The 1945 Green Bay Packers - 6-4 (2ND - Western Division)
Head Coach: Curly Lambeau
1945 PRE-SEASON RESULTS (2-2)
AUGUST (1-0)
30 College All-Stars at Chicago W 19- 7 1- 0-0 92,753
SEPTEMBER (1-2)
13 at Philadelphia Eagles L 21-28 1- 1-0 90,218
19 Pittsburgh Steelers at Hershey, PA W 38-12 2- 1-0 14,521
23 at Washington Redskins L 7-21 2- 2-0 27,125
1945 REGULAR SEASON RESULTS
SEPTEMBER (1-0)
30 G-CHICAGO BEARS (0-0-0) W 31-21 1- 0-0 24,525
OCTOBER (3-1)
7 M-DETROIT LIONS (1-0-0) W 57-21 2- 0-0 20,463
14 G-CLEVELAND RAMS (2-0-0) L 14-27 2- 1-0 24,607
21 M-BOSTON YANKS (2-0-1) W 38-14 3- 1-0 20,846
28 G-CHICAGO CARDINALS (1-4-0) W 33-14 4- 1-0 19,221
NOVEMBER (2-2)
4 at Chicago Bears (0-5-0) L 24-28 4- 2-0 45,527
11 at Cleveland Rams (5-1-0) L 7-20 4- 3-0 28,686
18 at Boston Yanks (1-4-1) W 28- 0 5- 3-0 31,923
25 at New York Giants (2-4-1) W 23-14 6- 3-0 52,681
DECEMBER (0-1)
2 at Detroit Lions (6-3-0) L 3-14 6- 4-0 23,468
G - Green Bay M - Milwaukee
1945 IN REVIEW
After the 1944 season, Don Huston announced his retirement by saying, "If I ever play on the field again, I'll jump off the Empire State building." Evidently, he changed his mind, since he was back in uniform at the start of the season with no signs of carrying out his threat. Even though the Packers fell off to third place, Huston still soared above all of the receivers in the NFL. In the second quarter of the October 7th game against Detroit, Huston caught four touchdown passes and kicked five extra points, chalking up a record 29 points in a single quarter. The Packers also had a colorful 27-year old rookie tackle named Ed Neal. Bulldog Turner described him - "Ed Neal weighed 287 pounds stripped. His arms are as big as my legs and as hard as a table." Turner's remarks were not ill-founded as Neal would break Turner's nose five times during the course of their many encounters.
THE FIRST USFL (1945 NOT 1983) AND THE TRANS-AMERICA FOOTBALL LEAGUE (THE FIRST OF THREE)
The AAFC was not the only league which aimed to unseat the NFL at the end of the Second World War.
UNITED STATES FOOTBALL LEAGUE - The USFL was announced in July 1944, with ten franchises in two divisions (East - New York, Baltimore, Boston, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, West - Chicago, St. Louis, Cincinnati, Akron, and Honolulu Bears) were proposed. Two other franchises were set to be awarded, with Seattle, Portland, Buffalo, Dallas, San Francisco, Los Angeles, New Orleans, Fort Worth and Detroit in the running. The league would play a 20-game schedule. Organizer Ronald Payne announced in October 1944 that seven franchises were definitely "in", having posted $10,000 in franchise fees, and that Los Angeles appeared set to join. By the time the USFL held a leaggue meeting on November 18th and 19th 1944, eleven prospective cities remained. On November 27th 1944, Red Grange was named commissioner of the USFL, and eight cities were formally admitted (Chicago, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Washington, New York, Akron, Boston and Honolulu). Milwaukee, Cincinnati and Pittsburgh were the three cities present at the November 18-19th meetings which were not included in the lineup. In December 1944, the Honolulu franchise announced it would play its games in Cincinnati until World War II was over, and airline travel from the mainland to Hawaii was feasible. Not much more news was heard from the USFL until June 1st 1945, when Grange announced he was resigning as commissioner, and some franchises were refunding their deposits. Within a week, the USFL was gone. The USFL name would come back in 1965 - created by future league developer extraordinaire David Dixon, the USFL was unveiled in an April 11, 1965 article in the Dallas Times-Herald. The league, which would kick off in January 1966, would have franchises in Houston, Atlanta, New Orleans, New York, Miami and Anaheim. Games would be held to a strict two-hour limit, with the title game on Memorial Day. An organizational meeting was supposed to be held in May, while Dallas Cowboy GM Tex Schramm said the NFL may develop its own winter-spring league. Neither plan got off the ground. Of course, the real "USFL"actually fielded teams in from 1983 to 1985.
TRANS-AMERICA FOOTBALL LEAGUE - The league, formed by promoter John "Chick" Meehan, was announced in September 1944. The original franchises were slated for New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Miami, Dallas, Houston and Los Angeles. In late October 1944, Meehan announced the Dallas franchise had secured the Cotton Bowl as its home field. Meehan traveled to Denver in December 1944 to meet with investors in a posssible franchise in the city. In April 1945, Meehan proposed a 16-team NFL, with the 11 franchises in the senior league being joined by the five strongest franchises from the TAFL. He also indicated he may pull the plug on his league if the New York franchise cannot secure a home field soon. On June 1st 1945, Meehan ended his hopes to launch the TAFL after it was clear the New York team could not play at Yankee Stadium. That became clear when the NFL allowed the Brooklyn Tigers to move to Yankee Stadium and the New York Giants to the Polo Grounds. In 1959, a Trans-America Conference was proposed. The league began as a minor-league (Mid-America Football League), but it was revealed in July 1959 during Congressional testimony by NFL Commissioner Bert Bell that the league wanted to challenge the NFL. Former NY Giant QB Travis Tidwell said the league would consist of Houston, Denver, Minneapolis, New York, Dallas, and Los Angeles, and said other possible members are Louisville, Boston, Miami, Seattle, San Francisco and Buffalo. Some of the organizers behind the Continental League (baseball) were reportedly behind the TAC. The name came back in 1970 when the San Antonio Toros and Fort Worth Braves planned on launching a Trans-American Football League in 1970, after the collapse of the Continental League, with franchises also in Tampa, Los Angeles, Chicago, Memphis, Birmingham and Hershey, PA (?). Instead, the Braves, Toros and four of their local rivals took back the Texas Football League name and soldiered as a regional minor league in 1970. The league re-organized yet again in the winter of 1970-71, dropping the Texas Football League name and becoming the Trans-American Football League. The bigger change was a shift to a spring schedule with an April 1971 kickoff. The spring experiment died a quick death and the league cut short its schedule after only five weeks of play.
NAME NO POS HGT WGT COLLEGE YR PR A G HOW ACQUIRED
Bob Adkins 79 B 6- 0 220 Marshall 3 3 28 4 FA - Gr Bay (1941)
Solon Barnett 72 T 6- 1 235 Baylor 1 1 24 4 1943 Draft-10th
Charley Brock 29 C 6- 1 210 Nebraska 7 7 29 10 1939 Draft-3rd
Lou Brock 16 HB 6- 0 195 Purdue 6 6 27 10 1940 Draft-3rd
Mike Bucchianeri 19 G 5-10 210 Indiana 3 3 28 5 FA - Gr Bay (1941)
Irv Comp 51 HB 6- 3 192 St. Benedict 3 3 26 9 1943 Draft-3rd
Larry Craig 54 E 6- 0 195 S. Carolina 7 7 29 10 1939 Draft-6th
Bernard Crimmins 76 G 5-11 195 Notre Dame 1 1 26 6
Tiny Croft 75 T 6- 4 285 Ripon 4 4 24 9
Bob Flowers 35 C 6- 1 210 Texas Tech 4 4 28 10
Ray Frankowski 15 G 5-11 220 Washington 1 1 26 2 1942 Draft-3rd
Ted Fritsch 64 FB 5-10 210 Stevens Point 4 4 24 10
Ed Frutig 51 E 6- 1 185 Michigan 2 2 25 1 1941 Draft-5th
Buckets Goldenberg 43 G 5-10 220 Wisconsin 13 13 33 4
Clyde Goodnight 23 E 6- 1 195 Tulsa 1 1 21 10 1945 Draft-3rd
Don Hutson 14 E 6- 1 180 Alabama 11 11 32 10
Ken Kueper 18 HB 6- 0 215 Georgia 1 1 26 9
William Kuusisto 45 G 6- 0 230 Minnesota 5 5 27 10
Joe Laws 24 HB 5- 9 185 Iowa 12 12 34 10
Paul Lipscomb 47 T 6- 5 230 Tennessee 1 1 22 10
Nolan Luhn 38 E 6- 3 200 Tulsa 1 1 24 9 1945 Draft-25th
Joel Mason 7 E 6- 0 200 W. Michigan 4 5 32 10 FA-Cards (1939)
Roy McKay 3 HB 6- 0 195 Texas 2 2 25 10 1943 Draft-5th
Forrest McPherson 72 C 5-11 240 Nebraska 3 6 33 5 FA - Phil (1937)
Russ Mosley 8 HB 5-10 170 Alabama 1 1 27 6
Moose Mulleneaux 19 E 6- 4 210 Utah St 5 5 28 5 Military (1942-44)
Ed Neal 58 T 6- 4 287 Tulane 1 1 26 9
Ernie Pannell 22 T 6- 3 220 Texas A&M 3 3 28 7 1941 Draft-16th
Don Perkins 23 FB 6- 0 198 Platteville 2 2 27 7
Baby Ray 44 T 6- 6 256 Vanderbilt 8 8 29 10
Chuck Sample 38 FB 5- 9 210 Toledo 2 2 25 1 Military (1943-44)
Bruce Smith 42 HB 6- 0 197 Minnesota 1 1 25 3 1942 Draft-13th
Ken Snelling 52 FB 6- 0 210 UCLA 1 1 26 2 1943 Draft-7th
Glen Sorenson 33 G 6- 0 210 Utah St 3 3 25 10
Ben Starret 63 B 5-11 220 St. Mary's(CA) 4 5 27 8 FA - Pitt (1941)
Pete Tinsley 21 G 5- 8 205 Georgia 8 8 32 10 1938 Draft-9th
Charles Tollefson 46 G 6- 0 215 Iowa 2 2 29 9
NAME NO POS HGT WGT COLLEGE YR PR A G HOW ACQUIRED
Alex Urban 79 E 6- 2 210 S. Carolina 3 3 28 4 FA - Gr Bay (1941)
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
1945 PACKERS DRAFT (April 8, 1945)
RND SEL NAME POS COLLEGE
1 11 Walt Schlinkman B Texas Tech
2 Did Not Draft
3 27 Clyde Goodnight E Tulsa
4 Did Not Draft
5 43 Joe Graham E Florida
6 54 Don Wells T Georgia
7 65 Casey Stephenson B Tennessee
8 76 Toby Collins T Tulsa
9 87 Lamar Dingler E Arkansas
10 98 Hal Helscher B Louisiana State
11 109 Ralph Hammond C Pittsburgh
12 120 Edward Podgorski T Lafayette
13 131 Bill Hackett G Ohio State
14 142 Marv Lindsey B Arkansas
15 153 Bob McClure T Nevada
16 164 Harry Pieper C California
17 175 Bob Kula B Minnesota
18 186 Frank Hazard G Nebraska
19 197 Ed Jeffers T Oklahoma State
20 208 Bill Prentice B Santa Clara
21 219 Warren Fuller E Fordham
22 230 Fred Neilsen T St. Mary¹s (Calif.)
23 241 Bob Gilmore B Washington
24 252 Lloyd Baxter C Southern Methodist
25 263 Nolan Luhn E Tulsa
26 274 Nestor Blanco G Colorado Mines
27 285 Bill Chestnut B Kansas
28 296 Jim Thompson B Washington State
29 307 John Evans E Idaho
31 324 Paul Friday B Ohio State
30 318 Hamilton Nichols G Rice
32 330 Billy Joe Aldridge B Oklahoma State
BOLD - Played for the Packers
HUTSON O.K.
JAN 2 (Green Bay) - Don Hutson was discharged from Bellin Memorial hospital this morning after receiving treatment for an infection in his right hand. He was injured in the Packers' national championship football game with the New York Giants, and the cut failed to heal properly.
TRAFTON, SUCCESS IN FIRST SEASON AS BAY COACH, AGREES CHAMPIONSHIP WAS WON EARLY IN GAME
JAN 3 (Green Bay) - The Packer coaching staff is agreed on one thing about the recent championship playoff against the Giants - the game was salted away in the first minute. Coach Curly Lambeau says the kickoff decided it, when the Giants chose the wind and the Packers crossed them up by kicking instead of receiving. Now comes Line Coach George Trafton with his version. "The Giants' first play," said Trafton, "was Ward Cuff's favorite inside reverse smash. The left side of our line tore in and hurled him back two yards. Cuff was the boy was feared. Curly looked over to me and said, 'That's it.'. I winked back at him because I was thinking the same thing," Cuff was thenceforth stopped cold except for a brief outburst here and there...LINE WAS CHARGING: Can one play actually provide a tip-off on the outcome? "Sure can," says the line coach whose first year with the club was a marked success. "It proved to us that our line was in a charging mood. And it took the starch out of the Giants to see their best back thrown back on his pet play." There were other factors, too, in the victory, not the least of which was the New York sportswriter's description of the Packers' forward wall - he called it a sieve - and this aroused the boys. Milburn (Tiny) Croft, giant tackle, came up with the answer for that one. "A sieve is an instrument that lets little pieces through," Croft told his teammates. "if the Giants get through at all, it will be in little pieces." Trafton, out of football for 12 years, has an eminent respect for Lambeau. "Made me feel like a young man again. Curly brought me along like a little boy. I learned so much football from him that I sometimes thought I should be paying them, instead of them paying me." As for coaching, Trafton thinks it's harder than playing...BLOOD ON BENCH: "You really bleed on the bench," he said. "If football was a year around sport, there wouldn't be a single coach left in the country. They'd all worry to death. After we beat the Giants, my in-laws suggested the Stork of the 21 clubs. 'Please, please,' I pleaded, 'let's go to a quiet place for a bite to eat, then I want to sleep for three days.'" Trafton's present plans call for permanent residence in Green Bay. In the popular imagination of the fans, he is a playboy. As a matter of fact, he's been a teetotaler for nine years. Now in his 40s, he wants to make good as a professional coach and has made a pretty good start. He is an enthusiastic and fiery competitor and won't leave anything undone to achieve an objective. Which recalls a remark he made during the first practice last August. "Boys," he told candidates for the squad, "this is my first year here and it's up to me to make good or be broken. I need your help but I might add that I refuse to be broken." The results were seen Dec. 17 in the Polo Grounds...FOOTBALL OR PINOCHLE?: These things have a way of showing up. W.H. Newett, Ishpeming, Mich., sends along a clipping from the newspaper Iron Ore, telling about the appearance of the 1919 Packer team against the Ishpeming eleven. The Bays won, 33-0, but apparently the write-up of the contest didn't satisfy the fans there. In fact, the piece becomes quite sarcastic, thus: "The Green Bay Press-Gazette complains that its' 'Packers' were roughly treated at the hands of the Ishpeming football players Sunday. Does this paper think football is pinochle? Ishpeming will now issue a challenge for a ping-pong contest." The date was Oct. 25, 1919. The clipping continues, "Green Bay had Gavin, Zoll, Powers, Abrams, Dwyer, Coffeen, Petcka, Gallagher, Lambeau and Ladrow as regulars, and Wilson, MacLean, Rosenow, Bero, Martin and Sauber as substitutions."...CANADEO IS OVERSEAS: Cpl. Tony Canadeo, who played three games in mid-season with the Packers, is now in England and immensely happy that the team won the championship. He is in an anti-aircraft unit and, according to word received by friends here, is anxious to get back into football togs after "this shindig is over."
THIRD PRO LOOP IS A CERTAINTY
JAN 6 (Dallas) - The Trans-America Professional Football league is a settled fact and already has six cities enrolled, John F. (Chick) Meehan, head of the new circuit, said yesterday. Meehan announced before departing for Houston to confer with sports leaders there regarding a possible franchise in the league that Dallas, New York, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Los Angeles and Brooklyn had completed arrangements and met all the requirements for berths. "There is nothing tentative about our setup," the former Syracuse, Manhattan and New York university coach said. "These six cities have already been granted franchises, have leased stadiums in which to play and are eager to start. Two other cities - Denver and Houston - may be added before the league begins operations." He added that Denver and Houston had reported prospects good for entering the loop. One of the rules of the league which will begin operations when the war is over is that one man cannot control a franchise in any city. A group of five or more must be interested in the club. "In this matter, we believe we will have more interest and better financed clubs," Meehan explained.
LAMBEAU WANTS CODE FREEZE FOR PRESENT
JAN 9 (Green Bay) - Coach Curly Lambeau, who usually manages to come up with a few suggestions for speeding up the pro game through rules changes, asserted today that, for the present at least, he is not in favor of changing the code of the NFL. The Packer coach, a member of the league's rules committee, left this morning for Chicago, where he will attend the annual session of the circuit. At least 21 changes already have been suggested by other league coaches and owners. Admitting that some of them may have merit although he has not had an opportunity to study them closely, Lambeau said, "I do not feel that any rules should be changed at present. What few changes we may wish to make should be left for a vote until the summer session, probably in June."...WAIT UNTIL JULY: The Green Bay coach's viewpoint is tied in with the fact that neither he nor any of the other men in the league knows what the situation is going to be or how many changes will be made, before the next season rolls around. "In July," he continued, "we will know more about the war situation and we can govern accordingly. I, for one, am going to suggest a rules freeze for the present." Turning to other matters which will be considered in executive sessions Wednesday through Friday, the coach said there is no question that the annual draft of college player talent will be for the future and very few of the men selected Thursday will appear in uniform in 1945. "Our problem is slightly different from that of the other clubs since we have to have a representative team on the field for the Chicago All-Star game in late August."...LAST DRAFT CHOICE: Green Bay will have the last choice in the draft because it won the championship. Lambeau recalled that not one of the men he picked last April in the Philadelphia meeting reported to the squad in August, and he feels that the same thing may develop this year. The solitary balm in that lies in the fact that other clubs will be faced with the same problem. After clearing up other matters, the league will begin drafting the 1945 schedule. Coach Lambeau said, "The biggest problem will be the number of team operating. The schedule cannot be drafted until this is settled. I hope that two of the teams will decide to combine as the Chicago Cardinals and Pittsburgh did last season, thereby making a 10-team league." If all 11 of the teams decide to operate alone, at least one of them will be idle each Sunday and the troubles of the schedule will be manifold. This occurred in last April's meeting with the result that a schedule deadlock was reached. Lambeau
was given credit for breaking it when he prevailed upon the Cards and Steelers to combine. He is prepared to go to bat for a similar arrangement this year - although not between those two clubs - if the need arises. Attending the draft session with Lambeau will be Assistant Coach Don Hutson and Bob Conrad, who scouted college teams from coast to coast during 1944 and through New Years' Day, when he saw the East and West squads in action at San Francisco.
NFL DECIDES TO MARK TIME UNTIL GOVERNMENT GIVES DEFINITE RULING ON WARTIME SPORTS
JAN 11 (New York) - The NFL marked time along with other professional sports today to wait until the government definitely decides the future of wartime professional athletics. Despite the vigorous protests of owner George P. Marshall of the Washington Redskins, the rest of the league's 10 club owners and officials voted Wednesday to sit tight and not discuss 1945 plans until the White House or Congress clarifies its wishes regarding the continuance of sports. In taking its position in sportsdom's "watch and wait" line, the NFL joined baseball, pro basketball and intercollegiate athletic conferences - sporting groups which have told the government they are awaiting orders...ADJOURNMENT IS ABRUPT: The pro football leaders abruptly adjourned their annual meeting after less than three hours, the owners explaining, "There is little sense in laying plans for a football season nine months away when we don't even know what will happen from day to day." Action on the player draft, 1945 schedule, franchise applications, rule suggestions and other business was deferred until April, when the league owners will gather in New York. However, there was a strong undercurrent of optimism, indicating most owners expect to operate next fall due to the belief that servicemen want sports. Coach Curly Lambeau of the world's champion Green Bay Packers revealed the trend of thought when he told of tentative plans in connection with the All-Star game, annual August grid classic involving the pro league titlist...MARSHALL WAILS ALONE: One voice wailed against the league's delaying action. It belonged to Marshall, the always active and verbose leader of the Redskins' football antics, who claimed the adjournment "is in violation of the league's constitution and by-laws." When he learned his fellow owners were going to vote adjournment, Marshall stormed out of the closed session. "It takes a unanimous vote to call off a meeting once it is scheduled, and I was not there," he said afterwards. The league had scheduled the meeting with the intent to draft 330 college grid stars and discuss admittance of a 12th team for next fall and Marshall wanted something done. Commissioner Elmer Layden refused to comment on the league's move, although he revealed that the action had been recommended by the league's executive committee Tuesday night and endorsed by the owners and officials.
LAMBEAU SAYS ADJOURNMENT IS CORRECT DESPITE MARSHALL PROTEST
JAN 13 (Green Bay) - Coach Curly Lambeau returned to the city after attending the short session of the NFL in Chicago, said today there was no question about the correctness of the adjournment motion despite the protests of owner George Marshall of the Washington Redskins. The league's annual winter meeting was adjourned after a two and a half hour executive session Wednesday and all business on the college player draft, schedule making and rules amendments postponed to a later date, probably the second week in April in New York. With the exception of Marshall, there was unanimous agreement among club owners and officials that adjournment should be taken...RECOMMENDED ADJOURNMENT: "We all felt that we should postpone action for the present and to await future developments," Lambeau said. "The executive committee had agreed to recommend adjournment at its meeting Tuesday night and there was no question about the unanimity of the feeling on this point." The fact that Marshall stormed out of the meeting and told newspapermen that "adjournment is unconstitutional" was explained away by the Packer coach. "We follow Roberts rules of order and a motion to adjourn is always in order once the meeting is called. To carry, the motion must be approved by a majority vote and everyone but Marshall voted to adjourn," he said...TEMPO NEAR NORMAL: While the tempo in Lambeau's office will reach something near normal for the first time since practice for the 1944 season began last August, he is already beginning to prepare for the April meeting, on a tentative basis at least. "No one can foretell at present what will happen and we'll just have to mark time." the coach explained.
COURAGE, SPIRIT CARRIED PACKERS TO TOP, LAMBEAU
JAN 23 (Milwaukee) - Spirit and courage carried the Green Bay Packers to the national professional football championship of 1944, Coach E.L. (Curly) Lambeau declared at the Elks club annual sports night program Monday night. Tracing the history of the Packer organization, Lambeau said that Green Bay back in 1919 "started with little - just a couple of guys who still wanted to play football after they got through with high school or a year or two at college." "We kept adding fellows like Verne Lewellen, Lavvie Dilweg and Red Dunn," Lambeau continued. "Finally, we crashed through to a world's championship in 1929. Most of you know the rest of the story."
WALT KIESLING, STEELER MENTOR, ADDED TO PACKER COACHING STAFF
JAN 27 (Green Bay) - Walter Kiesling, coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers since 1939, has been added to the Green Bay Packer coaching staff, Coach Curly Lambeau said today following a Pittsburgh announcement that the former Packer lineman had handed his resignation to Co-Owner Art Rooney of the Steelers. Lambeau confirmed signing of Kiesling from Chicago. "With all the work we will have to do in our defense of the championship and the additional preparations necessary for the annual All-Star game in Chicago and another exhibition in Philadelphia 10 days later, we have added Kiesling to the staff," Lambeau said. "He was always a hard worker and has a great deal of experience in pro football."...JOINS STAFF IN AUGUST: In accepting the resignation, Rooney said he was sorry to see Kiesling leave but gave no hint as to a likely successor. Kiesling will join the Packers in August, Lambeau said. At present, the new assistant here is living in St. Paul, where he operates a cafe. Kiesling played two years with the Packers, starting with the team in 1935 and retiring from play after the 1936 season to go to Pittsburgh as an assistant to Johnny Blood, also an ex-Packer star. In 1939, he became head mentor when Blood resigned. In 1941 the team hooked up with Philadelphia and Kiesling became co-coach with Bert Bell, and then assistant to Buff Donneli, who succeeded Bell...COACHED COMBINE TEAMS: During the last two seasons, he was co-coach with Greasy Neale of Philadelphia and then with Phil Handler of the Chicago Cardinal-Pittsburgh Steeler combine. Kiesling was a guard during his playing days and also one of the largest men in the pro football ranks, weighing close to 260 pounds. A star athlete at St. Thomas college in St. Paul in his undergraduate days, Kiesling broke into professional football with Ernie Nevers' Duluth Eskimos, where he played in 1926-27. After a year with Pottsville, he joined the Chicago Cardinals and played with them through the 1933 season, when he was signed by the Chicago Bears. He joined the Packers after a year's play with the Bruins. In the early 1930's he also played basketball in Montana and Canada. He is married but has no children.
LAMBEAU ON ANNUAL TRIP TO SCOUT TALENT
JAN 30 (Green Bay) - Coach E.L. (Curly) Lambeau, as doubtful about the status of professional athletics as all others connected with them, is seizing the lull before the scheduled spring meeting of the NFL to do a little scouting for whatever talent is available. He left recently on his annual tour that will take him to the west coast and back, probably within the fortnight. Several prospects Curly has in mind for 1945 are Army discharges. There is no certainty that even they will be able to play next season but the Packer coach wants to contact them anyway to determine whether they are interested. The coach admitted that he expects to find slim pickings but he won't be alone there - the other coaches in the pro loop are taking the same point of view. The spring meeting of the league - when the draft of college talent and schedule for 1945 are up for consideration - has been tentatively set for the first week in April. It will be held in Philadelphia...MAKES ALL-TIME CHOICES: Although he usually shies away from such choices. Lambeau picked his all-time Packer eleven at the recent sports dinner of the Elks club in Milwaukee. Here are his picks: Charley Brock, center; Mike Michalske and Buckets Goldenberg, guards; Cal Hubbard and Baby Ray, tackles; Lavvie Dilweg and Don Hutson, ends; Clarke Hinkle, fullback; Verne Lewellen and Cecil Isbell, halfbacks; and Red Dunn, quarterback, as ball handler, and Larry Craig, quarterback, as blocker...PRESENTED WITH SCROLL: In addition to a handsome full color picture of the 1944 championship squad, Lambeau's office in the Northern building now is decorated also with an engraved scroll containing a resolution of praise adopted by the Milwaukee common council. The scroll is signed by Mayor John L. Bohn and other city officials and was prepared by the city engineering staff...PLAYERS TO GET GIFTS: Members of the 1944 team will receive either watches or pens and pencil sets as tokens of their championship. The players had the choice and most of them chose watches.
LAMBEAU IS CONFIDENT THAT PRO LOOP WILL OPERATE AGAIN
JAN 31 (Los Angeles) - Curly Lambeau, coach of the National professional football champion Green Bay Packers, thinks there will be enough genuine 4-F's and discharged players to keep the league in operation next fall, without weakening the brand of professional football. "We need only 250 players for the league to function," the six-time championship coach said. "There should be enough genuine 4-F's and discharged players to keep us in operation - and I don't think the league will be any weaker than it was last year."...LOOKS FOR RECRUITS: Lambeau, who admitted he was keeping his eyes open for possible recruits next fall, was heartily in favor of another bigtime professional football league "if it's not one of those fly-by-night leagues that promises a well-known college player a lot of money and then give him only a small percentage of the profits. On the whole I think it would be a swell thing, and there's room for more," he said. The Packer coach said he didn't know whether veteran end Don Hutson would be in uniform next year or not...AM AMAZING PLAYER: "He's retired each year for the past three years and then rejoined us, so I can't say. All I know is that he's one of the amazing football players of the age and hasn't slowed down even a fraction." Lambeau is coach of the most unusual football team in the league - its home location has a population of only 50,000 as compared to about a million for the rest. "But everyone in Wisconsin claims the Packers for himself - it's always "our" team regardless of what part of the state we're in - that really helps," Lambeau added.
FAMED BRUCE SMITH TO PLAY WITH PACKERS
FEB 7 (Green Bay) - Ensign Bruce Smith, one of the nation's most publicized football players during his years at Minnesota, has signed a two-year contract with the Packers, it was announced today by Coach Curly Lambeau in Los Angeles. Smith's contract has been received at Lambeau's office here and is to take effect the first season after Smith is discharged from the Naval Air corps. He is a left halfback. Drafted by the Packers at the end of the 1941 season, Smith's last at the Gopher institution, he joined the Navy shortly after when an operation on his knee made him physically fit for service. He is now stationed at Green Cove Springs, Fla., following service at several other naval stations in this country, including Great Lakes and St. Mary's Pre-Flight school...LAMBEAU IS DELIGHTED: Coach Lambeau expressed delight that Smith had signed with the Packers, asserting, "Smith is one of the greatest halfbacks in the country and will be a valuable addition to Green Bay when he joins us. He can pass and run well and is one of the best team players to come out of the college ranks in recent seasons. When he will join the team, of course, depends on when he is discharged from the Navy." Lambeau's assertion about Smith's worth as a player is borne out by the tremendous amount of publicity he received during his collegiate days at Minnesota, where he sparked the team to 17 straight victories and an undefeated 1941 season. In his last year, he was hampered by injuries but played enough to be named the "Outstanding Player of the Year" by coaches and also received the Heisman trophy, given annually to the nation's best player...CAPTAIN OF GOPHERS: In his last year under Coach Bernie Bierman, he was captain of the Gophers and won first team positions on the Big ten, Associated Press and United Press elevens and several other All-American teams. He finished his career against Wisconsin and sparked four touchdown drives as the Gophers overwhelmed the Badgers, 41-6. He is 6 feet tall and weighs 193 pounds. His home is Fairbault, Minn. After playing in the annual East-West game, Smith remained a short while in the west to star in a movie, "Smith of Minnesota", which many Green Bay residents saw when it played here. At Minnesota he was a teammate of both Urban Odson and Dick Wildung, who also were drafted by the Packers but who were unable to report because they are in military service. Odson was named first by the Bays in the 1941 draft while Wildung was Coach Lambeau's first choice in the 1942 player selection...SPURNED OTHER LEAGUE: Signing of Smith to a contract is considered more than significant since he was given an enticing offer by the newly-formed All-American league but turned it down to come to Green Bay. It was reported that he consulted with Lambeau when the new league's offer was made and then decided against accepting it, apparently basing his decision on the fact that the new league has not yet started and is not established.
LAMBEAU RETURNS FROM COAST TRIP
FEB 20 (Green Bay) - Coach Curly Lambeau has returned from the west coast where he interviewed several prospects for the Packer eleven. He plans to remain here until the annual meeting of the league in New York the first week in April, when business deferred at the January meeting in Chicago probably will be discussed. The Packer coach did not say who the players were that he interviewed, preferring to keep that information under his hat until such time as it can be presented at a league meeting. While on the Pacific coast, he met Carl Mulleneaux, former Packer end now in the Navy.
GEORGE TRAFTON IS RELEASED AS COACH OF PACKER LINE, LAMBEAU
FEB 22 (Green Bay) - Line Coach George Trafton of the Packers will not be a member of the coaching staff in 1945, Coach E.L. (Curly) Lambeau announced today, quashing a variety of rumors that had sprung up since an earlier announced that Walt Kiesling of Pittsburgh had been signed. Although the former Chicago Bear star center had been told of his release in mid-January, the announcement was not made until today because Trafton has been contacting several other clubs for jobs and it was felt that premature publicity would hurt his chances, Lambeau said. Two other NFL elevens have openings into which Trafton would fit, the Packer coach explained...HAD ONE-YEAR CONTRACT: Lambeau asserted that Trafton, who helped guide the Packers to a sixth professional football championship in his first year here, had been signed to a one-year contract only. "If times were normal would have more than three coaches on our staff and undoubtedly would have kept George as a fourth member. I think a great deal of his ability and am sorry that circumstances are such that he is leaving us," Lambeau said. The coaching staff now includes Lambeau, Assistant Coach Don Hutson and Kiesling, a former Packer player who had been with the Pittsburgh Steelers as assistant and head coach for several season...PLANS ARE INDEFINITE: Trafton said today that his plans for the future are indefinite but that he plans to reside here for some time since he has paid a year's rent for an apartment and because of the condition of his wife who is expecting a baby in March. He said he enjoyed living in Green Bay and had made many friends since arriving here last August to begin his coaching duty. "I am happy that the football season was a terrific success, and I take a great deal of pride in the fact that the Packer line had a great share in winning the championship. I have nothing but respect for all the linemen, who did all that was asked of them on every occasion. For the present, my future plans are indefinite but we will continue to reside here for some time."
LAYDEN MEETS WITH FEDERAL OFFICIALS
FEB 24 (Washington) - Elmer Layden, commissioner of the NFL, was here Friday presumably to confer with officials of the government. It was learned that Layden talked with transportation officials on a strictly confidential basis. Layden was not available for comment. Professional football may feel the punch of transportation and manpower shortages next season the same as baseball, which has voluntarily pledged a 25 percent travel reduction.
ALL-AMERICA GROUP GETS FIFTH COACH
MAR 1 (Chicago) - The All-America football conference - a proposed postwar grid circuit - had its fifth coach in its fold today, with Chicago's entry signing Lt. Col. Richard (Dick) Hanley, former college grid mentor. Hanley, whose college coaching career extended over a period of
hirteen years at Haskell institute and Northwestern university, yesterday signed a three-year contract as head coach and general manager of the Chicago club, one of the eight prospective teams. John L. Keeshin, trucking executive who owns the Chicago franchise, announced signing of Hanley in Los Angeles and also disclosed that his assistant would be Maj. Ernie Nevers, a former grid great at Stanford and in the NFL. Contract terms for Hanley and Nevers, both in the Marines, were not announced but Hanley, who is combat conditioning officer for the marine aviation corps, said his salary will exceed his pay while coach at Northwestern from 1927 to 1935.
RED SMITH SIGNS AS CUB BULLPEN COACH
MAR 1 (Chicago) - Richard (Red) Smith, assistant to Charlie Grimm, manager of the Chicago Cubs for four seasons when Grimm piloted the Milwaukee Brewers in the American Association yesterday signed as bullpen coach and scout for the Cubs. Smith has been an assistant coach of the Green Bay Packers, general manager of the Green Bay baseball team in the Wisconsin State League, and catcher with the New York Giants baseball team. He was graduated from Notre Dame in 1927. During the past football season, Smith was line coach of the New York Giants, a position to which officials of the Cubs said he would return next fall.
SENATOR WARREN KNOWLES PAYS TRIBUTE TO PACKERS AS EXAMPLE OF 'CLEAN ATHLETICS, SPORTSMANSHIP'
MAR 8 (Madison) - Wisconsin's professional and amateur athletics must be protected against any scandal which would hurt their good reputation, Sen. Warren Knowles, R., New Richmond, told the Senate Judiciary committee Wednesday. Knowles told the committee that gambling on athletic contests "undoubtedly" exists in Wisconsin and that "bribery would be the next step." He explained to the committee his bill establishing stiff penalties for anyone who tried to bribe an athlete or fix a horse race in Wisconsin. The bill sets six months to five years' imprisonment or a fine up to $1,000 or both as punishment for anyone offering or accepting a bribe to lose an athletic contest. Knowles' bill was prompted by the recent Brooklyn college basketball scandal. He believes Wisconsin athletes must be protected against the possibility of any similar blot on their good name. Knowles paid tribute to the Green Bay Packers as an example of "clean athletics and sportsmanship." He praised the Oshkosh All-Stars and Sheboygan Redskins as "outstanding" among professional basketball teams. The strength of the state's professional, school and factory teams, he said, "lies in the fact that they have been above question on gambling and bribery." The anti-bribe bill drew no opposition at the hearing. Additional support came from John Doerfler, West Allis city attorney, and Don Dyer, recreational director of Wisconsin public schools. Doerfler proposed an amendment which would grant immunity to any athlete who testified against a person who offered a bribe. Knowles said he would ask the attorney general's office, which prepared his bill, to pass upon the legality of Doerfler's amendment.
H. BRUDER FILES LIBEL SUIT; ASKS $35,000
MAR 12 (Green Bay) - Henry (Hank) Bruder, former Green Bay Packer football player, has filed suit against the Chicago Daily News company in Chicago's Superior Court for $35,000 damages for alleged libel. Bruder, it was learned here, charges that on Dec. 27 the newspaper printed a false story that he was broke financially, coupling it in a humorous way with remarks about his "hard luck" injuries while playing football.
PRO GRID ACES ADD GLORY TO THEORY OF SPORTS VALUES
MAR 19 (Chicago) - Training on the gridiron has paid off in heroism during the present war. Football long has been considered the most thorough peacetime preparation for war and the performances of professional grid stars during World War II has added glory to that theory. The NFL has 493 of its men in the service, men who have played 10 or more years of football. Their heroism is only a small part of the way yet it burns brightly as testimony to grid training. Following are a few of their records...WHITE WITH MITSCHER: Lt. Byron (Whizzer) White, former Detroit Lion and Colorado university All-American halfback: Now engaged in "highly secret work" with Vice Adm. Marc Mitscher's staff in the Pacific. Reports state that White played a vital role in Mitscher's carrier raids on Japan. Lt. John B. Tripson, Detroit Lion tackle: Awarded the Navy Cross for courage under fire at the initial landing in the African invasion. During the Normandy invasion, a London correspondent cabled his paper, "Big John Tripson will be remembered for his courage as long as men remember D-Day." Pvt. Tommy Thompson, former Philadelphia quarterback and Tulsa university passing star: Decorated for gallantry in action around Verdun where he singlehandedly captured several Nazis. Thompson, who has only one eye although accepted by selective service, also was cited for special service work in England...PANNELL IS CITED: Lt. Ernie Pannell, former Green Bay Packers and Texas A and M All-American tackle: Listed several times in reports for his heroism as commander of a P-T boat in the South Pacific; also awarded the Silver Star for gallantry. Capt. Maurice L. Britt, former Detroit and Arkansas university end: One of the outstanding heroes of the war; awarded numerous medals, including the Congressional Medal of Honor; lost his right arm during the Anzio beachhead fighting in early 1944; previously gained game for killing 11 Germans with "rifle fire, bare hand and by throwing grenades and rocks." Lt. Howie Yeagher, New York Giant halfback: Awarded Soldiers' medal for his heroism in attempting to rescue two fliers from a crashed Army airplane. The list is long and also dotted with gold stars. Nine National league players have been killed in action while three are missing and four listed as prisoners of war...SEVERAL ARE MISSING: Among the missing are Capt. Waddy Young, former Oklahoma All-American end who played with Brooklyn. He was reported missing in a raid over Tokyo late in January. The last seen of the big guy was when he dropped his plane out of formation to protect the damaged plane of one of the men in his squadron. Lt. Al Blozis, shot put champion and All-American Georgetown tackle who later played with New York, was reported missing in Belgium on Feb. 2, 1945 while Lt. (JG) Young Bussey, Louisiana State star and Chicago Bear quarterback, was reported missing by the Navy in the Pacific where he was pilot of a P-T boat. Capt. Hal Van Every, former Green Bay halfback and Minnesota great, was captured when his bomber was shot down over Germany in May 1944. Other prisoners of the Germans are John Shirk, Chicago Cardinal end, and Erwin Elrod, Philadelphia end. Marion Tonelli, Chicago Card halfback, was captured in the fall of Bataan.
NATIONAL FOOTBALL LOOP ANSWERS DRAFT SYSTEM CRITICS
MAR 27 (Chicago) - The NFL today answered critics who have charged that the league's annual player draft is monopolistic and deprives college grid stars of fair salaries. "The draft was designed to protect colleges, and it is the best thing we've been able to devise for that purpose," George Strickler, league publicity director, said. "It does not curtail the amount of money a player receives and although it does not help our teams, we'll continue to use it because we plan to continue to protect colleges." The players draft is an annual affair in which NFL teams each choose 30 players who have completed their college eligibility. Each team has the sole right to negotiate for the services of the players it selects and a player can deal only with the club which drafted him. Carl Snavely, head football coach at North Carolina university, unleashed the most recent blast against the NFL's draft system. Charging that the league is operating a monopoly on grid talent, he said that the draft gives a player no choice to negotiate with teams or to better himself. This is the first time that the National league has replied to its critics, although accusations from coaches, schools and writers have increased during the past three years. Under the draft, a National league club gains nothing by invading a campus and subjecting a player to high pressure salesmanship at a time when he can least afford to have his attention diverted from books and the next big game. Strickler said. The club would be risking a fine and the boy probably would be taken by another team in the draft, he added. "Our league has never lost sight of the fact that without college football, there would be no pro football." Strickler said. "As a result, the league (1) tried to keep the boy in college by making him ineligible for professional football until his class has been graduated, and (2) tries to keep its clubs from molesting players at college by maintaining the preferred negotiations system (draft)." Stricker cited the time that the Detroit Lions attempted to lure Clyde (Bulldog) Turner away from Hardin-Simmons college by secret negotiations. The Chicago Bears obtained Tuner in the draft and Detroit was fined $5,000. The draft does not deprive a player of a good salary, Strickler added. A team is under constant pressure from fans to put the best available team on the field. When a player holds out for more money, and a club doesn't hire him, the club soon feels the results through its gate receipts, Strickler said.
PACKER COACH LOOKS FOR COMBINE BETWEEN BOSTON, BROOKLYN TEAMS
MAR 28 (Green Bay) - Coach Curly Lambeau, eyeing the 1945 football season from little better than four months distance, is preparing to attend the annual draft and schedule meeting of the NFL in New York on April 6, two days after he meets with the league's executive committee. The league meeting had been postponed in January, when owners and coaches met in Chicago. The Packers coach said that there is a definite possibility that the league will operate with only 10 clubs next season and it could be only eight teams will play. Under the 10-team setup, as in 1944, two of the 11 teams holding franchises would have to combine. It seems very probable, Lambeau said, that Boston and Brooklyn will form a combination in 1945...OTHER MERGERS POSSIBLE: In the event league officials feel only eight teams should operate, others mergers possible include the Chicago Bears and Chicago Cardinals and the Cleveland Rams and Pittsburgh Steelers. There has been considerable talk about a Bear-Cardinal combine in Chicago. Pittsburgh, which severed its relations with the Cardinals after a disastrous 1944 season, probably would again welcome a chance to combine with another club. Besides the draft and schedule, another big topic of the annual session will be the possibility of owner Dan Topping's Brooklyn Tigers using the Yankee stadium for its games. Topping recently acquired financial control of the Yankee baseball club and indicated he is considering shifting the Tigers' home games from Ebbets field in Brooklyn. Lambeau indicated he favors a move since it "would be ideal from the standpoint of the National league and would also prove tough for any competition."
Under the league's draft system, the championship Packer club will have the last choice of players eligible to compete in the circuit. Thus, Lambeau will get his 11th choice of the college talent. However, second division clubs then have two choices each before the others have one, making Green Bay's next choice 28th on the list. Each club will pick 30 players as heretofore...12 CONTRACTS SENT: Indicating that he is thinking about the 1945 prospects, Lambeau said he had contracts in the hands of 12 players of considerable talent who are either in 4-F classification in the draft or have been discharged from the armed forces. Only unimportant rules chances are scheduled to come before the league this year, Lambeau said. One recommendation to be made by the rules committee would bring the ball out 20 yards instead of 15 after it goes out of bounds.
EX-PACKER GRIDDER IS REPORTED KILLED
MAR 28 (Green Bay) - Capt. Howard Johnson, a former guard on the Packers, was reported killed in action on Iwo Jima in a story carried in an Atlanta newspaper recently, according to word received here by Mr. and Mrs. Peter Tinsley from Mrs. Buford Ray, wife of the Green Bay tackle. Tinsley and Johnson played football together at the University of Georgia. A native of Clarksville, Ten., Johnson performed with the Packers during the 1940 and 1941 season after graduating from the Georgia institution. Prior to entering the service, he was a health counselor for the National Youth administration. He was twenty-eight years old. Further information about his death in action was not given.
NATIONAL LEAGUE IS TO DETERMINE MAKEUP APRIL 6
MAR 30 (Manitowoc Herald-Times) - Makeup of the NFL for the 1945 season will be determined in New York April 6 at the annual draft and schedule meeting. Coach E.L. (Curly) Lambeau of the 1944 champion Green Bay Packers, who will attend the meeting, said there is a possibility that the league will operate with only 10 clubs next season and it could be that only eight will play. Under the 10-team setup, as in 1944, two of the 11 teams holding franchises would have to combine. It seems very probable, Lambeau said, that Boston and Brooklyn would form a combination in 1945. In the event league officials feel only eight teams should operate, other mergers possible include the Chicago Bears and Chicago Cardinals and the Cleveland Rams and Pittsburgh Steelers. There has been considerable talk about a Bear-Cardinal combine in Chicago. Pittsburgh, which severed its relations with the Cardinals after a disastrous 1944 season, probably would again welcome a chance to combine with another club. Besides the draft and schedule, another big topic of the annual session will be the possibility of Owner Dan Topping's Brooklyn Tigers using the Yankee stadium for its games. Topping recently acquired financial control of the New York Yankees baseball club and has indicated he is considering shifting the Tigers' home games from Ebbets field in Brooklyn. Under league rules, the Packers will have the last choice of players from the draft list, so Lambeau will not get a chance to pick one until 10 other teams have selected a player. Second division clubs then have two choices of college talent each before the others have one, making Green Bay's next choice 28th on the list. Each club will pick 30 players. Indicating that he is thinking considerably about 1945 prospects, Lambeau said he had contracts in the hands of 12 players of considerable talent who are either in the 4-F classification in the draft or have been discharged from the armed forces. Only unimportant rule changes are scheduled to come before the league this year, Lambeau said. One recommendation to be made by the rules committee would bring the ball out 20 yards instead of 15 after it goes out of bounds.
NATIONAL GRID LEAGUE PLANS FOR FULL-SCALE OPERATIONS NEXT FALL
MAR 30 (Chicago) - The NFL will be in full-scale operation next fall with probably more than 90 percent of its players working full-time war jobs while playing on the gridiron. That was revealed today when the league office laid down a tentative plan for the coming season. It showed that professional grid teams will feel the manpower pinch only slightly and it also mapped how the NFL is preparing to meet sports' voluntary 25 percent reduction in travel...25 ENTERED SERVICE: The 11 NFL teams have lost 25 players to the service since last season, but the prospects of losing many more are slim because most of the players now holds war jobs. It is practically certain that 90 percent or more will be working full-time war jobs come autumn. Leaders in the "War Work Campaign" are the Philadelphia Eagles, the Green Bay Packers and the Boston Yanks, who proved last fall that football players can work in war jobs during the week days, practice at night and still give worthy performances on the gridiron every Sunday. Almost 100 percent of the Chicago Cardinal-Pittsburgh squad did war work during the 1944 season. Philadelphia had 24 players in war work, Green Bay had 18 and Boston had almost as many...TO CUT TRAVELING: The pro circuit expects to meet the 25 percent travel reduction by cutting out several lengthy training excursions and eliminating unnecessary man miles. For example, clubs will limit their traveling squads by cutting down the number of handlers and leaving injured players - who probably would not see action - at home. The league will hold its annual meeting in New York, starting April 6, at which time the schedule, the yearly draft, rules and regulations will be drawn up. Almost certain to be dropped is the Washington Redskins' cross-country training trip to San Diego. Also, the league opening probably will be set back since baseball clubs will not permit the NFL to use their parks until the baseball team has completed its home season.
CHILI WALSH, ON VISIT HERE, REVEALS A LIFELONG AMBITION - TO SEE RAMS DEFEAT PACKERS IN BAY
MAR 30 (Green Bay) - When Coach Curly Lambeau of the Green Bay Packers and General Manager Charles (Chili) Walsh of the Cleveland Rams got together to talk some business Thursday, the Packer coach probably didn't realize it but Walsh expects to fulfill a lifelong ambition when he brings the Rams here next season for a contest with the defending champions. The two considered some of the things which will come before the National league's annual meeting in New York next week. "Ever since I handled the St. Louis Gunners way back in the 1920s, it has been my ambition to give the Packers a trimming in their own backyard, and I think we can do it in 1945," Walsh said after he had left Lambeau's office and prepared to depart for Chicago on an afternoon train. "We almost turned the trick last year (the Bays won, 30-21) and we're looking forward to doing it this year." While he was non-committal about business that league moguls will consider a week hence, he believes that a merger between at least two of the teams would benefit the league. "Cleveland is definitely not interested in combining with another team but I think that any two others, probably from the Eastern division, could do so with benefit to themselves. A 10-team league would certainly eliminate plenty schedule problems." (Earlier in the week, Lambeau had offered the possibility that Brooklyn and Boston would merge in 1945.) Walsh said he is not worrying too much now about the opposition which the National league would receive from some of the other proposed circuits. "We'll have to wait for developments," he said, adding that any new league must prove itself worthy of public support and capable of keeping that support through results. "The right of another league to start up is unquestioned," he said, "but its right to stay in business depends on the public."...MANAGER SIGNS BROTHER: The Cleveland manager, who recently signed his brother, Adam Walsh, as head coach of the Rams, said the club would have practically the same personnel as in 1944, including Tommy Colella, who sparked the team in a great exhibition at City stadium last October. Who Brother Adam's helpers will be has not been determined, Walsh said. He will, however, have a full staff of aides. Paying tribute to the Packer coach, Walsh said Lambeau had done more for the league than most people realize through planning for the future and giving the people what they want. "He and George Halas and George Marshall have done a great job in putting the league on top and keeping it there through their foresight."
SINKWICH AWARDED CARR TROPHY AS PRO FOOTBALL'S MOST VALUABLE
APR 2 (Chicago) - Quarterback Frankie Sinkwich, the heart and head of the Detroit Lions' grid machine last season, today was named the NFL's most valuable player for 1944. The award marks a great comeback for the 24-year old Georgia Fireball. One of the most publicized college players ever to make his debut on the pro grid fields, Sinkwich was a flop in 1943, his first year. However, he warmed up last season to become the league's top all-around back and his season-long stardom earned him the nod by two points over Don Hutson, Green Bay's veteran end. The former Georgia All-American made his comeback despite physical handicaps. He was bothered by a heart murmur, high blood pressure and a mid-season attack of appendicitis. He took it easy in practice during the week, but on Sunday he was a "million dollar" ball player...SEVENTH ANNUAL AWARD: The selection, made by a committee of 17 newspapermen who covered NFL teams all season, carries with it the seventh annual award of the Joe F. Carr trophy. Sinkwich and Hutson each received six first place votes. The Detroit star, however, was named on four second-place ballots while Hutson received only three runner-up votes. The final tabulation gave Sinkwich 38 points, Hutson 36. The five other players who received votes were Bill Paschal, the league's leading ground gainer for the past two seasons, and Ward Cuff, backfield teammates of the New York Giants; Leroy Zimmerman, Philadelphia T-quarterback; Frank Filchock of Washington, the league's 1944 passing champion, and Johnny Grigas, Card-Pitt fullback. In the opinion of the committee, there was little to choose between Sinkwich and Hutson. Both players were on a part in leadership, but the committee believed that the Lions would have missed their rampaging quarterback more than the Packers would have missed their fleet-footed end...LEAGUE'S BEST PUNTER: Sinkwich led Detroit to a tie for second place in the league's WesTern division last fall. He topped the league in punting, finished second behind Hutson in scoring with 66 points, averaged 3.8 yards per try for third in the ground gaining department, and was the league's sixth best passer. As usual Hutson was tops in pass receiving and scoring. He caught 58 passes for 866 yards and scored 85 points. Last season marked the seventh time in the 10-year professional career that the Alabama Express had led receivers. He has won the scoring title five consecutive seasons. Hutson was nosed out of the title last year when the Chicago Bears' Sid Luckman won the award. Other winners are: Huston, 1942 and 1941; Ace Parker, Brooklyn, 1940; Parker Hall, Cleveland, 1939; and Mel Hein, New York, 1938.
PACKER COACH ATTENDS NEW YORK GRID MEETING
APR 3 (Green Bay) - Coach E.L. (Curly) Lambeau left late Monday for New York where he will attend the annual meeting of the NFL. Lambeau, a member of the circuit's executive committee, will take part in committee discussions prior to the regular meeting on Friday. Important business for the session includes making up the 1945 schedule, the annual draft of college talent, and consideration of the problem of territorial rights involved in the proposed transfer of the Brooklyn Tigers from Ebbets field in Brooklyn to Yankee stadium, now owned by Capt. Dan Topping of the Tigers.
SIDNEY TINSLEY SIGNS CONTRACT FOR TRYOUT WITH PACKER TEAM
APR 3 (Green Bay) - Sidney Tinsley, a tailback with the Clemson college football team, has signed a contract for a tryout with the Green Bay Packers and will report for practice in mid-August. He is a brother of Pete Tinsley, veteran guard on the defending championship eleven. The younger Tinsley entered Clemson in 1939 and left in 1942 to enter the Army, from which he received a medical discharge recently.
HARRY JACUNSKI TO COACH IRISH
APR 4 (South Bend, IN) - Harry Jacunski, veteran end on the Green Bay Packers, Tuesday was signed as end coach at Notre Dame. Jacunski replaces Clem Crowe, who resigned to become head coach at the University of Iowa. The new end coach went to work at Tuesday's practice session. He has been a standout end at Green Bay for six years since coming from Fordham university, where he played from 1936 to 1938. Jacunski was signed by Hugh Devore, acting head coach and athletic director at Notre Dame, who coached Fordham's ends when Jacunski was in school. Married and the father of three children, Jacunski lives in New Britain, Conn. During his half dozen years on the Packer squad, Jacunski became recognized as one of the outstanding defensive ends in the NFL, and several times received mention for all-league honors. Never a high scorer, he teamed with Don Hutson, making the combination one of the most formidable in the circuit. He scored six touchdowns for 36 points for the Packers. Whether he will be able to play against the College All Stars next August in Chicago is not known at present.
PRO FOOTBALL HASN'T ANY ACUTE MANPOWER PROBLEMS, ASSERTS GEORGE PRESTON MARSHALL
APR 4 (Washington) - Professional football has no acute manpower problems and instead of thinking about team mergers, it should increase the size of squads to accommodate discharged servicemen. George Preston Marshall, president of the Washington Redskins, made that suggestion Tuesday for National league members to consider at their meeting in New York Friday and Saturday. Marshall also said that the sport's transportation difficulties probably will be negligible by next October, "if gas rationing is eased" after the defeat of Germany, as the Office of War Mobilization indicated over the weekend. Game trips could then be taken in private cars. League officials have disclosed that mergers of teams may be effected to reduce the circuit to eight teams next season. Arthur Sampson, general manager of the Boston Yanks, mentioned among teams that might merge with other clubs, seconded Marshall's remarks about manpower...INCREASE PLAYER LIMIT: "We ought to increase the player limit from 28 to the prewar total of 33 per team," Marshall said, "to take care of players who may be discharged from service before next season. They certainly will be entitled to their old jobs back." The entire professional football season, including exhibitions, can be played by using no more transportation than one major league baseball team requires, Marshall said. "We play on Sundays, non-working days; our players work in war plants and we sever as a substantial travel deterrent by keeping thousands of flush weekenders off trains, buses and the highways," Marshall said.
GRID EXECUTIVES STUDY NEW PROPOSED LOOPS
APR 4 (New York) - Whether there is room in the United States for the postwar operation of three and possibly four major league professional football circuits may be determined today. The executive committee of the National league, only major professional circuit now in operation, began two days of momentous meetings here today, prior to opening the regular league meeting Friday. What they decide may have a definite future bearing on the operations of the three embryo circuits, the United States Football league, the All-America and the Trans-America. Each of the new enterprises wants to put a team on the field a year after the end of the war in Europe, but before that can be done definite arrangements must be made for securing of stadium sites, establishment of contractual agreements with players, and working out territorial rights and schedules...SEEK STADIUM SITES: Although not actually rivals as such, the promoters of the new leagues are waging a keen fight for stadium sites. Chick Meehan, former Manhattan college coach and head of the Trans-America circuit, said he would abandon plans to keep the league going if he was unable to get a playing site in New York. Shortly before the National league executives met, Meehan proposed a 16-club league consisting of 11 in the National league and the five strongest in the Trans-America circuit combine into one powerful organization which would operate similar to the American and National leagues in baseball.
BROOKLYN TIGERS WILL MOVE INTO YANK STADIUM, UP WRITER SAYS
APR 5 (New York) - A little pressure promised Thursday to solve a major problem of the National Professional Football league. The United Press learned that the league, exerting the influence it wields as the only going concern in the business, will transfer its Brooklyn franchise to Yankee Stadium to make sure that no rival league obtains a major New York outlet. Such a move may cost the New York Giants some money, but in the long run it will keep one of the proposed postwar professional leagues from getting a foothold in the city which thus far has been the financial angel of the game. The Giants, owned by Tim Mara and his sons, Jack and Wellington, have been the pillar of the financial structure of the NFL and now are asked to share their booty with a team which operated none too successfully across the river in Brooklyn. This issue is this: Shall the National league take a chance with a competing postwar group or shall it secure New York fandom for its own organization at the risk of monetary loss to the team which has put more dollars into professional football than any other? The answer is that the National league does not wish to take a chance. Whatever pressure is required to force the Maras to consent to the transfer of the Brooklyn franchise to Yankee stadium will be exerted. The Mara never have revealed whether they would permit the invasion of their protected territory by Capt. Dan Topping's Brooklyn eleven. That became a problem when Branch Rickey, president of the Brooklyn National league baseball club, disclosed that he planned to end the professional football field and refused to grant Topping's team more than a year's lease on Ebbets field. The Brooklyn football group not care to go along on such a temporary basis. It seemed to have solved this problem when the Yankees were sold to a syndicate of three men, one of whom was Topping. But then the question arose whether the Giants would permit Brooklyn to transfer its franchise to the stadium. While the Maras have not revealed how they fell, the National league decided for them which way the wind is blowing. It wants no competition of its own making. It believes that no rival circuit could become a major competitor without a home base in New York City. So the directors of the league have decided that whether the Mara clan likes it or not, the Brooklyn Tigers will set up house this fall in Yankee stadium and its gridiron seating capacity of 72,000. The schedule makers will see to it that the Giants and the Tigers are not at home on the same day unless they are meeting each other.
SERVICE ACADEMY STARS NAMED IN PRO GRID DRAFT
APR 7 (New York) - A new policy by NFL teams in their annual player draft was evident today because of the inclusion in the selection for the first time of stars from the Army and Navy military academies. Three players, Jack Green, captain and guard on Army's 1945 team, George (Barney) Poole, a dependable Army end and Bob Jenkins, bone crushing backfield star from Navy, were included in the 330 players named Friday in the long and involved selection bee. Green, a brilliant football tactician, was selected by the Chicago Bears, Poole by New York, and Jenkins by the Washington Redskins. Selection of the academy players was unusual for several reasons. Each of the three has from one to three seasons left to play. Each is outstanding not only as an athlete but in his academy career and none of the three is likely to leave military service to take over in the professional gridiron realm...USED UNWRITTEN RULE: In normal times, the pro clubs made it an unwritten rule not to draft players from the service schools because the odds were long against the players being of any use to them. Only one other academy player. Don Whitmire, Navy tackle of last season, ever had been selected in the draft. He was chosen by Green Bay in 1943. At that time he was not a member of the gridiron squad. Each of the players named Friday wen to another college prior to training at the service schools. They were selected from those schools rather than from Army or Navy. Green was a star lineman at Tulane, Jenkins went to Alabama and Poole to Mississippi. Selection of academy men along with other players, now in military service, who may or may not be available in 1945, indicated also how desperate is the manpower situation, since a very small percentage, probably less than 10 percent of the players, are 4-F's, the only group which will be available for the coming season. Many of the players were from schools which abandoned football several seasons ago. others were stars overlooked in the 1944 draft...TRIPPI FIRST CHOICE: First man to be selected was Charley Trippi of Georgia, who led the Bulldogs to victory in the 1942 Rose Bowl game against UCLA. He went to the last place Chicago Cardinals. The Pittsburgh Steelers, who shared the Western division cellar in an amalgamation with the Cardinals last year, got second choice and named Paul Duhart, former Florida halfback. The Brooklyn Tigers, East cellar occupants, picked Joe Renfro, Tulane back. Players selected by the Packers included: Walter Schlinkman, Texas Tech; Clyde Goodnight, Tulsa; Joseph Graham, Florida; Donald Wells, Georgia, and Casey Stephenson, Tennessee. Subject of the meeting's major controversy was Duhart of Green Bay. Duhart, who decided to play pro football last fall after being discharged from the Army, came under a special ruling. The NFL rule holds that no player can be signed until his college class has been graduated, but since Florida had no football team last fall the Packers were permitted to sign him. Under the special ruling the Steelers can send Duhart back to Green Bay in a trade but not to any other club. Elroy Hirsch, the Wausau product who cut a wide swath in the Western football conference with Wisconsin and Michigan, was picked by Cleveland in the draft. Hirsch is now in the Marines and stationed at Quantico, Va.. His Badger grid career was interrupted when he entered service but he continued to play for Michigan under the Marine training program. Jack Meade, also a former Wisconsin gridder, was drafted by New York. Steve Enich of Marquette went to Brooklyn and John Strzykalski, also of Marquette, went to Boston.
LARRY CRAIG HAS DOUBLE LIFE; NOW HE'S IN HILLBILLY SEASON
APRIL 7 (New York) - The "Binder Twine Kid" is doing his spring planting now among the hills somewhere around
Clinton, S.C., for he is in the middle of his hill-billy season. He will continue in that role until August when he will come down out of those hills to go the training camp of the Green Bay Packers, NFL champions. And in a football suit - or in the street clothes he wears when he leaves his native hearth - he is anything by a hill-billy. For Larry Craig leads two lives. In the fall months he's "Don Hutson's muscle". The rest of the year he roughs it as the directing head of the farming operations of the Craig family. And if it wasn't for pro football there probably wouldn't be any Craig homesteads. To the people around Green Bay, and Clinton, Craig is pretty well known. But to the average football fan he is known as a workmanlike player - one of the best in the league - but you don't hear much about him because he lacks what they call color in the sport. But that color isn't lacking to anyone who knows Larry very well. As soon as he leave those mountains every fall he goes back to wearing shoes, suit, shirts and ties and you won't find many arguments among the pro football players if you cal him the best looking guy in the bunch and one of the best dressers. And when the Packers go into a hotel in some league city the prettiest girl in the lobby will be there - waiting for Larry Craig. He's the pro football league's sailor with a girl in every port of call in the circuit. He doesn't forget what he is hired for, either. In all his years with the Packers, he probably hasn't handled the ball more than a dozen times, and then it was usually scooping up fumbles. But he's been throwing the key blocks on offense and taking over for Hutson on defense for a long time. For when the opposition gets the ball, Don drops into the backfield and Larry moves up to left end. He's one of the best defensive ends in the league and to his coach, Curly Lambeau, he's the game's all-time quarterback for the Packer system. Larry likes his football rough, too. His frame is built for it - 210 pounds over six foot, one and a half inches. They tried him as a linebacker-upper in a game a couple of years ago, but his complaint was that the line wasn't letting any enemy players through whom he could hit. So Larry went back to left end. When the season's over, Larry forgets his football world, changes to the garb of a South Carolina hill farmer and loses touch with the world. He takes his money home with him - he saved his dad's farm with his football earnings and then bought another farm. The farms in a pretty remote section so getting in touch with Larry becomes a major league task during the offseason.
NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE PLANS EXPANSION TO 12 TEAMS IN 1946
APR 9 (New York) - On the basis of 25 years' experience, the NFL's bosses have developed the theory that the best way to meet competition is to offer something better. On that basis, they're planning to expand their league from 11 to 12 clubs in 1946, if the war situation permits, and to present a more satisfactory schedule. Postponing until today - or later - their efforts to straighten out the difficult Brooklyn situation, the club owners turned their attention Sunday to working out a permanent schedule plan based on a 12-club league...ROUND ROBIN SCHEDULE: The basis is a round robin, requiring each club to meet the other 11 once every season. In addition each will have a 12th game, maintaining such traditional rivalries as Packers vs. Bears, Giants vs. Redskins and Detroit vs. Cleveland on a home-and-home basis. The other probable pairings are the Brooklyn (or New York) Tigers vs. Philadelphia, Boston vs. Pittsburgh and Chicago Cardinals against the 12th club. Commissioner Elmer Layden said several franchise applications have been received, but, since they will not be acted upon at this meeting, he would not name the cities or applicants. This gave rise to considerable speculation in which Buffalo, St. Louis, Baltimore and Los Angeles were mentioned...BROOKLYN MAY MOVE: Still another possibility might be that if the Tigers gain the New York Giants' permission to move to Yankee stadium, the National league might welcome Branch Rickey who has shown interest in owning a football team to play in Ebbets field.
SET TEAM LIMIT
APR 9 (New York) - Immediately after convening today, the NFL magnates altered their league constitution to read that starting with the 1946 season the loop must be composed of not less than 10 clubs nor more than 12. That prohibited any further shrinkage of clubs, should the war continue, and eliminated any possibility of a huge postwar expansion.
BROOKLYN, BOSTON MERGER IS APPROVED BY LEAGUE
APR 10 (New York) - The Boston and Brooklkyn teams of the NFL voted today to merge for the 1945 season and will play one game at Yankee stadium against the New York Giants. The team will be known as the "Yanks", the official title of the Boston club, and will be coached by Herb Kopf, who directed the Yanks last year. The merged team will be handled by Boston but at the end of the season the players will revert to their original clubs and in 1946 will operate separately again, with Yankee stadium probably becoming the home gridiron of the merger. The merger will make the league a 10 team circuit again this fall. Last year the Chicago Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Steelers were merged...THINK SOLUTION REACHED: Although the Boston-Brooklyn merger did not definitely settle the status of the Brooklyn team for 1946, the fact that the owners of the Giants consented to have the new team play one game at Yankee stadium indicated that a solution may be reached. The league also voted to prohibit its clubs from meeting teams from the other professional football loops in exhibition games except under certain conditions. The conditions provide that such games may be played if four-fifths of the teams in the National league give their consent. Another exception was made in the cases of those teams which have working agreements with the American association and the Dixie league, pro football circuits which have not been operating since Pearl Harbor. The action was regarded as a blow against the three new pro leagues which plan to start operations after the way...NAME NEW COMMITTEE: Earlier, the National league opened the way for closer cooperation with the colleges by establishing a six-man committee to settle all controversies regarding eligibility and jurisdiction in selection of players from campus gridirons. The committee, empowered to met any time, must consider any protest by a college which involves players taken in the annual league draft. It is composed of Earl (Curly) Lambeau of the Green Bay Packers, Ralph Brizzolira of the Chicago Bears, Gus Dorais of the Detroit Lions, George Marshall of the Washington Redkins, Jack Mara of the New York Giants and Bert Bell of the Philadelphia Eagles...CHANGES IN RULES: The executives made some progress Monday by revising the pro rules. The changes stressed the trend toward more wide open play and more latitude in interpretation and judgment of officials. The changes included: 1) Substitutions to be made when time is in if play has not started. Five yard penalties to be assessed if changes are not made in time with the option that the offending team can use of its allotted time out penalties. 2) The ball to be moved in 20 yards instead of 15 on out-of-bonds plays. 3) The officials to decide whether offense or defense is deliberately attempting to conserve or consume time toward the end of each quarter. Referee has the right to say whether time shall go out on a play or not. 4) Quarterback must receive pass from center if he stands with hands extended and appears to be in act of receiving the ball. If he given such a hand-to-hand pass, he is not eligible to receive a forward pass later.
NFL PREPARES FOR RIVALS
APR 11 (New York) - The NFL bosses today ended their overtime six day meeting by working out a 1945 schedule for 10 clubs. The 25 year old circuit is expecting some strong postwar competition from at least one proposed new league. To meet this threat, the club heads have voted to limit their circuit to no fewer than 10 or more than 12 clubs; instigated a move to arrange a permanent schedule plan under which each team would meet every other club each season; appointed a committee to improve relationships with the colleges, and ruled out playing exhibition games against members of new circuits. While some observers felt that the National league had passed up a chance to make its position even stronger by failing to transfer the Brooklyn Tigers to the Yankee stadium, the very uncertainty of that situation apparently eliminated one threat of competition. Chick Meehan, promoter of the proposed Trans-America league, said today that he would not continue to wait for an answer on the availability of the stadium. The possibility arose that the All-America conference, which has spent large amounts of money preparing for postwar operation, would get the stadium. That league already has awarded a New York franchise to a group headed by Mal Stevens, former Yale and NYU coach, and Bill Cox, former owner of the baseball Phillies, and plans to play in Triboro stadium. If Tim Mara, founder of the football Giants, persists in refusing to let Dan Topping put the Brooklyn Tigers to get into his own Yankee stadium, the Topping organization plans to sponsor a club which may join the All-America circuit. The 1945 schedule will start September 23 with a single contest, Detroit Lions at Chicago Cardinals, and ending December 9. Each team will play 10 games. The program is practically the same as last year, with most of the eastern teams meeting each other twice while playing once against their western foes. The same applies to the western clubs. The only intersectional home and home series will be between the Green Bay Packers and the Boston Yanks. The schedule lists one night game, on September 25, between Pittsburgh and Yanks in Boston. The New York Giants and Boston-Brooklyn combine will meet only once, in Yankee stadium, October 14.
DRAFT ROUTINE IRKS LAMBEAU
APR 11 (Chicago Tribune) - Curly Lambeau fears the NFL is making a serious mistake by giving the weaker teams top choices in the player draft each year. "There are only about a half dozen big name graduating college stars each normal year," argues the coach of the champion Green Bay Packers. "Therefore, only six teams will get a key player. So your leading clubs - the Bears, Redskins, Giants, and Packers - are deprived, year after year, of a chance at these outstanding boys. Sam Baugh of the Redskins and Sid Luckman of the Bears aren't getting any younger. We've lost Cecil Isbell. The Giants have no one whose name is a box office wallop. My point is that here you have a system working against the teams which have been the backbone of the league. I believe the order of selection should be rotated each year. It's all right trying to build up the weak sisters, but not to hold back the stronger teams." In the college draft at this league meeting, the Packers really picked for the present. Eighteen of their 30 choices are available. The Bears' first eight picks are either 4-F's or discharged veterans.
to attend the meeting so he will know our plans," he said. The All-America will blueprint its operational plans during the two-day meeting, plans which are expected to step on the toes of the 25-year-old National league. Admittance of the NFL man into the All-America's charter meeting strongly indicates that the A-A is prepared to challenge the National league, under Texas rules, no holds barred. Secession of the Tigers from the NFL has been in the wind since that league's annual meeting in New York a week ago. During the New York meeting, Gallery asked that the Tigers be allowed to play their home games at Yankee stadium. The result was that Brooklyn merged with the Boston Yanks for the coming season and was granted permission to play one game in Yankee stadium. Capt. Dan Topping, owner of the Tigers, is part owner of the Yankee stadium due to his one-third ownership of the New York Yankee baseball team. But Tim Mara, founder of the New York football Giants of the NFL, steadfastly objected to Topping playing football in his own stadium...GALLERY SPEAKS UP: Following the NFL meeting, Gallery - speaking for Topping in his absence - said, "We stand on our request to be allowed to play in Yankee stadium in 1946. We will have a football team there in one league or another that season." Gallery's scheduled appearance at the All-America meeting indicates that he is tired of bucking Mara's opposition and plans to join the All-America after the war, provide the new league's setup looks sounds. The challenge of the All-America is not to be dismissed lightly, since the investors have already invested more than $2,150,000 in talent and franchises. At present the conference has franchises in New York, Chicago, Buffalo, Cleveland, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Miami and have signed such famous grid coaches as Lt. Paul Brown, formerly of Ohio State; Lt. Cmdr. Jack Meagher, former Iowa Pre-Flight and Auburn coach, and Buck Shaw, who recently signed to coach California for one year only.
LAMBEAU BACK, TELLS OF DRAFT PICKS FOR YEAR
APR 19 (Manitowoc Herald-Times) - Curly Lambeau, manager of the Green Bay Packers, back from the NFL schedule meeting in New York, said he made his choices in the draft with the view of getting players who will be available next fall rather than stars in the service or who have a prospect of additional college or university play ahead. "Eighteen of our 30 choices are not in the service now," Lambeau said. "They are either 4-F in the draft or have been discharged. It's all right to think of the future sometimes but this time we figured we would choose players who will be available. Our reserve list is sufficiently filled with good material to take care of our future needs," the coach said. An example, of course, is Lt. Bruce Smith, the ex-Minnesota All-American who signed a two-year contract to play with the Packers after his discharge from the Navy. There are also other former college stars on the reserve list, both linemen and backs who are capable of meeting the tough going in the professional circuit without too much trouble. Lambeau sought Elroy Hirsch, former Wisconsin halfback, but he was picked up first by the Cleveland Rams while the Packers did not get a choice until the 10 other pro elevens had made a selection. The 1945 season will probably be the last in which teams play on a home-and-home basis with the exception of those having traditional rivalries such as the Chicago Bears and Green Bay, Lambeau said. The new arrangement hinges on whether a 12-team league will be in operation in 1946 although this seemed probably with Los Angeles considered a definite possibility as the 12th team. Because of the manner in which committee work has piled up on him, Lambeau said he had named Assistant Coach Don Hutson as the Green Bay representative on the league rules committee, which hereafter will be composed of a member from each team. Lambeau will remain on the league's executive committee, a post he has held for a number of years. Speaking about rules, the Packer coach said that the new measure which will put the ball in play 20 yards from the sideline instead of 15 as formerly will "make the game much faster through the elimination of wasted plays used only to get the ball in position." He said the rule change was in keeping with the objective of the league to make the game more interesting for spectators. Paul Duhart, who played halfback with the Packers last fall, will definitely play with the Packers in the annual All-Star game in Chicago's Soldier Field on August 30, although he is the property of the Pittsburgh team, Lambeau explained. Duhart played here under a special agreement with the Steelers approved by the league front office. He may be traded to the Packers but to no other club.
MEET OF PROPOSED PRO GRID LEAGUE WILL OPEN FRIDAY
APR 19 (Chicago) - Directors of the proposed professional football All-America conference from seven cities will open a two-day meeting Friday to shape the circuit's postwar athletic ventures. Reports early this week that General Manager Tom Gallery of the NFL's Brooklyn Tigers would "sit in on" the All-America meeting this weekend presumably to join up with the rival circuit brought a denial from NFL Commissioner Elmer Layden. Spokesmen from the All-America organization declined to comment on Gallery's visit. Gallery last week at the National league's meeting in New York attempted to obtain permission to put the Tigers on the field in Yankee stadium, but territorial rights held by Tim and Jack Mara of the New York Giants blocked the move. The All-America's schedule plan will be fitted to weather conditions. In deference to icy lake blasts in late November and December, New York, Cleveland, Buffalo and Chicago will concentrate on early season home games. Later in the season there will be a concentration in games in Miami, San Francisco and Los Angeles.
PACKERS WILL OPEN 1945 SEASON HERE WITH BEARS
APR 12 (New York) - Each of 10 teams will play 10 games in the 1945 season of the NFL. Weary league bosses on Wednesday night ended a six-day meeting with this announcement, having finally worked out the last problem in the agenda and pronounced the lengthy conclave a success. The NFL schedule calls for the season to open Sept. 23 with a single game - Detroit visiting the Chicago Cardinals - and the windup slated for Dec. 9. There is little difference from the 1944 schedule. Most eastern teams meet each other twice and tackle their Western opponents once, the Western division elevens doing likewise. Only the Boston Yanks and Green Bay clash in two intersectional contests, on a home and home basis...OPEN WITH BEARS: Green Bay's defending champion Packers open their 1945 campaign against the Chicago Bears, their traditional rival, Sept. 30 at Green Bay. The Packers play a pair of games each with the Bears, Detroit, Cleveland and the Boston-Brooklyn combine and single encounters with the Chicago Cardinals and New York to round out a 10-game program. Two of Green Bay's contests - against the Boston-Brooklyn team and Detroit - will be played in Milwaukee with the Bear, Cardinal and Cleveland tilts scheduled for Green Bay. The Packers will play their last five games on the road. Earlier decisions were: Limiting the circuit in the future to no fewer than 10 or more than 12 clubs.; instigation of a move to arrange a permanent schedule plan under which each team would meet every other club each season; approve appointment of a committee to improve relationships with the colleges, NFL source of players, and ruling out the playing of exhibitions games with members of new circuits.
PACKERS DRAFT FOR PRESENT
APR 17 (Green Bay) - With conditions as unsettled as they are, Coach Curly Lambeau was thinking of the present and not of the future when he made his choices in the annual draft of college talent at the NFL meeting in New York. The Green Bay coach admitted this today, following his return from the annual session. "Eighteen of our 30 choices are not in service now. They are either 4-F in the draft or have been discharged. It's all right to sometimes think of the future but this time we figured we would choose players who will be available. Our reserve list is sufficiently filled with good material to take care of our future needs," the coach said. An example, of course, is Lt. Bruce Smith, the ex-Minnesota All-American who signed a two-year contract to play with the Packers after his discharge from the Navy. There are also other former college stars on the reserve lost, both linemen and backs who are capable of meeting the tough going in the professional circuit without too much trouble...WANTED ELROY HIRSCH: Lambeau said he had his eye on Elroy Hirsch, the former University of Wisconsin halfback from Wausau. He was stymied there, however, when Hirsch was picked first by the Cleveland Rams. The Bays were forced to wait until 10 other teams made their choices since they won the league championship putting them last on the list. This worked against them on the second pick since second division clubs were allowed two choices before the others had a second. The Brooklyn-Boston merger will make the combination one of the toughest in the circuit next season, Lambeau said, saying that all the good players from both elevens will be one team. The Packers will test the combination at Milwaukee on Oct. 21. Coach Herb Kopf of the Yanks will direct the team. The 1945 season will probably be the last in which teams play on a home-and-home basis with the exception of those having traditional rivalries, such as the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears, Lambeau said. The new arrangement hinges on whether a 12-team league will be in operation in 1946 although this seemed probably with Los Angeles considered a definite possibility as the 12th team...HUTSON ON COMMITTEE: Because of the manner in which committee work had piled up on him, Lambeau said he had named Assistant Coach Don Hutson as the Green Bay representative on the league rules committee, which hereafter will be composed of a member from each team. Lambeau will remain on the league's executive committee, a post he had held for a number of years. Speaking of rules, the Packer coach said that the new measure which will put the ball in play 20 yards from the sidelines instead of 15 as formerly will "make the game much faster through the elimination of wasted plays used only to get the ball in position." He said the rule change was in keeping with the objective of the league to make the game more interesting for spectators. Paul Duhart, who played halfback with the team last fall, will definitely play with the Packers in the annual All-Star game in Chicago's Soldier Field on Aug. 30 although he is the property of the Pittsburgh team, Lambeau explained. Duhart played here under a special agreement with the Steelers approved by the league front office. He may be traded to the Packers but to no other clubs.
ALL-AMERICA TO MEET
APR 17 (Chicago) - The smoldering professional football war is scheduled to break into the open Friday when the All-America Football conference opens a two-day meeting with an NFL man sitting at the conference table. The All-America, an embryo grid loop which plans to operate in direct competition to the NFL after the war, will frame its constitution and by-laws during the two days and attending the meeting will be Tom Gallery, vice-president and general manager of the Brooklyn Tigers of the National league. The A-A gathering is supposed to be strictly confidential, but an official spokesman for the league, who played a major role in its organization, said that "Gallery will attend all meeting."...PREPARED TO JOIN: "Gallery is prepared to join our league. He is going
NEW PRO GRID CIRCUIT HAS SETBACK
APR 20 (Chicago) - The postwar All-America Football Conference lost its first scrimmage for professional gridiron power Friday as it opened a two day charter meeting here. Seven directors of the newly organized league began work on a constitution and bylaws after learning that a bid to lure the Brooklyn Tigers away from the 25 year old NFL had failed. Vice-President and General Manager Tom Gallery of the Brooklyn club, here on business, announced, "I definitely will not attend the All-America meetings and I have no intention of joining the league as long as Brooklyn is treated fairly in the National league." Gallery's stand threw the new league for a definite loss. The All-America now holds franchises in seven cities and needs an eighth site to gain an evenly balanced league for its planned competition with the National league after the war. The directors earlier had announced that Brooklyn would be the eighth team. Christy Walsh, the league's vice-president, who is acting chairman at the meeting, said that Dr. D.M. Nigro and Marchy Schwartz, former Notre Dame star, had applied for a franchise for Kansas City. Walsh, co-owner with movie star Don Ameche of the Los Angeles franchise, is serving as chairman in the absence of League Commissioner Jim Crowley. A lieutenant commander in the navy, Crowley will not assume his All-America duties until he is discharged.
ALL-AMERICA CONFERENCE SEES POSSIBILITY OF TWO MAJOR PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUES IN U.S.
APR 21 (Chicago) - Possibility of two major professional football leagues, working in a manner similar to baseball's major leagues, was envisioned today as the All-American Football conference moved toward conclusion of its final organization meeting. The All-America group, its postwar plans already past the blueprint stage, Friday asked the NFL for an audience with a view toward paving the way toward collaboration, or an understanding, on schedules and player drafts...GETS COLD SHOULDER: The new loop received somewhat of a cold shoulder from Commissioner Elmer Layden of the 25-year old NFL. But it was hopeful that before its meeting adjourned intra-league details, including a possible postseason "World Series" between circuit champions, would be worked out satisfactorily. Representatives of seven franchise holders in the A-A conference were present for today's meeting, at which final details of a constitution and by-laws will be worked out. In addition, the organization will consider the application of Dr. D.M. Nigro of Kansas City for a franchise in that city. A two-man committee, Lt. Paul Brown, now in the Navy but who has been named coach and general manager of the Cleveland entry, and owner John L. Keeshin of the Chicago franchise, will attempt to meet with Layden today, said Christy Walsh, league vice president. Layden declined on Friday to discuss the prospects with newsmen, but in a formal statement he said: "All I know of new leagues is what I read in the newspapers. There is nothing for the National league to take about as far as new leagues are concerned until someone gets a football and plays a game." The All-America already has issued franchises in three NFL cities - New York, Chicago and Cleveland. Others are held in Buffalo, Miami, Los Angeles and San Francisco.
PRISONER - HAL VAN EVERY OF THE PACKERS DROPS CARD TO CURLY
APR 25 (Green Bay) - Hal Van Every, former halfback of the Green Bay Packers, is a prisoner in Germany. He wrote Coach Curly Lambeau from a German prison camp. The card was dated January 19, 1945 which advised Curly that Hal had just learned the Packers won the western pro football title last fall. By this time Hall probably had heard the Packers did win the playoff for the NFL championship. Probably, too, he has been liberated by Allied forces.
PACKERS BOOK TILT IN CAPITAL ON SEPT. 23
APR 26 (Green Bay) - The defending champion Green Bay Packers will meet the Washington Redskins in an exhibition game in the capital on Sept. 23, one week before they make their first home stand at City stadium against the Chicago Bears, Coach Curly Lambeau announced today. The contest with the Redskins is one of two definitely scheduled for the Bays before they begin their 10-game league season. The first game will be against the College All Stars in Chicago's Soldiers' Field on the evening of Aug. 30. Another game may be played although arrangements are still in the tentative stage, the Packer coach said. The Philadelphia Inquirer has asked Green Bay to appear against the Philadelphia Eagles in a charity contest in Philadelphia's Municipal stadium on Sept. 13. Lambeau said it is probable the Packers will accept if the game date is changed to Sept. 14...IN GRIFFITH STADIUM: The game against Washington will be played in Griffith stadium, making the first time in four years that the tilt has been moved out of Baltimore. Reason for the change, Lambeau explained, is that many Washingtonians approached George P. Marshall, Redskin owner, to give them a chance to see the Packers in action without causing them to go to Baltimore to do so. The exhibition schedule will be strenuous but Lambeau is looking forward to it because "if we get a couple of tough games out of the way before the regular season, we'll be that much harder to beat during our defense of the championship." The Bays will probably open practice early in August although a definite date has not been set yet.
PRO FOOTBALL OUTLOOK IS DIM FOR '45; BOOM COMING IN '46
MAY 16 (Chicago) - Professional football hardly blinked an eye at V-E day, but when V-J day comes the fur really will fly on the play-for-pay greensward. By 1946, at least two new leagues are planning to elbow up to the cash register with the long-established NFL - provided, of course, the Japs have their goal posts draped around their ears. The 25-year-old National loop which has disdained even to recognize existence of the proposed All-America conference and United States football league is preparing for the 1945 season with little expectation that the end of the European war will improve autumnal prospects. "Like last season, we're going to be content with marking time as far as playing personnel is concerned," said Commissioner Elmer Layden of the National league. "The country has a little lead now in the war, but this isn't the time to start cheering or planning things at home." The league generally feels that the release of army men under the point system will place comparatively few players in uniform next season. Owner Fred Mandel of Detroit, however, believes league attendance may increase because the bulk of released soldiers probably will be home by next fall. "Body contact sports will have great appeal to ex-soldiers whose daily routine was based on rough-and-tumble tactics," Mandel declared. "They'll probably like to see that stuff - from purely a spectator's viewpoint." The National league has some 517 active players in the service and has a draft list of more than 1,500 prospective players compiled since 1941. The latter item possibly will be the focal point of whatever fireworks may develop among postwar leagues. The All-American conference, with franchises in seven cities, already has grabbed a flock of former college stars previously claimed by the National league. It recently offered to talk things over with Commissioner Layden, presumably to avoid costly bidding for players, but got a cold shoulder from Elmer. Three National league cities - Chicago, New York and Cleveland - are also staked out by the All-America league, along with Miami, Buffalo, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Unless "something unexpected occurs in the war", a spokesman said, the All-America won't start before 1946. The United States league, headed by the illustrious Red Grange, plans to play in Boston, Philadelphia, Washington, New York, and Chicago - all National league cities - and in Akron and Baltimore. Neither of the two proposed leagues has settled upon its eighth franchise.
GEORGE (BRUTE) TRAFTON, EX-PACKER LINE COACH, SIGNS CONTRACT TO HANDLE FORWARD WALL OF CLEVELAND ELEVEN
MAY 8 (Green Bay) - George (Brute) Trafton, who aided the Packers to their sixth world football championship in 1944, has been signed as line coach of the Cleveland Rams, according to announcement in Cleveland today by General Manager Charles (Chili) Walsh. In his new position with the Rams, Trafton will be first assistant to Head Coach Adam Walsh, recently named to succeed Buff Donelli, now in service. The former Chicago Bear center who joined the Green Bay staff last season said he had been first contacted by Walsh on April 23 about the Cleveland position. He visited the Rams' general manager in the Ohio city during that week and came to an agreement on terms. He will begin his duties as a full-time member of the staff within a week or 10 days...ALL-NORE DAME STAFF: Signing of Trafton gives Cleveland an all-Notre Dame staff. The head coach, Adam Walsh, was center and captain on the Four Horsemen team and the general manager, Charles, played end for the Irish. Trafton was also a Notre Dame center, having played there prior to either of the Walsh brothers. Trafton said, "I am very much enthused about my new position with the Cleveland team. Both Chili and Adam Walsh have a broad background in football and the entire Cleveland organization has one objective - to win the National league championship. I like residing in Green Bay very much but circumstances are such that I could do nothing but take advantage of this splendid opportunity." He said that Mrs. Trafton and their two-month-old daughter, Bliss Ellen, would continue to live for the present at 503 E. Walnut street...FOUR-SPORTS MAN: A native of Chicago, Trafton first gained fame as a Notre Dame athlete. He participated in four sports, football, basketball, baseball and track. He was center on the cage squad and later played with the famous Fairbanks-Morse company team of Beloit. He was a pitcher in baseball and held the Irish shutout record for a time. After leaving Notre Dame, he began his professional football career with the Decatur, Ill, Staleys in 1920. The team headquartered in Decatur until after the 1921 season, when it moved to Chicago to become known as the Bears. Trafton played with the Bears through the 1932 season, making annual appearances against the Packers. Both fans and players came to recognize him as one of the outstanding centers in the pro loop and a fierce competitor. After leaving football he opened Trafton's Loop gymnasium in Chicago and operated the establishment for 13 years. It was during this time that he saw the possibilities of a young, Negro fighter, Willie Joyce. He guided Joyce to the top flight in lightweight ranks, disposing of his interest to the fighter early in 1944. Trafton was also a member of the board of the directors of the Bears from 1930 to 1936. The Packers will meet Cleveland at City stadium next Oct. 14 and will play a return game with the Rams there on Nov. 11.
VAN EVERY, FORMER PACKER STAR, IS FREE
MAY 15 (Chicago) - Capt. Hal Van Every, former University of Minnesota star halfback, has been liberated from a German prison camp, his wife, Mrs. Drexel Van Every of suburban Oak Park, was advised today. He had been in German hands since May 12, 1944, when his bomber was shot down over Germany. Before joining the service, Van Every was a star with the Green Bay Packers.
HUTSON CHOSEN TO TOUR EUROPE
MAY 21 (Green Bay) - Don Hutson, ace pass receiver and assistant coach of the Packers, left Sunday afternoon on the first leg of a trip that will take him and several other sports standouts to Europe. The trip is being arranged by the Army Special Services division in conjunction with the USO. Although he did not have full information on the nature of the trip. Hutson said shortly before he left for New York on Sunday that he probably would make appearances at camps and tell of his experiences in a decade of football. Others believed scheduled to make the tour are Jimmy Conzelman, former coach of the Chicago Cardinals and one of sports' most famous entertainers, and Ward Cuff, New York Giants' halfback. Hutson said he will return to Green Bay about Aug. 1, shortly before the Packers begin drills for the 1945 season and their defense of the pro championship. Mrs. Hutson and their three daughters left Sunday for Fayette, Ala,. where they will remain until Don returns from overseas.
NATIONAL GRID LEAGUE SNUBS OTHER PROPOSED PRO CIRCUITS
MAY 22 (Chicago) - The NFL yesterday gave an editorial brushoff to the well-financed All-America conference and other proposed postwar rivals. An editorial in "Touchback", the national loop's publication for servicemen, declared: "Attempts to organize opposition to the National league were inevitable. They have been tried repeatedly, not to mention futilely, in the past. But present efforts appear to be especially ill-times. Despite the vaporizings of well-meaning neophytes, there is nothing to indicate that there is room for another major league. Athletic enterprises become major league only by public acceptance and acclaim over a long, hard haul; not by ambitious declaration around a conference table." The editorial obviously was aimed at the All-America conference which at a recent meeting here made a bid for a peace pow-wow with Commissioner Elmer Layden of the National league. Layden declared then his league would recognize a rival only after it "gets a football and plays a game". The editorial, first public expression by the 25-year-old NFL on the organizational progress of rival circuits, criticized "fabulous offers made to National leaguers and National league prospects in an attempt to get them under contract." The All-America has signed a score of former college stars previously claimed in the National league draft. "Far from the mainland in foxholes and out-of-the-way bases, these offers unquestionably appear exceedingly attractive," the editorial continued. "But they are only so much paper, merely a promoter's promise, unless when the signee presents himself for collection there is a team for him to join and opponents
for that team to play. To date none of the proposed organizations has any idea when it can operate, if ever." Other proposed leagues included Red Grange's United States Football league and Chick Meehan's Trans-America league.
SMILEY JOHNSON WAS GUARD ON UNBEATEN MARINE CORPS SQUAD
MAY 22 (Somewhere In The Pacific) - The undefeated Fourth Division Marine football team belonged immortally today to the proudest traditions of the world of sport. The hard-hitting leathernecks who excelled on the field of friendly strife were key-men in the bloody Iwo Jima victory over the Japanese. Four dies in action, eight were wounded and one was missing. The team which was tied in its first game then won five straight, had to play anonymously and without publicity because of security reasons. Its record was released by Lt. Col. L.N. (Pat) Hanley, former Boston university and Northwestern coach after the Iwo campaign had been won. The story of its casualties was withheld until next of kin were notified. Killed in action were Lt. Howard (Smiley) Johnson of Winder, Ga., former Georgia collegiate and Green Bay Packer star, right guard and co-captain; Lt. Charles Anderson, Brule, Neb., halfback from Nebraska State; Cpl. William Gaul of Philadelphia, former high school end; and Navy Pharmacist's Mate Earl G. Fleming of Chicago, the trainer, who formerly was with the Illinois Athletic club. Pvt. Robert E. Simpson of Spokane, Wash., a former end at Southern California, has been missing since the D-day invasion of the Iwo beaches...MANY ARE WOUNDED: The wounded players were Capt. Fraser P. Donlan, former Manhattan college guard from Newark, N.Y.; Lt. John D. Hallabrin, the team's high scorer, a former Ohio State halfback from Mansfield, O.; Lt. Silas J. Titus of Brooklyn, a former blocking back at Holy Cross and with the Brooklyn Tigers professional team; Pvt. Vic Uranowski, former Indiana halfback from Chicago; Cpl. Charles W. Scheber, former high school center from Dearborn, Mich.; Sgt, Quinten H. Brunett, former quarterback at Marquette university, from West Allis, Wis.; Cpl. Mark Busser of Lincoln, Pa., another former high school guard; Lt. Samuel Mandish, captain of the 1939-40 West Virginia squad from Weirton, W.V., the assistant coach. An unofficial squad man who was killed on D-day at Iwo was Sgt. John Barberio, Marine corps combat correspondent, former Red Bank, N.J., newspapermen who handled what little publicity was permitted by military security regarding the team's success.
LAMBEAU RETURNS
MAY 23 (Green Bay) - Coach E.L. (Curly) Lambeau, who has been contacting prospects for the Packer eleven in the West, was scheduled to arrive here at 3:05 this afternoon following a delayed trip. The Packer mentor arrived in Chicago late Tuesday and was to leave there this morning for Green Bay.
COLLEGES SEEK USE OF DISCHARGED GRIDDERS
MAY 24 (Green Bay) - Some sessins are attempting to induce discharged servicemen-football players to return to school to play although they have, in most cases, completed three and four years of varsity competition, Coach E.L. (Curly) Lambeau said today on his return from a scouting trip to the west coast. The Packer mentor also predicted that transportation rather than manpower would be the principal problem facing the team this year. Excluding the Big Ten conference, Coach Lambeau said that there has been an increase in pressure on discharged veterans to get them to return to school to play under relaxed eligibility rules than followed their induction into the armed forces. The shortage of players is still felt by most colleges and universities, he said, adding that they thus have turned to the subterfuge of urging the gridmen to complete their education while wanting them only to play...PACKERS HAVE POLICY: The Packers, the coach said, have a very definite policy on the use of veterans. Those who have completed the normal span of collegiate competition are asked to play with the club. On the other hand, those who failed to complete competition before their induction into service are urged to return to school to complete their educations, he explained. Turning to the transportation and manpower situations, the coach reported that several signed contracts have been received from players but that he is not yet prepared to announce the names of those who have signed. The work of contacting veteran players and others on the team's draft list will become increasingly intense from now on until opening of the season with the All-Star eleven in Chicago's Soldiers' field on Aug. 30. The first practice is schedule for Aug. 9...TRANSPORTATION SHORTAGE: The transportation problem is becoming increasingly acute, Lambeau stated, adding facetiously that it may be necessary for the ball club to travel to Chicago for its first tilt by canoe and rowboat. Seriously, he pointed out that every means is being taken to cut down unnecessary travel, including scheduling of a single trip to the east at the season's end rather than a series of shuttles back and forth as had been done previously. For example, a single eastern swing will begin shortly before Nov. 11, when the team meets Cleveland there. Instead of returning to Green Bay, the ball club will go directly to Boston for a tilt with the Yanks on Nov. 18, then into New York for a Nov. 25 game against the Giants. Returning, the club will wind up its season at Detroit on Dec. 2. Such a schedule will save many travel miles, the coach explained. Six other league games are schedule, three here and two in Milwaukee...PLAYERS ARE DISTURBED: During his trip to the west coast to contact players, Lambeau said he had run into two who had contracts with the newly-formed All-America league. The players, he said, are wondering that they are going to do next fall since the new league will not operate this year. He added that the players in question are somewhat disturbed by the prospect. This may be one of the subjects discussed when the National league's executive committee holds its next meeting, probably within several weeks in New York. Rumors about the coach's having been married when he was on the coast have proved exceedingly embarrassing although humorous, Lambeau said, adding that they "are absolutely unfounded."
LAMBEAU PLANS SESSION WITH WARD ON ALL-STAR GRID GAME
MAY 29 (Green Bay) - Coach Curly Lambeau of the Packers will leave Wednesday on a business trip to New York City and while in the east probably will meet with the executive committee of the NFL, it was learned today. En route to New York, Lambeau will confer with Arch Ward in Chicago relative to staging of the 1945 All-Star game in Soldiers Field, Chicago, on Aug. 30. During his session with Ward, who founded the annual All-Star classic, Lambeau probably will request that the Chicago newspapers sponsoring the game refrain from signing any players whom the Packers have in mind for the 1945 season. It was understood that the All-Star eleven, composed of outstanding college players, will be replete with manpower this year...SMITH TO VISIT HERE: Odds and ends: Ens. Bruce Smith, former Minnesota ace halfback now in the Navy, may come to Green Bay shortly to confer with the Packer coach. Smith signed a contract to play with Green Bay the season after the war. He is now spending a leave at his home in Minnesota and recently wrote Lambeau that he plans to come to Green Bay for a visit. Two of the six most popular movies showed to wounded overseas veterans are of the championship game between the Packers and the New York Giants last December and the Packer-Bear game played here. The popularity of the pictures was attested to in a recent vote taken among G.I.'s in the European theater. Sound movies of the Packer-Bears game here next Sept. 30 will also be shown to men overseas...ASKS FOR MATERIAL: Col. William H. Friesell, well known football official, recently wrote Coach Lambeau that he is collecting data on football, both amateur and professional, and he asked the Bay coach to send along any pamphlets or other information that would help to make his collection more complete. Friesell said he has rule books dating back to 1866 and, all told, more than 600 books on football. He congratulated Lambeau on the Packers' success in 1944, adding "your hobby is turning out great football teams and mine is collecting the data on them." He said that Paul Revere, a grandson of the original Paul of Revolutionary fame, is recorded as having played football on the Boston Common in 1844.
VERRY WAS CHOICE OF PACKERS IN '43 DRAFT
JUN 1 (Green Bay) - Norm Verry, who reportedly has signed with the Chicago entry in the All-America league, was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in 1943. He was Coach Curly Lambeau's seventh choice in the 1943 NFL draft and was captain of the Rose Bowl team that defeated Washington Jan. 1, 1844. After the contest, Lambeau reported Verry as "the outstanding lineman in the battle." The Packer coach is out of town and could not be reached for a comment on Verry's signing with the Chicago eleven.
N.L. BRASS HATS CALL MEETING TO CONSIDER PRO GRID UPSTARTS
JUN 1 (New York) - We were discussing his "definite ad final playing retirement" with the great Don Hutson of the Green Bay Packers, when into Toots Shor's jernt drifted George Marshall, big chief of the Washington Redskins, and Tom Gallery of the Brooklyn club. Marshall spies Hutson, and inquires, "When is Curly getting into town?" Curly Lambeau is vice president and head coach of the champion Packers. Blond Hutson of the wavy, light-brown hair says, "Curly gets in in the morning." Marshall, the Washington laundry magnate who is married to Corrine Griffiths of the silent screen days, and Gallery, who once was wed to Zazu Pitts, who makes pathetically with the hands on the stage and screen, sit down at a close-by table. Heavy frowns becloud their usually cheerful countenances as they converse. We never eavesdrop upon people - unless we can hear what they are saying. And we never peek through keyholes - if they are plugged. Consequently, we paid no attention to what Marshall and Gallery were saying - except to cup both ears with our hands in an effort to miss no scrap of conversation...PLAN SPECIAL CONFAB: From what we were able to hear (without falling off our chair sideways) it seems that the brass hats of the National Professional Football League will hold a special meeting at the Hotel New Yorker over the weekend. And that this meeting will consider from all angles the threatening maneuvers of that rival and "upstart" organization known as the All-America Football Conference. It seems that the rival conference has the National league biggies worried no end because it is "tossing money all over the map" in an effort to lure away star college and service players, who in the natural course of events should belong to the National circuit. The Marshall-Gallery conversation indicated that the National league were particularly scorched by the "unethical and unpatriotic" efforts of the All-Americas to sew up players now in Uncle Sam's uniform. The N.L. meeting should be most interesting - if one could hide a dictaphone in their conference room. And if some of the N.L. charges are made public (which they probably won't) they might hit front pages. Anyway, Hutson - probably the greatest player in pro football history - said, "Wotinell's the matter with you? I've been talking to you for 10 minutes, and you haven't heard a word I've said."...GOES INTO TRANCE: We assured Don that he misjudged us - that it was our custom to go into a trance during an interview - so that the words of our victim would be engraved lastingly upon our mind - like making a radio transcription. "You understand then," said the greatest of all pass receivers, "that I'll never play again. That from now on I'll restrict my football activities to helping Lambeau coach the Packers. No, I'm not coaching the ends. I'm coaching the backfield." He sighed, "After 10 years of play with the Packers - after four years with Alabama - and two years with Pine Bluff, Arkansas - I'll really miss the thrill of gridiron competition." We wiped our eyes daintily with a napkin and solaced him with: "Don - the football world and the record book will mourn your retirement for the fifth time. Cripes, Marshall and Gallery must have left for the Stork Club."
NATIONAL GRID LOOP HOLDS SECRET MEET; BUT SECRET IS OUT
JUN 2 (New York) - Club owners of the NFL held a secret meeting here Friday night to complete business matters that were left unfinished at their spring session. While spokesmen refused to comment, they intimated that nothing definite had been settled, but that the meeting would be continued Sunday. Matters known to have been left unfinished last spring included the wrangle between the New York Giants and Brooklyn Tigers concerning the latter's proposed move to Yankee stadium, and the extension of President Elmer Layden's contract, which expires next spring. "The reason the meeting was supposed to be secret was because we didn't want to come here with a lot of noise and then maybe not reach a decision on anything," said George Strickler, league publicity man. He made this remark before the meeting, but was out to all callers thereafter. There was plenty of news, however, from the other pro football leagues. Red Grange, Illinois' immortal "Galloping Ghost", disclosed that he had resigned as president of the proposed United States Football league and Chick Meehan, the man behind the Trans-America league, has withdrawn his proposed league from circulation. He blamed it on his failure to obtain the Yankee stadium for his New York entry. Branch Rickey, president of the Brooklyn Dodgers, was reported to be negotiating with Mal Stevens, former Yale and NYU football coach, for the entry of Brooklyn in the new All-American league. Rickey was said to be willing to extend to Stevens a long term rental contract for the use of Ebbets field. It was Rickey's refusal to rent out the Dodgers' baseball park for more than a one-year terms that led Capt. Dan Topping, owner of the Brooklyn National league football franchise, to move its home games to Boston.
GRANGE QUITS HIS PRO POST
JUN 2 (Chicago) - Red Grange, Illinois' immortal "Galloping Ghost", disclosed Friday that he had resigned as president of the proposed United States Football league and declared postwar pro football would throw promoters for a financial loss. The league was organized last fall with plans to enter teams in Akron, Baltimore, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington, New York, Chicago and an eighth city still to be picked. Whether Grange's actions will leave the postwar field open only to the long established National league and the embryonic All-America conference was conjectural. It was reported the United States league refunded franchise deposits, but some representatives indicated they have not thrown in the sponge. Grange insisted he resigned because "the office requires a big promotional job and my insurance business prevents me from giving it the necessary time." He added, however, that "I would not advise anybody to start in pro football now. Players are holding out for between $400 and $600 a game when they used to get $150." Without referring to rival leagues, Grange asserted that promoters will need to attract "tremendous crowds just to break even." Grange said he had received no salary as president, declaring he didn't take the job "to make a lot of money." He said he had forwarded his resignation to league officials two weeks ago.
NEW PRO LEAGUE SCOFFS AT ALLEGED DIFFICULTIES
JUN 4 (Chicago) - A spokesman for the proposed All-America conference said a report out of the east that his league would not have difficulty operating a franchise in New York City were entirely premature. The report originated after the NFL, at a meeting in New York Saturday, took action to permit the Brooklyn Tigers to play their home games in Yankee stadium, starting in 1946. The report said that with the Giants in the Polo Grounds and the Yankees in the stadium, no other league would be able to operate in Gotham. "We anticipated some such action by the National league," the spokesman for the new league said, "and we have already have the Tri-Borough stadium in Manhattan for the use of our New York team. Negotiations are virtually completed for use of Ebbets field (home of the Brooklyn Dodgers) by our Brooklyn team," the spokesman added. "We are not worried about playing sites, and will be ready to go as soon as wartime conditions permit." The All-America, apparently the strongest of several embryonic leagues planning to operate after the war, has franchises in Chicago and Cleveland, also National league cities, and Buffalo, Miami, Los Angeles and San Francisco, as well as New York and Brooklyn.
LAMBEAU STATES BROOKLYN APPROVED PACT; TIGERS' MANAGER TAKES OPPOSITE VIEWPOINT
JUN 6 (Green Bay) - The Brooklyn-Boston combination in the NFL will play a single game in Yankee stadium in New York next fall and the following season will probably have a full schedule of five home games in the huge baseball park, Coach Curly Lambeau said today on his return from a league meeting. Lambeau scotched rumors, given credence in a Chicago newspaper that an agreement between the Brooklyn club and the New York Giants had not been reached. "All of the National league teams agreed unanimously to terms under which Brooklyn will play in Yankee stadium this season and in subsequent seasons," the Packer coach said, adding that the pact was accepted by both the Tigers and the Giants. Subsequently, tentative arrangements were made for a five-year plan of scheduling games, giving the Tigers five home games in Yankee stadium, Lambeau said..."RECEIVED NO NOTICE": The Chicago newspaper Tuesday said that the Brooklyn club, owned by Capt. Dan Topping, had "received no official notification from the NFL that they will be permitted to move into Yankee stadium permanently beginning with the 1946 season." The report apparently was based upon the fact that Tom Gallery, general manager of the Tigers, had made, up to then, no public comment since
the league announced it had ironed out the difficulties over territorial rights, claimed by Tim Mara, owner of the Giants. The Green Bay coach said that the story "was inaccurate" and there was no question that the Tigers, probably henceforth to be known as the New York Tigers, would operate in the ball park made famous by such diamond stars as Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig. The single game there this year will be between the Giants and the Tigers on Oct. 14, according to the official league schedule published by the league after its spring meeting in April...INDICATE AGREEMENT VALID: Further indication that the agreement was official was given Tuesday, when it was announced that both the Trans-America league and the United States league, both newly formed professional football circuits, had thrown in the sponge. Both indicated that one of the reasons was that they needed a good stadium site in New York to be successful and, with the Tigers in Yankee stadium, the going would be too tough. The proposed All-America league plans to use Triborough stadium, which is not believed to ideally situated to draw large crowds. Coach Lambeau said that all league officials had agreed to postpone action on renewal of Commissioner Elmer Layden's contract until the annual meeting in January. Layden's present five-year contract will expire next spring. While in the east, Lambeau conferred with Assistant Coach Don Hutson, who is slated to tour the European theater under the auspices of the Army Special Service forces and the USO. When the ace Packer end will leave is not yet known, Lambeau said. He probably will be accompanied by Ward Cuff, former Marquette university star and now star backfielder of the New York Giants.
TIGERS' MANAGER TAKES OPPOSITE VIEWPOINT
JUN 6 (Scarsdale, NY) - General Manager Tom Gallery of the Brooklyn Tigers, irked at the NFL's "high handed tactics", is ready to bolt and go into the rival All-America pro conference unless certain differences are ironed out quickly, he told the United Press today. "I understand that George Strickler, the league publicity director in Chicago, is saying that we are completely satisfied with the agreement drawn up at the league meeting here last weekend," Gallery said. "That is 100 percent wrong, and he definitely is out of line in saying so. He has no right to speak for us."...NEVER HEARD PROPOSITION: Gallery said that it would have been impossible for him to agree with the plans drawn up because "we never officially have heard just what the proposition is." The league, at the conclusion of a closed meeting here last weekend, announced that the New York Giants had agreed to the transfer of the Brooklyn franchise to Yankee stadium for the 1946 season, ending a long controversy over territorial rights. Interviewed at his home here early today, Gallery said that it was his understanding the Giants were willing to permit use of the stadium by Gallery's club, only if the league and the Tigers granted 14 separate concessions, some of which he described as "unbelievable demands." He said he left the meeting before the final announcement was made because he believed negotiations at that time had reached an impasse...TIGERS AREN'T HAPPY: "That was why I was amazed to hear now that everybody is happy including us," he said. "I talked to Commissioner Elmer Layden at Chicago by telephone Tuesday and told him then that we couldn't agree to anything that we hadn't even seen. He said the agreement would reach me by main in a day or so and I hope definitely that we will be able to acquiesce." Gallery said he had talked to Marine Capt. Dan Topping, the owner of the Tigers, by telephone in the Pacific several times during the past few days. Topping, he said, was willing to go along with any kind of deal that would give the Tigers the best stake in postwar professional football. "And if that deal isn't in the NFL, then we have only alternative. We definitely are going into the other league," Gallery said.
LAMBEAU MAILS CONTRACTS FOR 1945 TO VETERAN BALL PLAYERS
JUN 9 (Green Bay) - Coach E.L. (Curly) Lambeau of the Packers said today that contracts had been mailed to veterans of the world championship eleven and he feels that the Green Bay team should be "three deep" when it tangles with the College All-Stars in Chicago on Aug. 30. Two of the veterans, ends Ray Wheba and Harry Jacunski, will not be available for the 1945 season. Jacunski is now coaching at Notre Dame but he may get permission to play with the Packers against the All-Stars, Lambeau said. Wheba is in the Army, having been drafted shortly after the 1944 season...SHOULD BE AVAILABLE: All other veterans should be available when the opening practice gets underway early in August, the Bay coach believes. In addition, there'll be a number of newcomers who will have plenty of chances to show their ability between the opening contest and the first National league game here against the Chicago Bears on Sept. 30. Then the squad must be cut to 28. "The All-Stars will have players six-deep at each position and we figure we should have at least half that many players ready to go against them." the coach said, adding that there is a total of 62 prospects on the Packer list for this year. Naturally, all of them probably won't report here but it is expected that many will have a tryout."...TO CONFER WITH WARD: Lambeau will soon confer with Arch Ward and Commissioner Elmer Layden to determine whether Packer prospects should be allowed to compete with the All-Star eleven. Lambeau feels that they shouldn't and Ward, promoter of the contest, feels that they should. "He (Ward) is a little reluctant to make any concessions because he feels that the All-Stars will need all the power they can assemble to defeat the Packers," Lambeau said.
PAUL DUHART SIGNS WITH STEELERS ELEVEN
JUN 13 (Pittsburgh) - The Pittsburgh Steelers announced Tuesday the signing of Paul Duhart of Worcester, Mass., their first choice in the NFL draft. Duhart, a University of Florida graduate this spring, played halfback with the champion Green Bay Packers last fall under a special dispensation from the league.
HERBER HURT IN AUTO CRASH
JUN 15 (Green Bay) - Arnold Herber, De Pere, ex-Packer passing star, and New York Giant halfback, is confined to his De Pere home with a fractured breastbone sustained in an automobile accident on Highway 29 a half mile west of the city limits shortly before 6 o'clock Thursday evening. The car in which he was a passenger crashed into the rear end of a truckload of lumber which had stopped for a road grader, and some of the overhanging plank came through the windshield, pinning the football player against the back of the front seat. "When I saw those planks sticking through the windshield, I was afraid to look in the car," Kenneth Breitrick, Tigerton, driver of the lumber truck, told reporters and county police. He was coming to Green Bay with a load from the Tigerton Lumber company, his employer, he said. However, the truck pulled ahead, Herber was taken to St. Vincent hospital for examination and X-rays, and then, at his request, he was taken home. The car, a sedan owned by Herber, was being driven by a girl, 18, who gave her name to county police as Carol Bassett, and to hospital authorities as Mrs. Arthur Kruegs, 231 N. Broadway. She suffered a cut over the eye, and was released from the hospital after treatment. She told county police she had not noticed the truck standing on the highway. At the point of the accident, a county grader was working on a re-shouldering project, and a man had been stationed to "flag down" vehicles for one-way traffic. Breitrick had stopped in obedience to this signal, witnesses said.
TWO VETERANS SIGN 1945 CONTRACTS
JUN 16 (Green Bay) - Two veteran Packer backfielders, Joe Laws and Ben Starrett, have returned their signed contracts for the 1945 season, when the Bays will be defending champions in the NFL, according to an announcement today by Coach Curly Lambeau. The contracts, mailed out a week ago to veterans and prospects, were the first returned to Packer headquarters. Laws, whose football fame was considerably heightened by his sparkling play in the 1944 championship tussle against the New York Giants, will be playing his 12th season in a Packer uniform, making him one of the oldest players in the tough professional circuit in point of playing experience. He is generally regarded as one of the shrewdest signal callers in the business, a job he handles from the right halfback spot...HAS SCORED 132 POINTS: During his tenure with the Packers, Laws has scored 132 points on 22 touchdowns, four of them during the 1944 season. His total puts him fifth on the all-time Packer scoring list. He is 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighs 182 pounds. One of the surest punt handlers in the pro circuit, he is an elusive runner and has an aggressive spirit that has earned him a reputation as a star performer. An alumnus of the University of Iowa, Laws was the Big Ten's most valuable player in 1933. He was a starting halfback on the first College All-star team to play in Chicago. He will be making his fourth appearance in an All-Star game when the Bays play the college squad in Chicago on the night of Aug. 30. Laws was celebrating his 34th birthday today...STARRETT'S FOURTH SEASON: Starrett, a blocking back and fullback, broke into the Green Bay scoring column for the first time last season when he pounded across two touchdowns for 12 points. He will be playing his fourth season with the champions. He had previous professional grid experience with the San Francisco Packers, Pittsburgh Steelers and Wilmington, Del., Clippers. Starrett played his undergraduate football at two institutions, spending two years at St. Mary's in California and another two at Louisiana State. Although he can alternate at the fullback post, he had been used here principally at blocking back, where he uses his 215 pounds on a 6 foot 2 inch frame to good advantage. He is 26 years old.
PAIR OF GUARDS SIGN CONTRACTS WITH PACKERS FOR 1945 SEASON
JUN 19 (Green Bay) - A pair of newcomers, both guards, have signed contracts to play with the Packers in 1945, Coach E.L. (Curly) Lambeau announced today. They are Robert L. Cope, former University of Arkansas star, and Ray Monaco, who played with the Washington Redskins last season. Lambeau had announced Saturday that veteran backs, Joe Laws and Ben Starrett, had signed contracts to play next season. Cope, who finished school in June, was a regular guard on the Arkansas team for three year and he was also used to back up the forward wall. He is 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighs in the neighborhood of 210 pounds. His home is Fayetteville, Ark. According to the Arkansas coach, "Cope is one of the most aggressive players we have had the university."...HAS YEAR'S EXPERIENCE: With a year of professional football behind him, Monaco should be a valuable addition to the defending champions' front line. He was a regular starter with the Redskins last season. Now a student at the Georgetown university law school, Monaco played undergraduate football for three years at Holy Cross college, Worcester, Mass. He entered service and later was discharged from the Army, where he was a commissioned officer, according to the Packer coach. He was obtained from the Redskins in a recent deal. He is 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighs 220 pounds...MORE CONTRACTS EXPECTED: Contracts from other veterans and prospects are expected at Packer headquarters in increasing numbers from now on, Lambeau said. The opening practice session is only eight weeks away. By Aug. 9, when drills open for the annual College All-Star game in Chicago, the squad should be fairly well set. Lambeau previously expressed the opinion that the team must be "three deep" at each position to cope with the All-Star power.
PACKERS SIGN GUARD, END FOR 1945 SEASON
JUN 20 (Green Bay) - The number of football players under contract for the 1945 Packer season was raised to six today with the announcement by Coach Curly Lambeau that Lamar Dingler, a University of Arkansas end, and Frank W. Hazard, who played the guard positions at the University of Nebraska, had come into the fold. Dingler was captain of the Arkansas eleven during the 1944 season. He is 6 feet tall and weighs 190 pounds. A teammate of Robert Cope, he was the Packers' seventh choice in the NFL draft this year. His home is Magnolia, Ark....PLAYS EITHER GUARD: Hazard, a Nebraska graduate this year, was named to the second team all Big Six conference team at the end of last season. He plays either right or left guard. Six feet tall, he weighs 193 pounds. A native of Sioux City, Ia., he played some undergraduate football at Morningside college before transferring to Nebraska. Meanwhile, promoters of the College All-Star game have announced that tickets for the big game in Chicago's Soldier's Field are now on sale. The game will be played on the night of Aug. 30 with the Packers representing the professional league in the tilt. Just what allotment of tickets will be made to fans from Green Bay and vicinity had not yet been determined, Lambeau said...BEGIN PRACTICE AUG. 12: The All-Stars will begin practice Aug. 12 under a staff of five coaches, two from the Middle West, and one each from the south, west and east. The Packers will begin drills Aug. 9, exactly three weeks before the game, which was shifted this year from to the vast lakefront stadium from Dyche stadium in Evanston to accommodate more fans. The game will be the 12th in the series. The Packers played in previous contests in 1937 and 1940.
ROY MCKAY RETURNS CONTRACT TO PACKERS
JUN 21 (Green Bay) - Roy Dale McKay, former University of Texas passing star who joined the Packers in
1945 Packer Season Ticket Form
1944, has returned his signed contract for next season to team headquarters, Coach Curly Lambeau announced today. Those signed for next season include three backs, three guards and an end and more contracts are expected to be received in the immediate future. McKay, now working on his ranch near Kerrville, Texas, came to the Packers greatly heralded last season after he participated in the annual College All-Star game in Chicago. He sustained an injury to his knee in an exhibition game against Sampson, N.Y., naval station and was plagued by the hurt the remainder of the season. He did see some action in games on the fag end of the season, but he never reached full effectiveness...WORKING OUT DAILY: According to a letter to Lambeau, McKay's knee seems to be all right now. He told the Bay coach, "I have been working out a little every day and am doing everything I can to improve my passing." A left halfback, McKay is 6 feet tall and weighs 197 pounds. He is 25 years old. He was Lambeau's second choice in the NFL draft in 1943, and played with the College All-Stars that year as well as in 1944. While at Texas' university, he was named on several All-American teams and had the best passing average in the southwest...WILL VISIT CRAIG: Before reporting for practice here Aug. 9, McKay plans to visit Packer backfielder Larry Craig at his home in South Carolina. He wrote Lambeau that he and Craig plan to come here together.
GOODNIGHT SIGNED TO PLAY WITH PACKERS
JUN 22 (Green Bay) - Clyde S, Goodnight, one of the best ends in the southwest last year and Green Bay's second choice in the 1945 NFL draft, has signed a contract to play with the Bays this year, according to an announcement today by Coach Curly Lambeau. A right end at the University of Tulsa for three years, Goodnight should fill the gap on the Packer team left by the absence of veteran Harry Jacunski, now coaching at the University of Notre Dame, Lambeau said. The Tulsa star, a native of Holland, Texas, is a discharged Army veteran...WANTS TO PLAY PRO BALL: All scout reports on Goodnight are "excellent", Lambeau said, adding the coach Henry Franka of Tulsa described him as "the best end I have ever coached. In fact, I have never seen a better undergraduate end in my long years of coaching experience." Twenty-one years old, the Tulsa star was graduated from the university in May this year and wants to play professional football. He is 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighs about 200 pounds. After finishing the season last year, he was a unanimous choice for the Oklahoma All-Collegiate eleven, was named to Harry Gilmer's All-America eleven, Bill Stern's third All-America and received honorable mention on the Associated Press All-America...SECOND END TO SIGN: Reports on Goodnight indicate that he not only is strong defensively but can snatch passes. On offense, he combined a long reach with speed that is just over 10 seconds for the 100-yard distance. He is the second wingman to sign with the Packers for 1945.
TINSLEY COMBINATION TO PLAY FOR PACKERS
JUN 23 (Green Bay) - Pete Tinsley, veteran Packer guard, and Sid Tinsley, the Green Bay gridder's kid brother, have signed contracts with the Packers, according to announcement today by Coach Curly Lambeau. The brother combination here will be of the few if not the only one in the NFL. Little introduction is needed for Pete Tinsley, who has romped around professional gridirons for the last seven years with considerable spirit. The veteran lineman is a product of the University of Georgia, where he received a degree in physical education. He is 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighs around 200 pounds. He is 31 years old...WAS REGULAR STARTER: During the Bays' 1944 title season, Pete started most of the games at right guard despite constant facetious complaints that he was all "bumped and bruised". His teammates have come to call him "Aches and Pains". Pete is now a year around resident of Green Bay, out of which he works on freight runs of the Green Bay and Western road. he has an honorable discharge from the Army. Sid Tinsley, a left halfback, played undergraduate football at Clemson college in South Carolina, where he built a reputation as an excellent punter and better than average passes, the Packer coach said, adding that he will be groomed here as a passer to fit in with the two veteran flingers, Roy McKay and Irv Comp...WILL REPORT AUG. 1: The younger Tinsley weighs 180 pounds, and is 5 feet 10 inches tall. He is 22 years old and also holds an honorable discharge from service. He is now at his home in Georgia and expects to report here about Aug. 1, a week before drills for the College All-Star game in Chicago begin. Lambeau also announced today the names of eight players drafted by the club last spring
who will not be available next season because they plan to return to college. All of them have been discharged from service and are returning to school to complete educations interrupted by military training, the coach explained, adding that all of them indicated in recent letters that they wish to play professional football in 1946...SCHLINKMAN ON LIST: Included in the group is Walter Schlinkman, star halfback from Texas Tech who was picked first by Lambeau in the draft this year. Others returning to school are Bill Hackett, Ohio State guard; Nestor Blanco, Lehigh guard; Don Wells, Georgia tackle; Edward Podgorski, Lafayette tackle; Wilder Collins, Tulsa tackle; Casey Stephenson, Tennessee halfback, and Harold Herscher, Louisiana State halfback.
KEN KEUPER, GEORGIA STAR, WILL PLAY WITH PACKER ELEVEN IN '45
JUN 25 (Green Bay) - Ken Keuper, who teams with Frankie Sinkwich to bring the University of Georgia the Rose Bowl championship in 1943, has signed a contract to play with the Green Bay Packers, it was announced today by Coach E.L. (Curly) Lambeau. A fullback and blocking back, Keuper has been an assistant on the Georgia coaching staff. Recommended highly by Coach Rex Enright, the Georgia star was sought by four other NFL teams. Among those after him were the Detroit Lions, whose star performer for the last two seasons has been Sinkwich, who roomed with Keuper while the Georgia eleven was cleaning up opponents with ease and regularity...IS NATIVE OF WAUKESHA: Lambeau said that the New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles and Boston Yanks were also seeking to sign Keuper, who was not drafted in the 1943 National league "pick" because of him imminent induction into the armed forces. A native of Waukesha, Wis., Keuper was inducted into the service and recently received an honorable discharge. Named to several All-America teams for 1942, Keuper is 24 years old, weighs 220 pound and is 6 feet 2 inches tall. He was the target of many of the passes of Sinkwich, quarterback on the Georgia team that won a 9-0 victory over UCLA in the Jan. 1, 1943, Rose Bowl encounter at Pasadena, Calif. Both he and Sinkwich hold discharges from the Marine corps...ALSO BLOCKING BACK: Lambeau said, "Keuper should be a great addition to our fullback corps in 1945. He visited here some time ago and was in great shape because of his work with the Georgia eleven during spring practice this year. Although he is a fullback, he may also double at blocking back with the Packers."
MCPHERSON SIGNS FOR 3RD YEAR; PACKERS ACQUIRE TULSA WINGMAN
JUN 26 (Green Bay) - A veteran utility man and a new end joined the Packer fold today, according to an announcement by Coach E.L. (Curly) Lambeau. They are Forrest McPherson, who has played three positions on the Packer eleven, and Nolan Luhn, an end from Tulsa university. The number of contracts now in totals 13. Meanwhile, it was announced that orders for the Packer-College-All-Stars game in Chicago the evening of Aug. 30 are now being taken at ticket headquarters in the Legion building on E. Walnut street. McPherson came here as a center but it wasn't long before he was also playing the guard and tackle positions. His full strength at the tackle spot was seen when the Bays were drilling last year for their championship tussle with the New York Giants. He will be used exclusively at right tackle this season, Lambeau said. He has a varied history of professional football experience behind him. After his graduation from Nebraska, he went to the Chicago Bears in the player draft in 1935. He was sold to Philadelphia in October of that year and released two years later. He was signed by the Packers in June, 1943. This will be his third season with the club...WEIGHS 210 POUNDS: Thirty-four years old, McPherson is 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighs 240 pounds. Although he never saw extended service with the Bays, his spirit is unquenchable, and he became known as a player with considerable chatter. His home is Burbank, Calif. With the signing of Luhn, the Packers have acquired the services of Tulsa university's two starting ends of the 1944 season. Luhn played the left end opposite Clyde Goodnight, who signed a Packer contract last week. Like Goodnight, Luhn graduated from the Oklahoma institution in May this year after three years of varsity experience on strong Tulsa university elevens. A native of Oklahoma City, he is a star basketball player also. He is 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighs 200 pounds. He is 23 years old. Pick No. 23 in the NFL draft last April, he is a fine pass receiver and a good defensive player, Lambeau said. He is 4-F in the draft...TO MEET WITH WARD: Details on the Packers' encounter with the College All-Stars will be ironed out by Lambeau and Arch Ward, director of the annual tilt in Chicago, tonight, the Packer coach said. He and Ward will discuss the allotment of tickets to be sent to Green Bay for the tilt and the use of players the All-Stars would like to have but which Green Bay has under contract. The game will be played in Soldiers' Field in Chicago. The Packers will begin practice for the contest Aug. 9 and the All-Stars are scheduled to begin drills on Aug. 12.
LAMBEAU, WARD PLAN ALL-STAR TILT SETUP
JUN 27 (Green Bay) - Plans for the 12th annual College All-Star football game between the Green Bay Packers, NFL champions, and a strong squad of college and university grid greats were discussed here Tuesday night by Coach Curly Lambeau of the Packers and Arch Ward, director of the contest. The tilt will be played in Soldiers' Field the evening of Aug. 30. Lambeau, who was to return to Green Bay this afternoon to scan his mail for further signed contracts of Bay veterans and new prospects, reported this morning that Green Bay fans will have a block of 3,500 tickets reserved for them between midfield and the 10-yard line in the huge lakefront stadium. The tickets will be forwarded to Green Bay within a few days and are expected to be snapped up in a hurry...ONLY SEATS LEFT: The block of ducats represents the only seats remaining between the goal posts, Ward explained, adding that all other $6.60 seats have been sold out. This indicates that a huge crowd will be on hand when the world professional champions and the All-Stars do battle in the late August evening. It had been announced previously that the Packer ticket office in Green Bay's Legion building is accepting orders for game tickets. Checks must accompany the orders. Lambeau and Ward came to an agreement on the selection of officials for the contest. The Packers will
have the choice of referee and headlinesman and the All-Stars' head coach, yet to be selected, and Ward will choose the umpire and field judge. The choices are subject to the approval of both sides, Lambeau said. It is likely the Bay choices will be from the roster of the pro league while the other pair of whistle tooters will be from the collegiate ranks...DISCUSS USE OF PLAYERS: Discussions on the use of players was also held, Lambeau said. Some of the newly signed Packers are wanted by the All-Stars with Lambeau insistent that he must have all the manpower he can get to field a team that can stand up against what is shaping up as one of the strongest All-Star aggregations in the history of the series. The Packer coach figures his squad for the game must be at least three-deep in each position. The All-Stars usually have a roster of about six full teams. Final decision on the use of players was deferred until August, a week before the Bays begin drills for the contest. The All-Stars will start practice in Evanston on Aug. 12.
TOLLEFSON SIGNS UP FOR SECOND PRO FOOTBALL SEASON WITH BAYS
JUL 3 (Green Bay) - Charley Tollefson, the rugged guard who made his debut here last season, and Paul Rabalis, a newcomer from Texas university, returned their signed contracts for the 1945 Packers season today, according to an announcement by Coach E.L. (Curly) Lambeau. The Packer squad, shaping up rapidly now, has 15 men, most of whom will be making their first appearance in football togs here. Tollefson, who required some time to get rolling last season after a tour of duty in the armed forces, came along rapidly and was probably the fastest guard on the team at the end of the season, Coach Lambeau explained. A right guard, Charley also saw some service at tackle. He is 29 years old, weighs 210 pounds and is 6 feet 1 inches tall...WAS "IRON MAN" PLAYER: He won his football spurts at the University of Iowa, where he played on the famed "Iron Men" squad, so-called because of the starting team's ability to go through the entire season and on to the Western conference championship without relief. That was 1939. Tollefson was a three-year letter winner at Iowa, and was named to several All Big Ten teams. He played against the Packers in the 1939 All-Star contest in Chicago. Rabalis was recommended for a tryout here by halfback Roy D. McKay, near whose home the former University of Texas end lives. He played right end for three years on the Texas eleven. He is 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighs about 218 pounds. He is 4-F in the draft. He is the fourth end to sign the Bays this season. Lambeau also announced that one player who had signed with the Packers after the war had been killed in action on Okinawa recently and that a veteran, tackle Ade Schwammel, had decided to continue in his present job with a Chicago firm rather than to return to Green Bay for next season. Schwammel had two separate careers with the Packers, having played with the club from 1934 through 1936 and then rejoining the team in 1943 and continuing through the end of last season...KILLED ON OKINAWA: John Wesley Perry, former Duke university tackle who had signed to play here after the way, was the casualty on Okinawa. No details of his death were received by Lambeau. Now preparing in St. Paul for the opening of drills Aug. 9, Line Coach Walt Kiesling wrote the Bay coach that he plans to arrive here about Aug. 1. Kiesling, who was co-coach of the Pittsburgh-Chicago Cardinal combination in 1944, was signed as line mentor in January. He will succeed George (Brute) Trafton, who is now a full-time assistant on the staff of the Cleveland Rams.
CHARLEY BROCK NAMED PACKER FIELD LEADER
JUL 5 (Green Bay) - Charley Brock, rated with the best centers in the NFL, has signed a 1945 Packer contract and has also been named field captain of the team for his outstanding work during his six-year tenure with the club, Coach Curly Lambeau announced today. He is the 12th linemen to sign for next season. Five backfielders have also affixed their signatures to contracts. A graduate of the University of Nebraska, where he starred for three season, Brock was selected by the Bays in the 1939 NFL draft and the ball club has had no reason to regret it since that time. One of the cagiest defensive centers in the pro circuit, he is also a tower on offense. Dropping out of the line on defense he has knocked down or intercepted numerous enemy passes which could have caused the Bays trouble if they were completed...WAS OUTSTANDING PLAYER: Lambeau said he had chosen Brock field captain of the defending champions because of his outstanding play during his six years with the club, his aggressiveness and hard work both in practice and games, and for his ability to command the respect of his teammates. Brock will be the first regular field captain since the 1943 season, when guard Buckets Goldenberg was named. Last year, the position was filled prior to each game. At Nebraska, the pivot veteran won All-America honors and played on the 1939 All-Star team. He is 29 years old, 6 feet 1 inch tall, and weighs about 205 pounds. He is married and since early last year had been residing in Green Bay...STOLE BALL, WON GAME: One of the most famous fetes Brock engineered was in Chicago three years ago. The Packers were trailing by a 14-10 margin in a night contest against the Cardinals, who hadn't defeated the Bays in more years than they liked to remember. Near the end of the contest, Brock snatched the ball from fullback John Morrow of the opposition and raced for a touchdown that gave the Bays a 17-14 victory...VAN EVERY TO VISIT: Lambeau said today that he had talked with former Bay halfback, Hal Van Every, who recently returned to the country after being a prisoner of war in Germany more than a year. Van Every told Lambeau that he probably will visit here next week or the week after. He must report to Miami Beach, Fla., for reassignment on Aug. 31, day after the Packers play the College All-Stars in Soldiers' Field, Chicago.
TWO TACKLES SIGNED BY PACKERS FOR 1945
JUL 6 (Green Bay) - A pair of tackles, one who had a tryout with the Packers last year and the other a newcomer from the college ranks, returned their signed contracts to the Bay headquarters today, according to an announcement by Coach E.L. Lambeau. They are Don Clark, who was released by the club after several weeks of practice last August, and Francis Terrance, a Chicago product. Clark, according to Lambeau, showed the best defensive ability of the entire tackle corps during 1944 drills but his weight then - 285 pounds - slowed him up too much and made him poor on offense. When he was given his release, he told the Packer coach that he would take off sufficient weight to warrant his receiving another tryout this year...TOOK OFF 50 POUNDS: Recently, the tackle reported that he had cut down his poundage from 285 to 235 and that he is determined to make the squad. He is now at his home in St. Paul. He attended St. Mary's college at Winona, Minn, and played three years of football there. He is 27 years old. He formerly resided in Michigan, where he was twice named to all-scholastic teams of the Wolverine state. Terrance, a right tackle, played two years of football at Wilson Junior college and was recommended for a tryout here by several coaches of service teams throughout the country, the Packer coach said. He has since been given an honorable discharge from the Army and wants to get into the professional game. He is 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighs approximately 220 pounds. He is 26 years old...DRILLS OPEN AUG. 9: Lambeau said that most of the squad for this year will be lined up within the next two or two and a half weeks and approximately 40 men should be on hand when the Bays open drills Aug. 9, three weeks before they tangle with the College All-Stars in Chicago.
EX-PITTSBURGH STAR SIGNS WITH PACKERS
JUL 7 (Green Bay) - Ralph Hammond, a veteran of four years service with Pittsburgh university football teams, has signed to play with the Packers this year, it was announced today by Coach E.L. (Curly) Lambeau. Nineteen veterans and newcomers are now under contract for drills which will start four weeks from next Thursday. Hammond, who hailed from Wilkinsburg, Pa., is 25 years old, weighs 215 pounds and plays both center and blocking back. He will be used exclusively here at the pivot position, the Packer coach said. He played with Pittsburgh four full seasons under the relaxed eligibility rules in force during the war and now has completed his varsity career. He graduated from Pittsburgh in June....SEVEN ARE VETERANS: Of the Packers signed, Pete Tinsley, Charley Tollefson, Forrest McPherson, Ben Starrett, Joe Laws, Roy McKay and Charley Brock, who has been named field captain of the team for the coming season, are veterans. Some of the others have professional experience, including Ray Monaco, who played a season with the Washington Redskins, and Don Clark, who was released after a short period with the team last fall. Several other veterans have been heard from and should have their contracts in Lambeau's office within the next two weeks. At least three of those who played during the 1944 championship season will be missing this year. They are ends Ray Wheba and Harry Jacunski and tackle Ade Schwammel. Wheba is in the armed forces; Jacunski is coaching the wings at Notre Dame, and Schwammel has decided not to play because of his work with a firm in Chicago. Still another veteran, halfback Paul Duhart, has signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers, who loaned him to the Packers last season after they combined with the Chicago Cardinals. Duhart may still come to Green Bay on a trade although that is problematical...WILL HUTSON PLAY?: The big question mark among the veterans is end Don Hutson, who probably will play another season although he reiterated recently in New York his decision to attend to his coaching duties without playing. Huston is now overseas with an Army Service forces-USO group and plans to be back in the city before drills open on Aug. 9.
IT'S SAME OLD QUESTION - WILL HUTSON PLAY?
JUL 10 (Manitowoc) - Up in Green Bay, where the Packers will be starting 1945 football drills in less than a month, the annual question is now bobbing up again. It is whether Don Hutson, great end and now an assistant coach with Coach Curly Lambeau, will play regularly for the Bays this season. Hutson last fall said he would not play another season. The dope is that Don will "break down" again and be in there. He is now overseas with an army service USO group but plans to be back by August 9, opening date for Packer drills. The fans figure that Hutson will be at end for the Packers when they play against the college All-Stars in Soldier's Field, Chicago, August 30. Ralph Hammond, veteran of four years with the University of Pittsburgh, has signed to play with the Packers. He is 25 years old, weighs 215 pounds and plays either center or blocking back. He will be used exclusively at center, Coach Curly Lambeau said. He played with Pittsburgh four full seasons under the relaxed eligibility rules in force during the war and now has completed his varsity career. He graduated from Pittsburgh in June.
CAPT. HAL VAN EVERY, PACKER GRIDDER, DESCRIBES FIGHTS OVER BERLIN AND STAY IN NAZI PRISON CAMP
JUL 12 (Chicago) - Capt. Hal Van Every, Minnesota '40, Green Bay Packers '41, saw Germany from the air, on foot, and by box car. He thinks he'd rather play the Bears every afternoon than go through his series of sky thrillers again. The captain, on a 60-day leave which will just enable him to climax it by watching his old team battle the College All-Stars the night of Aug. 30, would like to visit Berlin some day in a leisurely way. He didn't have much time to look around the three times he piloted his B-17 toward the Nazi capital. "Something happened each time on our visits to Berlin," said Capt. Van Every, who has regained most of the 50 pounds he lost during almost a year in prison camps...BAGS SIX PLANES: The first time one of the engines went out of commission, the bomb bay doors wedged open, cutting 10 m.p.h. off the ship's speed. Fighters swarmed around him, but the bomber limped home 45 minutes late. It was credited with shooting down six fighters. On the second mission to Berlin, the B-17 developed engine trouble before the target was reached. "But that third one," exclaimed Van Every. "That one really was a mess." On the bomb run the bomb bay doors wouldn't open electrically, so the upper turret gunner went back to roll 'em down by hand, quite a job. We were up 27,000 feet where you really need oxygen. They say three minutes without is fatal. Well, the gunner's mask failed and he fell on his face. Then my co-pilot went to his rescue, taking off his oxygen mask. He figured he could get the job done in a minute or two, but the first thing I knew he, too, was out. All the time flak was flying."...THREE LINES IN PERIL: "By this time we were over Berlin. Next the navigator came to the rescue and he also became afflicted. So there I was, over Berlin, with three fellows who would be goners in seconds unless something was done about it. If I came down too swiftly, it might be fatal to the three. I managed to boost the gunner's leg off the automatic pilot and then grabbed the emergency oxygen knob, turning it on. They gradually revived." Nazi fighters hit two engines on Van Every's B-17 May 12, 1944, when he was on the way to Leipzig. The ship caught fire and the crew jumped. "I just missed a house as I came down," said Hal, "and crashed into a fence made of round poles. I broke it and for 50 feet fence posts went down like tenpins. A little German farmer with a pistol was there to greet me and he was joined by other excited citizens. A few minutes later at the railroad station I met up with my nine buddies."...IN SOLITARY CONFINEMENT: Van Every was taken to Frankfort-on-Main, and when his answers didn't satisfy the interviewers he spent eight days in solitary confinement. A few days later he was sent to Stalag Luft 3, near Breslau. He was there until January, 1945, when the Russians approached. At twilight a forced march westward was ordered. The prisoners walked all night until 1 o'clock the afternoon of the next day, when a four hour rest was ordered. "It wasn't any rest, though," said Hal. "We were on our feet until 5 o'clock, then started out again. We marched all night and finally reached our destination at nine the next morning. It was tough on some of the fellows, but with my football legs I could have walked on out of Germany. Next we spent three days and three nights in box card, 50 to a car, giving us about as much comfort as sardines in a can. This put us in Nurnberg." When the Americans started moving eastward, Van Every and his group marched to Mossburg, toward Munich. On April 29, the 14th Armored division and other Third Army units liberated the Mossburg prisoners. Hal was on the College All-Star squad in 1940 which lost to the Packers at Soldier field.
R. SMITH SAYS: 'GET ALL-STAR SEATS NOW'
JUL 13 (Green Bay) - A brisk business in All-Star game tickets and a steadily increasing demand for regular league game seats was reported today at the Green Bay Packers' ticket office in the Legion building. Last season's champions in the NFL, the Packers will play the College All-Stars in Chicago's Soldier field Thursday night, Aug. 30. The block of tickets sent to Green Bay is going fast and Ralph C. Smith, director of ticket sales for the Packers, advises fans to make their purchases soon. Only $6.60 tickets are available here. Ticket office hours are from 9 o'clock to noon and from 1:30 p.m. to 5 o'clock. The office closes at noon on Saturdays and remains closed until Monday morning. Orders may be placed by mail, but only those accompanied by check, cash or money order will be honored. Smith said that last year's season ticket holders have been mailed letters advising them that they may claim the same seats this year if they act promptly. Any customers who have not received their notices because of faulty addresses or for other reasons are urged to contact the ticket office within the next few days...PREFERRED CUSTOMERS: Season ticket holders are preferred customers. Many of them occupy the same seats year after year, and the Packers believe they deserve first consideration in the distribution of tickets. However, if they do not claim their seats within a reasonable time the tickets are placed on open sale. There will be three National league games in Green Bay this season, opening with the traditional Chicago Bears battle on Sept. 30. The Cleveland Rams will be here Oct. 14, and the Chicago Cardinals on Oct. 28. Prices for season tickets for the Green Bay games begin at $6, others being $7.20, $9 and $10.80. Tickets for single games run from $1.20 to $3.60...TWO MILWAUKEE GAMES: Two games will be played in Milwaukee, against the Detroit Lions Oct. 7 and against the Boston Yanks Oct. 21. Season tickets for 40-50 yard line seats may be bought for $7.20. Single game prices are the same as for Green Bay. The tickets are here now, ready for delivery. Reservations for single games will be accepted unless cash is paid on the line, but season ticket buyers may place their order now and pay for them any time up to the deadline which will be set at some time before the season opens.
LAMBEAU, TEMPORARY JOURNALIST, TALKS ABOUT THREE PACKER VETS
JUL 19 (Green Bay) - In my temporary roles as a sportswriter, before I have time to devote all my time to preparing the Packers for the College All-Star game, I plan to write in particular about three veteran Packers. These are Charley Brock; Don Hutson, who also is an assistant coach, and Larry Craig. Later, I will tell you of the problems faced by the professional champions in playing the All-Stars and I assure you we will have plenty of them the evening of Aug. 30 in Soldiers' Field. Hutson's name and deeds have been splashed over the sports pages for more than 10 years, yet I think I will have some comments to make about him which never before have been in print. Craig and Charley Brock, to my mind, have been vitally underrated players, at least in the public eye. Charley, who'll be captain of the Packers
in the All-Star game, and throughout the season, is the best center in professional football. In making this statement, I include Bulldog Turner of the Bears, now in the Army...BROCK ON THE BALL: Why is Brock tops? He is on the ball all the time. He is aggressive and unretiring. He has no peer at intercepting passes. In fact, National league teams haven't thrown in his defensive territory the last two seasons. And he's tops as a ball thief. By this I mean grabbing the ball from a player on the other team. He has a great physique, with 210 pounds spread over a 6 foot 1 inch frame. He has abundant energy and always remains on the field at least 10 minutes after practice to take a few extra laps, along with Larry Craig, who never seems to tire, either. Now, I have a great deal of respect for Bulldog Turner. He is fast, too, but does not maneuver with the skill of Brock, who has the coordination of a halfback. And Turner may hurt you more than Brock does when he slams into you. But for all-around ability, I really mean it when I pick Brock...CHARLEY HAS IT: His teammates call him "Pea Head". That's because his head is small for the rest of his body. We have a stock saying on our team: "If you want to know where the ball is, look for Charley." His most notorious act of ball thievery was committed in Comiskey park in 1942. Halfway in the fourth quarter the Cardinals were out in front, 13 to 10. They hadn't beaten us in years, but it looked bad for us. It was early in the season, and we still had hopes of whipping the Bears for the western title. The Cardinals were on their own 20-yard line with the ball. Their big fullback, Bob Morrow, plowed through our line. It seemed like everyone crashed together. All of a sudden, Charley dashed out of the mess, the ball in his hand, and loped over the Cardinal goal line. Don Hutson kicked the point and we won the game, 17 to 13. I've often thought that was one of the reasons Jimmy Conzelman, the Cardinal coach, left the pro league and joined up with the baseball Browns. In baseball the hidden ball trick isn't nearly as costly as a stolen ball in a football game...SHARED WITH SVENDSEN: When Brock joined the Packers in 1939, an All-American from the University of Nebraska, our regular center was George Svendsen. That year they shared the assignment. I used Charley in bad weather or for backing up the line. This will be Charley's third All-Star game. He was with the Collegians in 1939 but the next year, in Soldier field, was on our side when we won, 45 to 28. Bob Flowers, our No. 2 center, is rough and rugged. In 1943 he filled in nicely when Brock was laid low by appendicitis. Our third center, Forrest McPherson, has been used sparingly. I plan to use him at right tackle in the All-Star game and during the regular season.
GEORGE P. MARSHALL GUILTY OF CONSERVATISM REGARDING CRAIG (By Curly Lambeau)
JUL 21 (Green Bay) - No one has ever accused George Preston Marshall, owner of the Washington Redskins, of making an understatement. Yet I will take an oath that once he was guilty of being too conservative. The focal fellow in this incident is Larry Craig, Packer halfback, sometimes called Don Hutson's muscle. It is Craig who takes Don's place at right end when the other team has the ball. Larry has beautiful, strong muscles and he can stand the wear and tear of opposing players with less of a strain than Don. When he learned that the Packers had obtained Craig, Owner Marshall tapped me on the shoulder and exclaimed: "Curly, I've been watching that lad. You'll have a great player in a couple of years." Well, it took us about two minutes of Larry's first Packer game to convince us that the kid was ready for big league football. This was in 1939. We kicked off to the other club, I don't remember which one it was. Down the field 10 yards ahead of all the other Packers streaked Craig. Inside the 20-yard line he brought down the kickoff receiver. That was a good sign...PLENTY OF EVIDENCE: But soon there was more evidence. On the first play the other fellows tried Larry's end. He threw the runner for a loss. They came right back with another one at him. When Larry again smeared the runner, I knew he was ready and that Mr. Marshall, for once, had played his words too close to his vest. Ever since then he's been taking bumps for Hutson, who would, I fear, long have been gone from pro football had he been subjected to the punishment a defensive right end must take. Don always is solicitous of Larry's well being. "Don't get hurt, boy," he tells Larry. "Stay in shape, I need you!" I have a tip for the fans who will watch the Packers play the College Stars in Soldier field the night of Aug. 30. It's this: watch Craig's blocking form! He is tops of any player I've seen in throwing blocks. First he's big, rugged, strong and fast. You'll note he usually uses the body block. With speed and coordination he lunges in like a cat, hooks a leg, and keeps his prey bottled up like a fly in a spider's web. He just loves to hit 'em. Normally on some plays we would use two blockers on one man, the guard and the blocking back. But we let Craig do the job alone...CREDIT TO CRAIG: It was Craig who bowled over the Bears' George Wilson at Green Bay last September to make a clear touchdown path for Lou Brock. At the time the score was 28 to 28. We won the game on Brock's touchdown run, thanks to Larry's skill in blocking one of the league's greatest ends. Only Hutson among the Packers has more speed than Craig, who is called Superman by his teammates. He's an even 6 feet tall and weighs 205 pounds. We got on Larry's trail when Rex Enright, his coach at the University of South Carolina, told us about him. From his football earnings Larry has bought a farm in South Carolina, whose acres run into the thousands. He has a staff of six men, but in the summertime he works 14 hours a day supervising the growing of tobacco, soybeans, grain and the raising of cattle. He always reports 10 pounds underweight, but soon picks it up. Larry is always asking to be allowed to back up the line because of the opportunity of body contact this would afford. In 1942 we were playing Pittsburgh in Milwaukee. The Steelers had a great running team, headed by Bill Dudley and we put in a 6-3-2 defense. I put Larry in the middle of the three-man alignment and you never saw a happier, or more bruised young man. This was his happiest day. Larry has written asking me to put in the 6-3-2 against the All-Stars. If I do, he'll be the middle man - and what a man!
PASS-TAKING NOT ONLY THING THAT MAKES HUSTON VALUABLE (Lines by Lambeau)
JUL 23 (Green Bay) - Everybody knows Don Hutson can catch a football in his sleep and kick extra points all day long. Would it surprise you to learn that if Don never had caught a pass for the Packers he would have been extremely valuable to us? His skill when the other side has the ball has been overlooked because of his spectacular pass catching, kicking and scoring ability. Yet he is one of the top pass defensive men in the NFL. I never have seen him miss a tackle in the open. A runner may drag him three or four yards, but he never gets away. Don has saved a lot of touchdowns by his sure tackling. This stringy fellow from Arkansas is a race horse type, but despite his weight disadvantage he is exceptional at blocking his tackle. With the tackle on the inside, Don will take care of him. He will outcharge his opponent. He gets to 'em very quickly, and makes a hole. Maybe not for long but the hole is there. His tackling and blocking ability is phenomenal for one of his weight, 180 pounds...ALL-STARS AUG. 30: That's the comparatively unknown side of the fellow who will be a target for passes when we play the College All-Stars Aug. 30 in Soldiers' Field. He was in there 60 minutes against the Giants when we beat them last December in the Polo Grounds. I would sum up Don as one of the greatest football players of all time. Add to the quantities I have mentioned the fact that he is smart, mentally alert, and a great competitor and you can see why he's great. He's a great morale man. Gives the boys a lift something like Babe Ruth used to do with the Yanks. It must be comforting to know he's on your side. For all his apparent nonchalance on the field, Don has his heart in the game and his influence with the players is a tremendous asset. A friend tipped us off on Hutson. He said there were three boys to watch on the Alabama eleven of 1934. These were Huston, Charles Marr, a guard, and Bill Lee, a tackle who later played with us. I watched Don practicing with Alabama before the 1935 Rose Bowl game with Stanford in Los Angeles. When I saw his amazing ability to cut sharply without losing his speed I made up my mind that there was one player I would get for sure...HIS FIRST GAME: Of course, fans well versed in the history of the Packer-Bear games well remember Don's first game. It was in Green Bay. The first play of Don's professional career was a pass tossed at him by Arnie Herber. Hutson took it on the Bears' 44-yard line and ran all alone for the touchdown that whipped the Bears, 6 to 0. It covered 87 yards in all and was a league mark for a couple of years. The next fall in Chicago against the Bears. Herber threw one for 50 yards to Don and he ran 35 yards for another score. So, you see, I remember at least two of his touchdowns. I never fail to get a chuckle hearing Don grunt as he cuts sharply after speeding down the field. He does it unconsciously and it reminds me of an automobile's exhaust...TAKES 15 MINUTES: Often I'm asked by fans if we have much trouble signing up such a valuable, record breaking star each year. I wish all my problems in running a ball club were that simple. It takes us only about 15 minutes to come to an agreement. He is a most reasonable fellow. Once he signs he never mentions money until we sit down for a salary conference the following year. No player has given us less contract trouble than Don. (I hope this doesn't change this year!) I had a cable the other day from Don. I came from Naples. He has been in Casablanca, Iran, Algiers and some other spots on a USO sports tour. He'll arrive in New York early next month. What about Hutson when his playing days are over? I'm grooming him now as my assistant. He'll be connected with the Packers as long as I am with them. He most certainly will be with us the night of Aug. 30.
WAR HAS SHOWN THAT PLAYERS AT 30 AREN'T ALL WASHED UP
JUL 25 (Green Bay) - Life may not begin at 30 for athletes, but it doesn't end then, either. Before the war, I was one of a minority that maintained the popular belief an athlete was through when he reached 30 was erroneous. I used to use as my No. 1 exhibit Link Lyman of the Bears, who at 38 was the best tackle in the NFL. When the Packers play the College All-Stars under the lights of Soldier Field Aug. 30, we will have at least 10 players who never again will see 30. We will have some others who are crowding that mark. I think the fans will agree with me after it's over that these oldsters still have the drive and the speed so necessary in big league competition. The war has proved the point. Many veterans who in normal years would have retired to their scrapbooks have continued because of the manpower shortage. They have pleasantly learned they still have retained their strength and speed of their younger days...CITES JOE LAWS: Last December, in the championship game in the Polo Grounds at New York, our Joe Laws, at 33, played the greatest game of his 11 year pro career. Buckets Goldenberg, at 33, played 55 minutes of tough football in the line. Don Hutson, 31, was a 60-minute man. Huston has not lost one bit of his dazzling speed. This is not a careless statement; he has been timed on the ball field and figures show it to be true. I could go on and on to prove my point. Mel Hein, at 35, playing one of his greatest games for the Giants against us in the title battle. Bronko Nagurski coming back to the Bears at 35 in 1944 and neither asking, nor giving quarter, on the field. Because it was generally accepted that an athlete, especially a football player, was on the downgrade at 30, the fellows believed it. Statistics show that athletes attain their greatest speed at 27. They will hold this for several years if they train and keep in the right frame of mind. It's strictly up to the man. I am sure that the older pro players returning from the war will learn they still will be able to go at top speed...NEEDS MORE CONDITIONING: The age factor, though, will be working against us in the All-Star game. The older the athlete the longer it requires him to become conditioned for the rigors of the gridiron. Fortunately, we will have more new, young players than in the last several years. This should freshen up for our outfit for the big game in Chicago. We hope to field three complete teams to the All-Stars' five. The present picture shows at least 23 of our 28 veterans returning. This means we have at least 10 rookies in a uniform for the All-Stars. The Packers have lost two ends, Ray Wheba and Harry Jacunski. Against the All-Stars our oldest player, tackle Ade Schwammel, will make his farewell to football. There's a story in this. Ade, out of Oregon State, played in the first All-Star game, back in 1934, with the collegians. He's our oldest player, 36...GOLDENBERG IS 34: As for some of our other infirm veterans. Goldenberg, at 34, will be starting his 13th season. It will be No. 12 for Laws and the 11th for Hutson. Baby Ray, opening his eighth season, is 30. Pete Tinsley, 32, has seven Packer campaigns in the books. Joel Mason begins his seventh year at 31 as does Forrest McPherson at 33. On the borderline are Capt. Charley Brock and Larry Craig, each 29, and each beginning his seventh season with us. Doddering old fellows? The All-Stars will learn early in the game to respect their power, not to mention their experience!
FLORIDA WINGMAN IS SIGNED BY BAY TEAM
JUL 26 (Green Bay) - Coach Curly Lambeau announced today that Joe Graham, three-year star end of the University of Florida football team, has signed to play with the defending champions and that he will be among the squad of veterans and newcomers who open drills two weeks from today, August 9. The number of Packers now under control is 20 but a full squad of 33 or more men is expected to report for the opening practice. Graham won three letters at Florida, where he built a reputation as one of the best wingman in the southeast. He is 22 years old, weighs 216 pounds and is 6 feet 2 inches tall. He can play either left or right end. On the basis of scout reports on his ability, Lambeau made him his third choice in the NFL draft this year...FIVE NEWCOMERS SIGNED: A native of Jacksonville, Fla., Graham is married and the father of one child. He received his degree from Florida in June. He is one of five new ends signed by the Packers for this season. Three veterans, Don Hutson, Alex Urban and Joel Mason, are also expected to be in the fold when the Packers play the College All-Stars in Soldiers' field, Chicago, the night of Aug. 30. There is also a possibility that veteran Harry Jacunski, now end coach at Notre Dame, will play against the All-Stars, who will be represented again this year by a strong team of famous college gridders. To date, sponsors of the annual contest have announced the names of 20 men who have accepted invitations to play and numerous others probably will be named in the near future, along with the new coach of this year's squad...EIGHT VETERANS UNDER CONTRACT: The All-Stars now have three ends, four tackles, two guards, three centers and eight backs. This compares with the Packers' five ends, three tackles, five guard, two centers and five backs. Of these eight are veterans of professional football and 12 are rookies.
GLEN SORENSON SIGNS '45 PACKER CONTRACT
JUL 27 (Green Bay) - Glen Sorenson, veteran of two seasons with the Packers, today became the third experienced guard to return his 1945 season contract, according to an announcement by Coach E.L. (Curly) Lambeau. The squad, which now numbers 21, will open drills Aug. 9 to prepare for the 12th annual All-Star contest in Chicago the night of Aug. 30. An all-Border conference selection as junior at Utah State, Sorenson is 6 feet tall and weighs close to 200 pounds. He is 25 years old and 4-F in the draft because he has two fingers missing from his right hand, the result of an accident when he was a youth. He is a resident of Salt Lake City, Utah, where he has been employed since the end of the 1944 season...EARNED STARTING ROLES: During the latter part of the season, he earned starting assignments in several games. A left guard, he also does some of the placekicking for the Packers. He broke into the scoring column for the first time in 1944 with a point after touchdown against the Card-Pitt combination at City stadium. Sorenson was placed on the nation's all-Sigma Chi football team in 1942. He left Utah State as a junior because his school decided to drop football for the duration.
ALL-STAR GAME IS TOUGH TEST FOR PRO COACH AND HIS SQUAD (By Curly Lambeau)
JUL 27 (Green Bay) - The All-Star game is, by far, the toughest assignment which comes along in the life of a professional football coach and his players. Luckily, we know it, because of two earlier trips into football's most spectacular show. That's why we will be hard at work in a few days for our test against the collegians in Soldiers Field the night of Aug. 30. Why is it the toughest job? There are many reasons. You know nothing of your opponents. They are just a batch of names. You are in the dark concerning the offense and defense that will confront you. In the National league games we have information on the other teams because of our scouting system, plus football movies. But you can't scout the All-Stars. (Hmm, wonder how many guards they'll have at Evanston?) The coaches and the teams going up against the All-Stars must be versatile, ready for anything. Because of this, we must prepare against any number of types of offense and defense. This means long hours of concentration because we can't afford to have any vacant spots in our tactical armor. Single wing? T formation? Notre Dame? We must expect all of them. It gives you an uncomfortable feeling. And we also must have a great array of plays, having no idea of the All-Stars defensive setup. If something doesn't work we must have something else ready...LEARNS BY EXPERIENCE: Here's another cruel fact I've learned by experience. If you're going to win the All-Star game you must forget all about the league season coming up! In preparing for the All-Star game of 1937, we coordinated our regular season's plans. We were whipped, 6 to 0. In 1940, we took advantage of this bitter lesson, thought only of those hard fighting young men fresh from the college gridirons and gave them a 45 to 28 pasting. That's what we must expect to do again if we are to beat our opponents on the lakefront. We realize we'll have to be at our best to win. Their spirit is amazing. I have watched them from the bench twice and they've made me squirm. Nine other times I have marveled at their fierce play from the stands as just another spectator. It's easy to see why this game, year after year, is a sellout...TWO CAPABLE ASSISTANTS: I am not a believer in two daily workouts if the coaching staff is large enough. I have two capable assistants in Walt Kiesling, an old Packer who returns after having served with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and Don Hutson. I am sure we can give an athlete all the physical work he will need in a three-hour daily program from 9 a.m. until noon. Of course, we'll have to do a lot of cramming in strategy meetings. In normal times, I advocated that our players supplement their activity by playing golf in the afternoons to strengthen their legs. Of course, this will be out as the boys are holding down war jobs. I plan two scrimmages under game conditions because we will need the experience of body contact to prepare for the jolts we will have to take from the All-Stars...PRO RULES DELETED: The pros have another disadvantage in that some of the pro rules are deleted for those in effect in the college games. I hope that when we get together at a meeting with All-Star coaches none of the pro rules will be rubbed out which will take thrills away from the fans. This never has happened in past games and I don't expect it to this time. We face a lot of tough work in the three weeks we have to prepare for the game. Sure, the All-Stars have their problems, too. But I hope you get the idea we'll be too busy from Aug. 9 until we leave for Chicago to enjoy the vacation weather in these parts.
ED NIEL, 275-POUND TACKLE OF TULANE, SIGNS PACKER CONTRACT
JUL 28 (Green Bay) - The Packers have had several huge tackles during their 26 years in professional football but it is doubtful whether any of them were much bigger than Ed Niel, former Tulane university lineman who has signed a contract to play with the club in 1945. Coach Curly Lambeau announced Niel's signing today, bring the tackle corps up to four men. Niel, who has been out of football as a player for four seasons, weighs 275 pounds. This tonnage is packed on a 6 foot 6 inch frame. This puts Niel in a class with such other Packer giants as Baby ray, who is 6 feet 7 inches and weighs 254; Tiny Croft, who is listed as weighing in at 285 and is 6-3, and Forrest McPherson, who will be shifted from center to tackle this season, 250 and 5-11...PLAYED WITH EAGLES: The former Tulane star had a year in pro ball with the Philadelphia Eagles and was picked up by the Bays when he was declared a free agent, Lambeau said. To keep in shape during the last several seasons, he helped coach the line at Texas Tech when he wasn't blacksmithing in his little shop back home. Other developments on the Packer front since Friday were that Assistant Coach Don Hutson has returned to this country after his overseas tour with a camp show unit and that ex-end Harry Jacunski will play with the defending champions against the College All Stars on Aug. 30 if Notre Dame officials can receive the go-sign from the "conference"...HUTSON RETURNING HOME: Hutson is now at Fayette, Ala., where his wife and three children have been visiting since the veteran end left for New York and overseas in May. He probably will return to Green Bay next week, in plenty of time for the opening of the practice sessions on Aug. 9, three weeks before the big contest in Chicago's Soldiers' field. Lambeau said today that veteran halfback Lou Brock would arrive in Green Bay sometime next week to talk over contract terms. Lou's knee, injured in the game against Cleveland last season, apparently is back in shape following an operation after the Bays won the championship in New York last December. During the summer, Brock has been training at his home in Stafford, Kan.
TACKLE, GUARD UNDER CONTRACT WITH BAYS
JUL 31 (Green Bay) - A veteran guard and rookie tackle today has signed contract with the Packers, according to an announcement by Coach Curly Lambeau. They are Mike Bucchianieri, the seventh guard to sign, and tackle Paul Lipscomb, who recently was discharged from the armed forces following three years of service. Twenty-four gridders now have their contracts in, 19 days before the opening drill Aug. 9. Bucchanieri, who played his undergraduate football at Indiana university, will be serving his second season in a Packer uniform although he has played part of the 1942 season before business reasons caused him to leave the squad. He is 28 years old, weighs 210 pounds and is close to 6 feet tall. Now residing in Green Bay, he is a native of Pennsylvania. Before joining the Packers, he saw some service with Philadelphia...WEIGHS 240 POUNDS: Coach Lambeau received a line on Lipscomb through fullback Ken Keuper of Georgia who recently signed a contract with the Bays. The former University of Tennessee right or left tackle is 22 years old, weighs 240 pounds and is 6 feet 2 inches tall. He went into the armed forces in 1942 and recently was discharged. His home is St. Petersburg, Fla. He is the fifth tackle to be signed by the club. Don Perkins, who played two seasons at fullback with the Packers, has announced his retirement from the professional game to take a coaching job at Dodgeville, Wis., Lambeau said today. Perkins, who played at Platteville Teachers, will play in the Chicago All-Star game in Chicago the evening of Aug. 30, assuming his coaching job shortly when the new school term opens in September...SCORED ON PASS INTERCEPTIONS: Perkins broke into the Green Bay scoring column the first time last season, both touchdowns coming on pass interceptions. He made the first against the Card-Pitt combination here, intercepting a pass on the Packers' 17-yard line and racing the 83 yards for the six-pointer in the last minute of play. The second touchdown was also scored against Card-Pitt in the last game of the season in Chicago.
GALLERY PREDICTS GRID PLAYER WAR TO BE OF SHORT DURATION
AUG 1 (New York) - Professional football stars licking their chops in anticipation of skyrocketing salaries in postwar competition between rival leagues are doomed for inevitable frustration, Vice-President Tom Galley of the Brooklyn Tigers predicted today. "Cut-throat bidding for players, with resultant team jumping, may occur for awhile but it's doomed for an early demise," he said. "The law of economics will take care of that."...PLAYER WAR SEEN: Gallery's forecast was in answer to speculation that inauguration of the proposed All-America league - in competition with the 25-year old National league - might spark a disastrous "player war", such as ruined the Federal league in baseball at the turn of the century. "Such a 'player war' is likely when the All-America league goes into operation," Gallery admitted, "but it will not continue long enough to do serious damage."...NEW OPERATORS SEASONED: "In the first place, the men behind the new pro football circuit are a sagacious, seasoned lot who know exactly what they're doing. Then, too, they have the precedent of the Federal league before them, when this organization went broke trying to take stars from the American and National baseball leagues; the interlopers ran out of money, which is a natural conclusion in cut-throat bidding. The All-America league won't make that mistake. Salaries are governed by overhead and gate receipts; you can seat only so many spectators, at so much a seat, in any stadium in the country, and your salaries are part of that overhead."
PLANS SET FOR OBSERVANCE OF PACKERS' 25TH YEAR IN SPORT
AUG 2 (Green Bay) - Plans have been announced for the "Silver Anniversary Year" dinner to be given for members of the Packer football squad on Aug. 9 at the Beaumont hotel, it was announced today. The fete,a stag affair at which attendance will be limited to 30,, will start at 6:30. It is being sponsored by three Green Bay service clubs, the Lions, Kiwanis and Rotary. Tickets, divided equally among the three clubs, are reportedly being snapped up rapidly by members. The dinner is planned as a welcome to members of the 1945 squad that will open practice next Thursday for the game against the College All-Stars Aug. 30, as a testimonial to the team that won the professional championship in 1944, and as an anniversary celebration of the club's 25 years in the NFL...HONOR GUESTS NAMED: Other honor guess will be Coaches Curly Lambeau, Don Hutson and Walt Kiesling, members of the Packers' board of directors, President Robert Brebner and Executive Secretary Archie Baley of the Association of Commerce and Mayor Dominic Olejniczak. Speakers are to include Coach Lambeau and President L.H. Joannes of the Packer corporation. John H. Evans, Rotary president, will be master of ceremonies and presiding officer at the affair. Lambeau will introduce each member of the 1945 squad to the diners and will also give a running commentary on motion pictures of the 1944 world championship contest against the New York Giants, a game which the Packers won by a 14-7 margin for their sixth title...TICKET SUPPLY LIMITED: Club secretaries have charge of tickets and attendance. It is emphasized that once the supply is exhausted no more will be available.
HALFBACK LOU BROCK SIGNS FOR SIXTH SEASON WITH PACKER TEAM
AUG 4 (Green Bay) - Halfback Lou Brock, sidelined half of the 1944 season with an injury that cut short his greatest season in professional football, has signed a Packer contract for 1945, Coach Curly Lambeau announced today. Brock is the 25th player to come to terms and he will be one of a large squad of veterans and recruits reporting for the practice session next Thursday morning. A right halfback, Brock started the 1944 season - his fifth with the Packers - with brilliant running, passing, kicking and signal calling. In the first five games, he scored five touchdowns to bring his total to 80, 12th in the Packers' all-time individual scoring column. It was in the fifth game against Cleveland at City stadium that he sustained the injury that prevented him from finishing the season...FORCED TO SIDELINES: The former Purdue star suffered the injury to his knee late in the third quarter. At first it appeared he would be out for only a short time but the injury did not respond to treatment. Brock was forced to forego further play although he did make brief appearances in the championship tussle against the New York Giants. An operation performed after the season apparently was successful, giving Lou an opportunity to return here for his sixth season. A resident of Stafford, Kan., Brock is 6 feet tall and weighs 190 pounds. He is married and the father of a son. He joined the Packers in 1940, after he climaxed his collegiate career with an appearance in the College All-Star game. He was switched to fullback in 1942 but went back to halfback during the 1943 season. He is 27 years old...ONE OF EARLY ARRIVALS: Brock is one of the early arrivals in the city to prepare for the opening of practice. Two other recruits have put in their appearance including Lamar (Nubbie) Dingler and Bob Cope, who were teammates at the University of Arkansas. Dingler is a left end and Cope is a right guard. The former was captain of the Arkansas eleven in 1943 and 1944. The opening of drills probably will see a squad of three teams, Lambeau said, indicating that no time would be wasted in getting things rolling for the All-Star game three weeks from the day practice starts. The All-Stars themselves will start working out at Northwestern university on Aug. 12 under Head Coach Bernie Bierman and Assistants Howie Odell, Ray Eliot, Jeff Cravath and Jim Lookabaugh.
THREE PRO GRID CLUBS OPEN DRILLS THIS WEEK; GREEN BAY TEAM TO BEAT
AUG 6 (Chicago) - The pigskin noses its way into the sports parade this week when three NFL teams kickoff their 1945 training seasons. The world champion Green Bay Packers, with tireless Don Hutson expected to be at end again, are the first to go to camp when they begin limbering up at home Thursday in preparation for their game with the College All Stars here, Aug. 30. George Preston Marshall's Washington Redskins, featuring the double-barreled passing attack of Frankie Filchock and Sammy Baugh, open up Friday at George Washington university, Washington, D.C., while the Cleveland Rams, with a host of new backs such as Les Horvath of Ohio State and Bob Waterfield of UCLA, launch their workouts at Bowling Green, O., university Saturday...BEST PRO FOOTBALL: Those three clubs take the first strides toward the 1945 season which is scheduled to provide the best pro football since Pearl Harbor. A surprising number of football players have been mustered out of the service and practically all clubs report they are better staffed now than at any other wartime spring training. Pitching their camps at or near home, the 10 NFL clubs have reduced their training travel by approximately 90 percent. The Redskins, who trekked across country to San Diego a year ago, have provided the biggest cut. The other seven teams go into training between Aug. 10 and Aug. 27...MUST BEAT PACKERS: The Packers appear to be the team to beat in the Western division once again with Curly Lambeau hoping to field practically the same club which whipped the New York Giants for the championship last December. The perennial question of whether fleet-footed Hutson will operate one more season is settled for the All-Star game in which he will definitely play. Lambeau says after that, it's up to Hutson. Philadelphia, New York and Washington once again are set to fight it out in the Eastern division with the Eagles' great backfield corps making them slight preseason favorites. Here's a club-by-club picture of early prospects with club's training site and date of arrivals: EASTERN DIVISION: New York, Bear Mountain, N.Y., Aug. 27 - Steve Owen may not be able to coach his Giants to the Eastern title this year. Bill Paschal, league leading ground gainer past two years, Len Younce, brilliant punting guard, and end O'Neill Adams all departed for service. Washington, at home, Aug. 10 - Practically the same line as last year with Filchock and Bauch back to supply the passing and Wilbur Moore the running. Philadelphia, Westchester, Pa., Aug. 19 - Same line, bolstered by fulltime service of tackle Vic Sears. Eagles' lickety-split backfield brigade intact except for loss of second-string fullback. Boston, Davers, Mass., Aug, 23 - Will be stronger due to merger with Brooklyn, having gained Pug Manders. Need more linemen. Pittsburgh, at home, Aug. 20 - New coach Jim Leonard has fair line; club will be rebuilding after terminating merger with Chicago Cardinals. WESTERN DIVISION: Green Bay, at home, Aug. 9 - About same club as 1944. One possible weakness is tackle where Baby Ray and Tiny Croft are only two returning. Same great backfield of Larry Craig, Irv Comp, Lou Brock and Ted Fritsch, plus Charley Brock at center. Chicago Bears, Collegeville, Ill., Aug. 24 - Loss of center Bulldog Turner hurts. Sid Luckman not expected to play this year due to maritime duties. Johnny Long will take over quarterback. Relying heavily on new men. Detroit, Windsor, Ont., Aug. 25 - Loss of Frankie Sinkwich almost impossible to overcome this season although best line material since Gus Dorais been coaching there. Good tailback replacement might Lions tough. Cleveland, Bowling Green, O., Aug. 11 - New coach Adam Walsh should have as good a line as Rams had last year and new backs such as Horvath, Waterfield and Don Greenwood, Illinois, look good. Horvath may go into service before season starts. Chicago Cardinals, Waukesha, Wis., Aug, 23 - Will have big line and one-man-gang Johnny Grigas in backfield but will spend most of time rebuilding after merger with Pittsburgh.
TINY CROFT TO PLAY 4TH YEAR WITH BAYS
AUG 6 (Green Bay) - Milburn (Tiny) Croft, the mountainous left tackle of the Packers, has come to terms for the 1945 season, Coach Curly Lambeau announced today. The Packers, rapidly heading toward their 25th season in the NFL, will open practice for the All-Star game in Chicago next Thursday morning. Croft, whose poundage made him the biggest man in the professional grid circuit until the Bays recently signed Ed Niel, will be playing his fourth season with the Bays. He came to the club from Washington in early 1942 after three years of competition at Ripon college. Croft has shown improvement each year, reaching a point last season where he played 45 to 50 minutes in games when Baby ray was sidelined with a leg injury...MAY PLAY RIGHT TACKLE: Lambeau said that Croft may be shifted to the right side of the line this year depending on how material for that spot shapes up in the preseason campaign. The 6 foot 3 inch lineman weighs in at 280 pounds, five less than Niel, the recruit from Tulane. Croft is 24 years old and is married. He is the sixth tackle to sign a 1945 contract and the 26th player set for the opening drill. Meanwhile, players were arriving in the city from all points indicating that the three full teams Lambeau wants on hand Thursday morning will be present. The Bays' training quarters at City stadium are being rapidly put in shape by trainer Bud Jorgenson, who will head the tape and smelling salts department once again this year. One of the real veterans of the league, Jorgenson has been affiliated with the club since 1925. He has been head trainer several seasons. Among the arrivals in the city today was to be Line Coach Walt Kiesling. he played two years with the Packers starting in 1935 and retiring from play after the 1936 season to go to Pittsburgh as assistant coach. He had been affiliated with the Steelers from that time until last January, when he was signed to coach the Packer forward wall. He is considered one of the smartest tutors of line play in the National league. The Packers will have a three-day jump on the All-Stars as far as the opening of drills is concerned. Head Coach Bernie Bierman of the collegians will meet his candidates the first time next Sunday at Northwestern university.
WALT KIESLING, EX-PACKER TACKLE, RETURNS TO GRID ALMA MATER TO HANDLE FORWARD WALL
AUG 7 (Green Bay) - Weighing just a few pounds more than the 250 he threw against opposing backs and linemen during two seasons service with the Packers, Line Coach Walt Kiesling said Monday afternoon that being back in Green Bay is "just like returning home and I'm mighty glad to be here." The new mentor of the forward wall arrived in the city a few hours earlier and is anxiously awaiting the opening of drills Thursday morning at 9:30. Returning to the Packers is, for Kiesling, something like an alumnus returning to the old alma mater to give the football team hopefully the benefit of a broad experience in the professional game. He played here in 1935 and 1936, and then went to Pittsburgh to assist another ex-Packer ace, Johnny Blood, handle the Steelers. Kiesling assumed the head coaching duties in the Smoky City during the 1939 season and stayed until early this year...TEAM IN SECOND PLACE: An exponent of the hard driving type of game that doesn't give the other team a chance to get set, Kiesling pulled the Steeler team from the doldrums to a second place spot in the Eastern division in 1942. The club lost its first two games and then went on a winning spree that extended over seven contests. Then practically the entire team (26 men) was drafted and the bottom dropped out. The next season, the Steelers, combined with Philadelphia and the following year entered another combine with the Chicago Cardinals with Kiesling and
Phil Handler as co-coaches. Neither combination worked out very well, the new Packer coach admitted, adding that "we had two factions all the time and the boys weren't putting their heart and soul into football the way they must if they want to win."...USES DEMONSTRATION TECHNIQUE: The big fellow said he believes in showing the boys how to handle themselves through actual demonstrations. He looks hard enough of muscle and big enough in poundage to be very effective in the lessons. "It's pretty hard to show them how to operate unless you get right down and do it yourself," he said. He'll have plenty of opportunity to demonstrate starting Thursday, when three weeks of hard sessions will start for the All-Star game in Chicago the night of Aug. 30. There were several developments on the Packer front. Coach Curly Lambeau announced that Harry Jacunski, the veteran end who left the team to coach the wings at Notre Dame, will play with the Packers in the Chicago contest. Jacunski wired Lambeau that he will be here for practice on Aug, 19, his duties at the South Bend school preventing him from coming earlier...BEREZNEY WILL NOT PLAY: The Bay coach also said he had received word from Paul Berezney that he will be unable to play this year because of the press of his duties on the staff of a St. Peterburg, Fla., hospital. His absence will leave the team with only two veteran tackles, Baby Ray and Tiny Croft. Forrest McPherson, who played center, guard and tackle last year, will be used almost exclusively at tackle this year, Lambeau said.
JOHNNY BLOOD TO FILL NEW SPOT ON COACHING STAFF OF PACKERS
AUG 7 (Green Bay) - The Packers made another addition to their coaching staff today following a long distance telephone call that Coach Curly Lambeau received from California late Monday. The caller was Johnny Blood, and he had just been given a 30-day leave by the Army following two years service in the Chine-India-Burma theater. The former ace halfback asked the Packer coach if there was an opening for him for the duration of his leave. Lambeau replied, "Well, Johnny, we could use you at right halfback for the All-Star game." The former Packer ace replied that he thought he might have been away from the game a little long for such a job but he suggested he might help coach. Then he added the clincher: "Why not hire me as a morale builder for the All-Star game?" he asked Lambeau. No sooner said than done and now Blood, whose gridiron exploits are a favorite topic of conversation in these parts, is the No. 1 "morale builder" on the Packer staff - a new position whose duties aren't quite clear. But Johnny's going to take a stab at it anyway. He should know something about what ball players need to win games. He holds the record for the most years as an active player in the NFL, a total of 15.
DEFENDING CHAMPION PACKERS TO OPEN 1945 PRACTICE THURSDAY
AUG 8 (Green Bay) - The Green Bay Packers, defending champions of the professional football world, will open practice sessions for the 1945 season at 9:30 Thursday morning. A squad of over 30 gridders, both veterans and guards, is expected to report for the drill which will be held at the practice field neat City stadium. Three weeks from the day sessions open the team will tangle with the College All Stars in Chicago in the 12th renewal of the annual grid classic which pits the champions of the NFL against the pick of collegiate talent. Coach Curly Lambeau indicated today that no time will be wasted in pointing the team for the Aug. 30 contest...COACHES PREPARE PLANS: Lambeau and his two assistant coaches, Don Hutson and Walt Kiesling, have been in several huddles this week lining up the drill contest. For the present, only morning sessions will be held although two-a-day workouts may be ordered later depending on how rapidly the squad shapes up. Frequent skull sessions are also planned. Twenty-seven players are now under contract, the latest being end Joel Mason. Understudy to Hutson at the left wing, Mason has perhaps one of the toughest assignments in pro football in playing behind the incomparable end but he had gained the respect of the Packer coach for his steady play both on offense and defense. A native of Stambaugh, Mich., Mason will be playing his fourth season with the team. He is 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighs 210 pounds. He is 31 years old and played three years of varsity ball at Western Michigan. He broke into pro football with the Chicago Cardinals in 1940 and was signed by Green Bay in 1942. He has scored 12 points, both touchdowns coming on passes in a game against the Cardinals in 1943...ALL-STARS POWER LADEN: Several other veterans have arrived in the city and are expected to come to terms rapidly. Lambeau has emphasized repeatedly during the last several weeks that the All-Stars this year will be probably the toughest a pro team has had to face. He not only has the utmost respect for the squad but for the coaching staff, headed by Bernie Bierman, the Minnesota master. The team will open drills next Sunday at Northwestern university. To date, sponsors of the game have signed 48 players. They include right ends, seven tackles, eight guards, five centers and 20 backs, which gives some idea of the balance and power the collegians will have. The Packers will be seeking their second victory in the tilt. They lost the 1937 contest, by 6-0, and triumphed in 1940, 45-28, in a game that set a new scoring mark.
PRO GRIDDERS ARE PARING TRAVEL, HOPE TO GET BY
AUG 8 (Chicago) - NFL teams, with an eye to curtailing mileage as much as they can, and with a "carry on if possible" attitude, start the trek to their training camps this week. First movement of the pro gridders was toward Green Bay, and began as Commissioner Elmer Layden of the NFL consulted with officials of the Officer of Defense Transportation on the feasibility of continuing the sport this autumn. At Green Bay, the Packers open training tomorrow, in preparation for the annual game between the Collegiate All-Stars and the pro champs in Soldier Field here August 30. Meanwhile, Layden continued discussions in Washington today with ODT Director J. Monroe Johnson - the second meeting in a few weeks - and pointed out mileage reductions achieved in the league's 1945 schedule. He asked that non-championship games scheduled be allowed to be played, and said that schedules were arranged where use of Pullman cars would not be necessary. Team owners, awaiting word from the conferences, planned to carry on "as usual", unless notified otherwise. Cancellation of non-championship games would represent a loss of "about a half a million dollars" and make it difficult for the league to operate financially, was one argument put up to ODT by Layden. It was further said that the league's non-championship games fall into the same category as non-conference games played by college teams but are nonetheless part of the regular season. The "stop-over" plan would eliminate return-home trips by New York for game in Buffalo and Cleveland, by Washington when going to Cleveland, Chicago and Buffalo, and by the champion Green Bay Packers for contests in Philadelphia and Washington. The Packers will provide their own transportation in private cars in going from Green Bay to Chicago for the annual College All-Star game this month. "We will not use any Pullman reservations," said Layden of the other games. "We'll ride in coaches or baggage cars, anything to keep going." The Washington Redskins will be the second team to go into training. Like other members of the circuit, they are using as little mileage as possible for their training routines. The Redskins will work out at Georgetown University in Washington, starting Friday.
PACKERS OPEN 1945 DRILLS; BANQUET SET TONIGHT
AUG 9 (Green Bay) - Thirty-five members of the 1945 Packer football squad rolled through a two-hour drill at the practice field near City stadium this morning. Beautiful weather greeted the squad as it opened three weeks of hard work that will culminate in the contest against the College All-Stars in Chicago the night of Aug. 30. Workouts will continue Friday. A crowd of spectators watched as the Bays, under the guidance of Coach Curly Lambeau and three assistants, started off the day with calisthenics, engaged then in routine punt and passing, and would up about an hour's work on the dummies and wind sprints. The squad appeared to be in fairly good shape after a long layoff. Realizing that the Packers will have a tough assignment against the pick of the country's collegiate talent, Lambeau wasted no time in handing out plays and he indicated that another set would be passes around Friday. A dozen or more recruits and the veterans as well were urged to get assignments down as three teams were sent through the first signal practice of the year...ASSISTANTS ARE NAMED: Aiding the Packer coach were Asst. Coach Don
Hutson, Line Coach Walt Kiesling and Eddie Kotal, who has been added to the staff for drills preparatory to the All-Star contest. Kotal, who has been used as a scout over the last several years and formerly coached the backs, will aid with both the backfield and line tutoring. It is not yet known when ex-Bay ace Johnny Blood will join the staff as No. 1 morale builder, a task he will undertake while on furlough from the Army Air forces. Lambeau's principal task, it now appears, will be to replace most of the right side of the line. Four veterans - ends Harry Jacunski and Ray Wheba and tackles Paul Berezney and Ade Schwammel - will not be available for the regular season and only Jacunski is figured to see action with the Packers in the All-Star contest. He will report a week before the game, his late arrival being caused by his duties as end coach at Notre Dame...VETERANS ON RIGHT SIDE: Several of the recruits may be used on the right side and two veteran tackles, Tiny Croft and Forrest McPherson, and veteran end Joel Mason saw action on that half of the forward wall this morning. At least four other veterans will not return to the squad this year, Lambeau said, including guard Buckets Goldenberg, who will however play in the All-Star game; end Alex Urban and backs Bob Kahler and Paul Duhart. Duhart reported for drills today but is the property of Pittsburgh. During passing drills, nine gridders tossed the ball with veterans Lou Brock, Irv Comp, Duhart and Roy McKay doing the brunt of the work aided by oldsters Ted Fritsch, Don Perkins and Joe Laws and Sid Tinsley and Ken Keuper, both newcomers. Keuper and Tinsley got off some towering punts later in the session. Larry Craig, Duhart, Laws and Comp did the receiving...VETERANS ON HAND: Among the other veterans on hand were Capt. Charley Brock and Bob Flowers, centers; Mike Bucchianeri, Glen Sorenson, Bill Kuusisto, Pete Tinsley, Charley Tollefson, guards; Baby Ray, who reports a leg injury sustained last season completely healed, tackle; Ben Starrett, blocking back. They showed plenty of zip for opening day but the newcomers were not to be outdone in this department. Recruits who appeared were: Clyde Goodnight, Lamar Dingler, Nolan Luhn, Paul Rabalis, ends; Don Clark, Francis Terrance, Ed Neal, Paul Lipscomb, tackles; Bob Cope, Frank Hazard, guards; Ralph Hammond, center. Missing from the drill were Vernon Erdman and Joe Sapp, guard and tackle, respectively, and end Joe Graham...DUNN VISITS DRILL: Among the spectators at the drill was Richard (Red) Dunn, who quarterbacked the Packers to successive championships in 1929, 1930 and 1931, when he retired to enter the insurance business in Milwaukee. The former Marquette and Green Bay star said he takes no active part in football anymore, adding, "I'm just a full-fledged critic now."
PACKERS TURN ON SPEED FOR OPENING DRILL
AUG 9 (Green Bay) - A training tempo that neither the Chicago Bears nor Washington Redskins approached in recent year was set today by the Green Bay Packers as they opening drills for their part in the 12th annual College All-Star game to be played August 30 in Chicago's Soldier's field. 34 players reported to Coach Curly Lambeau and his associates on the vacant lot adjacent to City stadium this morning. So Curly, perhaps inspired by the sunshiny atmosphere, proceeded to order a two hour session, during which he had the athletes going thry the entire football training routine. First came calisthenics, but Mons. Lambeau soon succumbed to his favorite weakness - forward passing. He was a keen instructor and observer as pitches were thrown by Irv Comp, Lou Brock and Pail Duhart of last year's team. Completing the foursome was Ken Keuper, one time roommate of Frankie Sinkwich at the University of Georgia, who last year played with the All-Stars against the Bears. Later on Lambeau gave the punters a chance to kick the ball, with the others chasing or retrieving the spirals. The climax came when Curly ordered the squads to run thru 14 plays, mostly passing. This could be safely regarded as an omen that the national champions plan to pitch a ball or two against Bernie Bierman's All-Stars under the lights of Soldiers' Field. Assistant Coach Walt Kiesling, the gigantic fellow who once played with the Packers and who has just served out a term as coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, was as surprised as the sideline fans at the fast and varied first day of training. "We can do this," he said, after some personal speculation, "because we have so many veterans. Having an experienced team really simplifies it, and I had forgotten about such things with the Steelers, where we had a new team almost every season." At that, Lambeau announced the result of a recount disclosed he will have only 19 of his veterans for the National league season. An earlier poll indicated he would have 23. Pittsburgh, which drafted Duhart, is going to keep the young man, but he is eligible for the All-Star game. Paul was picked up by the Packers last year, but his class had not graduated at the University of Florida. So into the draft pool he went last April and the Steelers nabbed him right away. Bob Kahler, veteran halfback, is in the Army, Paul Berezney and Ade Schwammel, right tackles, will not return, even for the All-Star contest. Lambeau has also lost three right ends for the season - Harry Jacunski, Ray Wehba and Alex Urban. Jacunski, who is joining the Notre Dame coaching staff, will report to the Packers a week before the All-Star game. After playing this one he will return to Notre Dame. Coach Lambeau tonight was presented a plaque by the Green Bay Packers, Inc., at a dinner in commemoration of the team's silver anniversary in the Beaumont hotel. Presentation was made by Dr. Weber W. Kelly, one of the Packers' early presidents. Lee H. Joannes, president of the Packers, paid tribute to Lambeau as the man responsible for keeping professional football alive in Green Bay and successful in competition with teams in the nation's largest cities. Joannes, in explaining the non-profit setup of the Packers, took occasion to deny ever-occurring reports that the club will be shifted to Milwaukee. John H. Evans, president of the Green Bay Rotary club, was toastmaster. Present at the dinner were members of the squad, former players, coaches, stockholders and fans, numbering 300.
PACKERS THROW FOOTBALLS ALL OVER THE FIELD
AUG 10 (Green Bay) - The traditional weapon of the Green Bay Packers - the forward pass - was brought into full play today on the professional football champions' practice gridiron, hemmed in by a rickety wooden fence on the town's outskirts. In the second day of drill for their battle against the college All-Stars in Chicago on August 30, the Packers were throwing the ball at various distances and angles. It is with the forward pass that the Packers have made their brilliant NFL record. It was with the forward pass that they whipped the All-Stars of 1940, 45 to 28. It is with the pass that they hope to make it two straight over the collegians, double revenge for that 6 to 0 defeat in 1937 in the August spectacle. With Coach Curly Lambeau barking out the plays, all of the left and right halfbacks took turns throwing the ball. These included Irv Comp, Lou Brock, Paul Duhart, Roy McKay and Joe Laws. Don Hutson, offensive star of the Packers' 1940 All-Star triumph, participated in the downfield scramble for the aerials. Don paced himself easily, as he always does, but not so some of the freshman ends, notably Clyde Goodnight of the University of Tulsa and Lamar (Nubbin) Dingler, University of Arkansas. Neither is built on tree top proportions, but each has speed. Goodnight is 6 feet 1 inch tall and Green Bay's second choice in the 1945 player draft. He holds an army discharge. Dingler is an even 6 feet, weighs 180, and is 4-F. Because of the unusual war time eligibility conditions, he played five seasons at Arkansas. He's 24, was the Packers' seventh draft choice, and last season scored four touchdowns against Southern Methodist, all on pass receptions. The early enthusiasm of the squad continued to amaze Lambeau and his aides. "This practice should have been terrible," Curly said after it was over. "That second day usually is a total loss, with the boys either having assorted hurts or wondering when they'll start developing them." Taking the athletes' attitudes at full value, Lambeau has invited them to put on pads tomorrow and prepare to shove each other around. "We'll need a lot of contact work for the All-Stars. Sure, it's a little early for this sort of stuff and there's a danger of injury. But we're not going to be softies going up against that powerful squad in Soldiers' field."
CLOSED GATES TO MARK PACKERS' FIRST ROUGH WORKOUT SATURDAY
AUG 10 (Green Bay) - Coach E.L. (Curly) Lambeau, wasting no time in whipping the 1945 Packers into shape, announced after the second workout this morning that the first contact session will be held Friday behind closed gates. The drill will be the first held in secrecy indicating that Lambeau appreciates the tough role the club will have against the College All-Stars in Chicago on the night of Aug. 30. The Saturday session will not include any scrimmage but the gridders will don their large blocking pads and go through various rough maneuvers. This not only will give the coach staff a good opportunity to look over the recruits but will show up any faults that will need to be eradicated. Lambeau has snown satisfaction with the first two drills and was especially pleased with the spirit displayed today. "Usually on the second day there is a psychological letdown," the coach explained, "but this was not apparent today." He did not single out any individuals for their work because "it is a little too early to tell. We'll have a better line on our material after Saturday's workout." The Bay coach still is worried about the tackle and end spots on the right side of the line...CROFT, MASON SHIFTED: Four veterans from that side will not be available this year, meaning that either recruits will have to fill the gaps or that veterans from the left side must be shifted. This morning, Tiny Croft and Joel Mason, both veterans, were used in the right tackle and guard spots during signal practice. Another tackle may be available soon along with two backs but that was not official. During today's signal drill several backfield combinations were used. One included veterans Larry Craig, Lou Brock, Irv Comp and Ted Fritsch with newcomer Ken Keuper of Georgia and Paul Duhart alternating with Fritsch at fullback and Comp at left half. Brock, who sustained a leg injury midway during last season, appeared to have no trouble running and was firing numerous passes with accuracy. The other backfield included centers Ben Starrett, Joe Laws, Don Perkins and Roy McKay, who was with the team last season but saw little service because of an injury he sustained in an exhibition game before the regular schedule started. Sid Tinsley, a newcomer from Clemson and brother of veteran guard, Pete, alternated with McKay at left half and Fritsch filled in for Perkins on this combination...SQUAD IS IN GOOD SHAPE: A few of the players turned up this morning with sore feet. The two-hour sessions, however, did not seem to have any other ill effects on the squad, most of whom appeared to be in good shape. Several of those who reported overweight were ordered by Lambeau to pare off the excess poundage by working after the regular drill was completed. The team received new plays this afternoon and were ordered to have them down pat by Saturday. Meanwhile, the College All-Stars prepared to open practice Sunday at Northwestern university under the guidance of Head Coach Bernie Bierman of Minnesota. Approximately 60 players have been invited to the contest. End Clyde Goodnight of Tulsa, second man drafted by the Packers this year, was invited to the classic but will play with the Bays following an agreement reached late Thursday by Lambeau and Arch Ward, director of the contest.
300 GREEN BAY FANS FETE PACKER TEAM, OFFICIALS AT SILVER ANNIVERSARY DINNER
AUG 10 (Green Bay) - As a professional football team, the Green Bay Packers have provided residents of the city and surrounding area with thrills during the last 27 years and Thursday night it was the citizens' turn publicly to observe the team's 25th anniversary in the NFL and to pay tribute to the men who have guided it to a position of renown in the football world. The anniversary celebration, combined with a welcome to members of the 1945 team and an observance of the sixth world title won last season, was held at the Beaumont hotel, and was sponsored by the city's three service clubs, the Lions, Kiwanis and Rotary. Three hundred attended the celebration, officially described as the "Silver Anniversary Year" dinner. A fitting climax to the dinner was presentation of a large engraved plaque to Coach E.L. (Curly) Lambeau, who organized the Packers in 1919, played with them and has coached them since they were a barnstorming team the first year after World War I ended. The presentation was made by Dr. W.W. Kelly, team physician for 23 years and a former president of the Packer organization...RECOGNIZES OUTSTANDING WORK: The plague takes recognition of the team's 25th year in the National league and Lambeau's outstanding service to his community and manager of the Packers for over a quarter of a century". During that time, he has piloted the team to six championships, 1929-30-31-36-39-44. The plaque was presented by Dr. Kelly on behalf of officers and directors of the football corporation. Coach Lambeau responded by pointing out that he has had excellent help from ball players, the corporation's executive committee and others who have watched the team grow in popularity and power to its present position. He paid special tribute to A.B. Turnbull, first president of the corporation and a present member of the executive committee, for his aid in the early days of the team as well as at present. "Without the help of Andy Turnbull," he said, "we don't know what would have happened to the team. The public will never know what he did in the early days nor do we know what we could have done without his cooperation and assistance."...DESCRIBES TEAM HISTORY: Dr. Kelly, describing the history of the club and its rise from a sandlot team that went "from Hagemeister park to the Polo Grounds in New York", paid tribute to Coach Lambeau, adding that full shares of credit must also go to Mr. Turnbull and L.H. Joannes, who has been president of the corporation for the last 15 years, and to the board of director. Dr. Kelly pointed out that the Packers have won 192 games, lost 75 and tied 21, while outscoring the opposition, 4,639 to 2,418. He described how the team was first sponsored by the long defunct Acme Packing company and how the players split a postseason financial melon that gave each gridder $16.50, or $1.50 per game for the 11-game campaign. It was through "Lambeau's courage and determination that the team moved into big time circles," Dr. Kelly said, adding the hope that the Packer coach will continue in that capacity many more years. Other speakers included Mr. Joannes and Mayor Dominic Olejniczak. The present Packer president described the setup under which the team operates, pointing out that it started as the Green Bay Football association and was reorganized in 1933 as the Green Bay Packers, Inc., after a serious setback threw the association into receivership for a year and a half...NEW ORGANIZATION FORMED: When the question arose whether to drop the team or "to ring doorbells", a group of citizens chose the latter course, he explained. A non-profit organization was formed and shares of stock were sold to 114 individuals and business places in the city for $25 a share. "This assured football for Green Bay," he said, adding that the assets of the corporation are owned by the stockholders who never received a dividend because the corporation is set up on that basis. He pointed out that a reserve has been built up for lean years and that "no one individual owns the team." Taking cognizance of rumors that the team would be moved to Milwaukee, he emphasized that such a move is the most remote idea any of us has." Mr. Joannes introduced members of the board of directors and Coach Lambeau introduced both new and old members of the team, Line Coach Walt Kiesling, George Strickler, the National league publicity director, and Edward Prell, a member of the Chicago Tribune staff...GREAT ASSET OF CITY: Mayor Olejniczak described the football team as one of the city's greatest assets and that Green Bay is indebted to all who have made it a power in the professional game. He said the greatest debt the city owes is to Curly Lambeau for the guidance he has given the team through "lean and fat" years. "We have never had a 'bum' team in 25 years," the mayor said, adding that it has made a great contribution to the welfare of the city. President John H. Evans of Rotary presided and was master of ceremonies. The invocation was given by the Rev. H.C. Head and community singing was led by Merle A. Johnson of the Lions accompanied by Hayden Evans of the Lions and Rotary. Motion pictures of the 1944 championship game against the New York Giants closed the affair.
PLUMP PACKERS HAVE OWN LITTLE BATTLE OF BULGE
AUG 11 (Green Bay) - The Packers batted each other around considerable today in their first physical strife of the training camp which will end the night of August 30 against the College All-Stars in Soldiers' field. The two hours of rough competition, politely known was a line scrimmage, was supposed to be only a mild form of what will happen when a regular scrimmage is held. There will be two of these later in the program and today the squad of 35 made a good start toward getting used to bodily contact. The warmup scrimmage produced the best wise crack of the training season. Milburn (Tiny) Croft, who weighed in at 306 when the professional champions opened drills three days ago, found himself opposite Bill Neal, 287 pound rookie from Tulane. As they crashed into each other, with Tiny having the better of it, Eddie Fonferek, a Packer fan from away back when, remarked, "I guess you could call that the battle of the bulge." The person most vitally interested in today's stepped-up exercises was Walter Kiesling, the onetime Packer lineman who is making his debut as line coach. Walt has definite ideas on perfection in line play so his somewhat gloomy statement did not surprise the few sideline observers, who crashed the gates of the practice field adjacent to the city stadium. "I was a little disappointed in some of the new men," said the taciturn Kiesling. "Some of them need a lot of instruction in fundamentals. A few could be in better condition. They need a lot of work to get ready for the All-Stars." Kiesling noted that the forwards showed negligence of duty especially in blocking to protect the forward passers. One of the most active of the newcomers was Bob Cope, 202 pounded from the University of Arkansas. Most Arkansas boys who come to football's big time are ends or halfbacks, but Cope is a guard. He is the young man who dealt a terrific beating to the Norman (Okla.) Navy line last season. Today he was popping thru into the backfield on line scrimmages. Because the Packers will lose at least five players on the right side of their line in the regular season, replacement experiments were started today. Joel Mason, who has been the left end behind Don Hutson for several seasons, was moved to right end. Croft moved over to right tackle and Forrest McPherson, erstwhile center, also worked at right tackle. The champions also lost their two veteran right tackles, Dr. Paul Berezney and Ade Schwammel. They also will lose their top right end, Harry Jacunski, who, however, will play in the All-Star game. The other 1944 right end, Ray Wehba, is in military service. Charles (Buckets) Goldenberg, 34 year old right guard who is making the Soldiers' field spectacle his gridiron swan song is due to report today. Most of the time will be allotted to photographers. There was no letup in the barrage of passes thrown by all the left and right backs. Roy McKay, the 195 pound back from the University of Texas, who was on the 1943 and 1944 All-Star teams, turned in an astounding punting job today. He kicked four consecutive long spirals against the wind each carrying more than 60 yards in the air. McKay, who was listed as a fullback with the collegians, is a tailback or left half in the Packers setup. This position calls for running, passing and kicking.
FIRST CONTACT DRILL SHOWS ROUGH SPOTS AS PACKERS CONTINUE PACE
AUG 11 (Green Bay) - Green Bay football fans, if they need a reminder, will have two events to mark down after the weekend is finished to signal the rapid approach of the 1945 football season. The first is that the Packers held their first secret drill this morning and the second is that the College All-Stars will hold their first practice session Sunday at Northwestern university. It is doubtful whether Coach Curly Lambeau has ever set a faster pace for the Packers than they are following right now. Today, the third of the new season, found the players donning heavy equipment for an hour's dose of contact work, first with linemen against linemen and then team against team. The pace will continue Monday with just a little respite Sunday morning. The annual session of the team with newspaper photographers is slated Sunday with a light drill planned to limber the boys up after they pose for the cameramen. While satisfied with the squad's willingness to work, Lambeau and Line Coach Walt Kiesling hastened to point out that this does not mean that the sessions are completely satisfactory. There is still plenty of polishing to be done before the Bays will be ready to meet what is probably the toughest array of college talent that has faced the professional championship since 1934. "We can sure stand a lot of work," Lambeau said. Kiesling, who worked with linemen for about 45 minutes, was not satisfied with the condition of some of the players, pointing out that recruits particularly will have to spend plenty of time on fundamentals. "This showed up in the blocking scrimmage on passes," Kiesling said. The loss of veterans in the end and tackle spots on the right side will give Kiesling the job of filling the vacancies with either recruits and shifted veterans. This morning, Joel Mason and Tiny Croft worked at end with recruits Nolan Luhn of Tulsa and Paul Rabalis of St. Mary's understudying Mason and newcomer Ed Neal of Tulane and veteran Forrest McPherson at right tackle. While the linemen, from tackles inside, worked under Kiesling, Lambeau, Assistant Coach Don Hutson, Backfield Coach Eddie Kotal had the backs and ends concentrating on pass plays. Lambeau, whose Packer teams since 1919 have employed the pass as a lethal weapon, watched as a sextet of tossers threw long and short aerials to the wings and other backs. Those throwing included Lou Brock, Joe Laws, Irv Comp, Roy McKay, Paul Duhart and Sid Tinsley...HUTSON SNAGS PASSES: Hutson, who is slated to play in the All-Star contest, snagged a few of the tosses from Comp. The remainder of the time he spent giving tips to Clyde Goodnight, former Tulsa star, and Lamar Dingler, who played undergraduate football at Arkansas. The passing department can be expected to receive a full share of attention from the coaching staff between now and the All-Star event, third in which the Packers have appeared. Several combination were used in the blocking scrimmage later in the morning. Defensively, the first squad included Larry Craig and Mason at ends, Baby Ray and Croft at tackles, Bill Kuusisto and Pete Tinsley at guards and Bob Flowers at the pivot spot. On offense, Lambeau named Luhn and Goodnight, ends; Paul Lipscomb and Don Clark at tackles; Charley Tollefson and Mike Bucchanieri at guards, and Ralph Hammond, center. In the backfield on offense were Ben Starrett on the blocking post, Sid Tinsley and Paul Duhart at halves, and Ken Keuper at fullback. Roy McKay filled in for Tinsley. Both boys sent several towering punts 70 to 80 yards down the field. During the contact work, practically all members of the squad get in a lick or two. A signal drill to get precision in timing wound up the morning...REPORTS TICKETS SOLD: While the All-Star game is the Packers' immediate objective, Green Bay and Wisconsin fans are already beginning to think in terms of the first league game against the Chicago Bears at City stadium Sept. 30. Ticket Director Ralph C. Smith reported today that all of the seats between the 20-yard line at the stadium have been sold out. This marks the first time that a sellout of ducats inside the 20-yard markers has occurred so early, Smith said. Packer-Bear contest tickets remaining are priced at $3, $2.40, $1.80 and $1.20. Smith reminded those who have received notices to pick up their season tickets at the office in the Legion building. A few tickets priced at $6.60 are also available for the All-Star game. Those planning to attend the Soldiers' Field game should purchase their tickets immediately, Smith said.
PACKERS BOOST SERGEANT TO FIELD GENERAL!
AUG 12 (Green Bay) - The Green Bay Packers today welcomed a long absent teammate who will be an added starter in the College All-Star game August 30 in Soldiers' field. He is Sgt. Bob Adkins, first of the Packers to go off to war. Adkins, who was a blocking back thru 1940 and part of the 1941 season, is on furlough from an annex of De Shon General hospital at New Castle, Pa. He bolsters the quarterback department which has only two regular members, Larry Craig and Ben Starrett. When he left the Packers to enter the reception center at Fort Sheridan on November 12, 1941, the former Marshall college star weighed 220 pounds. His weight was exactly the same as he and the professional champions went thru the fourth day of drill, which mainly was a show for the photographers. They snapped the Packers from all angles. Bob spent 27 months at Melbourne, Australia, in the medical corps and aided in the invention of a cross between American and Australian football. It's called Austus. "It was this way," said Adkins. "The Aussies play with 18 men on a side. They only drop kick a ball. So a Melbourn sporting editor and I got our heads together. The result was Austus, with 18 on a side. The Americans were restricted to passing for scoring. There were two high goal posts at the ends of the field and also a short post near the two large ones. If a ball was kicked thru the tall posts or an American caught a pass in that sector it was good for six points. If the score was made between a large and small one it was one point. So our scoring was about the same. The teams just about broke even. I'd like to introduce it in this country as it is a fine intramural game." This is all the football the soldier has been playing since returning to the United States a little more than a year ago. But he is hopeful of getting the feel of American football again and helping his old club wallop Bernie Bierman's collegians. The Packers may have another surprise or two in the form of furloughing veterans in the nex few days. Curly Lambeau is overlooking no bets to bring a team into the lakefront stadium that will uphold the prestige of the NFL. Tomorrow the tempo will increase and by midweek Lambeau may order the first of two scrimmages under game conditions. The Green Bay coach also will take advantage of the city stadium lights to run the squad thru some nighttime sessions later on the program. Another arrival here today was Charles (Buckets) Goldenberg, veteran guard who will wind up his 12 seasons with the Packers in the All-Star battle.
COACH LAMBEAU, CONCERNED OVER PROGRESS OF PACKERS; ORDERS FIRST SPECIAL PRACTICE
AUG 13 (Green Bay) - Coach Curly Lambeau showed enough concern over several things during the Packers' two-hour practice this morning to order the first extra session of the year for this afternoon. Such overtime work is not an unheard of thing but coming so early in the season it serves to emphasize that the coaching staff is worried. Speaking for himself, Line Coach Walt Kiesling and Asst. Coach Don Hutson, Lambeau listed the worries in this order: 1) The impending struggle against the College All-Stars in Chicago the night of Aug. 30, 2) lack of polish in the passing department, and 3) the need for plenty of overtime on fundamentals and assignments. There are several other things that will need to be done but they should be ironed out by the end of this month. The All-Stars began practice Sunday under Head Coach Bernie Bierman, who may have a tough job finding sufficient material at Minnesota this year but needs only to whistle softly to have more than 60 college stars do his bidding on the Northwestern university drill field. Coach Lambeau said, "We don't exactly feat the All-Stars but we do have the highest respect for the team's personnel and coaching staff."...MAKE SECOND APPEARANCE: Some of the All-Stars are making at least their second appearance in the annual classic. They have as much experience as many of the Packer recruits who constitute one of the biggest groups of new men ever to be assembled here. It is another problem, Lambeau explained, to get these rookies working the Green Bay system as it is planned. This will mean more extra practices in the two and a half weeks remaining before the 12th annual game that pits the best in pro football against the best from the collegiate ranks. During a lengthy session on passing today, the throwers frequently connected with receivers but just as frequently missed. More practice on aerials this afternoon was promised by Lambeau. Meanwhile, the tackles and guards were to get a two and half hour workout under Kiesling's direction. Tuesday's practice will be on assignments and fundamentals again. All of this will lead up to the first full dress intra-squad scrimmage Saturday morning...TWO ARE UNDERWEIGHT: Although the squad has come through the first four days of practice with no serious hurts, Lambeau expressed some concern over stiffness and soreness. Two of the recruits, ends Nolan Luhn and Clyde Goodnight, have also had trouble getting their weight up to normal. Both reported underweight. They lost the poundage while doing overtime work at Tulsa. The backfield department received a boost during the weekend when Sgt. Bob Adkins, a blocking back, showed up for practice. He will be with the squad for the All-Star contest. Adkins, who entered the Army Medical corps after the 1941 season here, weighs 224 pounds, about the same as when he left. He spent 27 months in Australia and is now stationed in Newcastle, Pa., at an annex of Deshong hospital. During this morning's signal drill, Adkins worked with a backfield composed of Sid Tinsley, Don Perkins and Paul Duhart, who has been shifted to the right halfback spot. Other combinations of backs included one of Larry Craig, Ken Keuper, Irv Comp and Lou Brock and another of Roy McKay, Ted Fritsch, Ben Starrett and Joe Laws...SHOULD REPORT SOON: Others expected to report soon are guard Buckets Goldenberg and end Joe Graham, a newcomer from Florida. They will bring the squad up to 38 with the possibility that another lineman and halfback may be added later. End Harry Jacunski will report about Aug. 19. Both he and Goldenberg will be available, however, only for the All-Star game, after which Goldenberg will return to his restaurant business in Milwaukee and Jacunski to his coaching duties at Notre Dame. Although the morning's session was tabbed as "secret", it was watched by one-time Packer star, Arnie Herber. The ex-passing ace said he would report to the New York Giants' training camp at Bear Mountain, N.Y., about Aug. 25. Herber joined the Giants last season after several years' retirement.
JOHNNY BLOOD TO PRESENT PLAN FOR EXHIBITIONS BY GRID STARS
AUG 13 (San Francisco) - If Johnny Blood, ex-Packer ace now active in the fighting ranks of the Army Air corps in the CBI theater, has his way, United States professional and collegiate football stars will appear in exhibitions before our fighting forces throughout the world during the war as well as in the postwar era. Blood, who starred at halfback for 15 years in the NFL, is en route to Green Bay on leave from Chungking, China. He has been added to the Green Bay team's staff as "morale builder" for the contest against the College All Stars in Chicago Aug. 30. Just before leaving here, Blood had several suggestions to offer about the effect football would have on fighting men...CAN AID IN PEACE: American football, speeded up to encourage more open play and less unnecessary whistle-blowing by the officials, can become the universal game, and do a great job in helping maintain world peace, according to Blood. Johnny, also a basketball and baseball player of ability, was playing coach of the All-China and China-Burma-India basketball champions of the Far East. Naturally, football is his first love, and only the shortage of sizeable playing fields in the Orient prevented his getting a pair of squads underway for competitions during battle intermissions. For close to four years, Blood has been in the midst of rugged fighting between the United Nations' forces and Jap air and ground troops...RUSSIA CONSIDERS GAME: Russia is already interested in the possibilities of introducing American football into its fighting forces and also in the major cities and athletic centers of the great Soviet nation, Blood declared. Johnny stated the Chinese are hardly strong and big enough to give the great American grid game proper treatment, but stated many other nations are quite capable of taking hold of the game and building elaborate squads, both in the professional and collegiate ranks, as well as in their army and navy circles. Even Australia, with its crack rugby teams, is interested in American football, and would like to see Red Grange, Bronko Nagurksi, Don Hutson, Ken Strong and other noted gridders from the U.S.A. plat the favorite American game...WILL PRESENT PLANS: During his present leave, Blood proposed presenting to NFL officials, also to the USO, Red Cross and United Nations' heads, plans for sponsoring personal appearances by American football stars and teams in the battle zones of the world. He contends such exhibitions will give the resting forces, who will soon be anxiously awaiting the return trip home, an opportunity to see the "big names" of the gridiron in action in special games between all-star visiting groups and also in special matches with service teams overseas. At the same time, Blood asserted, during his brief stopover in California, American football can well become the world's great games, with all nations taking part.
DRILL AND THEN MORE DRILL IS PACKER PORTION
AUG 13 (Green Bay) - Indicating growing concern over their battle against the College All-Stars, the Green Bay Packers today ordered a doubleheader drill. After the entire squad worked out from 9:30 to almost noon, Coach Curly Lambeau instructed the guards and tackles to return for a two and a half hour special session under line coach Walter Kiesling. Lambeau also revealed that the first of two scrimmages will be held Saturday. On later dates the professional champions will supplement their preparation by practicing under the lights of City stadium here. This phase is to accustom the players to night conditions since the All-Star game is to be held with the lights of Soldiers' field blazing on the night of August 30. The Packers' veteran coach said the compelling reason for today's special summoning of the linemen was dictated by their weakness on adequately protecting the passers. He agreed that this perhaps was a normal problem, inasmuch as the Packers have more new men than they have had in the last several seasons, but he wants to get the problem solved as speedily as possible. It did not require much prodding to set off Lambeau on an exposition concerning the All-Stars: "They have three swell ball clubs; they're really something," said the Green Bay man. "So we know that going into this game we're going to be outmanned. We also know that they are going to be well handled. Bernie Bierman is a great coach and he has a staff of able assistants." Lambeau could have mentioned, too, that the traditional experience edge enjoyed by the pros has been gradually dissipated thru the war years. Many of the '45 All-Stars have been in previous games in this series and there will be no stage fright among these lads. The excitement attendant to the spectacle and the massing of almost 100,000 fans are elements to upset a youngster taking part in the show for the first time. Continuing the argument, the Packers will have at least a dozen rookies on their bench. Green Bay's first draft choice, fullback Walter Schlinkman, is among the All-Stars' backs whom Lambeau respects. "Maybe 'fears' is the word," he added not too happily. Another Packer problem concerns the fattening up of Clyde Goodnight and Nolan Luhn, the two freshman ends from Tulsa. Goodnight is 10 pounds underweight. There is still now word from Joe Graham, University of Florida end who was to have reported here last week. Club officials are puzzled by his failure to contact them. Despite Lambeau's lamentations, today's morning drill seemed to progress smoothly. To an observer, the one sour note was the passers' wildness. This could have been caused by failure of their forwards to give adequate protection. Many of the shots were wild, far in advance of the moving targets.
PACKERS WILL BENEFIT WHEN JAP WAR ENDS
AUG 14 (Green Bay) - Coach Curly Lambeau today pondered the effects announcement on V-J day would have on the Packers, summing up the outlook with an explanation that the strength of the team would be considerably strengthened through the addition of discharged veterans under a provision already made in NFL rules. Just how soon the rule allowing clubs to sign at least five discharged servicemen as soon after V-J as practicable will become operative as far as the Packers are concerned the coach didn't say. Under present regulations, teams are allowed to carry 28 men on their active list. With the addition of five players, the active limit would be increased to 33, the number allowed before the reduction was ruled in 1943. The Packers now have 44 players in service and it may be that 10 of them will be discharged before the end of the season. If this occurs, Lambeau said, the result would be a considerable strengthening of the team. The league rule specifies that only discharged veterans may be used. One former college star, halfback Bruce Smith of Minnesota, has already signed a Packer contract to play the first season after the war. Should he receive a discharge from the Navy soon, he probably would join the ball club this season. Former Packers stars in service include Tony Canadeo, Hal Van Every, Herman Rohrig, Ray Riddick, Ed Jankowski, Rd Frutig, Carl Mulleneaux, Russ Letlow, Andy Uram and many others. The squad turned up this morning with considerable stiffness and soreness but displayed the excellent spirit that had marked sessions since last Thursday. Dummy scrimmage was the principal fare with the emphasis on passing. Linemen had their third workout in 24 hours. They held an extra drill Monday afternoon under Line Coach Walt Kiesling, who is rapidly proving to be a taskmaster who wants nothing but perfection. Among those working out was guard Buckets Goldenberg. Nothing further has been heard from end Joe Graham, a newcomer from Florida who was reported to have left there last week for Green Bay...TO CONFER ON RULES: Coach Lambeau said he would confer with Arch Ward, director of the All-Star game, Wednesday night in Evanston. Purpose of the session is to reach an agreement on rules to be employed in the game at Soldier's Field the night of Aug. 30. Lambeau said he would argue for use of the new pro league rule that puts the ball in play 20 yards inside the sidelines instead of 15 yards as under college rules. Kiesling and Asst. Coach Don Hutson will handle Thursday morning's drill in Lambeau's absence. Interest among Packer fans in the All-Star lineup will center on Walter Schlinkman, Texas Tech fullback who was No. 1 choice of the Bays in this year's draft, and Nick Susoff, Washington State end, who was high on the draft list several seasons ago.
SGT. BOB ADKINS BELIEVES NEW GAME OF 'AUSTUS' IS A NATURAL
AUG 14 (Green Bay) - When Sgt. Bob Adkins arrived in Australia way back in the early part of the war, he wasn't satisfied with the way the natives played football. It was a far cry from the American game and Bob, who rejoined the Packers this week for drills prior to the All-Star game, decided to do something about it. He got together with a sportswriter from Melbourne and the result was a game called "Austus", a cross between American football and the Australian variety. The fact that the score sometimes reached well over the 100-mark didn't mean a thing and Bob thinks the game should be a natural for high schools and colleges which want a good intramural sport...18 PLAYERS ON SIDE: The new game has 18 players on a side, same as Australian football, Adkins explained. The Aussies advance the ball only by dropkicking while the Americans were restricted to passing for scoring. "There were two high goal posts at the end of the field and also a short post near the two large ones. If a ball was kicked through the tall posts or an American caught a pass in that sector it was good for six points. If the score was made between a large of and small one it was one point. So our scoring was about the same. The team just about broke even." After leaving the Packers to enter the reception center at Fort Sheridan on Nov. 12, 1941, the former Marshall college player weighed 220 pounds, just four more than he weighed when he reported for practice with the Packers. A bystander at practice Monday said, "By golly, Bob runs just like he did before he left." Coach Curly Lambeau wishes he could stay around all season to help the Packers defend their NFL championship...10 ARE STILL AROUND: Nine of the Packers who appeared in the 1940 All-Star game (Packers 42, All-Stars 28) will be around this year and a tenth played against the Bays in that contest as a member of the college squad. Veterans on hand include Don Hutson, Pete Tinsley, Joe Laws, Capt. Charley Brock, Buckets Goldenberg, Baby Ray, Harry Jacunski, Larry Craig and Bob Adkins. The tenth is Lou Brock, who joined the Packers after the contest...3 BROCKS GET TOGETHER: Staff Sgt. Bryan Brock, brother of the Packer halfback, recently visited here while on furlough from the Army. Bryan spent two years in Italy with the medical corps and went from here to Fort Sheridan for reassignment. Bryan and Lou are second cousins to Capt. Charley Brock and during the present housing shortage Lou, his wide and son are staying at Charley's. "It's very interesting when his one (a boy) and my two (a boy and girl) get together," Charley commented...TED FRITSCH SEEKS M.A.: Fullback Ted Fritsch has just one summer session to go before he receives his master's degree in education and physical education at the University of Wisconsin. He has been attending the state school since his graduation from Central States Teachers with a degree in biology...Tackle Ed Neal won the Texas A.A.U. heavyweight boxing championship several years ago...The Tinsleys, Pete and Sid, have another brother who is sports minded. Dave Tinsley, now in service, qualified for the National Open golf championship five times. He is a pro in private life.
COACH BERNIE BIERMAN WASTES NO TIME IN RUSHING ALL-STARTS INTO HEAVY WORK FOR TILT WITH PACKERS
AUG 14 (Evanston, IL) - Work - hard work and lots of it, twice daily - was the pattern laid down by Head Coach Bernie Bierman of Minnesota as he and his assistants got down to serious business preparing the College All-Stars for their game with the Green Bay Packers Aug. 30. And by way of proving, he sent his squad of 40 through a line scrimmage in Dyche stadium at Northwestern university Monday afternoon - the third time he'd had them out...LOTS OF HARD WORK" "It's going to take a lot of hard work to get them in shape in a little over two weeks for that game," Bierman said. "They have to learn their assignments on all the different plays we'll need, and their physical condition will have to be the best against the Packers. But they're willing, and should be all right by the time the whistle blows for the game." There was little tackling in Monday's scrimmage, with ball carriers ordered to stop after one charge or run. For the most part, the drill was held to acquaint both linemen and backs with offensive formations and plays. The plays had been diagrammed for the All-Stars at earlier skull sessions. The scrimmage marked the first time the squad had been in regulation football gear...GET LINE ON PROSPECTS: Linemen alternated between defense and attack all through the scrimmage as Bierman and his assistants tried to get a better line on individual ability.
NEW CLEVELAND 11 CHANGES NICKNAME
AUG 14 (Cleveland) - The Cleveland entry in the building All-American football conference won't be known as the Panthers after all - they'll be the Cleveland Browns. Assistant Coach Johnny Brickels announced today the name Panthers had been abandoned to avoid any association with a Cleveland team of a decade ago. The name Browns has been adopted, Brickels explained, because of a majority of entries in a recent contest suggested the nickname bear some association with Lt. Paul Brown, Great Lakes football officer and former Ohio State coach who is the club's general manager and head coach.
PACKERS SPEND V-J DAY IN LENGTHY SESSION; LIVE TACKLING PRACTICE ENLIVENS WORKOUT THIS MORNING
AUG 15 (Green Bay) - Any thought the Packers may have had about sleeping a few hours extra this morning because of V-J day were dispelled rapidly and the squad turned out for a two-hour session after they held a classroom drill at the Hotel Northland. The team is gradually building up the first regulation scrimmage Saturday morning and the final week and a half of sessions before the All-Star game in Chicago Aug. 30. Coach Curly Lambeau ordered the first live tackling drill of the season this morning, and was not entirely satisfied with what he saw. "We didn't look too good on the tackling," he said, adding that a special disappointment was the work of some of the veteran linemen. He later qualified this by remarking that "about half the squad looked poor in tackling." Since it was the first such session, however, there was not any great cause for worry. Practically the entire squad got a shot at runners and precautions were taken to eliminate the chance for any injury. A surprise in the running department was blocking back Bob Adkins, who showed some fancy stepping with the ball. Assignment of Adkins to lugging the ball was impromptu but the results brought expressions of pleasure from the Bay coach...FOLLOW USUAL SCHEDULE: The remainder of the session followed the usual schedule with the linemen, tackles to centers, working under Coach Walt Kiesling and the backs and ends getting timing on aerials down pat under the other staff members - Lambeau, Don Hutson and Eddie Kotal. A goodly number of townspeople took advantage of the V-J day layoff to witness the session. Earlier, during a punting session, the high, long kicks of newcomers Ken Keuper of Georgia and Sid Tinsley of Clemson brought expressions of approval from Lambeau. They got off kicks of from 60 to 80 yards in approved fashion - high and long to allow sufficient time for the tacklers to get downfield to halt down the receiver...JOHNNY BLOOD TO ARRIVE: Several other announcements today will be of interest to Packer fans. Staff Sgt. Johnny Blood, Packer star of a decade ago, was scheduled to arrive in town this afternoon to begin his duties as the team's morale builder for the All-Star contest. Blood phoned Lambeau from Chicago this morning following his arrival there from California, where he recently received a 30-day furlough from the AAF. Lambeau announced that Herman Rohrig, who entered the Army after playing with the Packers in 1941, would arrive Thursday to begin practice for the All-Star game. He will be the second serviceman to join the team for the 12th annual Chicago classic. The other is Adkins, who arrived last Saturday. Rohrig, 27, played at Nebraska. He is 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighs 190 pounds. He can pass, kick and run...HARMON JOINS ALL-STARS: Meanwhile, managers of the All-Star team announced in Chicago that Tom Harmon, former Michigan All-American honorably discharged from the Air corps Monday, will join the college team this week. Harmon returns to the game after nearly three years of service, during which he rose to the rank of captain and twice was reported missing when his plane went down in Dutch Guinea and again over enemy territory in Chicago. Now 25 years old, Harmon made his last collegiate appearance four years ago when he played with the All-Stars against the Chicago Bears. The Bears thumped the Collegians, 37 to 13, but it was Harmon who passed to George Franck of Minnesota for one of the All-Star scores.
PACKERS CALL IN VETERANS FOR ALL-STAR GAME
AUG 15 (Green Bay) - It is getting to be like old home week in the Green Bay Packers' camp. Today Sgt. Johnny Blood, a devastating runner for Green Bay from 1929 thru 1936, arrived for his self-appointed task as assistant coach in charge of morale for the August 30 contest with the College All-Stars in Chicago. Tomorrow Herman Rohrig of the army air forces will arrive for his special appearance with the professional champions under the Soldiers' field lights. Previously Sgt. Bob Adkins had reported to play in this game, and Arnie Herber, former Packer, now with the New York Giants, has been a daily visitor. Rohrig, a chunky right halfback, will be playing his first football for the Packers since 1941. He will bolster the right halfback department, which has been carrying on with only Lou Brock and Joe Laws. Coach Curly Lambeau hopes Rohrig shows him as much football ability as had Adkins the last two days. The army sergeant sparkled in a live tackling session which easily was the big noise in today's drill. Adkins and the other backs took turns smashing down a narrow lane with the ball while the two well spaced tacklers loomed ahead. Adkins is a blocking back and seldom carried the ball in his Packer seasons, but he showed a lot of drive and speed in practice. Thus the Packers gradually are being built up for Saturday's first real scrimmage, one in which game conditions will be followed. Lambeau's practice schedules are well organized and he allows the players to handle the ball enough to keep them interested and going at top speed. In the daily drills the athletes get a touch of everything rather than concentrating on any one phase in each drill.
PACKERS CONTINUE ROUTINE WORK IN PREPARATION FOR FIRST GAME
AUG 16 (Green Bay) - Somebody once remarked that the performance of a football team on the field of battle is in direct relation to its work in practice. The Packer coaching staff has heard about that and sessions have followed a routine designed to bring the club up to a high degree of efficiency for its Aug. 30 game against the College All-Stars in Chicago. This morning's practice, directed by Coaches Don Hutson and Walt Kiesling in the absence of headmaster Curly Lambeau, followed practically the same pattern set earlier. The routine will not be broken before Saturday morning, when the first full scrimmage is in prospect. The fact that the All-Star tilt is rapidly approaching will more and more set the tempo for drills. The coaches expressed disappointment that some players do not have their assignments down pat and there were broad hints that special skull sessions are in story for the dull students. Since the team will not always be on offense against the Stars, the defense must also be polished up. Today this included work on the five-man line to be used against the Stars...FANS ARE DISAPPOINTED: There was another disappointment today for about 150 fans who showed up at the practice with the thought in mind that Tech Sgt. Johnny Blood, recently returned from 28 months in the China-India-Burma theater, would be on hand in his capacity as the team's morale builder. The fabulous Blood, who holds the NFL's record for most years of active play, arrived Wednesday afternoon and immediately conferred with Lambeau on the work he is to do. Fans will be pacified by the fact that he used this morning to rest up after several days of travel from the Pacific coast, where he received a 45-day furlough from the Army Air corps last week. The former Packer star, however, had his first experience in his new position Thursday evening, when he spent a couple of hours trying to convince Hutson, now 32, that he should play until he's 36 years old. He pointed out that he played 15 years in the pro circuit, and now, at 41, he probably could still get in a lick or two. As a matter of fact, he looks like he might at that...PLAYED ON CAGE SQUAD: Johnny weighs 183, when he quite pro football. He has kept in shape by playing basketball with the team that won the championship of China last season in a tournament at Kumning after a year that included 51
victories in 53 starts. But don't get the idea that he was 14 months in China, 10 months in India and four in Burma just to play basketball. Far from it. As a technical sergeant in the Air corps, he had charged of a group of 15 G.I.'s who handled communications and cryptography for vitally important flights in China, including the one over "The Hump". For this he and the others in the group received a presidential unit in January, 1944. He also has the Good Conduct Medal and the Asiatic theater ribbon with two battle stars. His service was with the 14th Air force. Johnny doesn't know what the future will bring except that he has to report late in September at New York. For the present, he will devote his energies to his new job, which incidentally establishes another record because it's the first of its king in the 25-year history of the circuit...THINKING ABOUT FUTURE: Turning from his role as morale builder to that of a G.I. who may return to civilian life soon, Blood gave indications that he is seriously considering the future. "I guess maybe I should go back to college and take a few philosophy courses. The world has become so complex that it's hard to tell just which way to turn. It will be hard to pick up where we left off." It is doubtful whether he will return to the game which brought him fame during his playing years (1924 to 1938). For two of those years he also coached the Pittsburgh Steelers and had Kiesling as his assistant. Midway in 1939 he left football to take a road job for Doughboy Mills, Inc., of New Richmond, a company operated by relatives.
JOHNNY STARTS WORK AT TOP ON PACKER MORALE
AUG 16 (Green Bay) - Johnny Blood, the army sergeant who is assistant coach in charge of morale for the Green Bay Packers, started right at the top today in his self-appointed task. Sgt. Blood, a storied football character from New Richmond, Wis., who spent seven seasons scoring touchdowns for the Packers, went to work on Don Hutson. Though Johnny earlier declared he would concentrate his morale building efforts for the professional champions the night of August 30 against the College All-Stars in Soldiers' field, he is using a broader program on Hutson. "See here, Don," he began, twisting his William Powell mustache. "I played professional football until I was 36. Now, you're only a lad of 32, and I've been disturbed at reports you are thinking of quitting. These bothered me much more than any fears of the Japs while I was overseas." Hutson assured Blood that he would be on hand the night of August 30 and for subsequent games in the NFL, whereupon the ambassador of morale buttonholed other members of Coach Curly Lambeau's cast in continuing his inspirational program. A couple of days ago when Hutson put on his first real burst of speed going after a pass the exhibition actually startled Lambeau. Curly reiterated a statement he made in his series of All-Star stories last month in the Tribune, that Hutson had lost none of his dazzling speed. Hutson's speed is deceptive because he takes effortless strides. There is none of the facial or muscular strain that characterized most sprinters. Even so, Hutson has a challenger this fall. He is Clyde Goodnight, rookie end from Tulsa university. The players and coaches are anticipating a speed duel when sprints soon are started among the players at different positions.
LAMBEAU IS GIVEN CONCESSIONS ON RULE CODE FOR ALL-STAR TILT
AUG 17 (Green Bay) - Coach Curly Lambeau prepared today to send the Packers through their first full length scrimmage Saturday morning, meanwhile reporting results of a rules meeting with the five-man coaching staff of the All-Stars. The rules, a combination of the college and NFL codes, will be used in the Aug. 30 game between the Packers and collegians at Chicago. Lambeau was somewhat disappointed that the new pro rule governing putting the ball in play 20 yards inside the sidelines instead of 15 yards after an out-of-bounds was not adopted but he was satisfied with three other concessions approved by Head Coach Bernie Bierman and his four assistants on the All-Star staff. The new pro rule would have sped up the game by allowing more latitude in choice of plays after an out-of-bounds...PASS FROM ANY POINT: The pro-college rule amalgam will include the provision that passers may throw the ball behind the line of scrimmage (pro), use of a one-inch tee on kickoffs, and college dead ball rule with the exception that the ball carrier in the open may continue if he falls or touches any part of his body to the ground if he is 10 yards from any defender when the tumble occurs. Throwing of a forward pass from any point behind the scrimmage line will help open up the game, he believes, since it eliminates the necessity for the passer to be five yards back as in college contests. A second pass, generally the result of an attempted lateral, will be penalized by putting the ball in play where it started. The
pro rule provides loss of a down and five-yard penalty while the college rule nullifies the entire gain...POSTS ON GOAL LINE: Although Coach Bierman wanted the goal posts set back 10 yards, the pro provision which puts them on the goal line will be used, the Packer coach reported. The obvious result is that attempted field goals will have 10 yard less to travel. Bierman probably held for the college rule because he knows the professional teams' wide use of the field goal has provided an effective scoring weapon. Three provisions in the college rules to be used include: no flying block or flying tackles permitted, no hands on face after initial charge nor illegal use of hands, and prohibition against the defense running with a recovered fumble except when recovered before the ball has hit the ground...PRESENT AT MEETING: Sitting in at the rules conference in Evanston, where the All-Stars are getting in plenty of work for the 12th renewal of the game. were Bierman, Assistant Coaches Jeff Cravath of Southern California, Jim Lookabaugh of Oklahoma A and M, Howie Oneil of Yale, and Arch Ward, Chicago Tribune sports editor, director of the contest. Working out with the squad this morning was Capt. Herman Rohrig, who is on leave from Fort Worth, Tex, Army Air field. Weighing 190 pounds and in excellent condition after several weeks' practice with the air field team, Rohrig will be used at the right halfback spot in the All-Star game. Lambeau said he has been playing quarterback in the T-formation under Maj. Doug Fessenden at Fort Worth. Rohrig, former Nebraska star, left here the week after the 1941 season closed. He received a commission at Miami, and is a member of the physical training staff at the field...WHITES TO PLAY BLUES: The makeup of starting squads for the regulation scrimmage Saturday morning was announced during today's drill, lengthiest of the year. It extended beyond the noon hour and took the place of a double practice scheduled today. The squad will be divided into the Whites and Blues with three recruits on the former and one of the latter. The first injuries of the season showed up today. Bill Kuusisto, veteran guard, missed the drill to have an X-ray taken of a knee injury sustained in live tackling practice two days ago. The extent of the injury was not known this afternoon. Two others have pulled muscles but practiced. They are Irv Comp and Paul Rabalis.
PACKER EXHIBITIONS
AUG 17 (Green Bay) - Lifting of travel restrictions today will permit the Green Bay Packers to play two exhibition games in September, it was noted here. On Sept,13, the 1944 NFL champions are scheduled to play an exhibition in Philadelphia, and on Sept. 23 they are booked for a contest with the Redskins in Washington.
PACKERS TEST SELVES TODAY IN SCRIMMAGE
AUG 17 (Green Bay) - The preliminary phase of the Green Bay Packers' preparations for the College All-Star game ended today. Nine days of hard work has cushioned the professional champions, at least so the coaches hope, for tomorrow's intrasquad contest. They will be playing as hard, said Headman Curly Lambeau, as though it were the night of August 30, which is the date the Packers move into Soldiers' field for their march with Bernie Bierman's college dandies. After today's drill, longest to date, Lambeau announced the starting lineups for tomorrow's game. Only four of the 13 freshmen were named among the 22, three of them on the Whites. These are the Tulsa twins, Clyde Goodnight and Nolan Luhn, who will man the ends, and Ed Neal, 287 pound right tackle from Tulane. Paul Lipscomb, 230 pound tackle from Tennessee, the other newcomer, will be on the right side of the Blues' line. The Blues' backfield is a familiar one, employing Larry Craig at left half, Joe Laws at right half and Ted Fritsch at fullback. This is a veteran unit which had more than a little to do with the Packers' triumph last December over the New York Giants in the NFL title game. In the rival backfield will be Ben Starrett at quarterback, Roy McKay at left half, Lou Brock at right half, and Don Perkins at fullback. This is an all-veteran combination except for McKay, who was sidelined by a knee injury most of the last season. All of the 37 players in camp, with the possible exception of Bill Kuusisto, will be in there sooner or later. Kuusisto, veteran guard, suffered a knee injury in tackling drill and an X-ray was taken tonight to determine if there is a bone chip.
PACKERS DISAPPOINT IN FIRST SCRIMMAGE OF SEASON; WHITES DEFEAT BLUES BY 7-0 SCORE
AUG 18 (Green Bay) - Lack of condition, a mental attitude that is not sharp, and frequent mistakes had Coach Curly Lambeau and his aides shaking their heads today after a full length scrimmage which gave Lou Brock's White team a 7-0 victory over the Blues, captained by Charley Brock. A crowd of about 250 fans watched the Blues fail to convert three scoring chances and the Whites break a scoreless tie to punch over in the last half minute. The Packer coach, who is not just giving out "bear" stories when he expresses concern over the approaching contest against the College All-Stars, administered a verbal spanking to team members after the scrimmage. He lashed out at several veterans, told the team "to get a better mental attitude because we don't want to be a mediocre ball club". The hot sun made playing conditions a little less than ideal but it served to show up those who were not down to playing weight nor in proper condition. That there will be long drills next week was indicated when Lambeau went into a huddle with the other coaches to talk it over. The head coach jotted down all the mistakes that were made. He promised another scrimmage sometime next week...THREE ARE INJURED: The session was not without its casualties. Halfback Paul Duhart pulled a muscle in his left shoulder, tackle Paul Lipscomb hurt his ribs, and center Ralph Hammond sustained a knee injury. The team physician said the injuries to Duhart and Lipscomb are not serious and he had ordered an X-ray of Hammond's knee to determine the extent of the hurt. When the scrimmage first started it looked as though the Whites would be snowed under but three Blue scoring thrusts failed. The only touchdown came after a 62-yard march by the Whites with halfbacks Lou Brock and Roy McKay doing the principal work to advance the ball to the three-yard line. McKay scored. Bob Adkins kicked the extra point with Brock holding. The scoring march was set up when fullback Don Perkins of the Whites blocked a field goal attempt by Ted Fritsch. The ball rolled out of bounds on the Blues' 38. Brock got into Blue territory with a 16-yard dash, Perkins lugged it five and a pass attempt was no good. On third down, Lou picked up two and then skirted left end to the 13...MOVE DOWN TO ONE: McKay passed to Brock on the six, on another
pass and then Lou punched through for a first down on the one. Perkins lost two, a pass failed and then McKay rammed over. The scrimmage was called off shortly after. Lambeau called the squad together and used plain language to tell them what he thought. A little punishment in the form of 20-yard wind sprints finished the morning's workout. The Blues got off to a good start as the passing combination of halfback Irv Comp and Don Hutson went to work on the very first play. The Blues had taken the ball on their own 20. Comp faded back and Hutson zoomed down the field to snag the pass. Faced by three would-be tacklers, he put on a burst of speed that left them empty-handed. He wound up on the 23, where he was stopped by McKay. The scoring chance was lost when the Whites held. Shortly after Capt. Charley Brock of the Blues intercepted a White pass on his own 30 and again the Hutson-Comp combination clicked for a 30-yard gain. After a running play by Ted Fritsch, Lipscomb recovered Comp's fumble on the 25. Two plays gained 10 and then Comp tossed to Hutson on the eight. Comp got a first down but the Whites braced, and they shoved the Blues back to the 17. On fourth down a pass from Comp to Hutson was too far...BLUES LOSE CHANCE: Shortly after the Blues got another chance but lost it on the two and a half. The Whites thereafter had the better of the argument especially on protection of the passer. But the session was a keen disappointment to Lambeau, who may be somewhat afraid that too many are remembering that 1944 was a championship year and forgetting that 1945 is yet to be played.
THREE PACKERS ARE INJURED IN PRACTICE GAME
AUG 18 (Green Bay) - The Green Bay Packers suffered a double jolt today in their intracamp battle leading up to their August 30 game against the College All-Stars in Chicago's Soldiers' field. More important than the Whites' 7 to 0 triumph over the Blues were injuries to three players and a performance, which for ineffectiveness, shocked Coach Curly Lambeau and his associates. Paul Duhart, right halfback, suffered a shoulder injury in a collision with Lou Brock; Ralph Hammond, rookie center, was whacked on the knee and assisted from the field, and Paul Lipscomb, 240 pound tackle from Tennessee, was kayoed with a rib bruise. Hammond was most seriously injured of the trio. He was taken to St. Vincent hospital for heat and diathermy treatments to heal strained ligaments in his knee. Dr. Henry S. Atkinson, club physician, said Hammond, former University of Pittsburgh player, probably will be able to rejoin the team Monday or Tuesday. The deltoid muscle in Duhart's left shoulder was bruised. Lipscomb's rib injury is not serious, Dr. Atkinson reported. There was no score until the final minutes when Roy McKay, the Texas cowboy, plowed over from the 3 yard line on a reverse. Sgt. Bob Adkins, who is with the Packers during furlough, then kicked the extra point. This was the signal for Lambeau to call off hostilities and herd the players away from the sideline crowd to deliver a scorching oration. Even so, his raised voice could be heard at times and this much was caught: "You've got to get a better mental attitude, boys. We don't want to be a mediocre team against the All-Stars. Get in shape. There was no reason for such an exhibition." They had played under a broiling sun and were weary, but Lambeau sentenced them to run a series of 20 yard sprints. Their faces were sweaty, grim, and somewhat dejected as they were excused. Later, Lambeau said the scrimmage proved that the squad is behind in its conditioning and that the cure will be harder work from now on. He thought some were guilty of carelessness. Assignments were missed. Even the veterans made mistakes. Joe Laws, in charge of the Blues, who had the best personnel when the game started, thrice failed to score on his choice of plays inside the 10 yard line. The Whites' touchdown was made under the direction of veteran Lou Brock. The scrimmage did have its compensations. Robert Cope, 202 pounder from Arkansas, and Ken Keuper, burly fullback from Georgia and a 1943 All-Star, were outstanding among the new men. Bob Flowers' play at backing up the line for the Whites also was a bright feature, and McKay was effective both on offense and defense.
PACKERS ENJOY FIRST RESPITE IN 10 DAYS OF TOIL
AUG 19 (Green Bay) - This was a day of meditation for the Green Bay Packers. They had plenty to think about in the light of their ragged performance in yesterday's scrimmage and the resultant tongue lashing from Coach Curly Lambeau. They know now, for sure, that a vast all-around improvement must be forthcoming or they will suffer the same fate in the College All-Star game August 30 as did the Washington Redskins two years ago. Lambeau, too, perhaps wanted the entire day to meditate, for there was no practice today. This was the first break after 10 successive days of drills. "Some of our better boys were getting leg weary," explained Curly, "and I felt they had earned the right to rest. We're far behind our schedule, but tomorrow we're making a new start. The scrimmage showed us that many of the players have developed careless habits, and this goes for some of those who helped us win the championship last year. Our first concern is to develop a better mental attitude. Then we've got to iron out all the mechanical faults which developed. We originally planned to work on new plays as the first order of business this week, but these will have to be postponed until we get other more important factors straightened out." The customary two-hour workout will be held in the mornings. Then, at 2:30 the laggards will be recalled to the practice field.
NATIONAL GRID LEAGUE TO HAVE COMPETITION IN 1946
AUG 20 (Chicago) - Uncle Sam's nipping of the Nips came late enough in the year to assure clear sailing for the NFL at the box office this fall, but there's still competition brewing for 1946. V-J day found an armed truce between the long-established NFL and the proposed All-American conference, which is chomping at the bit as it awaits return of prospective players from military service. Officials of the embryonic league admit that even if all their earmarked talent returned within a month, it would be impossible to start operations this year...READY TO GO IN 1946: But Arch Ward, sports editor of the Chicago Tribune and guiding light of the new circuit, asserted that the war's end came at exactly the right time for a 1946 getaway. "It probably will take three to six months before all our players return from service," Ward said. "By next August, then, the teams will be fully organized and we should be all set to get down to business." Thus far, the 25-year-old National league has ignored the hustling All-American, but the fur is bound to fly when such stars as Glenn Dobbs, Bob Steuber, Bill Daley, Angelo Bertelli, Paul Governali, Otto Graham, Gene Fekete, Eddie Prokop and Creighton Miller swap fighting clothes for grid togs. The All-America has signed all those players and many others likewise claimed by the National league. The new league once offered to confer with Commissioner Elmer Layden of the National league, who spurned the peace proposal, commenting that the proposed circuit didn't even own a football. All-America owners now are inclined, Ward warns, to "go after talent they want to matter where they find it. They have the money to attain their goal and they aren't afraid to spend it." The league holds franchises in three National league cities - New York, Chicago and Cleveland - and in Miami, Buffalo, Los Angeles and San Francisco, with an eighth city to be selected later. Ward admits that the battle of dollars for talent will play havoc with professional football generally and suggests that club owners in both leagues will be "downright stupid if they don't get together."
DOUBLE WORKOUT SET FOR GREEN BAY SQUAD
AUG 20 (Green Bay) - A week of two-a-day drills designed to bring the Packers to a peak by the Aug. 30 contest against the College All-Stars was outlined today by Coach Curly Lambeau after a morning session in which he found "some slight improvement" in all departments. The improvement was note by both Lambeau and Line Coach Walt Kiesling, who compared the morning session with a disappointing scrimmage Saturday. Lambeau hastened to add that the improvement still leaves the team "far from being the club that we will have to be to defeat the All-Stars." Some of the players will have to do considerable work to get in playing shape and the coaching staff will use afternoon periods to iron out mistakes, drill the club on assignments and mill over phases of the attack that can't be covered in the morning...VETERAN ENDS APPEAR: The squad was boosted to 39 this morning when ends Harry Jacunski and Alex Urban appeared for the first time. Jacunski, a veteran of six campaigns, arrived Sunday from South Bend, Ind., where he just finished summer practice at Notre Dame. Harry reported in good shape. He will return to Notre Dame immediately after the game continue his work as end coach. Urban's appearance was a pleasant surprise to Lambeau, who had scoured the country for about a month trying to locate him. Some time ago the Bay coach had given Alex up as "lost" and he almost fell over when the big end strode onto the practice field this morning, completely unannounced. Urban had been working in a furniture store in Toledo. He was discharged from the service last October after three years of service, 16 months of it in a field artillery outfit in the Solomons. Urban rejoined the team last fall. He played undergraduate football at South Carolina and joined the Packers in 1941. Shortly after he was inducted into the Army...SEVEN PRACTICE SUNDAY: The Packers took a day off Sunday to rest legs that were weary after Saturday's scrimmage. However, seven squad members worked out about an hour under Kiesling, Don Hutson and Johnny Blood. The head coach made special mention of the players' spirit in turning out voluntarily. Those who showed up were Baby Ray, Buckets Goldenberg, Bob Flowers, Herman Rohrig, Ray McKay, Larry Craig and Bob Adkins. Two of Saturday's casualties - halfback Paul Duhart and tackle Paul Lipscomb - worked out this morning, seemingly none the worse for injuries sustained in the scrimmage. Center Ralph Hammond, who suffered a knee injury, was to be released from the hospital today. He pulled a ligament but the hurt is not believed serious. Otherwise, the squad seemed to be in good shape although stiff and sore. Lambeau said another scrimmage would be held this week, but won't "before all our mistakes are out. The team will probably take it light next week. Departure for Chicago is scheduled for the morning of Aug. 29. A workout under the lights at Soldiers' Field will be held that night."
JACUNSKI, URBAN GIVE PACKERS POWER AT ENDS
AUG 20 (Green Bay) - The Green Bay Packers' roll call was answered today by two additional fellows, bringing the professional champions up to a numerical 39 for their battle the night of August 30, against the well-manned College All-Stars. The newcomers were Harry Jacunski and Alex Urban, veteran ends. Jacunski's arrival was expected, but Urban, who fought six months on Guadalcanal as a private 1st class, in the army, reported without any advance notices. Both were welcomed on a day when double drills began to hasten the squad's conditioning for the Soldiers' field extravaganza. Jacunski was conducted into the city by an old Chicago Bear, Gene Ronzani. The two are members of Notre Dame's football coaching staff and Jacunski will return to the Irish campus after participating in the Chicago game. Ronzani, who spurned a Bear contract to join Hugh Devore at Notre Dame, was en route to Iron Mountain to visit relatives. "If they'll just pitch a few to Jacunski the Packers will win the game," said Ronzani, who has much admiration for the Packers star. "Harry's been teaching the Notre Dame ends fundamental play by getting in there and taking hard knocks in practice," Gene added. Jacunski's physical condition drew glances of envy from some of the laggards who have been slowing up the Packers' preparations for the All-Stars. Urban, likewise, appeared in excellent condition. He joined the Packers in midseason of 1944 after drawing his army release. He had not communicated with the club this year and Coach Curly Lambeau had given him up for lost when Alex walked into the clubhouse today. Urban plays either end. He and Lambeau were to talk salary later in the day. These arrivals, plus the presence of Paul Duhart and Paul Lipscomb on the field, cut away some of the gloom which started forming last Saturday when the champions showed only enough scoring punch in an intra-squad game to make one touchdown. Duhart and Lipscomb both were injured in that clash, but showed no ill effects today. Ralph Hammond, rookie center, who suffered a bruised knee in the scrimmage, was released from the hospital today.
OFFICIALS ARE NAMED FOR ALL-STAR CONTEST
AUG 21 (Green Bay) - The stage is almost completely set today for the 12th annual College All-Star game with the naming of four officials who will handle the Aug. 30 contest in Soldier's field between the Packers and a select group of over 60 collegians. Ronald Gibbs, a veteran NFL referee, will have John Kelly of the pro circuit as headlinesman. Two Western conference officials, E.C. Krieger as umpire and William Blake as field judge, will handle other rule enforcement departments. The four were agreed upon at a meeting last week between Coach Curly Lambeau and Head Coach Bernie Bierman of the All-Stars. All that remains to be done before the annual classic is for the teams to sharpen their offensive and defensive tactics. In this, the Packers are holding drills twice a day. Coach Lambeau, while cautioning that much works remains to be done, has been pleased with improvement shown since last Sunday's dismal scrimmage...WON'T MAKE PREDICTIONS: The Bay coach is wary enough not to be drawn into any predictions about the outcome, explaining that too many factors "enter into the picture to make a guess about the outcome." If the temperature is right and the field is dry, he looks for a high-scoring contest, something like the last one in which the Packers appeared in 1940. The team won 45 to 28 that year to set a new scoring mark for the game. The nearest thing to a scrimmage since Saturday took place during this morning's two-hour session. Defensive linemen donned the blocking pads while the offense attempted an assorted collection of favorite Green Bay plays, including quite a few pass maneuvers. One shift in position sent Tiny Croft to left tackle from right. Lambeau, who is pleased with Croft's willingness to shed poundage, said the huge lineman probably would be used at right tackle on defense "because he does a good job of plugging holes there." After the workout, Croft did a few sprints with Johnny Blood, who seems to be thoroughly enjoying his role as the team's morale builder...GOOD DEFENSIVE WORK: Line Coach Walt Kiesling singled out guard Bob Cope, a newcomer from Arkansas, for his defensive work. Cope was at right guard on a squad which had Bill Kuusisto at tackle, Croft and Paul Lipscomb at tackle, Alex Urban, who reported Monday, and Nolan Luhn at ends with Bob Flowers at center. A defensive team, which later shifted to offense, opened with Larry Craig and Harry Jacunski at end, Baby Ray and Forrest McPherson at tackle, Charley Tollefson and Mike Bucchanieri at guard and Capt. Charley Brock at center. Several backfield combinations were used and a number of other linemen saw service in the contact work. The makeup of the starting team a week from Thursday probably won't be set by Lambeau until a few days before the game...MAY RAISE SQUAD LIMIT: The possibility that the Packers may have a squad of 33 men this season was seen today when Commissioner Elmer Layden of the National league said the number would be raised from 28 when President Truman issues his formal proclamation that hostilities have ceased. In the meantime, the Packers and the other professional clubs are going along under the war-dictated squad limit of 28. Lambeau said it is his belief that the limit should be raised to 33 because when the 28-rule was agreed upon in 1942 "it was to be for the duration of the war only." Now that the war is over, he feels that the rule is no longer operative. The Packers, however, will carry 28 until some clarification comes from the league's front office.
PACKER TALENT SIFTED FOR KEY MEN IN ATTACK
AUG 21 (Green Bay) - Seven Packers were throwing passes today as the professional champions reacted favorably to cloudy and coolish weather. These included four left halfbacks and the three right halfbacks. It emphasized that the Packers no longer have an Arnie Herber or Cecil Isbell, spectacular pass pitchers of other years. Further expanding of thoughts on the changed times for the pass minded Packers brought this question: "Who's going to be the main man in the backfield against the College All-Stars a week from Thursday night in Soldiers' field?" There is no apparent answer for this one. In 1943 the All-Stars knew the man to watch among the Washington Redskins was Sammy Baugh. The All-Stars were equally certain their main job was to stop Sid Luckman's aerials in the 1944 battle with the Chicago Bears. The collegians stopped Baugh, but not Luckman. Irv Comp is the Packers' No. 1 left halfback, the successor to Isbell. Comp, a large, serious fellow, has helped the Packers carry on the tradition as the most pass-minded team in professional football. But he has not yet reached the heights of a Herber or an Isbell. While it is likely that Comp will throw more passes than any of the other eligibles it could be that one of six others might make the pitch which could be the decisive factor in an anticipated close game. In making his passing attack more elastic Coach Curly Lambeau has drawn the right halfbacks into his scheme. This had added more deception to the attack. Many of the passes appear to be running plays at the start. The three right halves, Lou Brock, Joe Laws, and Herman Rohrig, are firing the ball regularly and today was no exception. In the Packers' system the right half calls the plays and technically is the quarterback. The quarterback is used almost exclusively as a blocker. The three blocking backs are Larry Craig, Ben Starrett, and Bob Adkins. Because of the nature of their work they get few headlines. Comp has three associates at left half. Roy McKay may prove to be the best of the trio. The Texan is a businesslike fellow who has proved that he can run, pass and kick. It may be that he will develop to be the Packers' best punter. Paul Duhart, who made good as a rookie last season, and Sid Tinsley are the other two left halfbacks. Adding to the uncertainty as to which of these seven will be the outstanding passer against the All-Stars is the open question on the identity of the Packers' most devastating runner.
AT LEAST THREE EXHIBITION TILTS FOR PACKERS BEFORE BEAR BATTLE
AUG 21 (Green Bay) - Although the Packers' immediate objective is the All-Star game, they are now assured of having at least three exhibition contests before they tangle with the Chicago Bears in the first regular season tilt here Sept. 30. Coach Curly Lambeau said today that the three non-league tests had been approved following the recent lifting of the transportation ban. The first exhibition will be against the Philadelphia Eagles in the eastern city's huge Municipal Stadium on the night of Sept. 13. The second is scheduled for Sept. 19 at Hershey, Pa., against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The finale will be Sept. 23 against the Washington Redskins in the nation's capital. The Packer-Eagle game is the annual charity benefit sponsored by the Philadelphia Inquirer...SHOULD GET EXPERIENCE: The eastern contests plus the All-Star game next week should not only benefit the squad as a whole but will be of particular value to recruits who yet must have their first taste of rough professional football competition, Lambeau said. The coach added that it should not be forgotten that the All-Star squad will present the first formidable test of 1945. An arrival and a departure occurred in the Packers' camp today, as they continued two-a-day practices. The arrival was Dr. Paul Berezney, veteran right tackle, who blew into town Tuesday evening from St. Petersburg, Fla. The departing player was guard Frank Hazard of Nebraska. Hazard left without notice, apparently after discovering that he would be unable to reach playing weight. Berezney's arrival gives the Packers a team that started the 1944 championship game against the New York Giants. This group, fans will recall, included Berezney and Baby Ray, tackles; Harry Jacunski and Don Hutson, ends; Buckets Goldenberg and Bill Kuusisto, guards; Capt. Charley Brock, center; Larry Craig, Ted Fritsch, Joe Laws and Irv Comp in the backfield...RECEIVE LAST PLAYS: Today the squad received the last list of plays to be used against the collegians and they will employ them in a secret scrimmage set for Friday morning. The rough work will taper off after that until next Wednesday night, when the final pregame drill is scheduled for Soldiers' Field. The only serious casualty on the squad is center Ralph Hammond, who is still having trouble with a knee injury sustained last Saturday. The former Pittsburgh pivot man is still receiving hospital treatment but will be allowed to attend drills without doing any work. It is doubtful whether he will be in shape for the All-Star game, Lambeau said. Asst. Coach Don Hutson will take a rest Thursday, when he is to represent the Packers at the annual Junior Association of Commerce All-Star luncheon at the Hotel Sherman. The star end has been doing double duty during practice and has given no evidence that he is slowing up any. He is definitely slated for action in Chicago but as for games after that anybody's guess is good. Several more of the veterans working out have signed contracts, Lambeau reported, explaining that they should be not be classed as "holdouts" because time just hasn't been found previously to talk over terms. Most recent signers are center Bob Flowers, Fritsch and Ray.
DOC BEREZNEY TO TREAT PACKERS TACKLE TROUBLES
AUG 22 (Green Bay) - The Packers' right tackle problem eased today with the arrival of Dr. Paul Berezney, a budding young surgeon from the Florida west coast. The doctor, regular custodian of this spot in the Green Bay line for three seasons, hopes to make up for lost time and qualify to start against the College All-Stars a week from tomorrow night in Soldiers' field. He may play with the world champions all season. Tiny Croft, Forrest McPherson, and 285 pound Ed Neal have been working at right tackle, but Berezney's presence may cause Croft's return to left tackle, his normal position. McPherson has been moved from center to help bolster right tackle, but the chunky veteran is standing by for a possible call at center not that it appears Pete Hammond will be lost for the game. Hammond, former Pitt center, still is taking treatments for an injured knee and is out of uniform...The Packers' squad now numbers 39, top personnel for a pro team in the All-Star series in three years. The roster included three centers, eight guards, seven tackles, eight end, three quarterback, four left halfbacks, three right halfbacks and three fullbacks...The Packers approached a full blown scrimmage in a bristling workout this morning under ideal weather conditions. A defensive team wearing blocking pads tried to mess up running and passing maneuvers. For the first time the champions tried their skill at field goal kicking, with Don Hutson, Ted Fritsch and Glen Sorenson taking turns. The Bears won last year's All-Star game on a field goal by Pete Gudauskas, an erstwhile Packer, by the way. Coach Curly Lambeau cleared the field of spectators to give the session an added appearance of importance. The squad went back to the field in the afternoon for more instructions on assignments and strategy to be used against the All-Stars...Friends of Jimmy Crowley, commissioner of the new All-America football conference, are awaiting his arrival here Sunday for a visit. Crowley started his brilliant football career at Green Bay's East High school and his coach in the 1919 and 1920 seasons was Curly Lambeau. Crowley will go to Chicago from Green Bay for the All-Star game and a meeting of the All-America conference.
NO MORE SPECTATORS AT PACKER WORKOUTS
AUG 23 (Green Bay) - The Packers started their third week of practice today for the encounter next Thursday evening against the College All-Stars in Chicago's mammoth Soldiers' field and from now on the lid will be on as far as the customers who would like to ogle the drills are concerned. What transpires in the sessions hereafter and until game time will be "top secret" as Coach Curly Lambeau feels it may give and comfort to the enemy. Meanwhile, the collegians are working their head off at Northwestern university's stadium in Evanston. Head Coach Bernie Bierman and his aides have been unrelenting in driving the All-Star squad through offensive and defensive maneuvers. The reason back of this probably is not only do the coaches and squad want to win the game, but, more than that, they must win to keep the old question of "Who is best, the pros or collegians?" alive...PROFESSIONAL HAVE EDGE: In the 11 games thus far, the professional teams have had the better of the argument. The pros have won six games, lost three and tied two. A victory for the Packers next week would present National league fans with a pretty fair argument that the collegians aren't so tough and that a good pro team can beat a good college squad. The fact that this year's All-Star squad is just about the best, if not the best, ever assembled by the sponsors of the game is what has the Packer coaching staff worried. Reports trickling back from the collegians' camp indicate that they not only are in top physical and mental condition but that they are being given additional boosts through an appeal to their pride...ROSTER NUMBER 66: Coach Lambeau has constantly repeated both off and on the field that the All-Stars are going to be tougher this year than ever before. A glance at the roster - now numbering a mere 66 - bears him out. Many players have as much experience in football as second and third year veterans of the Packers with the exception, of course, that they have not played at all together. Take the backfield candidates for example. Such college stars as Les Horvath of Ohio State, Charley Trippi of Georgia, Walter Schlinkman, Texas Tech, Ernie Bonelli of Pittsburgh; Babe Dimanchoff of Purdue, Jim Dewar of Indiana, Don Greenwood, Illinois, Bob Kennedy of Washington, Tom Harmon of Michigan and 15 or 16 others are ready to throw everything that have against the Bays...LEAD BIG TEN CHAMPIONS: Horvath directed the Buckeyes last season when the team won the Big Ten championship. Greenwood was the Illinois' quarterback in 1943-444. Trippi, with three years experience on service teams since he played on Georgia's Rose Bowl team, is a great competitor and may make Georgians forget about Frankie Sinkwich. Kennedy surpassed the Pacific coach conference ground gaining record held by Kenny Washington of UCLA. Bonelli made grid history at Pitt, when the Panthers were the scourge of college football. The All-Star line is just as potent. While the collegians are getting up a full head of steam, the Packers are not wasting any time. They'll hold their final scrimmage behind closed doors Friday morning and then begin to taper off. All the plays they will use have been issued and practice tactics from now on will be directed toward making their execution perfect.
PACKERS TO BAR FANS AT DRILL TODAY
AUG 23 (Green Bay) - If the All-Stars game were to be played tomorrow, instead of a week from tonight, Coach Curly Lambeau confesses he would be almost at a total loss to name the Green Bay Packers' starting lineup. After today's drills he declared his mind is made up on just two starters and that the other nine positions are open. "The only definite starters," he said after some deliberation, "are Don Hutson at left end and Larry Craig at blocking back." This puts such standouts as Capt. Charley Brock and Ted Fritsch in the doubtful class at kickoff time under the Soldiers' field lights, and this is why tomorrow's secret scrimmage will do much toward helping Lambeau make up his mind on his opening combination. To eliminate all spectators, the scrimmage has been set for City stadium, home of the Packers. The gates will be locked after the squad takes the field 9:30 a.m. Left half? The No. 1 fellow last season was Irv Comp. He completed 80 of 177 passes in National league competition, 12 for touchdowns. But Comp is being pressed to the hilt by Roy McKay, the Texas cowboy, twice a college All-Star. Right half? Lou Brock
was the main man at this spot in '44. But he has two earnest rivals in Joe Laws and Capt. Herman Rohrig of the air forces. Fullback? Fritsch doubtless will get the call. But it won't be for lack of effort by Don Perkins and Ken Keuper. Ted, along with Comp, led the Packers in pass interceptions last season, each having six. Capt. Brock doubtless will start at center, but the performance of Bob Flowers, the blond Texan, has been outstanding during the two weeks the Packers have been working. Eight guard have been engaging in a free for all. At right guard Buckets Goldenberg has Pete Tinsley, Bill Kuusisto, and Mike Bucchianeri as formidable rivals. Lambeau may have to pick from his hat one of these four for left guard: Glen Sorenson, Charles Tollefson, Ray Monaco and Bob Cope. At right tackle are Dr. Paul Berezney, Paul Lipscomb, and Ed Neal, both newcomers, and Forrest McPherson. Lipscomb may be a little ahead of the competition, because Berezney, 1944 regular, arrived only yesterday. Baby Ray rates as the starting left tackle while drawing stubborn opposition from Tiny Croft, the Chicago born behemoth. Harry Jacunski, making the All-Star game his final fling, doubtless will start at right end despite all that rookie Nolan Luhn and Joel Mason can do about it. During drill this morning the Packers tossed some 35 running and passing plays against various alignments representing the College All-Stars' defense. Safety men spent considerable time handling punts under game conditions
BOOK LEARNING IS PART OF DAILY ROUTINE FOR PACKER GRID SQUAD
AUG 24 (Green Bay) - The average football fan figures that the only preparation a football team needs for a game is the regular daily practice, but this is not the case either with the Packers, now well toward the end of long drills for next Thursday's game against the College All-Stars, or any other team, the collegians included. True, the Packers have been working out twice daily this week to get split-second timing on plays and to work on several types of defense, any one of which they may have to use against the All-Stars. Butt the players have had to do more than that. The extra combat sessions might be termed "book learning", that is learning theory and applying it to situations that might arise during the game. For example, Coach Curly Lambeau has met off the field with the three men whose job it will be to direct the team's offense in Soldiers' field. They are right halfbacks Lou Brock, Joe Laws and Herman Rohrig. Actually, they play the role of quarterbacks. But in the Lambeau system the quarterbacks do the blocking and the right halfbacks the signal calling plus whatever running, passing or kicking happens to be needed...LAMBEAU SUGGESTS SITUATIONS: During the extra sessions, the quartet sits down before a large blackboard on which a miniature football field is laid out. Then the teacher suggests to the pupils a situation which could occur in a game. The signal callers have to come up with the right answer. It's mostly just theory but constant hammering at theory gives the quarterbacks a solid foundation that comes in handy during the hear of battle. That's just one phase of the off-the-field preparations. Thursday, the entire squad met to discuss the rules which will be used in the All-Star game. Since the code is a combination of NFL and intercollegiate rules, it would not pay to have the Packers caught short on some rule which they ordinarily would not be bounds by. The rules meeting also served to acquaint recruits with the main body of pro regulations...MUST STUDY ASSIGNMENTS: When the team is not on the field or in skull sessions, the individual members are expected to study their assignments on plays so that when the examination papers are passed around they don't flunk. Ordinarily, a flunk means just a small fine if the grade isn't too far under passing. But it has happened that a player here and there has been sent home for failing to pass. Such full-time work will continue after the All Star game, but the fact remains that the forthcoming contest will give the test to what has been accomplished. The power of the collegians has become something of an obsession with Lambeau. "We realize they're the best coached and best conditioned squad in the history of the series," he proclaims on the slightest provocations. "That's why we're stressing condition, assignments, offense, defense and proper mental attitude...RIGHT SIDE BOLSTERED: The Bay coach said today that two latecomers but both veterans, end Harry Jacunski and tackle Paul Berezney, are rapidly fitting into the picture. Jacunski reported 10 days late and Berezney came into camp Wednesday. Their presence for the All-Star game will bolster the right side of the where both had been regular starters for the last several seasons. Lambeau announced that center Ralph Hammond, a recruit from Pittsburgh, definitely would not be in shape to play next week because of a knee injury sustained last Saturday. Veteran guard Pete Tinsley has also been laid up with a back injury he received in the season's first scrimmage. Pete, however, should be available...FULL LENGTH SCRIMMAGE: Several of the players were excused from practice Thursday afternoon to allow them to rest tired legs, which needed to be in shape for this morning's full-dress scrimmage. The session was conducted behind locked gates on the City stadium turf. Out of performances in the scrimmage will come the starting lineup for the Packers' third start against the collegians. Lambeau indicated rough work would be held at a minimum from now on to leave the chance for injuries that would be extremely costly at this late date.
ARNOLD HERBER, FORMER PACKER GREAT, PLANS TO RETURN TO N.Y. GIANTS
AUG 24 (New York) - Arnie Herber, veteran forward passing star of the Green Bay Packers who made a football comeback with the New York Giants last season, has signed for another season, President John V. Mara announced Thursday. Herber wrote that he was confident of bettering his 1944 record.
LARRY CRAIG'S BROTHER DIES OF HEART ATTACK
AUG 24 (Green Bay) - Larry Craig, Packers' blocking back, received word about 2:30 this afternoon that his brother, Edward, 36, had died of a heart attack while working on the Craig farm at Six Mile, S.C., this morning. The Packer players plans to go to South Carolina for funeral services, which had not as yet been arranged.
PACKERS WHITES WIN ON COMP TO HUTSON PASS
AUG 24 (Green Bay) - A 51 yard touchdown pass thrown by Irv Comp and fielded by Don Hutson was the play which gave the Packer Whites a 14 to 7 victory over the Blues today. Played on the velvety turf of City stadium, the 45 minute scrimmage brought to a climax the strenuous portion of the professional champion's preparations for next Thursday night's game with the College All-Stars in Soldiers' field. Coach Curly Lambeau told them what they wanted to hear - that in comparison to last Saturday's intrasquad game they looked like champions today. The Whites won the earlier scrimmage, 7 to 0. Lambeau quickly added these disquieting observations. This is no trick to deceive the All-Stars. The Packers have a number of elderly gentlemen, and many of them were late in reporting. Among those who were kept out of today's scrimmage was Harry Jacunski, the champions' starting right end of 1944. His legs are giving him trouble. The Packers have only five days left until they rush onto the gridiron in Soldiers' field to meet the challenge of the All-Stars. Hutson reminded them of this just before the scrimmage when he yelled, "C'mon, it's getting late. Less than a week to go before the game." As for the scrimmage, the Whites had possession of the ball six times to the Blues' five. The Whites' starting lineup may have been pretty close to the 11 who will lineup next Thursday night. It went like this: Huston, left end; Baby Ray, left tackle; Glen Sorenson, left guard; Capt. Charley Brock, center; Buckets Goldenberg, right guard; Paul Berezney, right tackle; Joel Mason, right end; Larry Craig, quarterback; Comp, left half; Lou Brock, right half; Ted Fritsch, fullback. The Whites started out on their 45 yard line and Fritsch spun over the defensive right side for 33 yards. On the next play Tiny Croft hit Paul Duhart so hard that the left halfback fumbled, Don Perkins recovering for the Blues on the 12. After Perkins hit for 15 yards, Comp intercepted Roy McKay's pass at midfield and was chased out of bounds on the Blues' 9. Fritsch was piled up for a 3 yard loss. Comp dashed thru to the 4 and Fritsch ploughed over center for a touchdown. Hutson kicked the point. The Blues couldn't gain, and McKay quick-kicked 60 yards to Lou Brock and returned the ball to the Whites' 29. Then came three straight pass completions by Comp. Fritsch took the first one for 11 yards. Craig caught the next pitch for 9 to the Whites' 49. The count was second down and a yard to go. The Blues perhaps figured Lou Brock would call a running play. But Comp took the ball, faded back and Hutson made a leaping catch on the Blues' 12, then loped over. His kick for the point made it 14 to 0. The Whites stopped the Blues in two series of downs, but failed the third time. To set up the touchdown, Jow Laws recovered Duhart's fumble on the Whites' 27. McKay's first pass was incomplete, but Clyde Goodnight took the next one in the clear. He jogged back and touched the ball to the turf on the 4 yard line, forgetting that under the All-Star and professional rules the goal posts are on the goal line and not 10 yards back. Lambeau quickly detected the error, which would have been a monumental bonehead play in Thursday night's game. Goodnight, who is being touted as the new Hutson, was somewhat sheepish, and he won't make the same mistake again.
NIGHT WORK SET FOR PACKERS NEXT WEEK
AUG 25 (Green Bay) - The Packers finished day practice for the All-Star game this morning and Monday and Tuesday nights they will spend the evening hours at City stadium to become accustomed to playing under the lights, Coach Curly Lambeau said today. The morning hours next week will be given over to skull sessions and written quizzes on plays to be used in the game against the Collegians in Soldiers' field next Thursday night. The Bay coach expressed satisfaction with the improvement shown by the Packers in Friday morning's scrimmage, when the offense clicked with some merriment for the first time. But a note of caution crept into Lambeau's voice when he discussed the scrimmage. "Too much fumbling, too many rough spots, not enough physical condition," he mused as the thought it over. "We're especially concerned over the physical condition of some players." The difficulty in that situation is that the head coach and his assistants can't order too much running and other conditioning tactics from now on because it would make the players leg weary...WHITES DEFEAT BLUES: Actually, the scrimmage produced a 14 to 7 victory for the Whites over the Blues, reversing last week's 7-0 margin of Friday's losers. The winning tally was a 51-yard touchdown pass from halfback Irv Comp to end Don Hutson. The other Blue was punched over by fullback Ted Fritsch from the 4-yard line after Comp had intercepted Roy McKay's pass at midfield and raced back to the Blues' nine. Two running plays brought it to the four. Hutson kicked both points after for the winners. The Blues' consolation touchdown was set up by Joe Laws, when he recovered Paul Duhart's fumble on the Whites' 27. McKay's first pass was incomplete but Clyde Goodnight took the next one in the clear and jogged down to what he thought was the goal line but actually was the four. The Tulsa end had forgotten that the goal posts are on the goal line and not 10 yards back as in college football...INDICATIONS ARE PROMISING: Fortunately, no one was injured in Friday's rough workout and the only member of the squad of 39 who will not see action in the game is center Ralph Hammond, laid up with a bad knee. There were other promising indications in the scrimmage, including the work of two recruits, tackle Paul Lipscomb of Tennessee and Goodnight of Tulsa. The Packer coach described their work as satisfactory in all departments. Although touchdowns were scored in the battle the thing that worried Lambeau is that at least four other scoring marches were nullified by bad ball handling. One fumble came after an 80-yard march and at least three others proved costly when the offensive team was deep in "enemy" territory. But the net result of the entire affair was that the squad showed considerable improvement in its second major trial...LITTLE CONTACT WORK: Little contact work is scheduled for next week. The players will get several examinations on assignments and the faults that showed up Friday. Line Coach Walt Kiesling, incidentally, is rapidly taking his place in the Packer organization and had proved to be a serious and conscientious worker who is rapidly gaining the respect of the linemen. Packer fans of 10 and more years ago would take great delight in watching Morale Builder Johnny Blood go through the paces on the drill field. The former Packer star has gained about nine pounds since he arrived here last week and it wouldn't be too surprising if he asked if he could suit up with other members of the squad next Thursday night. At 41, he figures he could still go for a little while anyway.
CRAIG TO GO HOME
AUG 25 (Green Bay) - Larry Craig, Packer blocking back, was attempting today to get transportation to his home in South Carolina to attend funeral services Sunday afternoon for his brother, Edward, who died suddenly of a heart attack Friday morning while at work on the family farm. If Craig obtains air travel to his home, he plans to rejoin the team in Chicago next Wednesday for the final workout that night for the All-Star game on Thursday. Lacing travel accommodations, the veteran star will remain with the team until Thursday night and leave for his home immediately after.
PACKERS STUDY DEFENSE FOR ALL-STAR PLAYS
AUG 25 (Green Bay) - There comes a time when a football team must forget its own grandiose scoring schemes and start wondering what to expect when the other eleven has the ball. So tomorrow the Green Bay Packers, perhaps the most touchdown-minded unit in all football, will tackle the problem of a defense to stop, or at least slow up, the College All-Stars next Thursday night in Soldiers' field. Since August 9, the world professional champions have been offensive minded and, even through their attack still has rough edges, the running out of time dictates that attention be turned up to throwing up their guard against the All-Stars' onslaught. Coach Curly Lambeau and his aids insisted after today's brisk workout they had no idea what to expect when they are on defense. They would have welcomed an invitation to watch this afternoon's appearance of the All-Stars at Great Lakes, just to get an idea, you know. Walt Kiesling, the Packers' line coach, who is a Minnesota native, spoke for the board of strategy when he remarked that the collegians, coached by Bernie Bierman, will make few mistakes. Bierman, Walter pointed out, is one of the great teachers of fundamental football, "and he will have the boys in top condition, too," said Kiesling, with no relaxation of the grim lines in his face. Lambeau reiterated previous utterances that playing the All-Stars is the toughest assignment which comes to a professional coach and his team. Of course, the All-Stars will have no patent on springing surprises in their tactics. Lambeau pulled a pretty slick job himself last December to beat the New York Giants in the championship game which qualified the Packers for the assignment in the lakefront stadium. The Packers want to get their hands on the ball at the first opportunity. The Giants, who play for breaks, would rather kick off and play for breaks. In the title game, Don Hutson lost the toss and stamped his feet in simulated anger. This gave the eastern champions the choice of goals. They elected to take the goal with the wind at their backs and logically figures the Packers would choose to receive. But Hutson, now the calm Hutson of old, cooly said his team would kick off. This also meant that at the start of the second half, the Packers would get their choice. Here the Giants learned again, to their sorrow, that the western champions would kick off. Of the five kickoffs made in that game, four were booted by Green Bay. It was Lambeau's idea that the Giants did not have the attacking power to move out of their territory. And he had another ace up his storm coat sleeves. Knowing the Giants had the sort of personnel which would make mandatory substitutions when they were changing from defense to offense, Curly instructed his men to play the type of game which would minimize timeouts. An incomplete pass, a punt, or a kickoff out of bounds would set up such a favorable situation for Steve Owen's warriors. So the Packers played old-fashioned, thru-the-line football, rarely passing. As a result the Giants soon used up their allotted times out, and later, when they got the ball, it was first down and 15 to go, or first down and 5 to go for the Packers when the ball changed sides.
PRO CHAMPIONS SWITCH DRILLS TO NIGHT SHIFT
AUG 26 (Green Bay) - The Green Bay Packers today said farewell to the sun and prepared to go on the night shift tomorrow in winding up preparations for Thursday evening's gridiron date with the College All-Stars in Soldiers' field. Chet Adams, army second lieutenant stationed at Camp Bullis, San Antonio, Tex., made a belated appearance and participated in the last daylight drills. Whether Adams will be able to bolster the well heeled tackle department after missing more than two weeks of practice is debatable. Adams at his best would be a valuable addition to the professional champions. He starred for the Cleveland Rams four seasons, then was lend-leased to Green Bay in 1943 when Cleveland suspended operations that season. Chet, 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing 240, was an All-NFL tackle. Adams gives the Packers seven tackles and their average weight is 254 pounds. Ralph Hammond, rookie center from Pitt, definitely is out of the All-Star game from a knee injury suffered more than a week ago, so the Packers' list of eligibles remains at 38. A classroom session starting at 9:30 o'clock tomorrow morning will launch the world champions' final phase of preparations. Tomorrow night they will drill under the City stadium lights. This program will be duplicated Tuesday. On Wednesday morning the Packers will leave for Chicago and set up headquarters in the Knickerbocker hotel. That evening they will exercise briefly in Soldiers' field. Today's activity developed to be a combination of defensive and offensive tactics. Line Coach Walt Kiesling instructed the linemen in proper spacing against various anticipated All-Star alignments. Meantime, Coach Curly Lambeau presided while the inevitable forward passing maneuvers were progressing. The champions also spent considerable time on kickoffs. The college rule will be in effect, making it mandatory for five players on the receiving team to line up between their own 45 yard line and midfield. Glen Sorenson, guard, probably will do most of the kicking off against the collegians.
COLLEGE ALL-STARS PEGGED AS TOUGH ENEMY FOR PACKERS
AUG 27 (Green Bay) - There still may be some lack of coordination, but if hard work and enthusiasm have anything to do with it, the College All-Stars will give the Green Bay Packers a long, hard night when they meet in Soldier field Thursday night in the annual football classic between the professional champions and the pick of the collegians. The All-Stars, easy victors against the Great Lakes Bluejackets last week, will end training Tuesday. "They look pretty good," Assistant Coach Ray Eliot said today, "but we could use more time in getting them ready. Individually, they are fine. More coordination in running plays and in defense is necessary, however."...TOUGH FOR PACKERS: "These players come from all parts of the country and have been playing different types of football. They haven't played together enough. But they'll make it plenty tough for the Packers." Head Coach Bernie Bierman, University of Minnesota mentor, gave no hint as to a possible starting lineup, but did say that Charlie Trippi, star of Georgia's 1943 Rose Bowl victory over UCLA, probably would start at tailback. Trippi injured his side in a scrimmage last week and did not play as the All-Stars thumped Great Lakes' inexperienced team, 35-0, Saturday. Trippi, who will be playing in his third All-Star game, Sunday was elected captain of the team, succeeding Pfc. Richard Barwegen, Purdue guard who captained the club last year. Barwegen apparently will not get into Thursday's game. He suffered a knee injury at Great Lakes that is expected to keep him on the bench. The collegians are coming up with a mixed offense, fashioned by Bierman, that may set the Packers back on their heels. Bierman especially has stressed a pass offense utilizing the new college rules that allow passing from any point back of the line of scrimmage. Running plays, short passes over the line of scrimmage and long passes off the same formation give the All-Stars a triple threat attack. "Of course, the Packers have some of the same things, and they'll be plenty tough for these boys," Eliot, University of Illinois grid chief, said. "But I know we'll make it tough for them, too."
PACKERS TO DRILL UNDER LIGHTS FOR TILT WITH ALL-STAR ELEVEN
AUG 27 (Green Bay) - Faced with the prospect of cramming several days work in half that time, the Packers take to the City stadium turf tonight for the first of three successive drills under the lights that will culminate in Thursday night's battle against the College All-Stars in Soldiers' field, Chicago, before a sellout crowd of more than 90,000 spectators. Some of the doubting Thomases among Packer fans have been inclined to underestimate the power of the collegians this year but they had an answer in the team's 35-0 victory over the Great Lakes Bluejackets on Saturday. Despite frequent warnings from Coach Curly Lambeau that "this years' All-Stars are the toughest team the pros have had to face since 1934", not a few fans have been overly optimistic about the Packers' chances...USE AERIAL TACTICS: The All-Stars will fight fire with fire if their victory if their victory over the Sailors is any indication. This means that aerial fireworks will be prominent in the attack of the collegians who scored five touchdowns via passes Saturday. All of the touchdown throws were made by young Perry Moss of Tulsa after brilliant running by ex-Michigan ace, Tom Harmon, and Ernie Bonelli of Pittsburgh had put the ball in position. Coach Lambeau took immediate cognizance of the game's outcome, repeating what he said all along. "We're going to be playing an all-college, all-service team squad and we're concerned." He said reports on the game indicated that Harmon, recently released from the air forces, "has never run like that before." Besides the ex-All American, the All-Stars are loaded with such stars as Charley Trippi of Georgia and Les Horvath of Ohio State...HOLD SKULL SESSIONS: The Packers spent this morning in the classroom going over details of strategy with the coaching staff and they will continue
hitting the books Tuesday morning. The last daylight practice was held Sunday when a two-hour workout meant anything but a layoff. Besides giving the players a chance to become accustomed to night work, drills tonight and Tuesday here, and Wednesday in Chicago, will be used to polish up the offense. The right tackle spot received another lift Sunday, when Chet Adams, who played with the team in 1943 after several seasons with Cleveland, reported. Adams, inducted into the Army after the 1943 season, came here from a Texas camp to spend a furlough. Although he reported late, Lambeau expects to use him against the All-Stars. The ex-Ohio university giant is a veteran of five years' play in the National league. When the Rams decided to forego competition in 1943, he was loaned to the Packers for that season. He sustained a leg injury in the campaign to retard his effectiveness somewhat although he started several contests. He is 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighs over 230. Larry Craig, veteran blocking back, has decided to remain with the team until after the All-Star game when he will go to his home in South Carolina for about a week. Craig's brother, Edward, died suddenly of a heart attack Friday. The veteran player attempted to obtain transportation home in time for the funeral Sunday, but failed, causing him to postpone his trip until after the game.
PACKERS DRILL UNDER LIGHTS; COACHES WORRY
AUG 27 (Green Bay) - The Green Bay Packers tonight got into the All-Star mood by turning on the floodlights in City stadium, bordered by the East River, a somewhat remote comparison to Soldiers' field which is adjacent to Lake Michigan. And there weren't 90,000 people watching, as there will be Thursday night in the Chicago arena, but the professional champions got a psychological lift in the brilliant atmosphere. Even so, there was little easing of the nervous state with which their coaches are approaching the game. This couldn't be an act because there are too many plainly etched factors working against the Packers. First, they won't have the brilliant passing of Cecil Isbell, who sparked their 45 to 28 triumph in 1940, their last appearance in the All-Star series. The overall picture is of a squad which isn't far enough along physically or mentally to play the type of game the Packers play, for instance, against the Chicago Bears. In a morning meeting in the Northland hotel, Curly Lambeau, the wily Green Bay coach, laid it on the line with his players. "We're behind schedule," he told them. "Remember, this is like the Thursday before a Sunday ballgame. You don't know your assignments well enough. We haven't come close to reaching the efficiency we will need to beat the All-Stars." Then Lambeau yielded the floor to Sgt. Johnny Blood, the old Packer pass catching star, who sat in on the All-Stars' 35 to 0 victory scrimmage over Great Lakes last Saturday. The sergeant's report was little less than terrifying. "They threw so many passes," said Johnny, "that I thought I was watching the Packers. This is the best looking All-Star squad I've seen. I saw the 1937 team which beat Green Bay, 6 to 0, and the gang in 1938 which took the Washington Redskins, 28 to 16. This team has a lot of dangerous runners. Tom Harmon looked wonderful. He really convinced me he can go." The professional elevens strive for perfection, which should be taken into consideration while perusing these gloomy reports. Perhaps Lambeau to comparing his team as of today to the one he hopes will bring a seventh world championship to this tidy little football minded city in the 1945 NFL campaign. It could be that the Packers don't have to be at full strength to whip the All-Stars. At any rate it is certain that for the third straight year the pros will enjoy no runaway. The Packers of 1940 began an era of superiority over the collegians with that 45 to 28 victory. In 1941 the Bears triumphed 37 to 13, and followed with a 21 to 0 decision in 1942. This gave the pros a three year composite score of 103 to 41. In 1943 the All Stars whipped the Redskins, 27 to 7. And last year the Bears had to rally to win, 24 to 21.
PACKERS MUST BE AT TOP STRENGTH TO DEFEAT ALL-STARS ON THURSDAY
AUG 28 (Green Bay) - The grim lines around the mouths of the Packer coaching staff became even more set today as the team's battle against the College All-Stars loomed up as an immediate hurdle. Forty-eight hours from now, the Packers will be ready to suit up for the 12th annual classic in Soldier Field where they'll be running up against the strongest club sponsors of the game have assembled during the decade and two years. The game actually started out in 1934 as a test of strength for a team of collegiate stars against the champions of the NFL. As the professionals gradually built up an advantage in the series, it became apparent that the collegians would have to be strengthened or the contest would develop into a straight sports spectacle for the customers rather than a test of an experienced team against a group of college youths who had the year previous made headlines for their ability...SERVICE STARS INCLUDED: This years' All-Star aggregation, consequently, has been taken from among the best service teams in the nation, plus college stars. And that, precisely, is what the Packers have to worry about. Coach Curly Lambeau put it bluntly again on Monday, when he said: "We're going to have to be at out best to win. We cannot relax for one play because in a tight game that might cost us a victory. We'll have to be up in every department." The Bay coach and his aides have full knowledge of the All-Stars' strength. Report trickling back here from the Evanston camp of the collegians and from a scout report of their game against the Great Lakes Sailors last Saturday (the Stars won, 35-0) show the team to have more balance, more experience, more enthusiasm and spirit than any previous squad. In addition, they have a coaching staff that is second to none with Bernie Bierman, the Minnesota master, at the helm...HAVE MUCH EXPERIENCE: Many of the All-Stars have made football experience than the Packer recruits, among them Charley Trippi, the Georgia flash, and Tom Harmon of Michigan. Against the Sailors, another flash appeared in Perry Moss of Tulsa. The youngster flipped five touchdown passes and ran one string to nine before it was broken. Any team that can do that against the Blue jackets, coached by Lt. Paul Brown, has got to have power. Trippi is just one of ten players attached to Third Army Air Force headquarters in Tampa, Fla., who are spending routine furloughs as members of the collegiate squad. The players boast themselves that they need only one more man to whip the Packers but they'll have ample help from others on the squad of over 60. Any way the Packers look at it, they are forced to admit the squad has power. And the coaches can't help looking at that power and grimacing...HOLD LAST CONTACT WORK: The squad had its last contact work before the game Monday night under the lights at City stadium. A veteran line took a sand on defense and needed the heavy blocking pads on to protect them from the charges of the forwards on the offense. Line Coach Walt Kiesling took the centers, guards and tackles aside for a short session prior to the windup. Another lengthy skull session on offense and defense was held this
morning and the team will wind up its preparations here in another drill under the lights tonight. The only practice scheduled for Soldier field will be Wednesday night. The All-Stars meanwhile were to finish their work for the Thursday night game in the mammoth Chicago field tonight. The Packers will leave for Chicago on the North Western road's "400" at 11 o'clock Wednesday morning. Headquarters in Chicago will be the Knickerbocker hotel. Approximately 3,500 Packer fans from northeastern Wisconsin will be among the 90,000 spectators at the game.
NEW AIRLINE WANTS TO CARRY PACKERS ON FOOTBALL TRIPS
AUG 28 (Green Bay) - Coach Curly Lambeau of the Packers said today that the football club had been contacted by National Skyway Freight corporation, a new airline seeking to carry the squad on trips, but that no definite arrangements have been made for such flights. The airline's headquarters in New York announced today that it had begun negotiations with the Packers for flights similar to those which have been arranged with the Philadelphia Eagles, who will make their first trip by air from Philadelphia to Buffalo on Sept. 6. The airline will carry 36 members of the Eagle club and 2,000 pounds of football equipment on the trip in two planes. The Packers pioneered trips by air several seasons ago but were forced to curtail their use of such transportation when the war broke out.
PACKERS MOVE IN TODAY; PLAN DRILL TONIGHT
AUG 28 (Green Bay) - The Green Bay Packers went to bed tonight with Chicago on their minds, particularly that portion of the city embracing Soldier's field, where on Thursday night the professional champions will bump into the College All-Stars. They'll be on their way south an hour before noon tomorrow and at mid-afternoon will be settled in their Knickerbocker hotel quarters. A quick workout in Soldiers' field in the evening and the Packers then will have naught to do but await the opening whistle. After tonight's practice in City stadium it was evident that the veteran starting lineup virtually will match the 11 who started last December in the NFL title game against the New York Giants in the Polo Grounds. There may be only one change. This would place Joel Mason at right end instead of Harry Jacunski, whose brief training chores with the champions have been slowed up by an ailing leg. There was slight doubt about one backfield position, left half. The logical starter is lanky Irvin Comp, the Milwaukee youngster. Irv gave signs this evening that he has shaken off an ankle injury, but if not up to par he may yield to Roy McKay, the rugged University of Texas athlete who wears cowboy boots with a nonchalance matching that of Sammy Baugh, Ki Aldrich and other pro greats from the Lone Star state. Key man in the Green Bay backfield, right half, at the start will be Lou Brock, the old Purdue speedster. In the Packers' system the right halfback is the signal caller and the quarterback is the blocker. This assignment is in the competent custody of Larry Craig, one of the most muscular men in football. The fullback will be Ted Fritsch, busiest of all Green Bay runners last season. He's from Stevens Point, Wis., Teachers. In the middle of the line will be 29 year old Charley Brock, the team captain, and former University of Nebraska player. The guard will be Bill Kuusisto of Minnesota on the left side and Charles (Buckets) Goldenberg of Wisconsin on the right side. At right tackle will be Buford (Baby) Ray, 250-pounder from Vanderbilt, backed up by 290-pound Tiny Croft, former Chicago Steinmetz High school player and later with Ripon College. The left tackle will be Dr. Paul Berezney, one-time Fordham star. Don Hutson, the starting left end, will be making his fourth appearance in the series. He was an All-Star in 1935, then played with the Packers in 1937 and 1940. When Hutson goes out, Clyde Goodnight, star of the University of Tulsa eleven, and already touted as the new Hutson, will go in. There will be many more veterans on the bench waiting to be employed as replacement troops. Few of the freshmen will crash into the lineup unless the pro champions get far ahead, which would be an unexpected circumstance. Paul Lipscomb, 230 pound right tackle from Tennessee, rates back of Berezney and chunky Forrest McPherson at this spot. Nolan Luhn, Goodnight's teammate at Tulsa, may get to try his pass catching talents at right end, and Ken Keuper is a possibility at fullback if Fritsch and Don Perkins need any help. Three Packer servicemen also will be on call. These will be Sgt. Bob Adkins, blocking back; Capt. Herman Rohrig, quarterback, and Second Lt. Chet Adams, tackle. In addition, Sgt. John Blood, a Packer hero of a decade ago, will be in uniform and ready to call a play or two at right halfback if summoned by Coach Curly Lambeau. Blood, 41, has been as frisky in practice as any Packers. Two other right halves are Rohrig and chunky Joe Laws, an original All-Star way back in 1934. Coach Lambeau broke a string of gloomy comments tonight by admitting some bright spots are showing up, but that he still is worried on several counts. Only the game, he thought, will prove whether the champions have reached the proper mental attitude as a unit.
PACKERS FINISH DRILLS, DEPART FOR ALL-STAR GAME
AUG 29 (Green Bay) - A squad of 40 Packers, nothing if not a determined group, entrained at 11 o'clock this morning for Chicago, where they will get a severe test of their championship ability against the College All-Stars in the 12th renewal of the annual classic Thursday night in huge Soldier Field on Lake Michigan's shores. The team was to arrive in Chicago at mid-afternoon and will rest briefly at the Hotel Knickerbocker before limbering up on the stadium turf tonight. All of the pregame preparations that could be made were completed at City stadium Tuesday night although Coach Curly Lambeau admitted that "the team could stand a little more work on pass defense." He probably had in mind the five touchdowns the All-Stars scored by the aerial route against Great Lakes last Saturday. The Bay coach, incidentally, departed on an earlier train this morning, leaving the squad to be handled by Line Coach Walt Kiesling and Asst. Coach Don Hutson. Numerous fans also left on the same train...SQUAD LOOKS FIT: The players looked fit as they practically raced through an hour and a half session Thursday night. No contact work was scheduled for the team went over its complete repertoire of running and passing plays and also slipped in a few minutes of defensive work. For the first time, the squad uncorked a few new maneuvers that may surprise the All-Stars. Veterans and rookies alike were crammed with spirit and appeared to be reaching the desired peak for Thursday's encounter. Lambeau said that he would not name his starters until Thursday but he indicated that it would probably be composed almost entirely of veterans who helped the team gain the bid for the game by winning the world championship last December against the New York Giants. It is safe to say that three almost certain starters will be Captain Charley Brock at center, Hutson at left end and Larry Craig at blocking back. The other choices for the starting lineup remain tentative until just before the game and probably will depend to a great extent upon whether the Packers kick or receive and the weather...ALL STARS HAVE POWER: Lambeau and his aides have done no about face on their previous predictions that the All-Stars have the toughest combination that a championship professional team has had to face since the series started in 1934. Naturally, they feel down deep that the Packers can win if they play their most effective and efficient football but they are equally sure that the club cannot afford to make a single mistake. The backfield of the All-Stars is studded with brilliant performers, including Capt. Charley Trippi of Georgia, Tom Harmon of Michigan, Bob Kennedy of Washington State, Corwin Clatt of Notre Dame, Les Horvath of Ohio State and many others who are just about lost in the squad of over 60 that has been assembled. The All-Star line is also potent enough to give the Packers' ground thrusts some trouble. The All-Stars went through a spirited dress rehearsal Tuesday night in preparation for the game...FINAL WORKOUT TODAY: Led by Trippi, most of the 65-man squad engaged in a full workout under lights. The All-Stars will have a final workout today, followed by a lecture, and then will return to Northwestern of the night. Pvt. Dick Barwegan, former Purdue lineman, did not participate in Tuesday's drill. Instead, Barwegan took heat treatments for an ailing knee injured last week against Great Lakes. Coach Bernie Bierman employed Trippi, Perry Moss of Tulsa, Harmon and John Strzykalski of Marquette at several posts in the backfield. Working out at center were Martin Silovich, Marquette; Lt. Clifton Speegle, Oklahoma, and Tex Warrington, former Auburn star. Interest in the game in Chicago has reached tremendous proportions because fans there feel that the time is just about ripe for the All-Stars to get back on the victory string after winning only once since 1933. More than 90,000 fans will be on hand when the game starts at 8:30 Central War Time. Besides the football game, an elaborate between-halves ceremony is planned, featuring the 200-piece under the direction of Ray Dvorak of the University of Wisconsin. Arch Ward, sports editor of the Chicago Tribune, sponsor of the grid classic, said today, if accommodations were available, the crowd will number more than 135,000. The attendance cannot reach the 101,000 figure for the 1943 game because of a slight decrease in seating capacity, but Ward said the ticket demand for this year's clash exceeds any previous event.
PACKERS IN FINE SPIRIT FOR ALL-STAR GAME TONIGHT
AUG 30 (Chicago) - Anxious to prove that their 1944 NFL championship was no fluke, the Green Bay Packers are prepared to meet the College All-Stars tonight in the 12th annual game in a series between the world professional champions and a select group of collegians and service stars. The contest will be played in Soldier Field before 90,000 spectators with the kickoff scheduled for 8:30. The power of the Packers, who are making their third appearance in the gridiron classic, has been hashed and rehashed since they began to practice for
the contest three weeks ago today. And the potency of the All-Stars, seeking their third victory in the annual clash, has also been the subject of many stories the last three weeks. Whether the teams will measure up depends only on what they do during the 60 minutes elapsed time of the game. Coach Curly Lambeau announced his starting lineup today and also had a pronouncement to make on the game. Said Lambeau: "We really have a tough assignment, much toughest than the last time we played in the game (1940 - Packers 45, All-Stars 28). But I will be very much disappointed if we don't win. The team deserves a victory because of its spirit."...ALL-STARS WANT VICTORY: The All-Star coaches also feel that their charges - over 60 of them - should have a victory this year because they have worked hard, shown extreme fitness for the lessons drilled into them twice a day since practice sessions opened, and have major portions of enthusiasm and the will to win. On spirit, the two squads rate about even, but the comparison stops there. The Green Bay squad will have a decided edge on the All-Stars in experience. Lambeau said he would start an all-veteran team with only the left guard position in doubt until game time because it will not be known until then whether the Packers will receive or kick. If they kick, Glen Sorenson will start; if they receive, Bill Kuusisto will be the starter. The other line positions will be taken by Cap. Charley Brock at center, Pete Tinsley at right guard, Baby Ray and Dr. Paul Berezney at tackle, and end Don Hutson and Harry Jacunski at ends. The backfield will include Larry Craig at the blocking back spot, Irv Comp at left half, Joe Laws at right half, and Ted Fritsch at fullback. With the exception of Tinsley and Sorenson, this is the team that started against New York in the championship tilt last December...BIERMAN NAMES STARTERS: Against this array of Packers, Coach Bernie Bierman will start a backfield consisting of Charley Mitchell of Tulsa at quarterback; Capt. Charles Trippi of Georgia at left half, Edmond Shedlosky of Tulsa at right half, and Lt. Robert Kennedy of Washington State at full. Other backs sure to see action include Tom Harmon of Michigan, Don Greenwood of Illinois, Walter Schlinkman of Texas Tech, Ernie Bonelli of Pitt and Johnny Strzykalski of Marquette. The All-Star line starting operations in front of this quartet will probably include Pfc. Ted Cook of Alabama and Pfc. William Huber of Notre Dame, ends; Cpl. Robert Zimmy, Indiana, and William Willis, Ohio State, tackles; Damon Tassos, Texas A. and M., and Glen Burgeis, Tulsa, guards, and Caleb (Tex) Warrington, Alabama Poly center. The number of substitutions for Green Bay will depend to some extent on weather conditions. If it is warm and hot, Lambeau will make frequent replacements both in the line and backfield. However, several veterans are slated for heavy duty regardless and at least some of the rookies will get their first chance to display what they have under the strain of fierce competition...VETERANS ARE READY: Veterans ready to step into the lineup are backs Roy McKay, Lou Brock, Don Perskins, Ben Starrett and rookies Ken Keuper, a crashing fullback from Georgia, Sid Tinsley from Clemson and two servicemen, Sgt. Bob Adkins and Lt. Herman Rohrig. Although Hutson will start, indications were that a rookie, Clyde Goodnight of Tulsa, will see plenty of action at the left wing, probably teaming up with Nolan Luhn, also of Tulsa. Goodnight has shown tremendous speed and pass catching ability in practice at Green Bay and Lambeau played safe by keeping any mention of his outstanding ability under cover. Along the line, veterans Buckets Goldenberg, Tiny Croft, Charley Tollefson, Joel Mason, Chet Adams, Mike Bucchanieri, Bob Flowers, Alex Urban and Forrest McPherson are itching for a chance to get into the ball game. Rookies Paul Lipscomb, a big tackle from Tennessee, and Bob Cope, a guard from Arkansas, appear to have the best chance among new linemen for service...WILL TAKE TO AIR: The Packers again are expected to take to the air for their principal threats and in that department they will have ample companionship from the All-Stars. Such tossers as Perry Moss of Tulsa, Trippi, Harmon and Les Horvath of Ohio State are ready to toss the ball all over the lakefront stadium. When they aren't doing that, they'll be the big weapons in the collegians' ground attack, fashioned by Bierman, long a m aster of running plays. Although sentiment in Chicago favored the All Stars, there is plenty of Packer money available. In some quarters, the game is rated a tossup with the Green Bay eleven rated a slight favorite because of the advantage of experience. Actually, this edge in experience is not quite so great as it has been in the 11 other games since 1934, but it is still there. The Packers wound up their pregame drills with exercises under the Soldier Field lights Wednesday night. The All-Stars moved into town from Northwestern university in Evanston this morning. Numerous Green Bay partisans already were on hand Wednesday night, and each train from the north brought more. The Packers are headquartered at the Knickerbocker hotel.
PACKERS FACE 3RD ALL-STAR TEST TONIGHT
AUG 30 (Chicago) - The Green Bay Packers came into Chicago last yesterday on the same sort of mission which brought them to Soldiers' field in 1937 and 1940. The professional champions' head man, Earl (Curly) Lambeau, thought this third trip was fraught with more hazards than the two earlier ones, which was his way of saying that the Packers are anticipating a boisterous battle from the College All-Stars tonight. "We've got to be at our best in all departments," was Lambeau's pre-game declaration. "We're meeting an All-Star football team which has more experience than the ones we played the other two times. They have a bunch of backs capable of breaking away and scoring." They have no Cecil Isbell, who pitched three touchdown passes in the 45 to 28 victory over the 1940 All-Stars. But they do have several fellows who can throw a football. Their No. 1 passer is Irv Comp, the lanky youngster from Milwaukee who helped the Packers win the 1944 NFL title. The champions, who arrived shortly after 3 p.m., went en masse to Soldiers' field last night to familiarize themselves with the layout and take one last workout. The Packers will have their own rooting section. An estimated 4,000 fans from the Green Bay country will be in the stands and there will be many more with sentimental leanings toward the pro champions. The Packers probably will adhere to their traditional strategy, which is simple - to get the ball and score. They may be depended upon to go after telling blows right from the kickoff, both in the air on the ground. They have such fine running backs as Ted Fritsch, unusually speedy for a fullback; 34 year old Joe Laws, hero of the league triumph over New York last year and himself a member of the original All-Star cast in 1934; Lou Brock, former Purdue star; Roy McKay, the all-around back from the University of Texas, who was an All-Star last year and in 1943, and Capt. Herman Rohrig, one of four Packer servicemen to join the club for this one game. The others are Sgt. Bob Adkins, blocking back: 2nd Lt. Chet Adams, 230 pound tackle, and Sgt. Johnny Blood, Packer backfield star of a decade ago and later coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers. This will be Don Hutson's fourth All-Star game appearance, a total matched by Laws. Don, who will be a marked man tonight, scored three touchdowns in the All-Star game and placekicked the point, giving him 19, an individual scoring mark for the series. Field leader for the champions will be Charley Brock, who has played six seasons in Green Bay and who was a member of the 1939 All-Star squad.
90,000 WILL SEE SOLDIERS' FIELD FOOTBALL SHOW
AUG 30 (Chicago) - Green Bay's famed Packers, champions of professional football, and the College All-Stars! This is the magnet which tonight will attract a crowd that will jam Soldiers' field to capacity. More than 90,000 will see the 12th battle in the series originated by the Chicago Tribune Charities, Inc., which unquestionably has become football's greatest spectacle and has helped make Chicago the sports capital of the nation. The ceremonies, including introduction of the All-Stars who will start the game, will begin at 8:20 o'clock. The kickoff is set for 8:30, when 239 stations of the Mutual Broadcasting system, the largest possible hookup, go on the air. The entire game also will be broadcast by short wave to America's servicemen throughout the world. The thousands privileged the see the battle between the Packers and the All-Stars is not an attendance record because Soldiers' field no longer can accommodate the 101,100 who saw the 1942 game. However, this 12th game will have a global audience of many millions. Here is a record far overshadowing any other football game in history. Net proceeds always have been given to charity. Before the war Chicago's three major charitable organizations were recipients. This year the net profit will be divided between the army air forces society, and Chicago's service men's centers. This year's game find the nation at peace and no small part of the demand for tickets is due to cancellation of gasoline rationing and relaxation of travel restrictions. Spectators must start early for Soldiers' field else they may be involved in a traffic jam which inevitably will delay arrival until after the kickoff. Chicago's hotels are filled with out of town visitors. Many have come from all sections of the country and the national interest is reflected also by attendance of newspaper men. Direct telegraphic reports will be made to Los Angeles and San Francisco, to New Orleans, Minneapolis, Philadelphia and New York and scores of metropolitan centers in between. At the intermission Lt. Glenn Dobbs, Jr., of the army air forces, who was voted the most valuable All-Star player in the 1944 games will the Chicago Bears, will be presented with the Tribune trophy emblematic of the honor. The presentation will be made by Henry Frnka of Tulsa university, who coached Dobbs during his intercollegiate career. Frank Sinkwich, Detroit Lions' halfback, who was named the most valuable player last season in the NFL, will receive the Joe F. Carr memorial trophy from Elmer Layden, commissioner of the league. Tonight's game matches the forward passing skill of Green Bay's Irv Comp and that of Charles Trippi, captain of the All-Stars. Comp will have the greatest receiver in football, Don Hutson, as target. Hutson holds about every scoring mark in the NFL, an achievement which enhances his superb records at the University of Alabama. Don also was a member of the 1935 All-Star team and started that game at left end. When Trippi is not in the game, he will be replaced by Tom Harmon of Michigan, young Perry Moss of Tulsa or Johnny Strzykalski of Marquette. These passers will have a coterie of competent receivers including Ted Cook of Alabama, Nick Scollard of St. Joseph's (Indiana), Bill Huber of Notre Dame, Jack Lamb of Oklahoma. Then, too, the All-Stars, who quite likely will seek to beat the Packers at their own specialty of passing, have speedy backs who can disrupt the best laid defensive plans. Harmon's return to the girdiron after nearly four years in the air forces, is an outstanding feature of the game. Harmon finished his intercollegiate career at Michigan in 1940 as one of the greatest ball carriers and as possessor of the Western conference scoring record formerly held by Red Grange. Shortly after the All-Star game of 1941 Harmon enlisted. He returns to football after miraculous escapes from death in both hemispheres of the war. Tom has proved in scrimmage at Northwestern and in the game last Saturday at Great Lakes that he still can run. His passes have been accurate and he always was a fine kicker under pressure. Harmon is best when the going is toughest and despite a bruised muscle received in the scrimmage with the Bluejackets he will be ready for whatever duty is ordered by Bernie Bierman, head coach of the All-Stars. There will be more to the offense of both teams tonight than passes. Green Bay, because of Hutson, has the reputation as a passing eleven. However, the Packers have Ted Fritsch, a sturdy line plunger, who is supported by Ken Keuper. Then there's Lou Brock, the veteran from Purdue who is always dangerous. At blocking back there's Larry Craig who should set a pace difficult for the All-Stars to match. Charles Mitchell of Tulsa and Bill Meek and Bob Long of Tennessee primarily are charged with blocking assignments in the All-Star's array of backfield talent. At the wingback are Edmond Shedlosky of Tulsa and Ernie Bonelli, one time Pittsburgh back. Both are dangerous on reverse plays in support of straight line smashed by the college fullbacks, Bob Kennedy of Washington State and Walter Schlinkman, Texas Tech's star of the Border conference. Kennedy may have the best ground gaining record of the contest. He probably is double feared by the Packers because under the new rule for this game, he also can check his drive and pass from any point behind the line of scrimmage. The test will be made, of course, as in most football game, in the battle between the lines. Green Bay should have an advantage in weight. It will have an advantage in experience. Buford Ray and Paul Berezney, Green Bay's tackles, will set the pace for the attack and defense. Charley Brock, at center, has a superb professional record since he was graduated from Nebraska. Bill Kuusisto, one time Minnesota guard, and the veteran Charles (Buckets) Goldenberg, who will play his last football game tonight, will flank Brock.
BAY TEAM DISBANDS; SHIFTS SEEN FOR '46
DEC 4 (Green Bay) - Football suits were being tucked away in mothballs, footballs were being deflated to await another season and Packers who live out of the city were packing their grips today to officially wind up the 1945 season, a little disastrous considering that the squad wound up the year in third place in the Western division for the first time since 1934. The squad returned, somewhat chastened, from Detroit late Monday afternoon. It was apparent to all of them that they had put the skids under their chances for what may prove to be the largest slice of second place money in the National league's history. A little retrospect showed also that a few let-ups here and there during crucial games proved their downfall. But the season is past now and Coach Curly Lambeau will probably begin building forthwith for 1946, the Packers' 26th in the professional circuit and their 28th of football. With returning servicemen on the increase and better chances for the annual draft to operate, it seems apparent at the moment that many new faces will appear in the Green Bay lineup next season...HUTSON TO RETIRE: Although some may smile, it is likely that end Don Hutson, the greatest pass receiver in the game's history, has hung up his cleated shoes and No. 14 jersey for the final time. After three years of attempting to retire, the famous end and Packers' assistant coach apparently means it this time. Now 32, Don will not be lured out of
retirement again, and Coach Lambeau knows it. There will be other changes along the line and in the Bays' backfield. Naturally, much depends on what happens between now and next year but indications are that rebuilding is on the way. Several rookies appear to have won their spurs, including the Tulsa ends, Clyde Goodnight and Nolan Luhn; Paul Lipscomb, the Tennessee tackle; Ed Neal, formerly of Tulane; Bernie Crimmins, the ex-Notre Dame guard, and Ken Keuper, Georgia back. Nothing can be changed by it now, but a review of the season shows that only a few plays separated the Packers from victory in two games against Cleveland, the Chicago Bears and Detroit. Naturally, one miscue doesn't ordinarily win or lose a game but those in question this season helped considerably and they are set down only to show what might have been. In the first Cleveland game here, the Packers had a 14-13 lead in the fourth quarter. They had the ball on their own 35 and first down. Halfback Roy McKay took the pass from center, fumbled the ball, which bounced backward. McKay futilely tried to pick up the rampaging pigskin but kicked it in the process. Cleveland recovered on the 15 1/2 and scored six plays later to go ahead, 20-14. The Rams scored another shortly after to win, 27-14. In the second Bear game in Chicago, perhaps the payoff play for the downtrodden Chicagoans was a last season touchdown pass that Sid Luckman threw to Ken Kavanaugh, good for 24 yards. The play came at the end of the first half and put the Bears within three points of the Bays' lead at 24-21 after they had led 17-7. The Bears scored the winning touchdown on a 69-yard drive at the opening of the second half. Thus Green Bay was two down but still had a chance. In Cleveland, the following week the Rams had the ball four times in the first quarter and scored three times, winning 20-7. Fred Gehrke was the demon in that one, prancing 72 and 42 yards for touchdowns on plays that completely fooled the Bay defense. The third score was on a Bob Waterfield to Jim Benton pass good for 84 yards... PACKERS HAVE MOST POINTS: Sometimes the breaks went the other way, but in the main the ones listed above proved large in the final determination of percentages, where the Packers were down the list with .600, a second division finish. Some balm for the season comes in the total scoring. The Bays tallied 258 to lead both divisions, although Philadelphia may go beyond that mark in next Sunday's finale with Boston. The Packers' scoring was divided among 11 players with Hutson leading the way with 97 points, scored on 10 touchdowns, two field goals and 31 points after. This raises his all-time point total in league games to 825. Second best scorer for the Bays was fullback Ted Fritsch with 57 on eight touchdowns and three field goals. Ted now has an all-time mark of 130, sixth on the Green Bay list.
HUTSON, FRITSCH, C. BROCK PUT ON UNITED PRESS ALL-PRO SQUAD
DEC 4 (Chicago) - Cleveland's champion Rams, led by the unanimous selection of rookie Bob Waterfield, placed three men on the United Press' 1945 All-Professional football team today while Green Bay's champions also won three berths, Philadelphia and Detroit two each and Washington one. The selection board, made up of sportswriters who covered National league games all season, awarded Waterfield the only unanimous spot on the annual honor team, marking the first time a freshman player has gained the honor. Topping Green Bay's first-team trio was Don Hutson, voted an end position for the seventh consecutive year. The first-team backfield represented a complete turnover from last year although two linemen, in addition to Hutson, were placed on the honorary team for the second consecutive year, tackle Al Wistert of Philadelphia and guard Riley (Rattlesnake) Matheson of Cleveland...BAUGH GETS 19 VOTES: Washington's Sammy Baugh, winding up his greatest passing season in nine years of pro football, was the second top vote getter, receiving 19 out of a possible 20 first team ballots. Baugh, completing his passes at the phenomenal percentage of .717, was the only Redskin player to land a first-team ballot and his backfield mate, fullback Frank Akins, was the only Washington player to be awarded a second-team spot. Completing the first team backfield were Ted Fritsch, Green Bay's stubby, 210-pound back, and Steve Van Buren, Philadelphia's eel-like halfback who is the top ground gainer on pro gridirons this season...FRITSCH PACKS POWER: Baugh and Waterfield both are passing wizards, while Van Buren is the top running back of the year and Fritsch packs more bruising power in his stride than any man in the National league. Fritsch also is an expert field goal kicker and Waterfield boots points after touchdowns with deadly precision. Baugh's the best "quick kicker" in football while Waterfield also is a booming punter. Steve
Pritko of Cleveland barely nosed out teammate Jim Benton for the other first team end post while war heroes tackle Emil Uremovich and guard Bill Radovich, the heart of Detroit's great defensive line, were awarded first-team spots along with Wistert and Matheson. Charley Brock, Green Bay's veteran star, was named to pivot the line which averages 213 pounds. BAUGH REDSKIN STANDOUT: Washington's modest showing, in placing only Baugh and Akins on the first and second teams, was traced to two factors: (1) Baugh's passing blanketed every other phase of the Redskins' offensive game, and (2) Coach Dudley De Groot's substitution system produced outstanding units rather than individual line stars. The Redskins' Johnny Adams, freshman tackle from Notre Dame, tied Vic Sears for a second-team tackle spot but Sears' long-standing ability, proved over five professional seasons, earned him the nod. Tackle Baby Ray and guard Bill Kuusisto of the Packers received honorable mention in the all-pro selections. None of the Bays was named to the second squad.
TED FRITSCH LATEST ADDITION TO STARS
DEC 5 (Oshkosh) - Ted Fritsch, Packer football star, joined the Oshkosh All-Stars basketball squad Tuesday and will serve as a player and trainer, Manager Lon Darling reported. Fritsch, a Stevens Point Teachers' college ace, held down a guard position for the All Stars last season.
PACKER COACHES TO ATTEND BOWL GAMES TO FIND GRIDIRON TALENT
DEC 5 (Green Bay) - To prepare for the NFL's annual draft in January, Coach Curly Lambeau and three other members of the Packer organization will watch bowl game players January 1 in various parts of the country, the coach announced today. The league meeting will held in New York one week beginning Jan. 10. Coach Lambeau will attend the Rose Bowl game in Pasadena, Cal. Also going to the western part of the country will be Assistant Coach Don Hutson, who will scout players in the East-West contest at San Francisco. Line Coach Walt Kiesling will be at the Orange Bowl in Miami, and Bob Conrad, Packers' advance man, will attend the Sugar Bowl classic in New Orleans. Present indications are that the league's draft probably will work to the advantage of all teams next season more than at any other time since the beginning of the war with the Axis. The teams drafted players from 1942 to 1945 but only a small percentage of the college stars named actually played because of the war...ONLY FIVE REPORTED: For example, of the 30 chosen by Lambeau in the April 1945 draft, only five reported to the team. Of the quintet, only ends Nolan Luhn and Clyde Goodnight remained through the season. The other three were released. None of those selected in 1944 even reported to the team. However, some of them may yet play with the Bays since they remain on the reserve list of the club. They cannot be signed by other teams in the league. Final statistics on individual performances in the league's Western division today showed end Don Hutson the leader in two departments, scoring and pass receiving. He has amassed 97 points, seven better than the ace runner of the Philadelphia Eagles, Steve Van Buren, in second with 90. Van Buren may overtake Huston in the Eagles' game next Sunday with Boston...LEAGUE'S BEST RECEIVER: In pass reception, Huston's title is in little danger since he has finished two receptions ahead of Jim Benton of Cleveland and is 13 better than Steve Bargarus of Washington, now in third. Huston has received 47 passes for 834 yards and nine touchdowns. The only other departmental leader from the Packers is halfback Roy D. McKay. He has punted 44 times for an average distance of 41.2 yards. His 73-yard boot against the Chicago Cardinals here Oct. 26 is still the best of the season, league figures show. In ball carrying, McKay is 16th in the circuit with 231 yards in 71 tries. He trails fullback Ted Fritsch who is 10th on 282 yards in 88 tries. Fritsch, named Tuesday to an all-pro team of United Press, is fifth in scoring with 57 points and third in kickoff returns with a 24.9 average compiled on eight returns for 279 yards. Both McKay and halfback Irv Comp are listed among the top passers. Comp is in seventh with 44 completions in 106 attempts and McKay is 10th with 32 completions in 89 attempts. Comp passed for seven touchdowns and McKay for five, four of them against the Detroit Lions in Milwaukee.
HUTSON BELONGS IN HALL OF FAME, NOT ALL-PRO ELEVEN
DEC 5 (Washington) - Don Hutson, Mel Hein, Sammy Baugh and Sid Luckman should be left out of 1945 All-Star pro football consideration, a member of the Washington Redskins board of strategy thinks - because they are in a class by themselves. "There no longer is any use putting those four oldtime greats on such a team. Everybody knows that they are automatic all-time all-stars. Where they belong is in the game's Hall of Fame. I mean formally. They aren't to be compared with most other players. They stand out by themselves. A new era has dawned in pro football with the end of World War II. Give other players their chance to make the All-Star team now with the game's future opening wide."
KIESLING RETAINED AS LINE MENTOR BY BAYS
DEC 6 (Green Bay) - Line Coach Walt Kiesling has been signed to a two-year contract to handle the Packers' forward wall, according to an announcement today by Coach Curly Lambeau. Kiesling, who will scout player talent in the Orange Bowl game at Miami on January 1, signed the contract shortly before he left for his home in Minneapolis Tuesday. A keen student of football through almost two decades in the NFL as both player and coach, Kiesling joined the Green Bay staff last August. Quiet
and unassuming, Walt faced the problem of of rebuilding the right side of the Green Bay line, where all the 1944 veterans were missing...DEVELOPED NEW PLAYERS: Coach Lambeau described Kiesling's work during the 1945 season as "eminently satisfactory, Walt came here under several handicaps, including the loss of a flock of veteran linemen, and he always put his duties with the team ahead of everything else. He filled the line gaps nicely through taking boys who had little experience and teaching them to hold their own in league competition." The respect of the players had for Kiesling's knowledge of football was recently indicated when several veterans and newcomers volunteered the information to this writer that they had learned a great amount of football from him during the last season. Several coaches of opposition clubs praised the work of the Green Bay line during the last season. Most vociferous of the group was Coach Steve Owen of the New York Giants, who described the Green Bay line against the Giants as "the best I have seen this season." The line gave up fewer points than six other teams in the league and opened the way for 21 touchdowns running, second best mark in the circuit and only one less than Philadelphia's 222...TO ATTEND LEAGUE SESSION: Following the Orange Bowl game he will go to New York to attend, with Lambeau, the annual meeting of the NFL during which the draft of college talent will be held. Kiesling played two years with the Packers, starting with the team in 1935 and retiring from play after the 1936 season to go to Pittsburgh as assistant to Johnny Blood, who also joined the Packer staff this year following his discharge from service. In 1938, Kiesling became head coach of the Steelers when Blood resigned. In 1941, the team combined with Philadelphia and Walt became co-coach with Bert Bell and then assistant to Buff Donelli, who succeeded Bell. During the 1943 and 1944 seasons, he was co-coach with Greasy Neale of Philadelphia and with Phil Handler of the Chicago Cardinals. Kiesling was a guard during his playing days....PLAYED WITH NEVERS: A star athlete at St. Thomas college in St. Paul, Kiesling broke into professional football with Ernie Nevers' Duluth Eskimos, where he played in 1926-27. After a year with Pottsville, he joined the Cardinals and played with them through the 1933 season, when he was signed by the Chicago Bears. In the 1930s he played professional basketball in Montana. He is married but has no children.
BROOKLYN BOLTS NATIONAL GRID LOOP
DEC 6 (New York) - It was war to the hilt Thursday between the NFL and new All-American Professional conference which plans to start operating next fall. Dan Topping brought matters to a head Wednesday when he bolted the National league for the new organization. This gained for the new group the use of the Yankee stadium and its coveted seating capacity of 80,000. Topping, owner of the Brooklyn franchise in the National league which this year was merged with Boston, and part owner of the New York Yankees, declared he had made the break because Tim Mara, owner of the New York football Giants, declined to agree on playing dates. "An agreement has been reached with the All-America conference for a franchise at Yankee stadium," Topping said. "It is, in our opinion, a move that should be beneficial not only to professional football in general but to New York and Brooklyn. Ray Flaherty, our coach, has spent the last three months since his discharge from the Navy lining up additional talent to round out our roster. Many former Brooklyn players have returned from the services and hope to have them all back before the opening of the season." Topping said his team would be known as the New York Football Yankees. It is the ninth club in the conference that already has awarded franchises to Brooklyn, Buffalo, Chicago, Baltimore, Cleveland, Los Angeles, Miami and San Francisco. Jim Crowley, commissioner of the conference, said that a tenth franchise would be awarded soon. Mara declared that he was "surprised, but not shocked" at Topping's move. "We have been doing business here at the Polo Grounds for at least 21 years while teams in the Yankee stadium have come and gone," he said. Elmer Layden, commissioner of the National circuit which last spring had granted Topping permission to switch his Brooklyn franchise to the stadium, subject to Mara's approval, reserved comment until he heard officially from Topping.
TED FRITSCH GOES TO MAYO CLINIC TO HAVE EXAMINATION
DEC 7 (Green Bay) - Fullback Ted Fritsch of the Packers, named this year to at least one all-pro league first team, was on his way to Rochester, Minn., today to receive a check-up at the Mayo clinic, it was announced by Coach Curly Lambeau. Fritsch will probably remain at the clinic for another week. Bothered by an internal condition which forces him to retire in the sidelines to recuperate, especially after he uncorks either a long run or carries the ball on plunges into the line, Fritsch is being sent to the famous clinic to determine the nature of the ailment. The big fullback, who has scored 130 points in five seasons with the Bays, will join the Oshkosh All-Stars as player and trainer after returning from Rochester.
HUTSON - OLD NO. 14 WILL LEAVE BEHIND RECORD ACHIEVEMENT SECOND TO NONE
DEC 7 (Milwaukee Journal) - It's still too early to say just how many records Don Hutson, at last retired, will finally leave behind. The Hutson Historical society has a winter's work ahead, after statistics for the completed season are in, to amass them all. Some of the more important, however, are available now, and they constitute the skeleton of a record edifice that will probably stand as long as the game is played - or for a long, long time anyway. The Hutsons don't come along every football generation. Hutson opened the season, his eleventh in the pro league, with the record for the most passes caught in a career - 442. He caught 43 more this fall, so he leaves behind a mark of 485. He opened the season with the record for the most touchdown passes caught - 92. He caught nine more this year, so his record here now stands at 101. He started out this fall with 7,176 yards gained catching passes. With 489 more, he boosted this to 7,665. He began the last campaign with 728 points behind his name. He scored 94 more and increased the total to 822. He started the season with 95 touchdowns to his credit - touchdowns on passes, intercepted passes, end around plays and so forth - and with 10 more this season, he boosted this to 105. And he opened the fall drive with 143 extra points on the books, and with 31 more, he hoisted this to 174. These are only some of the more important of his marks. It will take a lot of dogging after all returns for this season are in to complete the list. The six here noted are a good start, though, around which will rise a completed edifice of record achievement second to none in football.
BABY RAY'S SON IN CRITICALLY ILL
DEC 8 (Green Bay) - Donald Lee Ray, four-year old son of Buford (Baby) Ray of the Green Bay Packers, is critically ill with spinal meningitis in Nashville, Tenn. Reached by the phone this noon, the father said the boy became ill Wednesday and was rushed to St. Thomas hospital Friday. Sulfa drugs and penicillin were being administered. The youngster was named Donald Lee for two Packer players, Don Hutson and Bill Lee. He was four years old last September. The Rays also have a daughter, 18 months old.
VAN BUREN BREAKS HUTSON'S TOUCHDOWN RECORD WITH 18
DEC 10 (New York) - Silent Steve Van Buren had the answer to his own $64 question today - and as usual didn't have a nickel's worth of comment. Back in 1944 the barefoot boy from the Bayous asked himself in a sort of negative way: "Am I good enough to play professional football?" Well, Steve and the National league have a loud and emphatic affirmative answer today as the one-time L.S.U. star wrote one record and three titles beside his name in the pro books. They were: 1. A record of 18 touchdowns in one season. 2. The 1945 scoring championship with 110 points. 3. The rushing title with 832 yards in 143 tries. With this confirmation of his football ability, Steve still was far from loquacious..."OTHER FELLOWS HELP OUT": "Shucks, there's nothing to say," Steve drawled modestly. "They give me the ball and I run to the goal. The other fellows help out all along the way." Just like that. Almost easier than breaking in his first pair of shoes back in the days when he left Honduras to invade the Bayou country and become the nation's leading major college scorer for L.S.U. Yet, it wasn't as easy as it sounded. Because one year ago, Steve was ready to ditch football for good. He decided to give one more whirl and the performance of the six-foot, two-inch, 209-pounder made the Eagles one of the early title choices in the NFL. That they did not make it, but finished second to Sammy Baugh and the
Washington Redskins, wasn't his fault. Scoring three touchdowns and two extra points in a 35 to 7 win over the Boston Yanks Sunday, Van Buren filed a pretty solid claim to the title of pro football's man of the year...BREAKS HUTSON'S RECORD: Those touchdowns broke Don Hutson's record of 17 touchdowns in a single season. His total of 18 touchdowns plus the two extra points won the scoring championship at 110. And he carried 22 times for 100 yards against Boston for 832 yards gained in 143 yards - virtually clinching that honor with an average of nearly six yards per try. The modest guy with the curly, black hair was an all-league backfield choice. And some added reasons were a 98-yard touchdown run with a kickoff, only such feat of the season, and a 69-yard scoring sprint from scrimmage. Gus Dorais, Detroit coach who suffered through that last-named dash, called it the greatest run he ever saw in football. With the season ended for his club, and his answered question filed for future reference, Steve now is ready to embark on a business career in Philadelphia. The set sail man has turned beer salesman and the National league readily can say: "Here's how!"
RAY'S BOY BETTER
DEC 10 (Green Bay) - Buford (Baby) Ray, Green Bay Packers gridder, wired from Nashville, Tenn., today the information that his four-year old, Donald Lee, seriously ill with encephalomyelitis, showed slight improvement late Sunday night after he had been placed in an oxygen tent. The youngster was stricken Wednesday.
$100,000 PAID OUT TO GET TOPPING INTO NEW PRO LOOP
DEC 11 (New York) - The All-America conference expects to complete its ten club lineup shortly, says Commissioner Jim Crowley, who disclosed that $100,000 was shelled out to get Dan Topping to bring a New York eleven into the fold. The other eight teams of the circuit not only contributed to a $100,000 fund to encourage Topping to switch allegiance from the National league but allowed the former Marine captain to come into the loop without paying the $10,000 entry fee, Crowley said Monday night in revealing the financial background of the deal. With the much desired New York outlet in the ranks, Crowley said the award of the tenth and last franchise would be made within a week or ten days. Although the commissioner would not say who would get the berth or how many parties were seeking it, it was believed bids had been received from New Orleans, Boston, Denver and Dallas. Crowley was elated over the Topping transaction but another conference official, who declined to be quoted by name, hailed the coup as a life-saver, saying, "the league couldn't possibly have survived without a New York team."
TWO PACKERS WIN CROWNS IN 1945 SEASON OF NATIONAL GRID LEAGUE
DEC 12 (Chicago) - The NFL is strictly a northern proposition geographically, but it takes the south - as personified by such Dixie dandies as Steve Van Buren, Don Hutson and Sammy Baugh - to show the pro circuit how to handle a pigskin. Final league statistics today disclosed the 1945 battle for individual laurels was almost exclusively a southern show, featured by Van Buren, Louisiana State's ball-carrying gift to the Philadelphia Eagles, who grabbed three championships - in ground gaining, scoring and kickoff returns...ONE CROWN TO HUTSON: Hutson, Alabama end who has turned the pro loop upside down for the past decade at Green Bay, yielded his perennial touchdown title to Van Buren, but won the pass receiving championship for the fifth straight season and the eighth time in his career. Baugh, Redskins' throwing terror from Texas, accounted for a title share in forward passing, rallying last Sunday as Washington clinched the Eastern crown to surge into a tie with Columbia's Sid Luckman of the Bears. In fact, Luckman was the only standout specialist who played his college football in the league's own backyard. Other departmental leaders included Roy McKay, Green Bay's halfback from Texas, in punting; end Joe Aguirre, who cam to Washington from St. Mary's, in field goals; Dave Ryan, Hardin-Simmons' graduate to the Detroit Lions, in punt returns; and the Eagles' Roy Zimmerman, from San Jose State, in pass interceptions...TWO NEW RECORDS: Both Baugh and Van Buren established new records. The veteran Redskins quarterback finished with an amazing percentage of .703 in completing his passes, connecting on 128 of 162 tosses. Luckman had a .539 percentage, but outgained Baugh in yardage, 1,725 to 1,669, and pitched 14 touchdown passes to Sammy's 11. Van Buren set a new league mark for touchdowns by rushing with 18 and shaded Hutson's record of 17 six-pointers. The burly halfback from the Bayou country outscored Hutson, 110 points to 97,
marking the first time in six years the Packer star was an also-ran in the scoring column. The Eagle bruiser took the ground gaining crown with 832 yards in 143 attempts, a 5.8 average, topping Washington's Frank Akins by 35 yards. Van Buren also led in kickoff returns with a 28.7-yard average on 13 tries...JIM BENTON SECOND: Hutson's pass snagging title came on a 10-game bag of 47 for 834 yards, while end Jim Benton of Cleveland's Western champions was second with 45 catches for 1,067 yards. McKay led in punting with an average of 41.2 yards on 44 kicks; Aguirre booted seven field goals in 13 attempts; Ryan was tops in punt returns with an average of 14.7 yards on 15 returns; while Zimmerman intercepted seven passes to lead that department.
CONDITION IS BETTER
DEC 13 (Green Bay) - Buford (Baby) Ray, at home in Nashville, Tenn., after completing the season with the Packers wired this morning that his son, Donald Lee, 4, showed marked improvement Tuesday night after having been critically ill since Friday. It was thought that he might be removed from the oxygen tent today.
PACKERS EXCEED HALF-MILLION MARK IN ATTENDANCE THIS YEAR
DEC 14 (Green Bay) - The Packers broke all football attendance records during the 1945 gridiron season with a total gate of 532,444 for 14 games. Coach E.L. Lambeau's team really did pick them in all around the National league circuit after performing before immense throngs in the preseason contests. The colorful Packers have been topnotch drawing cards for many years but the turnouts this past fall made dreams about the half million season gates come true. With the exception of Detroit (Dec. 2), the Packers drew the best crowds at every city in which they played around the postgraduate gridiron wheel while at home two of three contests were sellouts...92,753 IN CHICAGO: The Packers this year played before 182,981 in the first two games of the preseason schedule. The All-Star classic in Chicago attracted 92,753 and the engagement in Philadelphia drew a 90,218 house. Playing against Pittsburgh at Hershey, Pa., the Bays put 14,251 in the park and then went to Washington where a crowd of 27,125 greeted the Bays. The Packers opened the league season at home with a 24,525 throng for the Bears game. Tickets for the fracas were sold out two weeks in advance. The next Sunday at Milwaukee against Detroit, there was
another capacity crowd of 25,500. The following week at Green Bay (Oct. 14), Cleveland jammed City stadium with 24,607 football fans. In another game at Milwaukee, the Packers faced Boston on a wet day, yet some 20,846 fans poured into the park. The Chicago Cardinal encounter at Green Bay drew 19,921. This was the best gate the Windy City Redbirds ever drew in Packertown. The Bays had a turnstile count of 45,527 against the Bears in Chicago and 28,686 for the Rams in Cleveland. The Packers had a 33,748 turnout in Boston, which set an all-time postgraduate gridiron attendance mark in Beantown. Lambeau and company jammed the Polo Grounds in New York with a 52,631 crowd when they rubbed elbows with the Giants Nov. 25. The game with the Lions in Detroit had a paid gate of 23,486 despite chilly wintry blasts.
HUTSON, CHARLEY BROCK NAMED TO ALL-PRO ELEVEN
DEC 14 (New York) - Steve Van Buren, the terrific ball toter of the Philadelphia Eagles, playing his second year in the National league, is the only unanimous choice for the All-Pro team selected today by Associated Press sportswriters around the circuit. Next to the former Louisiana State star came Cleveland's Bob Waterfield, rookie of the year. The passing-punting-scoring pro ace, who did more than any other player to put the Rams in the championship playoffs, was only one vote from away from a perfect count. Big Jim Benton, teammate of Waterfield, not only led the great Don Hutson in yards gained by catching passes during the league season but he also topped the ace end in the eyes of the All-Pro selectors...HUTSON EIGHTH TIME: Of course the honor business is an old story for Hutson. This is the eighth straight year the Green Bay standby has made the top team while creating new records every time he caught a pass or crossed an enemy goal line. Don is one of four repeaters from the 1944 team. The others are Al Wistert, 215-pound Philadelphia tackle; Riley Matheson, 205-pound Cleveland guard; and Van Buren. Besides Waterfield and Benton, the other newcomers are ball carriers Steve Baragarus, Washington Redskin freshman, and Bob Westfall, Detroit sophomore; tackle Frank Cope, eight-year man with the New York Giants; guard Bill Radovich, with Detroit for five years; and Charley Brock, Green Bay center for seven years...THREE FROM CLEVELAND: As far as team representation goes, Cleveland placed three men on the All-Pro team; Detroit, Philadelphia and Green Bay, two each; Washington and New York, one player apiece. Benton and Hutson ran way ahead of all other ends in the voting with Frank Liebel, New York; Joe Aguirre, Washington, and Steve Pritko, Cleveland, following in that order. No other tackles came close to Wistert and Cope but votes were cast for Chester Bulger , Chicago Cardinals, and Emil Uremovich, Detroit. Matheson led all the guards for the third straight year. Radovich had to beat out Zip Hanna of Washington and Augie Lio of the Boston-Brooklyn Yanks for the other spot. Pete Tinsley of Green Bay also was well liked by selectors...BROCK EGDED OUT: Mel Hein of the Giants and Alex Wojciechowicz gave Brock quite a battle for center honors but the big Green Bay pivot man won out by one vote. There was never any doubt about the backfield. Of course the big surprise was the failure of Sammy Baugh and Sid Luckman to get enough votes for the first team. Baragarus ran way ahead of Baugh. Bulst Warren of Pittsburgh made a good showing as did Ted Fritsch of Green Bay,
who lose the first fullback post to Westfall by one vote. All in all, the 1945 All-Pro team is one any coach would like to field. It has plenty of power, speed and weight. The line averages 217 and the backs 189.
JOANNES AT MEETING
DEC 15 (Green Bay) - President L.H. Joannes of the Packer corporation will represent the team at a special meeting of the NFL in Cleveland on Monday. The meeting is being held to consider the recent shift of Brooklyn from the National to the new All-America league. Joannes will attend the championship game between Washington and Cleveland Sunday.
PACKERS' TRAINER JOINS NORTHLAND BATHS STAFF
DEC 15 (Green Bay) - A member of the Packers' training staff for the last 22 years, trainer Bud Jorgensen today announced that he has become affiliated with the Hotel Northland baths on a part-time basis. Jorgensen, who recently completed another season as the football club's head trainer, will give messages and treat athletic injuries.
LAYDEN RULES TOPPING LOSES N.L. FRANCHISE
DEC 15 (New York) - In an anticlimax to the recent switch of Dan Topping's Brooklyn team from the NFL to the All-America conference, commissioner Elmer Layden yesterday ruled that Topping forfeited his franchise in the National pro circuit. Furthermore, Layden asserted the Brooklyn players have been awarded to the Boston Yanks of the National league. Brooklyn last season was merged with the Yanks after being denied use of Ebbets field in Brooklyn. The commissioner listed 13 players on the active list and about 160 on Brooklyn's service roster who would be available to Boston. If any Brooklyn players insist on remaining with Topping's club, which will operate in 1946 as the New York Football Yankees at Yankee stadium in New York, they will be suspended for five yards for the National league, Layden warned. Brooklyn last season owned such performers as Pug Manders, George Cafego, Johnny Grigas and Ace Parker.
PACKER NOTES
DEC 16 (Wisconsin State Journal) - The inducements offered Dan Topping by the All-America Football Conference to operate a professional eleven in New York's Yankee Stadium are said to include there: 1. The other owners in the All-America Conference paid Topping $100,000 in cash. 2. The All-America Conference agreed to provide Topping with an undisclosed number of "name" players. 3. The All-America Conference agreed to guarantee Topping against any operating losses for two years. E.L. "Curly" Lambeau, coach of the Green Bay Packers, claims the All-America Conference isn't sound. "They can't do it," Lambeau declared. "They can't have a playing schedule in a league that stretches from San Francisco to Boston. They can't pay the salaries they're talking about. They can't make good the inducements they are offering. They'll go broke. They are just making it tough for everybody, including themselves. I think there is room for a second league," Lambeau continued. "I'm in favor of it. But this All-America Conference takes in too much territory to be practical. And I don't like the way they do things." When Curly says the All-America Conference is "just making it tough for everybody", he means, of course, the owners. As far as the players are concerned, the professional football war is likely to be a mild bonanza. However, a professional football war may force some of the clubs in both the established NFL as well as in the upstart All-America Conference to fold under the financial pressure. That might open the way for a compromise whereby the financially sound teams in both leagues joined up in one circuit. For the time being, however, it looks like a war to the hilt, and you can see why Lambeau is concerned, Curly being a person who never derived any joy from seeing those beautiful dollars escape his clutches.
PACKERS PLAN ADDITION TO GREEN BAY STADIUM
DEC 19 (Milwaukee Journal) - A plan to increase the seating capacity of City stadium in Green Bay, home of the Packers, from its present 24,000 to at least 30,000 or perhaps 35,000 in time for next season's games, has been under consideration for the last month and probably will be adopted shortly, it was learned Wednesday. The expansion was decided upon because of the sellouts in the season just closed, the promise of an unprecedented sports boom in the postwar era, the strong financial position of the club at this time after one of the best seasons in its history, and the desire of the entire National league to strengthen its position in the face of the challenge of the new All-American conference. The additional seats, first steps in a long range building plan, will all be built on the north and south sides of the stadium, between the goal lines, and will be erected of steel or concrete. Eventually, the club hopes to replace all of its present wooden structure with steel or concrete. Architects are now working on the full plans and will submit them to the board within the next month or six weeks. Acceptance is considered only a formality after the discussions which have already been held. The problem will be to get building materials. If they cannot be had at once, the building will done as soon as possible. Both the Bear and Cleveland games in the season just closed were sellouts. It was the first time the Packers have ever had sellouts in successive home games and indicated what they might expect in the postwar boom. The Bear game has been a sellout year after year. The expansion in Green Bay will not affect the club's policy of playing at least two of its home games each season in Milwaukee.
LITTLE HOPE OF BIGGER STADIUM
DEC 20 (Green Bay) - The report that the City stadium is to be enlarged from its present capacity of about 24,000 to at least 30,000 or 35,000 in time for next season's game, which was published in the Milwaukee Journal last evening, failed to get enthusiastic confirmation from the Packer corporation today. L.H. Joannes, president of the Green Bay Packers, Inc., said, "Of course, we have discussed plans for enlarging the stadium. The executive committee of the Packer corporation is continually discussing matters of this kind. The stadium was built a little at a time following a general plan as everyone in Green Bay knows, and further additions are practically a certainty. We have no definite plan at this time, but are continuing to examine various proposals and we will be ready to whatever is necessary when building materials become available again. In fact, if it were possible to secure building material, it is probable that we would add 5,000 to 6,000 seats before the opening of the next season. The present restrictions on the use of lumber for any purpose other than the building of homes, makes it seem unlikely that anything much can be done. We are at present investigating some construction with steel and it may be that several thousand additional seats of steel could be made available by next fall without disturbing any of the present structure." The further statement in the Milwaukee paper that the new sections are to be built of concrete or steel and that "eventually the club hopes to replace all of its present wooden structure with steel or concrete" was regarded as predicting something to far in the future to require comment. Reporters talking to members of the Packer board of directors were convinced that a concrete stadium for Green Bay is something for the distant future.
103 BAYS HAVE TALLIED POINTS SINCE TEAM ENTERED PRO WHEEL
DEC 21 (Green Bay) - Don Hutson, Packer end, dug in a bit deeper at the top of the Green Bay all-time scoring table by marking up 97 points during the 1945 season. The pass receiver made 10 touchdowns, added 31 conversions and booted a pair of field goals. His all-time total is 825, which places him in a class by himself when it comes to gridiron figures...FRITSCH IS SECOND: Fullback Ted Fritsch followed Hutson on the scoring front for the Bays. He made eight "touches" and clicked on three field goals. This total of 57 boosted his all-time mark to 130 and moved him up into sixth position among the Packer scorers in a quarter of a century. Other members of the top "half-dozen" are Clarke Hinkle, fullback, 1932-41, 390; Verne Lewellen, halfback, 1924-32, 301; Johnny Blood, halfback, 1928-36, 224; Joe Laws, halfback, 1934-45, 132. Halfback Lou Brock boosted his scoring total to 98 this season by making three touchdown excursions and Irv Comp's trio of T.D.s moved him up to the 60 level...THREE ROOKIES SCORE: Three newcomers broke into the Packers point-getting table. Clyde Goodnight chalked up 20 (three touchdowns and a safety); Bernie Crimmins and Nolan Luhn each made a "touch". Larry Craig, veteran end and blocking back finally came up with a score. He has been with the Packers since 1939 but in this year's game against the Bears at Chicago he reached "paydirt" for the first time when he scooped up a Bruin fumble and planted the cowhide back of the uprights.
PACKERS DREW NEW RECORD IN ATTENDANCE
DEC 31 (Green Bay) - The Green Bay Packers, 1944 champions of the NFL, led all teams in total attendance, setting a new record for one club by playing to 521,426 spectators or an average of 37,245 in 14 games. The previous high for one club was 507,067 in 20 games, set by the Chicago Bears in 1941, the only other time in league history when a club played to half a million spectators in one season. A total of 1,918,631 fans saw the pro league games this year, an all time record. The total was 20 percent above the record of 1,204,817 for 1944.
NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE
FRANCHISES MERGING: Brooklyn Tigers and Boston Yanks=Boston Yanks FRANCHISES RETURNING: Chicago Cardinals and Pittsburgh Steelers
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 23
Detroit 10, Chi Cards 0 at Milwaukee
EASTERN DIVISION WESTERN DIVISION
New York 0 0 0 .000 0 0 Detroit 1 0 0 1.000 10 0
Washington 0 0 0 .000 0 0 GREEN BAY 0 0 0 .000 0 0
Philadelphia 0 0 0 .000 0 0 Chi Bears 0 0 0 .000 0 0
Boston 0 0 0 .000 0 0 Cleveland 0 0 0 .000 0 0
Pittsburgh 0 0 0 .000 0 0 Chi Cards 0 1 0 .000 0 10
TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 25
BOSTON 28, Pittsburgh 7
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 30
GREEN BAY 31, Chicago Bears 21 CLEVELAND 21, Chicago Cards 0
EASTERN DIVISION WESTERN DIVISION
Boston 1 0 0 1.000 28 7 Detroit 1 0 0 1.000 10 0
Washington 0 0 0 .000 0 0 Cleveland 1 0 0 1.000 21 0
Philadelphia 0 0 0 .000 0 0 GREEN BAY 1 0 0 1.000 31 21
New York 0 0 0 .000 0 0 Chi Bears 0 1 0 .000 21 31
Pittsburgh 0 1 0 .000 7 28 Chi Cards 0 2 0 .000 0 31
SUNDAY OCTOBER 7
CLEVELAND 17, Chicago Bears 0 PHILADELPHIA 21, Chicago Cards 6
BOSTON 28, Washington 20 New York 34, PITTSBURGH 6
GREEN BAY 57, Detroit 21 at Milwaukee
EASTERN DIVISION WESTERN DIVISION
Boston 2 0 0 1.000 56 27 Cleveland 2 0 0 1.000 38 0
New York 1 0 0 1.000 34 6 GREEN BAY 2 0 0 1.000 88 42
Philadelphia 1 0 0 1.000 21 6 Detroit 1 1 0 .500 31 57
Washington 0 1 0 .000 20 28 Chi Bears 0 2 0 .000 21 48
Pittsburgh 0 2 0 .000 13 62 Chi Cards 0 3 0 .000 6 52
SUNDAY OCTOBER 14
Chicago Cards 16, CHICAGO BEARS 7 Cleveland 27, GREEN BAY 14