the 12-day tour, which will take them to Baltimore Sunday for a scrap with the Washington Redskins and to Pittsburgh, Sept. 12, for the Phil-Pitt contest, the Packers will dive into the real warfare - starting with the Chicago Bear invasion of City stadium Sept. 26. The first trip into enemy territory will serve as a severe test for eight rookies and 18 veterans because they will be opposing the league's defending champions, the Redskins, and the combined Pitt-Phil aggregation which is rated on a par with Washington. Coach Curly Lambeau announced during practice Wednesday afternoon that, "we're going out east to win both games. However, we can't attempt to win at the expense of our veterans. All of the rookies will get excellent chances to show their ability."...NEW MEN LISTED: The newcomers who will perform in a Packer uniform for the first time include Irv Comp, the St. Benedict left halfback who specializes in passing and running; Don Perkins, a line crashing fullback from Platteville; Tony Falkenstein, St. Mary's fullback who has been handicapped by injuries; three scrappy guards - Sherwood Fries, Colorado State; Glen Sorenson, Utah State; Pete Gudauskas, Murray State; and Walter Gudie, Wisconsin, and center Forrest McPherson, Nebraska. Lambeau is undecided on a starting team for Sunday. During the practice season he designated the following as the best unit: Don Hutson and Harry Jacunski at ends; Chet Adams and Baby Ray at tackles; Sherwood Fries and Bill Kuusisto at guards; Bob Flowers or Charley Brock at center; Larry Craig at blocking quarter; Tony Canadeo and Andy Uram at halfbacks; and Ted Fritsch at fullback...BROCK NOT READY: Since Brock arrived only Tuesday, it appears certain that he will open Sunday and Flowers probably will start. On defense, Lambeau may put Joel Mason at fullback. Lambeau announced that waivers had been asked on tackle Paul Newell and blocking back Bill McWilliams and unless they are signed by another club they will be released. Bob Kircher, Georgetown university end, and John Wilson, Milwaukee high school wing, both of whom were here for tryouts, will not make the trip east but will resume workouts when the team returns home. The Packers left the Milwaukee Road station at 7 o'clock this morning and will arrive in Chicago at 11:30. After a four-hour stop in Chicago, the club left for Baltimore where it will arrive at 8 o'clock Friday morning. Workouts are booked for Friday and Saturday morning in the Municipal stadium in Baltimore...LOU BROCK COMING: Lou Brock, veteran right halfback, will join the team in Pittsburgh Sept. 8, but will see no action against Phil-Pitt. He'll be in condition for the classic Bear contest. The status of Buckets Goldenberg, veteran guard, remained in doubt today since no word had been received by Lambeau. Goldenberg, who may be starting his 11th season here, is expected to get back into the Packer fold since he has expressed an interest in playing. He has held four conference with Lambeau but no salary agreements were reached. It is possible that Goldenberg may join the Packers when they return home from the east and start workouts immediately for the Bear game.
LOOKING UP IN THE REALM OF SPORTS
SEPT 2 (Green Bay) - HERE'S ONE SECRET OF PACKER SUCCESS: One of the factors - one of the many factors - contributing to the past and present success and glory of the Packers has been the sustained active support of the Green Bay Association of Commerce. By helping to promote good will and ticket sales for the team at home and by advertising it abroad, the Association of Commerce has been a loyal supporter through the years. It was fortunate that the men at the helm enjoyed football, because that means they were personally interested in the Packers. Evidence of this interest on the part of the Association of Commerce was seen in the season ticket drive so successfully conducted Tuesday. The campaign was handled by the association, which set up the sales force and attended to the many other organizational details. The season ticket campaign was the brainstorm of Earl S. Ward, the present secretary of the Association of Commerce. Ward was sure that at least a hundred men could be found willing and able to devote one day a year to selling tickets to the Packers' home games. Ward organized his first drive last year, only a short time after he had come to Green Bay to begin work as secretary. That campaign was pronounced a genuine secretary. In fact, many men who have lived in Green Bay a good deal longer than him were agreeably surprised at the result. It just shows what can be done when energy is applied to vision. Ward would like to give full credit to Bob Gage, the young retail secretary of the Association of Commerce. He worked
on the campaign both years, carrying out many of the numerous details. A new feature of the campaign this year was the industrial sales force. Industries had been contacted in former years, of course, and some good results were reported, but this kind of soliciting lacked the interest that can be worked up in an intensive day campaign. Enthusiasm generated at some of the industries were highly contagious. There was so much of it at the Wheeler corporation plant that Red Stewart signed up 60 percent of the employees. This was the best percentage, although results also were very good at a number of other places. It's a healthy indication when you know that 60 percent of the people in a group are Packer supporters. But, as Stewart pointed out, probably 70 or 80 percent of the Wheeler workers are going to the home games this fall. Several of the employees had been contacted by campaigners previously, and promised to give them their business, and others were women who were going to the games but were leaving the matter of tickets up to their husbands or friends. It's beginning to look like a good year.
BALTIMORE'S FANS GREET PACKERS ON ARRIVAL FOR SUNDAY GRID TILT
SEPT 3 (Baltimore) - The Green Bay Packers arrived here early today with all eyes cocked 30 miles away where the Washington Redskins are in training and President Roosevelt and Prime Minister Churchill are hashing over war moves. Well rested after a night in an ultra-modern Pullman, the Packers dripped their belongings at the Lord Baltimore hotel and took to the Municipal stadium for a long practice session. Coach Curly Lambeau will give his players their first written quiz of the season tonight. Returning here as old and popular friends, the Packers were greeted by a large number of servicemen from Wisconsin and scribes from newspapers. Badger members of Uncle Sam's forces will be guests of the Packers at the Washington-Green Bay preseason tussle here at 2 o'clock Sunday. One soldier, Pfc. Thomas Lampiri of Milwaukee, asked the coach if he could sit on the Packer bench. Lampiri, who said he never missed a Packer game in Milwaukee or Chicago, was refused on the grounds that "we'd have to have a bench 300 feet long." However, Lambeau has completed arrangements with Baltimore management to seat the Badgers in a special section...PRO BALL HOTBED: Baltimore, a hotbed for professional football whose sports leaders have already requested for a NFL franchise in 1944, is expected to send over 35,000 fans through the gate Sunday. A large number from the nation's capital also are expected, including many of the British officers in Washington. After a conference with Charley Brock, veteran center, Lambeau said that he will play two defensive centers if Washington goes pass crazy. Making use of free substitution, Lambeau will take out a guard and send Brock into the game to work with Forrest McPherson or Bob Flowers. Lambeau expects the move will tighten the Bays' pass defense considerably. Latest news from the Washington camp is that Sammy Baugh has recovered from a back injury and will see plenty of action Sunday, pointing to an aerial battle. A couple of Bobs, ends McChesney and Masterson, willl catch most of Baugh's passes...BIG GUNS ARRIVE: Big guns in the Bay attack, including Don Hutson, Tony Canadeo and Baby Ray, arrived 12 hours earlier for football-business reasons. Hutson, the greatest single drawing card in the pro game, was swamped for interviews from eastern scribes. Lambeau is undecided on the amount of Hutson time to squander Sunday, but one thing is sure - Hutson will play only on offense. Lambeau's first duty Sunday will be to give every rookie a chance to show his stuff. Victory Sunday would mean much, and Lambeau and the players made no bones about their objective on the way out of town Thursday afternoon. A win over Washington would mean that the Packers could enter the classic struggle with the Chicago Bears in Green Bay Sept. 26 with a fair amount of confidence...NEARLY SAME LINEUP: In a pre-practice talk, Lambeau told his charges that the Redskins have practically the same lineup that clipped the Bears for the league championship last fall. The general player feeling is sky-high so far as "sixth title" thoughts go. The Packers will leave Baltimore for Pittsburgh Monday afternoon. The Phil-Pitt game will be played Saturday night, Sept. 11, instead of Sept. 12 as originally scheduled. A parade and show marking the opening of Pittsburgh's war bond drive forced the change in date.
PACKERS' ARRIVAL EXCITES FANDOM
SEPT 3 (Baltimore) - With the Green Bay Packers in town, head coach Curly Lambeau and his squad having checked in early today, interest has heightened in Sunday's football game at the Stadium against the Washington Redskins, champions of the NFL. The Western squad, looking fit and ready, will utilize the big amphitheater for workouts today and tomorrow and put
on final polish for the exhibition skirmish, which figures to draw a sizable crowd, including members of the armed forces in this area...REDSKINS DUE SATURDAY: While Green Bay practices here, the Redskins will conclude their work at the University of Maryland and come to town Sunday morning. Lambeau's gridders are not really strangers to local fans. The Packers were here last Labor Day and met the Redskins on that occasion, Washington winning, 28-7, via a final quarter surge. In that battle, the Redskins took a seven point lead in the opening period, held it throughout the half. Green Bay tied it up late in the third quarter, when Don Hutson scored and added the extra point, then the bottom dropped out of things for the Packers and the 'Skins ran up three last quarter touchdowns...TEAM ALMOST INTACT: It is worth noting that only three members of the starting Green Bay lineup of last fall are missing from the present team. Chief loss has been Cecil Isbell, Hutson's pass-throwing teammate. Together they compiled a brilliant record in football aerial warfare. Remaining are Buford (Baby) Ray and Paul Berezney, tackles; Buckets Goldenberg, guard; Charlie Brock, center; Larry Craig, Andy Uram, Lou Brock, all backs; and Hutson, end. One of these newcomers who'll draw attention is Irv Comp, of St. Benedict's college, the youngster being groomed to fill Isbell's shoes and serve as the Packers' main passing threat. If he fails, then Tony Canadeo will take over...TWO REDSKINS GONE: In looking back to the '42 game, it is found that two men who figured in Redskin scoring are gone. One is Ed Justice, the other Al Krueger. Bob Masterson is still on hand, however. This 'Skins wingman scored once and placekicked three extra points. The advance guard of Green Bay players (Hutson, Craig, Canadeo and Ray), who arrived yesterday, all expect Washington to be a greatly improved club over the one which feel before the All-Stars...BAUGH FINDS STRIDE: That night the Redskins did everything wrong and Stars were smart enough to capitalize on their 'Skins' mistakes. Sammy Baugh, too, was hardly the sharpshooter of old, but he has since taken off his back ailment and is pitching the pigskin in smart fashion, a factor figured to put a lot of teeth in the Washington attack.
PACKERS HAVE PLAYED .739 BALL
SEPT 3 (Baltimore) - It seems interesting to note, as the Green Bay Packers ready themselves here for a fling with the Washington Redskins Sunday at the Stadium, that the Western football team has had its share of glory during its long tenure in professional competition. One of the oldest pro teams in the business, the Packers first took to the gridiron back in 1919, and over a 24-yard span have compiled the creditable record of 207 victories, 73 defeats and 21 ties for a .739 percentage. In late years we've heard more about the power of the Chicago Bears, considerable about the Redskins, present pro champs, but, like Old Man River, the Packers go rolling along and year and year do a fine job of playing good football. Five times since the NFL began operation in 1921 the Green Bay team won the national championship. Its last title came in 1939, when it beat out the Bears for western honors, and then whipped New York, 27-0, for the crown. Naturally, the most famous of the current Packer stars is Don Hutson, brilliant pass catching end, but back in the 1921-27 period a fellow named Curly Lambeau, now coach of the club, did a pretty fair job of scoring points for Green Bay, and in the team's all-time scoring table he ranks fifth, with 109 points. But Hutson is by far the greatest scorer of them all. From 1935 through last season Don scored 524 points, overshadowing Green Bay's No. 2 tallier, Clarke Hinkle, at 390. Hutson has made 74 touchdowns and a like number of points after touchdown. His other six points came via field goals.
PACKERS SQUAD ARRIVES TODAY
SEPT 3 (Baltimore) - The full complement of Green Bay Packers will arrive today for finishing practice sessions prior to their preseason professional football game with the Washington Redskins on Sunday in the Stadium. Four of the gridmen came here yesterday, but the main body under Coach Earl L. (Curly) Lambeau started a day later from their hometown in Wisconsin. They will be welcomed by Mayor McFeldin at an informal luncheon at the Lord Baltimore Hotel, at which George P. Marshall, owner of the Redskins, also will be present. Mayor McKeldin, upon Marshall's application, made it possible to have the Stadium used for football on Sunday afternoons...PRACTICE TODAY: Green Bay will hold a practice session at the Stadium in the afternoon. Last year, in a similar game played on Labor Day night, the Redskins won, 28 to 7, and the Wisconsin team, with most of its players remembering that thumping, will be anxious, for the sake of prestige in the league if nothing else, to even the count. The four players, who arrived early, spent most of the day circulating in sports circles, chatting about the gridiron prospects. Of principal interest, so far as the Packers are concerned, is the likelihood of discovering a passing partner for Don Hutson, since Cecil Isbell has not yet signed a contract...HUTSON LAUDS CANADEO: Hutson himself, one of the early arrivals, praised Tony Canadeo, also in the group, as the man of the hour. He said that after two years of understudying Isbell, Canadeo was ready to step up as the No. 1 boy. Canadeo grinned: "All you have to do is throw it within five yards of him, and that guy'll grab it." The advance sale has increased daily, and Dick O'Connell, Redskin agent, was kept busy yesterday supplying the various agencies with extra tickets as demanded. Even Washington called for an extra allotment yesterday.
GOLDENBERG WILL RETURN TO PACKERS, BUT WON'T BE ON HAND FOR SUNDAY TILT WITH WASHINGTON AT BALTIMORE
SEPT 4 (Baltimore) - Coach Curly Lambeau pulled a trump card out of his sleeve today as he primed his Green Bay Packers for their first struggle of this wartime season against the Washington Redskins, defending National league champions, at Municipal stadium at 1 o'clock Sunday afternoon (Green Bay time). The card was no joker; it was an ace in the form of a Packer contract bearing the signature of Charles (Buckets) Goldenberg, who hereby starts his 11th year with the Green Bay eleven. Lambeau isn't wasting any time telling his players and grid enemies, including owner George Marshall of the Redskins, about his new addition to the guard position. Goldenberg will report to Green Bay Sept. 14 and will be in shape for the Chicago Bear fuss there Sept. 26. The stage is set for Sunday's encounter. The Redskins will be backed by a 75-piece Indian band, drum majors and even several comedians during the contest, not to mention an estimated crowd of 55,000. Chief drumbeater for the Packers is Mayor Theodore Roosevelt McKeldin, who announced his intentions at a Marshall-sponsored press banquet on Friday noon...WEATHER IS DRY: Only the weather stands in the way of a successful afternoon at the gate, which already has an advance sale of $25,000. When the Packers arrived early Friday morning they carted along the first rain here in 48 days. Cloudy skies are predicted again for today but the Sunday weather is a military secret. Baltimore citizens appear worried about the lack of rain. One gent pointed out that grass is so tough that even chickens can't digest it. "The grass will not pass their craw," he said. So much for the rain and chickens, and more on the Packers. Lambeau chased his gridders over a slippery stadium field for nearly three hours Friday afternoon, and three-fourths of the time was spent on pass defense...CANADEO FOR PASSING: Tony Canadeo, who is tickets to most of the throwing to Don Hutson and Company Sunday, played the role of Mr. Sammy Baugh in the drill. Lambeau worked two centers at the same time, removing a guard to make room. Brock was given plenty of attention and may pair with Bob Flowers most of the game. Lambeau is fairly well set on his starting lineup. He expects to explode with Hutson and Harry Jacunski at ends; Baby Ray and Chet Adams at tackles; Bill Kuusisto and Sherwood Fries at guards; Flowers at center; Larry Craig at blocking quarter; Andy Uram at right half; Canadeo at left half; and young Ted Fritsch at fullback...BERGMAN IS BUSY: Dutch Bergman, who was so busy coaching his Redskins that he couldn't accompany Boss Marshall here for the Friday banquet, is polishing up his line for what he believes is the strongest Packer running attack in several years. He will start all his veterans - Bob McChesney and Bob Masterson at end, Wee Willie Wilkin and Joe Pasque at tackles, Steve Slivinski and Clyde Shugart at guards, and George Smith, center. Andy Farkas, who missed the All-Star fracas because of salary difficulties, will start at fullback. He will be accompanied by Baugh, Wilbur Moore and Bob Seymour. A Wisconsin boy, tackle Roman Pentz of Horicon, is due to see plenty of duty at tackle. Bentz is fresh out of Toledo. The Packer-Washington test is receiving a big buildup. Newspapers are crowded with yarns and pictures of Packers. Lambeau, Hutson and line coach Red Smith gave radio talks Friday night. Hutson, Canadeo and Bay Ray spoke on another station Thursday night...BALTIMORE LIKES GAME: Baltimore seems to go for pro football. Dick O'Connell, Washington press representative, said that 7,000 Baltimore residents have purchased season tickets for Redskin games in Washington. Marshall said that Washington hopes to make the Packer-Redskin game an annual affair here. Sunday's game is the second here and last uyear's opener was attended by over 45,000 persons. The only Green Bayite showing up at the Friday practice was Boatsman's Mate Bud Warren, who is stationed at a Coast Guard post near here. Another visitor was Lt. Ray Hutson, bother of the Packers' Don. Ray pilots a ferry plane and has just returned from India. He is stationed at Wilmington, Del. Ray's twin brother, Lt. Robert, pilots a bomber carrying paratroops in the Pacific area.
PACKERS PUSH RUNNING GAME
SEPT 4 (Green Bay) - The Green Bay Packers continued to lay stress on their running game as they went through their final drill today before meeting the Washington Redskins here in an exhibition football game here tomorrow. Coach Curly Lambeau of the Packers said he planned to start a team composed mostly of new men to see what they could do. He indicated he would use Don Hutson, his brilliant and veteran end, only on offense to save him for more crucial games. Charley Brock, veteran center, who reported this week, probably will be used a great deal when the Packers are on defense, the coach said. Brock is one of the best pass defense men on the squad. Word from Washington is that Sammy Baugh, the Redskins' passing ace, has recovered from a back injury and will see plenty of action Sunday.
REDSKINS, PACKERS IN STADIUM BATTLE
SEPT 4 (Baltimore) - Professional football will mark the Stadium's debut as a Sunday football arena when the
Washington Redskins, champion of the NFL, and the Green Bay Packers square off in an exhibition test tomorrow at 2 o'clock. Plans are to make this an annual attraction. Sunday a week from now the Redskins will return to play host to the powerful Chicago Bears, the team Washington whipped last fall, 14-6, for the title...EXPECT 30,000 CROWD: These two attractions, each expected to draw upward of 30,000 into the big horseshoe, inaugurate the 1943 gridiron campaign, a season which next month will be highlighted by the Naval Academy eleven playing three times (against Cornell, Duke and Georgia Tech, all under the lights) in the Thirty-third street amphitheater. A year ago Baltimoreans got a taste of the play-for-pay brand of football when the Redskins and Packers battled, with the former winning, 28-7, via a last quarter uprising, and the Brooklyn Dodgers met the Army All-Stars in the Stadium. That whetted their appetite for more such gridiron fare, judging by the interest shown in the two games Washington plays here...BAUGH VS. HUTSON: Headlining the 'Skin and Packer casts are two of the most celebrated players in the pro game - Slingin' Sammy Baugh, the pigskin-pitching Washington star, and Don Hutson, Green Bay's sensational end and the most brilliant pass catcher trodding any greensward. Their records speak for themselves. Hutson, for instance, owns seventeen pro marks hinging on pass receiving and scoring, while Baugh has done a consistently standout job of whipping ground gaining aerials to skilled teammates...ISBELL IS MISSING: It will be interesting tomorrow to see how Hutson will perform since losing his pitching mate, Cecil Isbell. For several years the Packers have had Tony Canadeo, 201-pound back from Gonzaga University, understudying Isbell, looking to the time when the latter would step out of the pro game. A youngster named Irv Comp has looked good as a passer, and he'll see plenty of service tomorrow, but the eyes of Packer Coach Curly Lambeau, as well as the fans, will be on the new combination of Canadeo-to-Hutson...SAMMY IN STRIDE: As for Baugh, he turned in a creditable air exhibition against the All-Stars in Northwestern's Dyche Stadium in completing 222 of 41 passes for 273 yards. This was all the more noteworthy because Slingin' Sammy was plagued at the time by a back ailment. Reports from the Redskins' University of Maryland training camp say that Baugh has rid himself of his injury and is hurling the oval in oldtime form. Green Bay has taken cognizance of this and has come East well prepared. Matched against a league rival will heighten the work of both elevens, for in this game each will be able to take stock of its chances in the title race this fall. Both the 'Skins and Packers will start all-veteran backfields. Along with Baugh will be Ray Hare, Wilbur Moore and Andy Farkas, while Joe Laws, Canadeo, Andy Uram and Ted Fritsch comprise the Green Bay secondary...RESERVES PLENTIFUL: Each has many able backfield replacements and most of them will see duty. Close attention will be given the rookies, the mentors seeking to determine how well they'll fit into the final pattern.
REDSKIN-PACKER FOOTBALL GAME ANNOUNCED AS ANNUAL EVENT FOR STADIUM
SEPT 4 (Baltimore) - The Washington Redskins and the Green Bay Packers, scheduled to play a preseason professional football game in the Stadium here tomorrow afternoon, will meet in annual combat here in a series of Labor Day weekend games. Announcement of the establishment of this contest as a permanent one for Baltimore was made yesterday by George P. Marshall, at the luncheon of welcome by Mayor McKeldin, to the Green Bay squad. The game tomorrow is the second, Washington having won the first Labor Day night, 28 to 7. While Marshall's announcement created most interest, the day was not without other developments worth noting as the contest nears...PACKERS WORK OUT: Curly Lambeau sent twenty-two players through a brisk workout at the Stadium and seemed satisfied that has a better balanced club than last year. The Wisconsin outfit, operated a a civic enterprise by its small home community, has stepped up its line strength and running attack. One unexpected blow was suffered, though, when Dick Wildung, tackle from Minnesota, who was supposed to join the team, was summoned into service instead. The luncheon produced a declaration by the Mayor that he was going to root for Green Bay because it has sixteen Republicans and one Democrat on the roster. A late-arriving guest, Capt. John E. Whelchel, athletic director and head coach of the United States Naval Academy, made some straight-from-the-shoulder remarks on sports for servicemen. He said: "Some long-haired gentlemen who have been trying for some time to get rid of sports have been given a chance by the war. It has not been easy for the navy to keep sports going, and there have been attacks from many angles. But the use of athletics in the navy has been so definitely established, I feel we have weathered the storm. We need sports more in war than we do in peacetime."...SAY PRESIDENT FAVORS SPORTS: "Nobody is big enough to take it away except the President, and he won't. We now feel sure the Army-Navy game will continue for the duration. There is no Army officer in my acquaintance who is not all for sport, particularly at West Point. There is hope that eventually the attitude on participation by A-12 students will keep the kids in the field of sports." Marshall, too has some direct words to say. Concerning the possibility of a NFL team here, he said: "This is not our farewell appearance. We expect to come to Baltimore as long as there is a Redskin football team. I never have objected to a team in the league for Baltimore, and whoever says I did is telling deliberate, malicious and definite lies. Thanks to the good graces, tolerance and decency of the Mayor, we can play on Sunday when the working people have a day off and enjoy the game." He then introduced Lambeau as the coach with the best record for the longest time of any football director in pro or college ball.
LAMBEAU SAYS PACKERS TO BE IN RACE AGAIN
SEPT 5 (Green Bay) - The inclination to feel a little sorry for the Packers this war torn football season, with Cecil Isbell and Pete Tinsley and Bill Lee and Ernie Pannell and Ray Riddick all gone, just to mention a few - the inclination to feel a little sorry for the Packers might be strong. But forget it. The Packers need none of this. The Packers will do all right again. It's just not a wish that the men from the north will be their high flying old selves again, or just a guess, or a confidence. It's Coach Curly Lambeau's own prediction to the whole National league - and without a hedge. Lambeau, more than anybody else, perhaps, refuses to minimize the loss the Packers have had. Isbell? Pannell? Lee? Sample? Tinsley? Vant Hull? Ingalls? What coach wouldn't like to have them. Lambeau does not kid himself about what he has lost. But he also knows what he has left and what he had added - and he is high on it. "We're not going to be the passing team we were," he summed up. "We just can't be, without Isbell. And when you speak of him, don't forget his quarterbacking, too. But we're still going to have a pretty good football team - wait and see. We're going to have a better running attack than we've had in several years, better defensive strength, better kicking all around, and more team speed - a lot more speed." The improvement is running stems partly from the addition of some promising new backs, men like Irv Comp, Tony Falkenstein, Don Perkins and Bill McWilliams, partly from reshuffling of old backfield material which the presence of the new backs has permitted, and partly from improvement in some of the veterans. A year ago, for instance, Lou Brock had to give up his familiar role at right halfback to take over at full. Hinkle, Jankowski and Paskvan all were gone and only the untried rookies, Ted Fritsch and Chuck Sample, remained. Brock did a good enough job, but he was still a right halfback, and at right halfback he belonged. Lambeau knew it. This fall, with Fritsch looking better than ever at fullback after a year's experience and with men like Falkenstein and Perkins to back Fritsch up. Brock has returned to his old role at half - and with glee. He is off to one of his best starts. Fritsch has been one of the really pleasant surprises with his improvement at fullback, and Falkenstein and Perkins have more than satisfied the whole camp in their roles as alternates. The biggest lift of all in running, however, has been provided by the left halfbacks - the veteran Tony Canadeo and the newcomer Comp. Canadeo only recently honorable discharged from the Navy, showed up here rarin' to go and on the few occasions Lambeau has untied him, he has gone. Unless the injury jinx still dogs him, he unquestionably should have his biggest year. Comp, long legged, rangy and powerful, has lived up to every advance notice with the ball tucked under his arm. He does not pass like Isbell, although he has fine promise, nor does he improve on Isbell's kicking, although he kicks well. But he does run with the ball - and how he runs. Lambeau's enthusiasm over the team's running potentialities is matched only by his enthusiasm over the line. And again, the presence of new men partly explains it. If the league has any better tackles than the 240 pound Adams, for instance, obtained in the distribution of Cleveland material after the Rams folded for the duration, Lambeau would like to see him - unless it be some of the Packers' other tackles, 250 pound Baby Ray and 220 pound Paul Berezney. Adams, with a chance to play on a winning ball club, has been little less than terrific in everything he does. Around these tackles, with 285 pound Tiny Croft and 200 pound Paul Newell of Nebraska State thrown in for good measure, Lambeau believes he can fashion one of the team's strongest defensive lines in years. There is good veteran material at all other spots except the guards, and even there, with Goldenberg now in the fold, the situation will not be pressing. At ends, the veterans Larry Craig, Don Hutson, Joel Mason, Harry Jacunski and Dick Evans remain, with Bob Kircher of Georgetown and John Wilson of the Milwaukee Falks around just in case. At center the veterans Charley Brock and Bob Flowers have come back, supported by 248 pound Forrest McPherson of Nebraska, who played with the Los Angeles Bulldogs the last few years, and at guards the veteran Bill Kuusisto and Goldenberg have returned, helped by four promising new men, Pete Gudauskas of Murray State, Glen Sorenson of Utah State, chosen on the little all-American last year; Sherwood Fries of Colorado State and Walter Guddie. Almost any defensive combination will average more than 230 pounds from end to end. Adams, besides bolstering the tackles, also provides the additional threat of a very good placekicking toe. In fact, the whole kicking department has been strengthened. Fritsch and Canadeo both have looked better than ever, Comp is no slouch as a punter, and Sorenson specialized in field goals in college. Without Isbell, the passing attack naturally has come in for less attention. But you'll still be able to recognize the Packers as the Packers. It all adds up in September to a pretty good season. Lambeau above all will be disappointed if it doesn't turn out to be one. The Packers will open their league season against the Bears at Green Bay September 26.
PRO FOOTBALL BREAKS ATTENDANCE RECORDS
DEC 7 (Chicago) - The NFL reported today that attendance at professional games this year has broken all previous records. Assuming that a sellout crowd will attend the New York-Washington game Sunday, a total of 1,072,469 fans have flocked to 40 pro games for an average of 26,811 per contest. This is 24 percent higher than 1941, when an average of 21,611 attended each game, the league announced. In 55 games last year, a total of 1,079,148 pushed through the turnstiles for an average of 19,620 per game. This year's total was only 6,679 less than 1942 when the schedule contained an additional 15 games. The increase over 1942 was 7,191 per game or 36.7 percent...1943 CROWDS BETTER: With the annual division playoff game included in the figures, attendance reached 1,115,154 for 56 games last season. Assuming that the championship contest at Wrigley field, Chicago, December 19, will be a sellout, the 1943 attendance will exceed last year's by 1,000 for only 41 games. League officials credited the increase to a tighter race and the ability of underdogs to defeat the favorites consistently. To support the figures, the league reported the following points: The Washington Redskins played to six consecutive sellout crowds. Green Bay's Packers drew record pro football crowds against the Chicago Bears at Green Bay and against Washington at Milwaukee. Phil-Pitt's Steagles pulled Philadelphia's record crowd for pro games - 34,294. The Detroit Lions drew a total of 160,360 in five games, with one game played in rainy weather, and the New York Giants pulled more than 40,000 fans in four of six games - a total attendance of 245,398...ARRIVING BACK HOME: Member of the Green Bay Packer squad were still showing up at the Milwaukee road and North Western railroad stations today after having finished their NFL season Sunday with a 38-28 victory over the Phil-Pitt Steagles at Philadelphia. Some of the players arrived as early as Monday afternoon, but others had to wait their turn for railroad accommodations. Coach Curly Lambeau and Assistant Coach Red Smith both were back today. A number of the gridders will remain in Green Bay, but others will spend the next several days winding up their affairs here before scattering to distant points. Dr. W.W. Kelly, team physician, reported that the squad was well bruised and battered in their final game. None, however, was badly injured. Don Hutson, who scored 20 points against the Steagles to give him 117 points and apparently league honors for the season, was found to have a fractured finger. Ted Fritsch has an injured hand, although no bones were fractured, and he also received a severe kick in the back. Joe Laws had several bruised ribs, and Tony Canadeo, who had not returned this morning, hurt his ankle in the game.
CHRONOLOGY OF PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL
DEC 7 (Green Bay) - Here is the third and final installment of the chronology of professional football, picking up from 1934: 1934 - G.A. Richards purchased Portsmouth franchise and moved team to Detroit (June 30). Chris Cagle and John (Shipwreck) Kelly transferred Brooklyn franchise to Daniel R. Topping (June 30). Chicago Bears held to scoreless tie by Collegians in first annual Chicago All-Star game (Aug. 31). Player selective draft and waiver rule adopted (Dec. 10). 1935 - Player limit increased to 24 men (Sept. 4). 1936 - Jay Berwanger, University of Chicago halfback, first player selected in first National league draft. Chosen in Philadelphia (Feb. 8). Player limit increased to 25 men (Feb. 9) 1937 - Homer Marshman granted franchise for Cleveland (Feb. 12). Boston franchise transferred to Washington (Feb. 13). 1938 - Player limit increased to 30 men (Feb. 19). 1939 - Kickoff out-of-bounds ruled receiving team's ball on its 45-yard line (Feb. 11). Joe F. Carr, National league president since 1921, dies at Columbus (May 20). Carl L. Storck named president of National league (May 25). 1940 - Detroit Lions fined $5,000 for tampering with Bulldog Turner, Hardin-Simmons center, drafted by Chicago Bears (Feb. 2). Fred J. Mandel, Jr., purchased Detroit Lions and franchise from G.A. Richards (Feb. 10). Membership fee increased to $50,000 (April 12). Player limit increased to 33 maximum and 22 minimum (April 12). Clipping penalty reduced to 15 yards; all distance penalties enforced from spot on field of play limited to half the distance from the goal (April 12). 1940 - Dennis Shea elected treasurer of the National league (April 12). Alexis Thompson of New York purchased Pittsburgh Steeler franchise from Arthur J. Rooney, who purchased half interest in Philadelphia Eagles (Dec. 9). Adoption of rule prohibiting sale or trading of team's first two selections in player draft without unanimous consent of league until one playing season after player's selection (Dec. 9). 1941 - Elmer F.
Layden, head coach and athletic director at Notre Dame, named commissioner of professional football for five years (March 1). Carl L. Storck resigned as president-secretary (April 5). Elmer F. Layden elected president for five years (April 5). Philadelphia franchise and club transferred to Pittsburgh and Pittsburgh franchise and club transferred to Philadelphia (April 5). Umpire made official timer of National league games (April 6). Cleveland franchise transferred from Homer Marshman and associates to Daniel F. Reeves and Frederick Levy, Jr. (June 1). 1942 - NFL raised $680,384.07 for War Relief charities. 1943 - Cleveland Rams, with Co-Owners Major Fred Levy and Lieutenant Dan Reeves in service, granted permission to suspend operations for one season (April 6). Free substitution rule adopted for duration (April 7). Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers granted permission to merge under name of Phil-Pitt Eagles (June 19). Ted Collins granted franchise for Boston, to become active in season of 1944, or as soon thereafter as league deems advisable (June 20). Adoption of a ten-game schedule (June 20). Player limit reduced to 28 men for one year (Aug. 25).
LAMBEAU JOINS LAYDEN IN DENIAL OF GAMBLING IN PRO GRID LEAGUE
DEC 8 (Green Bay) - Coach Curly Lambeau of the Packers today joined with Commissioner Elmer Layden of the NFL in making a denial that league players were associating with gamblers following rumors to that effect which have been circulating through the league for several weeks. Lambeau said he had conferred with Layden recently on the rumors. "The trouble with most gamblers is that they have never played in sports of any kind and they cannot appreciate the fact that upsets are possible in professional football just as they are in other sports," the Packer coach said. "There is, so far as I know, absolutely no tie-up between players and gamblers in the league." The matter came to a head Tuesday, when the Washington Times-Herald called Layden and told him the paper was preparing an expose of betting by league members in which they would "name names", according to press dispatches from Chicago. George Strickler, the NFL's publicity director, said the story appeared but "named no names."...NO SPECIAL INVESTIGATION: At the same time, Strickler denied that "any investigation" was in process. He added that the Washington newspaper had "misquoted" Layden. Strickler pointed out that the league constantly makes investigations of any rumors as a matter of course and that such rumors had been heard by league headquarters. "An investigation was made long before the recent Bear-Redskin game and as far as I know it is closed," Strickler said. "It turned up nothing. There has never been the slightest bit of factual evidence to substantiate such charges." Layden said he investigated all rumors and never found the "slightest bit" of collusion between gamblers and anyone in the pro league. Substantially the same stand was taken by Coach Lambeau when he asked for a statement this morning relative to the announcements from league headquarters. First of all, the Packer coach said such rumors are perennial and have gone the rounds of the league ever since it started. All have been investigated, he said, and in no case has any tie-up between players and gamblers been uncovered...IS SPECIFICALLY FORBIDDEN: He pointed out that the constitution of the league absolutely prohibits gambling. The specific provision of the constitution covering gambling says: "Any person connected with the NFL or any league member, in any capacity, whether stockholder, officer, director, coach, player, employee or official, who bets money or any other valuable thing on the outcome of any game or games played in the National Football League, shall be expelled from the league by the commissioner and there shall be no appeal from his decision." As far as the outcome of specific names is concerned, Lambeau said, as soon as the so-called "favorite" is defeated, immediately the rumors begin to circulate that there is something wrong. Actually, there is just as much chance for an underdog professional team to rise up and win as there is for any college or high school team to do the same thing, he emphasized. "Psychology plays a big part in all sports, professional or amateur," the Green Bay coach explained. "The gamblers who probably never played in any sport of any type can't understand this but those who have followed games in the National league know that it is true. I have heard the rumors about gambling and discussed them with Mr. Layden but I have been unable to find any evidence whatsoever to substantiate the rumors." The coach said that all club owners would agree with Layden's statement today that "we welcome factual evidence from anyone. The penalty for betting is expulsion from the league and it will be enforced swiftly and vigorously."
'THEY'RE LIARS,' SAYS REDSKINS' PRESIDENT
DEC 8 (Washington) - President George P. Marshall of the Washington Redskins said today he had moved to clear his players of reports that some had associated with gamblers by asking police to check on their leisure time habits. Expressing complete confidence in the integrity of his men, Marshall said: "Anyone who says any Redskin has been betting on professional football games is a liar. I am willing to pay $5,000 in cash for proof. That's how much confidence I have in my team." Major Edward Kelly, district superintendent of police who said Marshall's request was made after the Phil-Pitt and Redskins' 14-14 tie at Philadelphia Nov. 7, said he had complied with the request and that no evidence had been obtained by his men that any Redskin had been "frequenting gambling houses or liquor bars." Club policy, Marshall explained, forbids players visiting any drinking establishments. Redskin coach Arthur J. Bergmann expressed belief that adverse reports on the players had been started by gamblers who, he said, "have been taking a beating" as a result of some upset results in the fall schedule.
NOW IT'S MR. DONALD HUTSON, ET AL, AS PRO GRID STAR FINALLY RETIRES
DEC 8 (Chicago) - Effective as of now, Don Hutson, left end, becomes Mr. Don Hutson of Green Bay, Wis., "solid citizen", Red Cross chairman, Lions' club prexy and favorite son. When the final gun sounded ending the Green Bay-Phi-Pitt game last Sunday, Hutson closed the book on a nine-year career of professional football. It was all legal, too. For Hutson specified in his contract that he and the gridiron part company after the 1943 season. However, the "solid citizen" from Pine Bluff, Ark., leaves behind a full page in his football record book. Under "Hutson's records" reading from left to right: Lifetime Records: Most passes caught, 383; Most touchdown passes caught, 83; Most yards gained catching passes, 6,291; Most points scores, 641; Most touchdowns scored, 86; Most consecutive games scoring one or more points, 35; Shortest touchdown pass caught, 4 inches. Season Records: Most passes caught, 78; Most touchdown passes caught, 17; Most yards gained catching passes, 1,211; Most points score, 138; Most touchdowns scored, 17. Game Records: Most yard gained catching passes, 237 yards against Brooklyn, November 21, 1943. Miscellaneous: Most years named most valuable player, 2; Most years leading pass receiver, 6; Most consecutive years leading scorer, 4; Most records held, 17. As the above testifies, for a guy who didn't know what pro football was nine years ago, Hutson did all right. Curly Lambeau, Green Bay coach, talked Hutson into returning to pro ball for one more season last year. But he agreed to Hutson's clause in his contract that this would be his last year. That's worried Lambeau ever since. He can't realize that his boy, Don, is really gone. Hutson didn't know a football from a toy balloon back in Pine Bluff, where he was a track star and baseball player. But he had a close friend, Bob Seawell, who did know the difference. When Seawell got an offer from Coach Frank Thomas of Alabama to come to college, he said: "Not unless Hutson can come too." Wondering who this guy Hutson was, Thomas said O.K. and gave Hutson a track scholarship, just to get Seawell. After discovering Don's speed, he made his first string end and three years later Hutson was in the Rose Bowl game. Curly Lambeau, Green Bay coach, dropped into Thoma's secret Rose Bowl practice via the fence. He was stranded by a rip in his pants when the gendarmes came to throw him out, but Thomas recognized him and invited him to watch his boys play. Lambeau saw a slightly-built fellow running from punt formation and cutting back. He jotted down his number, figuring he would make good halfback material. At the Rose Bowl game, he looked up the number and found it was a kid named Don Hutson, listed as end. He offered him a contract to play with the Green Bay Packers. Hutson didn't know who the Green Bay Packers were. Lambeau explained. Shipwreck Kelly also rushed Hutson to sign for his Brooklyn team. Don signed both Kelly's and Lambeau's contracts, but Lambeau's arrived at the pro office postmarked 13 minutes ahead and Hutson was a Packer. It didn't take Hutson long to discover that he needed something besides speed and pass catching to remain a pro. So he perfected his famous "dodges". He learned to apparently "give up" on a pass and then suddenly sprint away from the defense to catch it. He invented the "tag out" pass, so called because it comes in at the receiver's shoe tops, like a catcher's throw to second base. And that's the kind of guy pro football is losing when Don Hutson resumes a domestic life in Green Bay with his wife, two daughters, bowling alley, cocktail lounge, the Red Cross and the Lion's Club of which he is the duly elected president. In the statistical departments not invaded by Hutson, Sammy Baugh of Washington paced passers with 117 completions in 211 attempts for .511, and Jack Hinkle of Phil-Pitt led ball carriers with 571 yards gained in 116 cracks.
ANOTHER HONOR IS SIGHT FOR HUSTON
DEC 8 (Green Bay) - This is by way of serving notice that our Don Hutson probably will get a new award this year - new, because it will be the first time the Los Angeles Times has sponsored the National Sports Award Dinner. The dinner, according to the sponsors, "will make the first time in sports history that outstanding individual achievements in ALL fields of sports will be recognized and honored with awards." It is only logical to assume that Don will come in for some of the glory. Nominations for the various honors will be received until Dec. 23, according to Braven Dyer, sports editor of the L.A. Times. These nominations may include not only individuals who have been outstanding in all major sports, but also those who have contributed to the advancement of sports. Dyer is a member of the board of selection, along with Grantland Rice, Dean Cromwell, W.R. (Bill) Schroeder and Ellsworth Vines. Members of the executive committee are Robert Svensson, chairman; Jerry Giesler, Charles W. Boggs, Jules Covey and Oscar Reichow. Winners of the award will be announced at the Sports Awards Dinner to be held in the Biltmore bowl, Los Angeles, on Monday evening, Dec. 27. Sports celebrities from all parts of the country will be in attendance, and Bob Hope will be honorary master of ceremonies. Attendance will be limited to 850, and net proceeds from the price of ten dollars per plate will go to buy sports equipment for men in the U.S. armed forces.
LAMBEAU EXPLAINS WHY PACKERS FAILED TO ENTER LEAGUE PLAYOFF
DEC 9 (Green Bay) - Early in September, just before the Packers were to begin their 23rd NFL campaign, Coach Curly Lambeau expressed the belief that his ball club would be in the thick of the championship race...but he appended an "if" to that conclusion. Today, the Bays' head man still believes that the Packers should have finished better than second. Glancing back over the season, his 25th as coach of the Packers, Lambeau naturally puts the finger on the two big reasons why the Green Bay club is runner-up and not in the driver's seat in the Western division. First, he explains, was the 33-7 defeat by the Washington Redskins, and second, the 21-7 beating registered by the Chicago Bears in the mud and rain at Wrigley field in early November. Except for those two games, the Packers zipped through their season with several remarkable performances, including especially the 35-21 victory over the New York Giants and the 38-28 win over the Phil-Pitt Steagles last Sunday. In compiling seven victories in their 10 league contests, the Bays showed they had manpower, as Coach Lambeau said they had way back in September..."IF" IS IMPORTANT: At that time, he said "If (and he emphasized that word) we can get by the Bears in our first game, we'll have an inside track to the crown." As it turned out, the game was a 21-21 standoff, although there was little question in the middle of the sell-out crowd that the local eleven should have won. But it didn't and that "if" loomed larger and larger as the season progressed. Lambeau naturally is disappointed about the second place. "It's still second and not first," is the way he puts it. He adds, "We had a good enough team to win but those two defeats, plus injuries and a lack of spirit put us where we are today." He did not single out any one or series of incidents which provided a turning point in the season but constantly referred to the Redskin and second Bear clashes. "The Redskins did not play one good game up to that time they defeated us in Milwaukee," he said. "They improved 50 percent from the time we defeated them in an exhibition in Baltimore and they also caught our team over-confident. In the second Bear game, we could have won if there had not been a let-down during the third and fourth quarters."...PLAYED GOOD BALL: Without mentioning names, Lambeau said several of the players deserved a championship because of their whole-hearted play in every contest. As for the others, he said they didn't deserve better than second because they didn't play championship ball. All of these factors add up to the Packers' final standing in the Western division. There was some consolation in the fact that the Bays played to larger crowds than ever before, testifying to the esteem in which they are held by fans throughout the country. Final official attendance figures show that 281,405 customers poured through the gates to see the Packers perform. The "gates" included sellouts in Green Bay, Milwaukee, Chicago, New York and Philadelphia. Now that the season is over, Lambeau is beginning already to look forward to the 1944 campaign. He has analyzed the team's weak points and is prepared to bolster them. You can be sure he is going to leave nothing undone to make the 1944 combination as strong as possible under existing conditions.
ROOKIE BILL PASCHAL OF GIANTS NEEDS 92 YARDS FOR PRO CROWNS
DEC 9 (Chicago) - Stour Steve Owen, skipper of the New York Giants, thumbed the big blond kid off the field. "You're doing a lot of running without getting anywhere," said Steve without joking. "You've got to get off the treadmill. Keep behind your interference, not ahead of it." So Bill Paschal harnessed himself to give his blocking time to materialize. The guy who started as if he always saw a green light now is being ushered to the ground gaining championship of the NFL. Paschal, 204-pound fullback, who set a season's high of 188 yards rushing against Washington last week, needs only 92 against the Redskins in anotehr meeting Sunday to become the sixth rookie in nine years to win the ball carrying title...HINKLE IS AHEAD: He must accumulate that yardage to beat out Jack Hinkle of Phil-Pitt, who picked up 59 yards against Green Bay, including a 38-yard touchdown spring, for a season's output of 571. The record of 22-year-old Pascahl is one of the most startling in modern pro football, for he hit the big time without the benefit of ever playing varsity collegiate ball. He reached the campus of Georgia Tech via Tech High school in Atlanta, and in the fall of 1939 was hailed as one of the finest freshman prospects in the south. That winter he underwent a knee operation and the following spring he reported in good shape for practice. But the Army Air corps intervened before he could display his talents on the varsity. When he received a medical discharge, he started out to find a job to support his wife and child (another child was born during the football season). He got some good plugging from Bill Alexander, the veteran George Tech coach, and it was upon his recommendation that Stout Steve snapped him up...NEVER BEEN SORRY: "And I've never been sorry; in fact I've been delighted," Owen insisted. "Bill was on the bench in the fourth quarter against Washington last week. I asked him how he felt and he said 'tired'. I told him to get on the field pronto because he had all winter to rest. So he goes out and runs 53 yards for the winning touchdown. Whata guy!" After trailing Sid Luckman all season, the Redskins' Sammy Baugh appears destined to wind up Sunday with the passing championship. He only needs to keep his season percentage above Luckman's .545 to win after surpassing in number of completions - 117 to 110. Baugh's current average is .555.
DON HUTSON SIGNS AS ASSISTANT COACH FOR PACKERS
DEC 11 (Green Bay) - Don Hutson, the Packer end who smashed NFL records in several departments during his nine years of play in the professional circuit, was cast in a new role today with the announcement by Coach Curly Lambeau that Hutson had been added to the team's staff as an assistant coach. Thus, Hutson continues his affiliation with the football club of which he has been the star for almost a decade, the while he was compiling seven National league lifetime records, six season records, one game mark and a variety of others which have never been assembled in one list. Evidently pleased with the fact that Hutson signed a coaching contract, Coach Lambeau said the former Alabaman's duties would continue through the year and would not be confined only to the football season. Hutson will assist the Packer coach in scouting material and will also aid in working out the team's offense...LAST AS ACTIVE PLAYER: Hutson announced in mid-season that this year would be his last as an active player. He pointed out that he felt nine years in the pro loop were sufficient. As a matter of fact, he related, he had decided against playing this year but because of the manpower shortage had agreed to don the famous No. 14 again. Testimony to his continued effectiveness was given just this week in the National league's official statistics, which again showed Hutson leading three departments - pass receiving, scoring and field goal kicking. With Hutson out of active competition, the records he holds will probably stand for years to come as a tribute to his magnificent ability. Coach Lambeau, who has always had the highest regard for this star end's ability, asserted today that in his estimation Hutson was more valuable to the club during the past season than he ever was before, both offensively and defensively. Other coaches in the league expressed the same opinion while despairing of ever stopping him...MADE 11 TOUCHDOWNS: Offensively, the record show, Hutson scored 11 touchdowns on passes while his teammates were scoring 10 via the same route. On most of the latter, Hutson acted as a decoy to draw defensive men out of position to put other Packers in the clear. Besides this, Hutson made 36 points after touchdown and three field goals. A defensive halfback, the new assistant coach was known and feared for his ability to diagnose opponents' play, especially those which wound up in aerials. He intercepted eight passes. The highlight of these was that against the Chicago Cardinals in Milwaukee when he grabbed a Card pass on his own 16-yard line and romped the remaining 84 for a touchdown. In all, he tallied 117 points, 45 better than his nearest competitor. Twice winner of the National league's Joe F. Carr trophy as the circuit's most valuable player is only one of Hutson's records. He holds most marks in the league, has been leading scorer for four straight years, and leading pass receiver for six consecutive seasons. He has been named on every all-time professional team and a variety of other "all-time" squads...HOLDS MANY RECORDS: His lifetime records in the pro circuit include: most passes caught, 383; most touchdown passes caught, 83; most yards gained catching passes, 6,291; most points scored, 641; most touchdowns scored, 86; most consecutive games scoring one or more points, 35; and shortest touchdown pass caught, 4 inches. The season records he holds are: most passes caught, 78; most touchdown passes caught, 17; most yards gained catching passes, 1,211; most points scored, 138; most touchdowns scored, 17. This year his 1942 record of 33 extra point kicks was broken by Bob Snyder of the Chicago Bears. Hutson also had three more but Snyder collected 39 for the new mark. Huston used his last year as a player to break one of his own marks, that of most yards gained catching passes in one game. Against Brooklyn Nov. 21 he ran up 237 yards with passes to wipe out the old figure of 209 he made during the 1942 campaign.
PACKERS VOTE SPLIT OF MONEY
DEC 15 (Green Bay) - The Packers yesterday took time off to split up the second place money they will receive from the NFL's championship game in Chicago Dec. 26. Twenty-seven full shares were voted to the players and Assistant Coach Red Smith. Following custom which he set some time ago, Coach Curly Lambeau turned his share into the players' pool. Half shares were voted to Trainer Bud Jorgensen, Assistant Trainer Gus Seaburg, players Jim Lankas and Ade Schwammel, both of whom joined the club in mid-season, Don Perkins, who was injured in pre-season practice but remained with the club in an inactive status, and G.W. Calhoun, Bay publicity director. Those receiving full shares besides Smith include: centers Charley Brock, Bob Flowers, Forrest McPherson; guard Buckets Goldenberg, Bill Kuusisto, Pete Tinsley, Sherwood Fries, Glen Sorenson; tackles Buford Ray, Paul Berezney, Chet Adams, Milburn Croft; ends Don Hutson, Harry Jacunski, Joel Mason, Dick Evans; backs Larry Craig, Tony Canadeo, Lou Brock, Ted
Fritsch, Andy Uram, Joe Laws, Ben Starrett, Bob Kahler, Irv Comp, Tony Falkenstein.
CANADEO, HUTSON ON 1943 ALL-LEAGUE PRO ELEVEN
DEC 16 (New York) - This year, more than any other, the emphasis has been on forward passing in the NFL, and the All-League pro team, selected today by the Associated Press and newspaper sportswriters, bears it out. Two of the greatest passers football has ever known, Sid Luckman of the Chicago Bears and Sammy Baugh of the Washington Redskins, both make the 1943 All-League eleven. The big bad Bears won the most positions on the powerful "dream" team for the third successive year. But, whereas five of the Western division champs were selected in 1942, only four made it this year. Besides Luckman they are guard Danny Fortmann, center Bulldog Turner and back Harry Clark. The Redskins and Green Bay Packers placed two men each while the New York Giants, the Brooklyn Dodgers, and the Chicago Cardinals share the other three spots. Baugh, sure-fingered Don Hutson of the Packers, and scrappy Turner were unanimous choices. Luckman was left off two teams. Bruiser Kinard of Brooklyn, chosen for one of the tackle spots, won the all-around player nomination hands down. Bruiser played guard, tackle, end and back officially, and every other position unofficially. Baugh, Fortmann, Luckman, Turner and Hutson were members of the 1942 All-League team...WILSON, FARKAS MISS: George Wilson, 205-pound end from Northwestern, just missed making the first eleven. The Bears' big wingman and Andy Farkas,
Washington fullback, two 1942 choices, were voted to this year's second team. Others on the reserve list are: Bob Masterson, Washington, end; Chet Adams, Green Bay, and Vic Sears, Phil-Pitt, tackles; Augie Lio, Detroit, and Steve Slivinski, Washington, guards; Charlie Brock, Green Bay, center; Roy Zimmerman, Phil-Pitt, Ward Cuff, New York, and Jack Hinkle, Phil-Pit, backs. On the honorable mention side of the roster are ends Benton, Bears; Aguirre, Washington; Fisk, Detroit, and Bova, Phil-Pitt; tackles Ray, Green Bay, Musso, Bears, Bulger, Cards, and Rymkus, Washington; guards Younce, New York; Matheson, Detroit; Shugart, Washington; and Avedisian, New York; centers Graves, Phil-Pitt, and Hein (playing his 13th year with the Giants). Backs Comp, Packers; Manders, Brooklyn; Paschal, New York; Moore, Washington; Hopp and Sinkwich, Detroit; Morrow, Cards, and Magnani, Bears.
PACKERS MAKE GOOD SHOWING ON STATISTICS
DEC 16 (Green Bay) - Final team statistics released today by the NFL show that the Green Bay Packers made a respectable showing against their competitors. They were tops for the NFL in a number of departments, and in most others they were among the leaders. In first downs the Green Bay club was third, the Chicago Bears being credited with 161, the Phil-Pitt eleven with 138 and the Packers with 134. By passing the Packers and Bears each made 66 first downs for the league's best showing. The Packers collected 60 by rushing, for fourth place, and eight by penalty. Green Bay made a total of 3,351 yards, being exceeded only by the Bears with 4,405. Top honors went to the Bears for their 2,310 yards by passing, while the Packers were second with 1,909. The Packers reeled off 1,442 yards by rushing for third place. The Packers carried the ball 397 times for an average gain of 3.6 yards. Better showings were made by the Bears, 3.9 yards; Phil-Pitt, 3.8; and New York, 3.7. As a team, the Packers had a forward passing efficiency of .451 while Washington had .547, and the Bears .511. The Packers attempted 253 tosses, the Washington club leading in that department with 254, and they completed 114. Nineteen Packer passes were intercepted, while opponents stole 39 from the Chicago Cardinals for a new league record, 37 from Detroit, 21 from Brooklyn, and 20 each from Phil-Pitt and Washington. On punts, the Packers averaged 36 yards, considerably below the 41.5 yards by Detroit. The packers kicked 52 times in their ten games. The Packers were penalized 52 times for a total of 403 yards. "Honors" in this department, as you may have been expected, went to the Chicago Bears with 86 penalties for 748 yards, Brooklyn was penalized only 292 yards and New York 293. Fifteen fumbles were committed by the Packers, the only team having a better record being Detroit with 12. The Packers recovered nine of their fumbles and Detroit seven. The Packers were the only team in the league to make good
on every extra point attempt - 36 of them. Don Hutson, incidentally, alone was responsible for that showing. Twenty-one Packer touchdowns were by passing, 15 by running. They made four field goals and attempted 15 for first ranking in both cases. Defensively, Green Bay's showing was only fair. The Packers allowed their opponents 172 points, fourth best showing, and 2,707 yards, also fourth best.
MEETING POSTPONED
DEC 16 (Chicago) - The annual winter business meeting of the NFL, scheduled for Dec. 20-21, has been postponed indefinitely, Commissioner Elmer Layden announced today. Layden said the press of the holiday season combined with the Dec. 26 playoff game prompted officials to postpone the meeting, which usually features the annual player draft. The draft was eliminated this year because of the uncertainty of the military
status of collegiate players. League officials also said the selection of the all-pro team would not be held this year because of opposition by several clubs.
RED SMITH, ASSISTANT COACH FOR EIGHT YEARS, RESIGNS PACKER JOB
DEC 16 (Green Bay) - Richard (Red) Smith, assistant coach of the Packers for the last 8 years, resigned his position after a conference with Coach Curly Lambeau, it was announced today. The resignation becomes effectively immediately, the announcement said. Connected with the Bays since 1936, Smith said he would remain in Green Bay until he begins his duties as assistant coach of the Milwaukee Brewers on March 18. He will also continue as manager of the Columbus club bowling alley, a position he held for the last two seasons. He said that he expects to be connected with football next year in a capacity not yet fully determined. Smith issued the following statement: "I wish to express my appreciation to the Green Bay and northeastern Wisconsin fans for the support they have given me during my stay here. I also wish to thank the executive boards of both the Packers and Bluejays. Because of the fine treatment I have been accorded I shall always consider Green Bay my home."...DECIDED AFTER CONFERENCE: Lambeau, in announcing that he had accepted Smith's resignation from the Packer staff, said the decision had been reached following the conference. Lambeau explained: "Pro football has been growing so rapidly and the duties of coaches have increased to such a great extent that is desirable to have a year around assistant. Because of Red's baseball connections, which he felt he could not give up, he decided to resign." Lambeau said there is a possibility that another coach may be added to the staff but such a move in in the indefinite stage at the present time. Smith's resignation comes after eight years of coaching the Green Bay line. He joined the staff in 1936 after three years as assistant to Clarence W. Spears at the University of Wisconsin and four years as head coach of baseball and
football and athletic director at Seton Hall college in South Orange, N.J....BROUGHT BLUEJAYS FLAG: The "Red Head", as he was affectionately called by his numerous friends, was manager of the Bluejays, Green Bay's entry in the Wisconsin State Baseball league, during the 1941 and 1942 seasons. In the latter he lifted the club to first place. In baseball, he has become known as a coach who can develop young players into stars with evidence to that effect in the rise of outfielder Andy Pafko, who went from the Bluejays under Smith to the Pacific Coast league and then the Chicago Cubs. Smith, a native of Combined Locks, near Kaukauna, played three years of varsity football at Notre Dame, where he was a guard and tackle. After his graduation from the South Bend school, he joined the New York baseball Giants as a catcher during the 1927 season. That year he signed with the Packers as a guard. During the summer of 1928, he played for Montreal of the International league. After the baseball season he joined C.C. Pyle's New York Yankees of the NFL. After one season with the Boston Braves of the National league, Smith returned to the Packers in 1929, when the club won its first world's championship. He was then named athletic director at Seton Hall.
FANS REGRET RED SMITH'S DEPARTURE
DEC 18 (Green Bay) - Quite a number of Green Bay football fans called up on the phone or stopped on the street to say that they were sorry and also rather surprised to hear about Red Smith quitting his job as an assistant coach of the Packers. Red has become such a fixture with the Packers that hearing of his resignation was a real shock to the fans. It takes more than one player or one coach to make a good football team, so it's impossible to estimate just how much Red's work has meant to the Packers. There's no doubting, though, that he deserves as a big share of the credit for the Green Bay club's successes during his eight years as line coach and handy man. Line coaches don't come in for much glory; neither, for that matter, do linemen. Nobody really is to blame for that, because their work seldom is spectacular and there are no accurate statistics to measure what they do. A weak or poorly-coached line is much more obvious than a good one like the much berated sore thumb. During the last eight years the Packers have had pretty good lines, and it will be generally admitted that material usually was not too plentiful. Smith deserves much credit, too, for the relationship he maintained with the players. He was the constant victim of practical jokes, and he dished out plenty, too, but the players respected him, and he did a fairly good job of keeping them in line. And playing mother hen to a gang of playful huskies like the Packers isn't a simple matter. Red figured in three Green Bay football championships. He played guard when the Packers won their first National league title in 1929, and he was line coach when they won pennants in 1936 and 1939. The Packers never finished worse than second in the Western division during his eight years on the staff. In 1938 they won divisional honors but lost to the New York Giants in the playoff. More colorful, of course, and also highly successful, was Red's tenure as manager of the Green Bay Bluejays. In 1941 be brought Green Bay the Wisconsin State Baseball league championship, and in 1942 his club finished second - just a shade below Sheboygan. The football and baseball fans of Green Bay wish Red all kinds of success in his affiliation with the Milwaukee Brewers and in any other venture he finds himself.
GUNDER HAGG, SWEDISH RUNNER, NAMES GREATEST ATHLETE OF 1943
DEC 20 (New York) - Gunder Hagg, Swedish runner, is 1943's athlete of the year. Hagg, whose eight straight triumphs on United States tracks last summer, netted $150,000 for the Army Air force relief society, received 109 points in the annual Associated Press poll. Of the 69 sportswriters who cast ballots, 27 listed the Swede first, 12 ranked him second and four listed him third. Points were awarded on a basis of three for each first place vote, two for second and one for third. Don Hutson of the Green Bay Packers was tied for sixth place in the voting. Spurgeon Chandler, whose 20 victories for the New York Yankees won him the American league's most valuable award, was a distant second with eight first place votes and an aggregate of 59 points, only two ahead of Angelo Bertelli, former de luxe passer of the Notre Dame football team, who collected 12 firsts...FIRST FOREIGNER HONORED: Hagg is the first foreigner ever to talk off with the banner in the 13 years of the poll and the first track man to be honored since Jesse Owens triumphed in 1936 following his four Olympic games victories. He continues the virtual monopoly which the amateur athletes have had in the voting. Only Joe DiMaggio of the Yankees, whose consecutive hitting streak of 56 games in 1941, has been able to crash through from the ranks of the play for pay boys since Joe Louis was picked in 1935.
HUTSON IS PLACED ON U.P. FIRST TEAM; CANADEO ON SECOND
DEC 20 (Chicago) - Four Chicago Bear players were selected today on the United Press all-professional football team for 1943 - a year that presented a surplus of great backs and tackles. Sid Luckman, Harry Clark, Clyde (Bulldog) Turner and Dan Fortmann of the Bears gained positions on the first team. The 1942 world champion Washington Redskins placed Sammy Baugh and Dick Farman; the New York Giants placed Ward Cuff and Al Blozis; the Green Bay Packers Don Hutson; the Chicago Cardinals Eddie Rucinski; and Phil-Pitt Vic Sears. Two rookies - Bill Paschal of New York and Jack Hinkle of Phil-Pitt - pressed hard for first team mention on strength of their one-two finish for ground gaining honors. But the NFL's freshmen were relegated to second-team honors behind the more consistent performances of Cuff and Clark. Neither Hinkle nor Paschal showed brilliant form until late in the season. The other major bottleneck came in the tackle positions, where there were at least seven logical picks. Blozis was rated by the Chicago Bear team as the "toughest customer" in the league. Sears took a slight precedence over Chet Bulger of the Cardinals and Buford (Baby) Ray of Green Bay because he was credited with making Phil-Pitt the league's best team on defense statistically. Ray and Tony Canadeo, a back of the Green Bay club was placed on the second team. At least four choices were virtually undisputable. They were Luckman, Baugh, Hutson and Turner. Hutson finished his ninth year in pro football by sweeping honors in three departments - scoring, with 117 points; pass receiving with a total gain of 776 yards, and field goal kicking, with three out of five. Reflecting the tendency of pros to count heavily on the forward pass for scoring, Baugh and Luckman, the league's No. 1 and 2 passers, both placed in the backfield. Baugh led all flingers with .577 percent completed for 1.754 yards while Luckman hit .545 percent for a new league record of 2,194 yards and broke another mark by throwing 28 touchdown passes. Bulldog Turner is an almost unanimous choice of the players themselves as the outstanding center in the game. Clark was a consistently brilliant ball carrier as well as a pass receiver, finishing third in ground gaining with 556 yards. Cuff held the highest rushing average in the league with 6.5 yards a crack and totaled 523 yards for fourth place. He's one of the best defensive players in the game and an excellent placekicker...FIGHT FOR POSITION: The most hotly-contested line spot came between Rucinski and George Wilson of the Bears. However, Rucinski, a faster man, won the respect of all opposition as a fine pass receiver and a scrapping defensive man. Dr. Fortmann, although noticeably slower, retained a guard spot in spite of lack of grid practice. Most of Fortmann's practice is medical and he was forced to fly in for Bear games each Sunday, but his experience and braininess gave him the honor. Farman got the nod for the other spot, although he had some competition from Augie Lio of Detroit and Clyde Shugar, whom the Bear class as the "most underrated" guard in the business. The intensity of this year's race for backfield honors was emphasized by the fact that backs of the caliber of Ernie Steele of Phil-Pitt and Tony Canadeo of Green Bay were forced to the second team...CANADEO PLACES FIFTH: Canadeo gained 489 yards to finish fifth and Steele, named by opponents as the "hardest running back in the league", was sixth with 409 yards. Frankie Sinkwich of Detroit, a great all-around back who could block, punt, run and pass, missed honors because of his inability to score and the fact that so many of his passes were intercepted. Backs were not rated according to specific positions.
FANS STILL ARGUE ABOUT RELATIVE POWER OF PRO FOOTBALL DIVISIONS
DEC 23 (Green Bay) - The perennial argument about which is stronger, the Western or Eastern division of the NFL, is due to get a few more kickings about during the long winter ahead - and the result will be about as usual when the fans take their feet off the legendary cracker barrels behind the pot bellied stoves and move outside to whittle and prognosticate about the 1944 baseball season. The season just finished shows that the Packers, runners-up in the Western half, and the Chicago Bears, who will seek another world title Sunday at Wrigley field against the Redskins, finished percentage points ahead of the Washington club. The latter, it will be recalled, did something of a nose dive late in the season but bounced back to take the Eastern playoff last Sunday...CAN'T BE DECIDED: There are those who will say the final percentages should be lumped after the season is over and the teams given ratings despite their position in the division they belong to. This method, they claim, would be fairer since all the teams play each other once anyway. Immediately comes the other side to say, "Shucks, you can't do that." As with so many questions relating to the strength of that team or this individual, no definite conclusion can be drawn. But the fact still remains that the Packers had a .778 percentage and wound up second behind the Bruins while the Redskins finished with an even .700 percentage and yet took the Eastern half crown. Coach Curly Lambeau of the Bays pointed out in a discussion the other day that normally the pro league eleven which wins all but two of its games is considered "in" for the championship of its division. He also remarked that perhaps that belief was truer before the Bears did a bit of juggling and managed a corner on the grid manpower...THEORY WORKS OUT: On the basis of the "two-loss" theory, Green Bay should have finished at least in a tie for the Western division top. The result would have been just that if the Packers had managed to topple the Bears in the first game here when the result was a 21-21 deadlock. Subsequently, fans will remember, the Packers lost to the Bears once and Washington while the Bruins got clipped by the Redskins. But for the tie with the Bears and, if that game had been won by Green Bay, both top clubs in the Western half would have completed their season with .800 figures, which would have necessitated a playoff for the title here as well as the other in New York last Sunday. As we have aforementioned, two losses mean a title or at least a tie - before the Bears guaranteed an average team with 16 first choices to the other team's six, a piece of juggling which Lambeau can't forget...BRISTOL LIKED IT: Fans in Bristol, Conn., still can't forget the exhibition which the Packers put on there Nov. 28. A recent letter from officials of the New Departure division of General Motors, whose team played the Bays, said the "hot stovers" are having a great time discussing merits of the Packer offense and defense. End Harry Jacinski, whose home is 12 miles from Bristol, recently started work as an accountant with the firm, the letter said...STICKY FINGERS: Looking over the final statistics of the 1943 season, Lambeau singled out as most significant the new pass interception record set by the Bays. By hauling in 42 enemy aerials,
they broke their own record of 40, set during the 1940 campaign. The record is all the more indicative of a strong pass defense this year because it was made in ten contests whereas the previous mark was set in 11. More than half of the steals were accounted for by three players - Irv Comp with 10, Don Hutson with eight and Joe Law with seven...SCOUTING TOUR: After watching the championship game Sunday, Coach Lambeau will depart for the west coast on his annual scouting tour for new talent. He will attend the Rose Bowl game Jan. 1 and remain in Los Angeles until Jan. 5. He expects to have a chance to talk to both players and coaches of the East and West teams which play in San Francisco and Rose Bowl participants also. The actual player draft probably won't be held until late spring but Lambeau expect material to be plentiful.
NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE
FRANCHISES MERGING: Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers FRANCHISES SUSPENDING: Cleveland Rams (would return in 1944)
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 19
DETROIT 35, Chi Cards 17
EASTERN DIVISION WESTERN DIVISION
Washington 0 0 0 .000 0 0 Detroit 1 0 0 1.000 35 17
Brooklyn 0 0 0 .000 0 0 Chi Bears 0 0 0 .000 0 0
New York 0 0 0 .000 0 0 GREEN BAY 0 0 0 .000 0 0
Phil-Pitt 0 0 0 .000 0 0 Chi Cards 0 1 0 .000 17 35
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 26
DETROIT 27, Brooklyn 0 GREEN BAY 21, Chicago Bears 21 (T)
EASTERN DIVISION WESTERN DIVISION
Washington 0 0 0 .000 0 0 Detroit 2 0 0 1.000 62 17
Phil-Pitt 0 0 0 .000 0 0 Chi Bears 0 0 1 .000 21 21
New York 0 0 0 .000 0 0 GREEN BAY 0 0 1 .000 21 21
Brooklyn 0 1 0 .000 0 27 Chi Cards 0 1 0 .000 17 35
SATURDAY OCTOBER 2
Phil-Pitt 17, Brooklyn 0 at Philadelphia
SUNDAY OCTOBER 3
Green Bay 28, CHICAGO CARDS 7 Chicago Bears 27, DETROIT 21
EASTERN DIVISION WESTERN DIVISION
Phil-Pitt 1 0 0 1.000 17 0 GREEN BAY 1 0 1 1.000 49 28
Washington 0 0 0 .000 0 0 Chi Bears 1 0 1 1.000 48 42
New York 0 0 0 .000 0 0 Detroit 2 1 0 .667 83 44
Brooklyn 0 2 0 .000 0 44 Chi Cards 0 2 0 .000 24 63
SATURDAY OCTOBER 9
Phil-Pitt 28, New York 14 at Philadelphia
SUNDAY OCTOBER 10
CHICAGO BEARS 20, Chicago Cards 0 GREEN BAY 35, Detroit 14
WASHINGTON 27, Brooklyn 0
EASTERN DIVISION WESTERN DIVISION
Phil-Pitt 2 0 0 1.000 45 14 GREEN BAY 2 0 1 1.000 84 42
Washington 1 0 0 1.000 27 0 Chi Bears 2 0 1 1.000 68 42
New York 0 1 0 .000 14 28 Detroit 2 2 0 .500 97 79
Brooklyn 0 3 0 .000 0 71 Chi Cards 0 3 0 .000 24 83
SUNDAY OCTOBER 17
New York 20, BROOKLYN 0 CHICAGO BEARS 48, Phil-Pitt 21
Detroit 7, Chi Cards 0 at Buffalo Washington 33, GB 7 at Milwaukee
EASTERN DIVISION WESTERN DIVISION
Washington 2 0 0 1.000 60 7 Chi Bears 3 0 1 1.000 116 63
Phil-Pitt 2 1 0 .667 66 62 GREEN BAY 2 1 1 .667 91 75
New York 1 1 0 .500 34 28 Detroit 3 2 0 .600 104 79
Brooklyn 0 4 0 .000 0 91 Chi Cards 0 4 0 .000 24 90
SUNDAY OCTOBER 24
CHICAGO BEARS 33, Brooklyn 21 Green Bay 27, DETROIT 6
NEW YORK 42, Phil-Pitt 21 WASHINGTON 13, Chicago Cards 7
EASTERN DIVISION WESTERN DIVISION
Washington 3 0 0 1.000 73 14 Chi Bears 4 0 1 1.000 149 84
New York 2 1 0 .667 76 49 GREEN BAY 3 1 1 .750 118 81
Phil-Pitt 2 2 0 .500 87 104 Detroit 3 3 0 .500 110 106
Brooklyn 0 5 0 .000 21 124 Chi Cards 0 5 0 .000 31 103
SUNDAY OCTOBER 31
Green Bay 35, NEW YORK 21 Washington 48, BROOKLYN 10
CHICAGO BEARS 35, Detroit 14 Phil-Pitt 34, Cards 14 at Pittsburgh
EASTERN DIVISION WESTERN DIVISION
Washington 4 0 0 1.000 121 24 Chi Bears 5 0 1 1.000 184 98
Phil-Pitt 3 2 0 .600 121 118 GREEN BAY 4 1 1 .800 153 102
New York 2 2 0 .500 97 84 Detroit 3 4 0 .429 124 141
Brooklyn 0 6 0 .000 31 172 Chi Cards 0 6 0 .000 45 137
SUNDAY NOVEMBER 7
CHICAGO BEARS 21, Green Bay 7 DETROIT 0, New York 0 (T)
BROOKLYN 7, Chicago Cards 0 Phil-Pitt 14, Wash 14 (T) @ Phil
EASTERN DIVISION WESTERN DIVISION
Washington 4 0 1 1.000 135 38 Chi Bears 6 0 1 1.000 205 105
Phil-Pitt 3 2 1 .600 135 132 GREEN BAY 4 2 1 .667 160 123
New York 2 2 1 .500 97 84 Detroit 3 4 1 .429 124 141
Brooklyn 1 6 0 .143 38 172 Chi Cards 0 7 0 .000 45 144
SUNDAY NOVEMBER 14
WASHINGTON 42, Detroit 20 BROOKLYN 13, Phil-Pitt 7
Chicago Bears 56, NEW YORK 7 Green Bay 35, Cards 14 at Milwaukee
EASTERN DIVISION WESTERN DIVISION
Washington 5 0 1 1.000 177 58 Chi Bears 7 0 1 1.000 261 112
Phil-Pitt 3 3 1 .500 142 145 GREEN BAY 5 2 1 .714 195 137
New York 2 3 1 .400 104 140 Detroit 3 5 1 .375 144 183
Brooklyn 2 6 0 .250 51 179 Chi Cards 0 8 0 .000 59 179
SUNDAY NOVEMBER 21
NEW YORK 24, Chicago Cards 13 Green Bay 31, BROOKLYN 7
WASHINGTON 21, Chicago Bears 7 Phil-Pitt 35, Det 34 at Pittsburgh
EASTERN DIVISION WESTERN DIVISION
Z-Washington 6 0 1 1.000 198 65 Chi Bears 7 1 1 .875 268 133
Phil-Pitt 4 3 1 .571 177 179 GREEN BAY 6 2 1 .750 226 144
New York 3 3 1 .500 125 154 Detroit 3 6 1 .333 178 218
Brooklyn 2 7 0 .222 58 210 Chi Cards 0 9 0 .000 73 200
Z-Clinched Tie for Division Title
SUNDAY NOVEMBER 28
Phil-Pitt 27, WASHINGTON 14 NEW YORK 24, Brooklyn 7
Chicago Bears 35, CHICAGO CARDS 24
EASTERN DIVISION WESTERN DIVISION
Z-Washington 6 1 1 .857 212 92 Z-Chi Bears 8 1 1 .889 303 157
Phil-Pitt 5 3 1 .625 204 193 GREEN BAY 6 2 1 .750 226 144
New York 4 3 1 .571 149 161 Detroit 3 6 1 .333 178 218
Brooklyn 2 8 0 .200 65 234 Chi Cards 0 10 0 .000 97 235
Z-Clinched Tie for Division Title
SUNDAY DECEMBER 5
NEW YORK 14, Washington 10 Green Bay 38, Phil-Pitt 28 at Phil
EASTERN DIVISION WESTERN DIVISION
Z-Washington 6 2 1 .750 222 106 Z-Chi Bears 8 1 1 .889 303 157
New York 5 3 1 .625 163 171 GREEN BAY 7 2 1 .778 264 172
Phil-Pit 5 4 1 .556 232 231 Detroit 3 6 1 .333 178 218
Brooklyn 2 8 0 .200 65 234 Chi Cards 0 10 0 .000 97 235
Z-Clinched Tie for Division Title X-Clinched Division Title
SUNDAY DECEMBER 12
New York 31, WASHINGTON 7
EASTERN DIVISION WESTERN DIVISION
Z-Washington 6 3 1 .667 229 137 Z-Chi Bears 8 1 1 .889 303 157
Z-New York 6 3 1 .667 197 170 GREEN BAY 7 2 1 .778 264 172
Phil-Pitt 5 4 1 .556 225 230 Detroit 3 6 1 .333 178 218
Brooklyn 2 8 0 .200 65 234 Chi Cards 0 10 0 .000 95 238
Z-Clinched Tie for Division Title X-Clinched Division Title
1943 Eastern Division Playoff (December 19 at New York - 42,800)
WASHINGTON REDSKINS (6-3-1) 28, NEW YORK GIANTS (6-3-1) 0
1943 NFL TITLE (December 26 at Chicago - 34,320)
CHICAGO BEARS (8-1-1) 41, WASHINGTON REDSKINS (7-3-1) 21
CANADIAN FOOTBALL - 1943
NOTES: With World War II continuing, the IRFU and the WIFU continued to suspend play. The Ottawa Rough Riders, the last of the Big Four teams to continue operations were finally forced to suspend play, but a number of familiar Ottawa faces showed up in the line-up of the Ottawa Combines who played in the ORFU. Also in the East, the QRFU made a return to senior play with a five team league that featured three military teams: an RCAF team in Lachine, an army team in Huntington and a navy team in Montreal. The Verdun Grads and McGill University rounded out the league. It marked the first time since 1935 that a university team was competing for the Gray Cup. In a bit of an oddity, McGill played only 4 games while the other QRFU teams played 10 games. To compensate for this disparity, McGill games were worth 6 points. McGill did manage one win, beating Huntington, who lost all ten of their games. Other than McGill, the other QRFU teams were liberally sprinkled with former ORFU and IRFU players who were in military service. Out West, a three team league was organized, with two teams in Winnipeg and one in Regina. It was composed largely of military personnel. The Blue Bombers played as the RCAF Bombers while the second Winnipeg based team was the Winnipeg United Services Combines. The Regina team was known as the Regina All-Service All-Stars. Many of the players had previously played for the Roughriders and that nickname was also used for this team. The Hamilton Wildcats, or Flying Wildcats as they were called during the war years, won the ORFU. The Wildcats then eked out a surprisingly close victory 7-6 over the Lachine RCAF team to capture the East title. In the West, the Winnipeg RCAF Bombers had little problem beating Regina in the two game total point West final 12-0. (Source: CFLapedia)
1943 GREY CUP (Saturday December 5 at Toronto - ATT: 12,455)
HAMILTON FLYING WILDCATS 23, WINNIPEG RCAF BOMBERS 14 - After losing the annual Canadian football classic a year earlier, the Winnipeg R.C.A.F. Bombers were expected to win the Grey Cup over a supposedly weaker Hamilton Flying Wildcats squad. But Hamilton proved to be the better team in 1943, returning the coveted trophy to Steeltown for the first time since 1932. It was a wild first quarter, as Hamilton jumped to an 18-7 lead after 15 minutes. The Wildcats drew first blood three minutes into the contest as Joe Krol sidestepped three Bombers to throw a 30-yard pass into the arms of Doug Smith, who only had to fall across the goal line for the major. Winnipeg’s Brian Quinn scored the Bombers’ initial point on a mammoth kickoff. Garney Smith then gave Winnipeg a brief one-point lead as he darted around the end and ran 17 yards for a touchdown. The Wildcats went on to score two touchdowns before the end of the quarter. As Quinn attempted to punt from his own end zone, Jimmy Fumio rushed in to block the kick. As the ball hung up in the air, Fumio leaped up to make a touchdown grab. An error in judgment cost the Bombers another six points. Winnipeg’s Dave Greenberg, rather than give up a rouge, decided to punt the ball out of his end zone. The kick was short, which Abe Zvonkin recovered on the 10-yard line. Paul Peterson plunged nine yards before Mel Lawson scored on a goal line run. After an uneventful second quarter, Krol kicked a field goal to increase Hamilton’s lead to 21-7. Winnipeg’s offence finally got going at the end of the third quarter, as Quinn completed a pass to Jim Berry for a 42-yard touchdown play. Early in the final quarter, the Bombers had three cracks at the end zone from the Hamilton one-yard line. Three successive running plays were unsuccessful,
as the Wildcats’ defence held firm. Quinn would eventually gain a single point for the Bombers. Hamilton soon relieved the pressure with a couple of rouges of their own, first on a 75-yard wind-assisted punt by Krol, and another off the foot of Doug Smith. The Bombers earned 11 first downs compared to Hamilton’s five in the loss. Brian Timmis, who coached the Wildcats to victory, was a member of the 1932 Grey Cup champion Hamilton Tigers team.
WINNIPEG - 7 0 6 1 - 14
HAMILTON - 18 0 3 2 - 23
1st - HAM - Doug Smith, 30-yard pass from Joe Krol (Krol convert) HAM 6-0 1st - WIN - Single, Doug Smith rouged on Brian Quinn kick HAM 6-1 1st - WIN - Garnie Smith, 17-yard run (Ches McCance convert) WIN 7-6 1st - HAM - Jimmy Fumio recovered blocked kick in end zone (Krol convert) HAM 12-7 1st - HAM - Mel Lawson, 1-yard run (Krol convert) HAM 18-7 3rd - HAM - Krol, 15-yard field goal HAM 21-7 3rd - WIN - Jim Berry, 42-yard pass from Quinn (McCance convert) HAM 21-13 4th - WIN - Single, Quinn kick to deadline HAM 21-14 4th - HAM - Single, Krol kick to deadline HAM 22-14 4th - HAM - Single, McCance rouged on D. Smith kick HAM 23-14
