and retired to the links. This brings up the nationally known football pass catching and scoring champion - Don Hutson, by name. Hutson, who was 30 last December, has put in eight years of professional football with the Green Bay Packers; four years with the University of Alabama; and two years with Pine Bluff, Ark., High school - a total of 14 seasons of gridiron activity. If you haven't put two and two together, it might be explained that (1) Hutson is a golf addict, and (2) Hutson feels no different about retiring than one day last winter when he told the radio and newspapers that "1943 would be a good year to retire." The spectacular backstop was cornered Tuesday afternoon just before - you guessed it - leaving for a gold match. "Guess I cannot give you anything of a story," Hutson smiled as retirement, Cecil Isbell and many other questions were fired at him. "I certainly have no intentions of playing this fall, and feel the same as I did last winter when I told you after that radio talk that 1943 would be the year to retire."...GOOD PASSERS HELP: Hutson pointed out that he made up his mind long before it was announced that Isbell would join the Purdue university coaching staff, but added that any success he had on the gridiron was due largely to good passers like Isbell. The former (?) Packer intimated that he has played enough football. "Eight years is a mighty long time at an end or backfield position," he explained. And it might be added that Hutson dashes from 20 to 50 yards (average) every time the ball is snapped on offense - not to mention those 60, 70 and 80-yard touchdown runs. Under the new substitution rule, however, it can be pointed out that Hutson could be used only for offense. he could be inserted into action only when the Packers had the ball and removed on defense without a yardage penalty. President and manager of Don Hutson's Packer Playdium, Inc., the football star believes the loss of Isbell will be a tough blow to the Packers. "Cece is a great team player and would have held an inexperienced backfield together," he said...LEFT HALFBACK IMPORTANT: "A left halfback (Isbell's position) is as important to a football team as a pitcher is to a baseball team." Hutson said. And in Isbell's case, the similarity of the two positions is quite noticeable because Cece did all of the pitching. Retirement for Huston now would mean bowing out at the peak of his career. The Packer end broke something like 16 scoring and pass receiving records last fall. He was named the most valuable for the second straight season in 1942, and was again a unanimous choice for his position.
FORMER PACKERS DOING ALL RIGHT IN UNCLE SAM'S NAVY
JUL 21 (Green Bay) - Three former Green Bay Packer linemen are doing all right in the Navy. Lieut. (jg) George Svendsen, who played center and also coaches at Antigo, has been reported sent to sea on active duty. Gus Zarnas, a guard, has been commissioned an ensign and detached from Great Lakes for duty. Lieut. Milt Gantenbein, who played a lot of end for Wisconsin's Badgers before joining the Packers, has been transferred from the naval air station at Jacksonville to the base at Norman, Okla.
NAME NO POS HGT WGT COLLEGE YR PR AG G HOW ACQUIRED
Chet Adams 27 T 6- 3 240 Ohio State 1 5 26 10 FA-Cleveland (1942)
Paul Berezney 47 T 6- 2 220 Fordham 2 2 27 10
Charley Brock 29 C 6- 1 210 Nebraska 5 5 27 6 1939 Draft-3rd round
Lou Brock 16 HB 6- 0 195 Purdue 4 4 25 10 1940 Draft-3rd round
Tony Canadeo 3 HB 6- 0 195 Gonzaga 3 3 24 10 1941 Draft-7th round
Irv Comp 51 HB 6- 3 192 St. Benedict 1 1 24 9 1943 Draft-3rd round
Larry Craig 54 E 6- 0 208 S. Carolina 5 5 27 10 1939 Draft-6th round
Tiny Croft 75 T 6- 4 298 Ripon 2 2 22
Dick Evans 22 E 6- 3 210 Iowa 2 4 25 10 FA-Chi Cards (1942)
Tony Falkenstein 18 FB 5-10 210 St. Mary's (CA) 1 1 28 10
Bob Flowers 35 C 6- 1 215 Texas Tech 2 2 26 8
Sherwood Fries 46 G 6- 1 238 Colorado St 1 1 22 5
Ted Fritsch 64 FB 5-10 205 Stevens Point 2 2 22 10
Buckets Goldenberg 43 G 5-10 220 Wisconsin 11 11 31 10
Don Hutson 14 E 6- 1 178 Alabama 9 9 30 10
Harry Jacunski 48 E 6- 2 198 Fordham 5 5 27 10
Bob Kahler 8 T 6- 3 200 Nebraska 2 2 26
William Kuusisto 45 G 6- 0 230 Minnesota 3 3 25 10
Jim Lankas 23 FB 6- 2 215 St. Mary's (CA) 1 2 25 3 FA-Phil(1942)
Joe Laws 24 HB 5- 9 188 Iowa 10 10 32 10
Joel Mason 7 E 6- 0 198 W. Michigan 2 3 30 10 FA-Chi Cards (1939)
Forrest McPherson 72 T-C 5-11 248 Nebraska 1 4 31 5 FA-Phil (1937)
Baby Ray 44 T 6- 6 250 Vanderbilt 6 6 27 8
Ade Schwammel 40 T 6- 2 215 Oregon St 4 4 34 2 FA-Green Bay (1936)
Glen Sorenson 33 G 6- 0 225 Utah St 1 1 23 7
Ben Starret 63 B 5-11 215 St. Mary's (CA) 2 3 25 7 FA-Pittsburgh (1941)
Pete Tinsley 21 G 5- 8 200 Georgia 6 6 30 10 1938 Draft-9th round
Andy Uram 42 HB 5-10 190 Minnesota 6 6 28 8 1938 Draft-4th round
NO - Jersey Number POS - Position HGT - Height WGT - Weight YR - Years with Packers PR - Years of Professional Football AGE - Age at Start of Season G - Games Played
1943 PACKERS DRAFT (April 8, 1943)
RND SEL NAME POS COLLEGE
1 8 Dick Wildung T Minnesota
2 Did Not Draft
3 23 Irv Comp B St. Benedict
4 Did Not Draft
5 38 Roy McKay B Texas
6 48 Nick Susoeff E Washington State
7 58 Ken Snelling B UCLA
8 68 Lester Gatewood C Baylor
9 78 Norm Verry T Southern California
10 88 Solon Barnett G Baylor
11 98 Bob Forte B Arkansas
12 108 Van Davis E Georgia
13 118 Tom Brock C Notre Dame
14 128 Ralph Tate B Oklahoma State
15 138 Don Carlson T Denver
16 148 Mike Welch B Minnesota
17 158 Ron Thomas G Southern California
18 168 Jim Powers T St. Mary's (Calif.)
19 218 Harold Prescott E Hardin-Simmons
20 188 Eddie Forrest C Santa Clara
21 198 Lloyd Wasserbach T Wisconsin
22 208 Mark Hoskins B Wisconsin
23 218 Earl Bennett G Hardin-Simmons
24 228 George Zellick E Oregon State
25 238 Gene Bierhaus E Minnesota
26 248 George Makris G Wisconsin
27 258 Pete Susick B Washington
28 268 Bud Hasse E Northwestern
29 278 Dick Thornally T Wisconsin
30 288 Bob Ray B Wisconsin
31 293 Brunel Christensen T California
32 298 Ken Roskie B Southern California
BOLD ITALICS - Played for the Packers
1943 IN REVIEW
Don Huston had hauled in many a pass into the end zone, but he got a chance to get on the other end of the pipe on one play. Huston took a handoff and headed off to what looked like an end run. With the defenders converging on him, the fast end pulled up short and tossed a 38-yard pass to Harry Jacunski all alone in the end zone. After the play, the poker-faced Huston broke into a grin. Passing, it seemed, was not that difficult. Most of the Green Bay passes were thrown by Tony Canadeo and Irv Comp, since star tailback Cecil Isbell had quit to coach the Purdue Boilermakers. Isbell explained why he quit while still young - "I had not been up in Green Bay long when I saw Lambeau around the locker room and tell players like Herber and Gatenbein and Hank Bruder that they were all done with the Packers. I sat there and watched and then I vowed it would never happen to me. I'd quit before they came around to tell me."
THE STEAGLES
Looking ahead to the 1943 season, the second one since the U.S. entered World War II, the National Football League faced a major problem. Like baseball, most of the players had been drafted by the armed forces. Unlike baseball, the NFL did not have a vast minor league system to draw on. The league had limped through the 1942 season with about 1/3 of its players in the service. Attendance had plummeted 20%. At its annual meeting in April, 1943, the NFL took stock. 150 more players had been lost to the armed forces. Most teams were decimated. The Pittsburgh Steelers had only 6 players under contract. The Philadelphia Eagles had 16, more than most clubs. The Cleveland Rams received permission to drop out of the league for the 1943 season. The good news from this move was that the Rams' 14 players could be disbused among the nine remaining clubs. The bad news was that an odd number of teams created a scheduling problem. The 1943 draft was mostly a waste of time as almost all the college draftees were already military draftees. Some players were coaxed out of retirement, led by the legendary Bronko Nagurski, who joined to the Bears at age 35 after 5 idle years. However, the Steelers still faced dire straits and might have to shut down as Cleveland had one. The Pittsburgh problem and the scheduling dilemma were solved by merging the Steelers with their cross-state rivals, the Eagles, for the 1943 season. The team would play four of its home games at Shibe Park in Philadelphia and two in Pittsburgh. Earl "Greasy" Neale of the Eagles and the Steelers' Walt Kiesling would be co-coaches. (This arrangement worked only after Neale took over the offense and Kiesling the defense.) The uniforms were the green and white of the Eagles. League standings would list the club as Phil-Pitt. However, sportswriters and fans preferred "Steagles." (SOURCE: Golden Moments in Sports Archives)
1943 PRE-SEASON RESULTS (2-0)
SEPTEMBER (2-0)
5 Washington Redskins at Baltimore W 23-21 1-0-0 45,000
11 Phil-Pitt Steagles at Pittsburgh W 28-10 2-0-0 19,369
1943 REGULAR SEASON RESULTS (7-2-1)
SEPTEMBER (0-0-1)
26 G-CHICAGO BEARS (0-0-0) T 21-21 0-0-1 23,675
OCTOBER (4-1)
3 at Chicago Cardinals (0-1-0) W 28- 7 1-0-1 15,563
10 G-DETROIT LIONS (2-1-0) W 35-14 2-0-1 21,396
17 M-WASHINGTON REDSKINS (1-0-0) L 7-33 2-1-1 23,058
24 at Detroit Lions (3-2-0) W 27- 6 3-1-1 41,463
31 at New York Giants (2-1-0) W 35-21 4-1-1 46,208
NOVEMBER (2-1)
7 at Chicago Bears (5-0-1) L 7-21 4-2-1 43,425
14 M-CHICAGO CARDINALS (0-7-0) W 35-14 5-2-1 10,831
21 at Brooklyn Dodgers (2-6-0) W 31- 7 6-2-1 18,992
28 X-at New London Diesels W 62-14 10,000
DECEMBER (1-0)
5 Z-at Phil-Pitt Steagles (5-3-1) W 38-28 7-2-1 34,294
X - Non-League Game Z - at Philadelphia G - Green Bay M - Milwaukee
LEWELLEN 'LIKES' TED COLLINS AS OWNER IN PRO FOOTBALL CIRCUIT
JUN 19 (Green Bay) - Verne Lewellen, the former Green Bay Packer whose long distance punting has never been duplicated since he put away the moleskins, delivered a "hoot" today in favor of Ted Collins, the successful business pilot of Song Bird Kate Smith, who is seeking a franchise in the NFL. Lewellen worked with Collins in 1941 when the Packer hero coached the Long Island Indians of the American association. Collins and William A. Shea of New York were co-owners of the club. "Collins' promotion of Ms. Smith as the nation's leading radio songster speaks for itself," Lewellen said in describing whether or not Collins would "go" in the National league. Collins and Shea this week applied for permission to operate a pro grid team in Boston during the 1943 season, and the NFL will act on their request today or Sunday at a meeting in Chicago. Besides working on the business angles of the Long Island eleven, Collins took an active personal interest in the team itself, Lewellen recalled, adding that "he made practically every trip with the team."...FRIEND OF CROWLEY: The ex-Packer stated the Collins is football-minded. A personal friend of Sleepy Jim Crowley, former Fordham coach and at present a lieutenant commander in the Navy, Collins and Miss Smith followed Fordham to New Orleans for a bowl game. "He was a great Fordham fan and a fan of Crowley," Verne stated. Lewellen had most of his dealing with Shea, whom he described as a "fine fellow and an able executive." Shea is Collins' attorney and will represent him at the Chicago meeting. Lewellen stated that Collins and Shea have enough business ability and interest in football to successfully promote a team in the NFL. Collins, only 38, has been successful in all of his promotions. He and Miss Smith formerly backed the famous New York Celtic basketball team...WON CHAMPIONSHIP: The business pair, together with Lewellen, were considerably successful with the Long Island team, which won the association title. The team lost, however, in postseason playoff, similar to the Shaughnessy system used in baseball. The Packers supplied Long Island with several players, and the Indians were known as a farm club of the Green Bay team.
EIGHT PRO GRID TEAMS WILL REMAIN IN LEAGUE
JUN 20 (Chicago) - Eight of last year's 10 NFL teams elected Saturday night to play pro ball next fall after the league owners had approved a merger of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles. Two other clubs which sought to merge, the Chicago Bears and Chicago Cardinals, withdrew their application after the league voted two rules constituting a stiff barrier to such consolidation. Subsequently, the rules were relaxed to allow the Pennsylvania members to merge after the Chicago request was withdrawn. The Bears-Cardinals merger was opposed by a group led by George Marshall, owner of the Washington Redskins, and believed to include Curly Lambeau of the Green Bay Packers, Fred Mandel of Detroit, Jack Mara of the New York Giants and Pete Cawthon, newly employed coach of the Brooklyn Dodgers. The Pennsylvania pro team will have no city designation, but will play most of its home game in Philadelphia. The Eagles will have the one vote in league business for the combine. Walter Kiesling of Pittsburgh and Earle Neale of Philadelphia will be co-coaches of the new setup. The league, therefore, will be represented this fall by those eight clubs: The Cardinals, Bears, Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers in the west, and the New York Giants, Brooklyn Dodgers, Washington Redskins and the Pittsburgh-Philadelphia combine in the east. The Cleveland Rams withdrew from the circuit.
The 1943 Green Bay Packers - 7-2-1 (2nd-Western Division)
Head Coach: Curly Lambeau
THIS IS SILVER JUBILEE YEAR FOR GREEN BAY PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL
JAN 5 (Green Bay) - When that little infant wearing a pair of 1943 diapers entered the picture at midnight New Year's eve, did any of you celebrants note that he carried a a football? At least, the little Mr. Nineteen Forty-Three that arrived in Green Bay did. The point is that the little guy, who replaced the battered Nineteen Forty-Two, ushered in the Green Bay Packers' 25th year in professional football - the sliver jubilee of the pay sport in this city. Of course, the war and its recruits may have something to do with Green Bay celebrating its 25th football birthday, but regardless the Packers still will be in their 25th year. They'll still hold a franchise, even though world events could force them from action. Coach Curly Lambeau launched pro football in Green Bay back in 1919, and, after two years of freelance ball, entered the NFL. The Packers remain as one of the three teams in the circuit since it was started, the other two being the Bears and Cardinals of Chicago. In the Bears' first year, they were known as the Staleys...COVERS FOUR DECADES: Lambeau's career in pro football - and the Packers (both the same) - represent four decades - 1910, 1920, 1930 and 1940. He covered the "roaring twenties" with one championship, and skipped over the "depression thirties" with four titles. The "warring forties" are still without a championship, but remember that Lambeau opened this decade with three seconds in the Western division...FIRST TIME EVER: When Hal Van Every cavorted for the Second Air Force Bombers against Hardin-Simmons in the Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas, New Year's day, it was the first time a former Packer ever played in a bowl game after he saw action with Green Bay. Generally, the Packer stars get into a bowl before they come here, but Van Every is an exception - made possible by the war. He scored the winning touchdown by the way...'I LIKE TO SCORE': Tackle Al Klug of Marquette suggested something the other day that pro coaches ought to try. Klug, who likes to score, asked his coach, Tom Stidham, to figure out some sort of a tackle-around play so "I can score". The rules forbid a tackle from carrying the ball from his position but he could always switch to end. Can you imagine Baby Ray, Ernie Pannell, Bill Lee or Paul Berezney "flashing" on tackle-around plays?...THIS AND THAT: Advertisers spent approximately $100,000 in getting up the souvenir program for the NFL's "pro bowl" game in Philadelphia Dec. 27. Before the Bear-Washington title test, veteran George Musso gave the Bruins a pep talk. Tony Canadeo, Packer halfback, left Green Bay this week for his home in Chicago. He'll go into the Navy Air corps sometime in March. Packer fullback Ted Fritsch has been placed in 4-F by his Stevens Point draft board. Coach Curly Lambeau was ready in case a draft session was held at the recent league meeting. He had complete reports from his numerous scouts on nearly every outstanding player in the country.
PACKER NOTES
JAN 6 (Wisconsin Rapids) - Ted Fritsch, former Central State Teachers college athlete, and more recently a fullback on the Green Bay Packers, probably has played in his last professional football game for the duration. Fritsch, whose high school days were spent at the little school at Spencer, where his brother Mike does the coaching, left last week with the draft contingent of Portage county for physical examinations in Milwaukee. Since the conclusion of the Green Bay Packer schedule, Ted has been employed as a substitute mail carrier at the post office in Stevens Point. He registered in that city while attending college there. Fritsch was Eddie Kotal's personal contribution to the Green Bay Packer club. When the Packer organization hired Eddie as backfield coach late last spring, it has no idea that Kotal would also bring the 1942 Packer fullback. But Fritsch, who is built like a bull and yet is extremely light on his feet, more than filled the bill for Curly Lambeau. Naturally Ted wasn't a Clark Hinkle in his first season of professional football. As a matter of fact, try and name anyone who has been the equal of the Hink. Possibly Bronko Nagurski and Ernie Never, but who else? Norm Standlee was a great line plunger for the Bears, but who wouldn't be with that Bear line to open the holes? For a rookie Fritsch did a splendid job. His field goal kicking contributed to the Packer scoring and he saved the Green Bay team from certain defeat in New York by breaking away for a long run in the closing minutes of the game against the Giants to enable the Packers to escape with a 21-21 tie. Another example of a small town boy who made good in a big way.
PACKER FANS OF BROOKLYN, N.Y., HELPS LAMBEAU FIND GRID TALENT
JAN 8 (Green Bay) - If football is still active next fall, Brooklyn is determined that the Green Bay Packers win the National league championship. 'Tis a rare statement, indeed, and Coach Curly Lambeau nearly swooned when he read it in a letter from a representative of the Brooklyn Chapter, Green Bay Packer Fans. The missive was signed: "Chapter President". The letter listed a raft of outstanding college players, after pointing out that "please do not deem this as an insult to your coaching proficiency as we are aware that you have scouts for the very work we undertook but we have so thoroughly covered the football picture this year we cannot see how anyone could surpass us on the subject." It might be explained that the Packers have paid scouts throughout the country keeping their eyes open for possible pro talent. In addition, there are many other personal friends of Lambeau who are on the watch for material. But this letter is something new, said Lambeau...CONCLUDED TEAM'S NEEDS: The letter points out that "we have covered every Packer game very closely, and most of the college contests. Therefore we consider ourselves in a position to accurately approximate the Packer status, in reference to the coming season. Our society has concluded the team's needs and has listed the college players most likely to succeed in the pro ranks." The chapter explains that it realizes that it is "pretty much impossible to corner these stars, due to the war, and the fact that other clubs will grab off some of these players. But you can pick some of them." Here is part of the letter telling of the players, written mostly in note form:...SCHREINER GREATEST: "Ends: Schreiner, Wisconsin, if not in service could be greatest of college crop. A natural pick, but probably won't be available for your pick. Currivan, Boston college, a close second, another natural choice. Then there are Poschner, Georgia, Dove of Notre Dame and Ferguson of California. But the three darkhorse predictions are Al Hurst, Tennessee, Marty Comer, Tulane, and Bob Shaw, Ohio State. Then follow Suesoff, Washington State, Gantt, Duke, Motl, Northwestern, and Smith, UCLA. Tackles: The Big Ten has four naturals for the pro league, Dick Wildung, Minnesota, Paul Hirschbrunner, Wisconsin, Chuck Csuri, Ohio State, and Al Wistert, Michigan. The best prospect, though, is big Don Whitemire from Alabama's great line. Also Johnson, Kentucky, Donaldson, Penn, Bouley, Boston College, Stamm and Banducci, Stanford, Wickett, Oregon State, and Palmer, TCU."...GUARD KINGPIN BASE: "Guards: The kingpin prospect here is Canale of Boston college, an immovable object on defense. Also come Lin Houston, Ohio State, Nick Burke, Northwestern, and Chuck Taylor, Stanford. Along with Ruark, Georgia, Ramsey, William and Mary, and Agase, Illinois. Hardy of Georgia Tech is tops but light for pro ball. Other good ones are Lescouli, UCLA, and McIntrye, Fordham. Centers: Harrison, Washington, Sabasteanski, Fordham, Manning, Georgia Tech, and Pregulman, Michigan, all on an even base. Backs: The backs the Packer need the most are the breakaway artists, and here they are: Black, Mississippi State, Gafford, Auburn, Daley, Minnesota, Steuber, Missouri, and Hillenbrand, Indiana. Also some welcome additions would be Jenkins, Vanderbilt, Kennedy, Washington State, Holovak, Boston college, Filipowicz, Fordham, Connolly, Boston college, Johnson and Longnere, William and Mary, Craft, Alabama, Waterfield, UCLA, Day, Oregon State, Griffin, Illinois, and Sarringhaus, Ohio State.
PACKER FANS WELCOME DORAIS AS NEW DETROIT LIONS COACH
JAN 12 (Green Bay) - Signing of Gus Dorais, the accomplished Detroit lawmaker and football coach, is welcome news around these parts. It means that the Green Bay Packer-Lion rivalry, just a spark the past few years, may start to burn. Besides making it hot for Coach Curly Lambeau's lads and at the same time interesting for the customers, Dorais' entrance in the National league could give the Chicago Bears one more worry in the Western division. In the last three years, the only headache the Bears had was the Packers. Good friends off the field but deadly enemies on the gridiron, Dorais and Lambeau started something back in 1937 when the College All-Stars nipped a dog-tired Packer club, 6-0, in Soldiers' field in Chicago. This should make for a lot of interesting copy come next fall. Lambeau is looking for Dorais to build up the old Detroit-Packer rivalry that resulted in more than one sellout crowd at City stadium. The Detroit game was shifted to Milwaukee last fall, and in 1941, the Packers defeated Detroit, 23-0, before a disappointed gathering. Detroit clubs featuring Ernie Caddell, Dutch Clark, Ace Gutowsky, Lloyd Cardwell and many others drew almost as well as the Bears not so long ago...PASSED TO ROCKNE: Lambeau considers Dorais one of the best coaches in the country, and believes he'll succeed because he is a great exponent of the forward pass. Dorais was one of the game's first great forward passers three decades ago while pitching aerials at Notre Dame to his roommate, Knute Rockne. His University of Detroit elevens have used the airways for nearly 18 years and a .700 winning average.
PLAYER
JAN 28 (Green Bay) - Doh Hutson, the Green Bay Packer end who capitalized on 'scientific loafing' to become a gridiron success, today was named the most valuable player in the NFL. The selection marked the second straight year Hutson has won the Joe F. Carr trophy. The eight-year Green Bay veteran, who will celebrate his 30th birthday Sunday, is the first performer ever to repeat in the most valuable player balloting. Previous winners of the award made in memory of the founder of the pro league were Mel Hein of the New York Giants; Parker Hall of the Cleveland Rams; and Ace Parker of the Brooklyn Dodgers...SIX FIRST-PLACE VOTES: His selection was a runaway in the poll of nine newspapermen in league cities. The glue-fingered Packer end received six first place votes for an aggregate of 39 points. Only two other players received consideration. They were Bill Dudley, the great rookie back of the Pittsburgh Steelers, who had 18 points as as the result of two first place and four second place votes, and Sammy Baugh of the Washington Redskins, who totaled 15 points on one first place and five second place votes. Announcement of Hutson's selection was made by the NFL office in Chicago. Coaches and competent critics attribute Hutson's play in eight seasons in the pro league to his "scientific loafing", a phrase which describes his seeming indifference to what goes on around him on a football field. His ability to elude defensemen to catch passes from Cecil Isbell can be traced to a baffling "change of pace" in his running. He has the uncanny knack of getting a step's "jump" on any player trying to cover him. The selection committee in outlining the reasons for Huston's selection said:...CONSIDER NUISANCE VALUE: "The selection did not rest alone on his great pass catching ability. Also considered were his nuisance value as a disrupter of enemy defenses and his ability to transform the Packers into a confident, powerful aggregation in clutch situations." A product of the University of Alabama, Hutson, who operates the Don Hutson Packer Playdium here, holds more records than any player in the league's 22-year history. His pro grid marks total 17. Popular and active in civic affairs, he recently was named chairman of the Brown County Red Cross drive. Hutson led the league in scoring last season for the third straight time, the first player ever to accomplish that trick. He posted 138 points in 11 league games. He recently was named to the all-league team for the sixth time...GAINED 5,515 YARDS: The marks that set Hutson apart from other superstars of pro football, however, are his pass catching achievements. In eight seasons he's caught 336 passes for a gain of 5,515 yards and 72 of his catches were good for touchdowns. Huston has played in 91 games during his pro career and has caught at least one pass in 89 of those encounters. The passes have ranged in gains from four inches to 92 yards.
ISBELL TAKES PASS FROM HUTSON IN MANITOWOC FETE HONORING CECE
FEB 5 (Green Bay) - Cecil Isbell, just a bit over his football weight, reversed his usual gridiron procedure here Thursday night and caught a pass from Don Hutson that went for a touchdown in the hearts of Manitowoc grid fans. The football in this case was a distinguished service medal which designated Isbell as the outstanding young man of Manitowoc for 1942. His achievements on the football field for the Green Bay Packers as well as his business activities here led to selection of Isbell as the receiver. Cece is in the water softening business here. Introduced by Del Brault, president of the Junior Chamber of Commerce which sponsored the banquet in the Hotel Manitowoc, Hutson gave an address before passing the award to Isbell, who, in turn, delivered a brief "thank you" message. Nearly 100 persons attended. Admitted that he was "blessed with outstanding passers from Dixie Howell (at Alabama) up to Isbell," Hutson said he owed Isbell "more than anything I know. He was responsible for any success I might have had on the gridiron." The Packer pas catcher recalled many times during the last season when 'we could have run with the ball". One of these incidents was a four-inch touchdown pass against Cleveland last fall...COULD TAKE BEATING: Hut praised Isbell as the "only passer in the National league who can take a beating if he knows a play will work the next time." The receiver, who completed his 13th year of football last fall, said the best break he ever got was in coming to Green Bay because "Curly Lambeau played the kind of football that I liked to play." Admitting that he was prejudiced, Hutson said that "football was the greatest game in the country. It develops good habits, a clean, health body, and is now preparing young men for a bigger game that we can't lose."
SAYS PRO LOOP WILL CARRY ON
FEB 11 (Kaukauna) - Earl (Curly) Lambeau, coach of the Green Bay Packers, believes there will be sufficient players available next fall to guarantee a full campaign for the NFL. Declaring that sandlots are not a good source of pro league material, Lambeau said at a high school banquet last night that National league teams could replenish their rosters with former college stars and ex-professionals who have been out of football only a few years and who have not yet been accepted for military service. "Mel Hein, Clarke Hinkle, Don Hutson, Joe Stydahar and Johnny Blood, among others, were pressing or past the 30-year mark while still starring," Lambeau said, supporting his view that younger men several years out of college can still make a go of it in the pro league. "If necessary our training periods could be lengthened to give these men an opportunity to regain their poise, and we also could adopt the free substitution rule to give them a better break in actual competition." He added that he disagreed with Elmer Layden, commissioner of the league, who said recently that the pro league "may have to go to the sandlots for players." The dinner was in honor of Paul Little, Kaukauna coach.
total points for eight seasons to 524. Two big days on consecutive weekends were the deciding factors in his touchdown records. Against the Chicago Cardinals on Nov. 1 and the Cleveland Rams on Nov. 8, he lugged three passes over the goal line. This brought to six the number of times he has scored three times on passes against one opponent. Hutson kicked six extra points against the Chicago Cardinals on Nov. 1 to give him a total of 24 points for the day, the second largest ever scored by a National league player...MCLEAN CATCHES EIGHT: McLean, rapidly developing the only approach to Hutson's receiving ability in football, caught eight touchdown passes and returned a punt 89 yards against the Chicago Cardinals on Oct. 11 to nose out his teammate, All-League fullback Gary Famiglietti, for second place. Famiglietti smashed over enemy goal lines eight times to lead the league in touchdowns running. He was followed by two other Bears, rookie Frank Maznicki , who added 21 extra points to two touchdowns and four field goals for 45 points, and Hugh Gallaraneau, recently commissioned a lieutenant in the marines, who scored seven touchdowns. Team scoring slumped off slightly, ten clubs totaling 1,747 points in 55 league games against 1,812 in 1941. There were only 129 touchdowns scored by rushing. In 1941, National leaguers produced 144 times through this method. This deficit, however, was made up by 108 touchdowns by passing, against 100 the previous season. The Chicago Bears retained the team scoring championship with a total of 376 points and set a record for extra points by kicking 46. Washington rang up a new mark for safeties, scoring two. The only other team record was established by Green bay, which bettered its old mark of 20 touchdown passes, set in 1938. Led by Hutson, the Packer went over 28 times via the air. The Bears also broke the old record, scoring 21 times on passes.
TURNER BEST PASS STEALER
FEB 19 (Chicago) - Clyde (Bulldog) Turner, the Chicago Bears 235-pound center, turned out to be the best patrolman in the NFL passing traffic in 1942 - intercepting eight enemy tossers to establish a record. In the Bears' last game of the season, Turner filched a pass thrown by Bud Schwenk of the Chicago Cardinals to beat out the league's most consistent record-wrecker, Don Hutson. The Green Bay Packer star was in for several steals, and may have made another had he not seen only limited action in his last game against Pittsburgh because of an injury. Art Jones of Pittsburgh and Marshall Goldberg of the Cardinals jointly held the interception record of seven, notching that mark in 1941...RUNS BACK 42 YARDS: Turner's longest runback of an interception was 42 yards against the Cardinals Oct. 11, and it have him his only touchdown of the season, official league statistics showed today. O'Neal Adams, New York Giant rookie, was credited with the longest return, going 66 yards for a score against Washington Sept. 27, in the only game the National championship Redskins lost. Passing accuracy was slightly improved in 1942, with only 9.7 percent of all passes thrown in league games being intercepted as compared with 9.9 percent the previous season. Only seven interceptions were returned for touchdowns in 1942, against a record total of 10 in 1941.
JOE LAWS THIRD BEST PASSER BY MAKING TWO OUT OF THREE
FEB 23 (Green Bay) - Things you might have missed in the NFL's batch of 1942 statistics - Joe Laws, aging Green Bay Packer halfback, was the third-best passer in the league - in percentage. Joe completed two out of three passes for a percentage of. 667. He gained 76 yards in the two completions and the longest, 62 yards, for a touchdown. The league had two perfect pitchers - Merle Hapes of the New York Giants and Len Janiak of the Cleveland Rams. Janiak threw one pass and completed it for 11 yards and 1.000, while Hapes completed two out of two tosses but lost 12 yards in the attempts. Anyway, Laws set some sort of a goal for the league's aerial champ, Cecil Isbell, to shoot at....Believe it or not, those poor Detroit Lions, who didn't win a game all year, shared a "championship" with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Both teams made all of their points after touchdown. Detroit only scored five touchdowns and Brooklyn 13. The Packers missed points after touchdown only twice after their 41 touchdowns...Green Bay and the Chicago Cardinals turned in the best performances in field goal kicking, each making five out of ten attempts. New York and Pittsburgh each tried 16 field goals, and each made three...Champ Seibold, the Oshkosh giant who played with the Packers several years back and who last year made a comeback with the Cardinals, was the only tackle to score a touchdown last fall. He did it against the Bears by intercepting a pass. Seibold was one of 45 players who scored one touchdown last season...Perry Schwartz of Brooklyn and the Packers' Hutson were the only pass receivers who gained over 70 yards in any one reception. Hutson picked one off for a 73-yard gain against the Cards and Schwartz snagged a pass for 71 yards. Eight players bettered 60 or more yards in a single catch, one of which was a 64-yard gain by Andy Uram in the Card game...The Cardinals favored neither passing nor rushing last season, scoring six times by each method for their dozen touchdowns. On the other hand, Pittsburgh was definitely rushing minded, counting 21 T.D.'s by rushing and only two by passing. The Packers were up in the air most of the time, scoring 28 times in the ozone and only 13 by rushing.
apparently to watch the scenery. With the Providence gridders on Dunn's side of the field, Blood ran unmolested down his sideline for 80 yards and a touchdown. That makes a total of about 140 yards. The Packers won the game, 28 to 0. Incidentally, Blood, now a private at Chanute field, kept on running and went clear up the side of a banked motorcycle track which circled the field. He made gestures on his way down the track...HUTSON IN INDIA: Don Hutson of the Packers made "Victory", a publication for the India Command, writes Lieutenant A.M. Lison to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Alfred M. Lison, 126 S. Madison street. The paper comments: "Seems silly for a guy to risk life and limb butting through a wall of human flesh just to gain five yards when Hutson gets 20 yards catching a pass with nobody around. He is the biggest single drawing card in the game today. People exclaim that all Hutson can do is catch passes. Wrong. But he can do that better than any man who ever lived."...WORK AND PLAY: Sturgeon Bay and Manitowoc provide an excellent "working grounds" for the 1943 Green Bay Packers - if they are required to work during the day and practice at night. S.B. has regular bus service, too...REAL OLDTIMER: During the 1942 season end Joe Carter of the Green Bay Packers carried the distinction of being the only charter member of the Philadelphia Eagles still playing. 32 or over, Carter played with the Eagles since they entered the National league in 1933. He led the league in pass receiving in 1934.
PLAYER DRAFT CAN'T BE MUCH WORSE FOR BAYS THIS YEAR
MAR 16 (Green Bay) - The 1943 NFL draft to be held in Chicago April 6, 7 and 8 couldn't be much worse for the Green Bay Packers than the 1942 draft. Coach Curly Lambeau selected 20 players a year ago and got just one - Bob Ingalls, University of Michigan center. Ingalls is a private in the air corps at Atlantic City, N.J. The '43 draft is expected to be nothing more than a formality. In many instances, selections will be made only to establish property rights for the athletes when the war is over. Each coach, however, is expected to carry briefcases with notes on scores of players who are married and have children...Sergeant Bob Adkins, former Packer blocking back, writes Mrs. Sue L. Wallen that he has received a package from the Sullivan Post, American Legion. He adds "thanks and I am making good use of everything."...Don Hutson was the only Packer scoring in all three departments of play last season. He scored 17 touchdowns, kicked 33 extra points and booted one field goal in the final game. Rookie fullback Ted Fritsch was the only other Packer to boot a field goal, kicking four of them. He added one extra point but failed to score a touchdown...Chuck Sample went through a bruising NFL season as a Packer fullback and came out with nary a scratch. One week at Camp Grant, Ill., and he had a broken ankle, receiving while sauntering about the military premises...Coach Curly Lambeau is considering a survey among his 1942 Packers in order to get a line on their intentions for next season. Thus far, the results are encouraging with a number of the gridders planning to return next fall.
ROHRIG REACHED PEAK WHILE PLAYING WITH ARMY ALL-STARS
MAR 23 (Green Bay) - Although Herman Rohrig was a standout in prep, collegiate and professional football, the second lieutenant at Kessler field, Miss., claims he did not reach his peak last fall when he played with Major Wallace Wade's Western Army All-Stars. Rohrig, a left halfback with the Packers in 1941, operated with John Kimbrough and a raft of other stars with Wade's team for what could be called his second "pro" season. The All Stars played only professional opponents. With Nebraska, Rohrig tossed a 40-yard touchdown pass against Stanford in the Rose bowl and carried a kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown against Missouri...Charley Brock, Packer center who is well known for his famous ball theft in the Chicago Cardinals game last fall, may help coach spring football at Nebraska. Guard Buckets Goldenberg is now showing Milwaukeeans something about handball in physical education classes there, which should qualify him as a jack of all trades. Buckets, in his day, has played football, baseball and competed in track; sold real estate; wrestled in the pro ring; managed an investment company; and more recently opened a restaurant...'Tis said that Don Hutson would not be here today if he had not caught the touchdown pass that beat the Chicago Bears here in 1935 on the first play of the game. Coach Curly Lambeau was said to have told Hutson to keep right on running out of the stadium if he failed. And Hutson was running toward the west gate, too, when he snared Arnie Herber's 70-yard peg for the T.D...Guard Russ Letlow has completed boot training at Great Lakes and in all probability will be available to play on the Great Lakes eleven next fall. Tony Canadeo of the Naval Air corps will get his pre-flight training at Monmouth college. Private Pete Tinsley of the U.S. Army is losing weight at Miami Beach, Fla.
BAYS DRAW $2.96 FROM EACH FAN AT TILT WITH ARMY
MAR 31 (Green Bay) - Chalk up another "victory" for the Green Bay Packers. They drew $2.96 from each of the 14,146 persons attending the Western All-Star game in Milwaukee last fall, an average higher than for any other club in the National league, according to simple division of official figures released by the league office. Of gross receipts of $48,450.35, a total of $41,918.46 was paid to the Army Relief Fund. A total of $3,144.40 was taken out for taxes and the remainder for bare expenses. Although some of the other Army Relief games involving league teams contributed more than $41,918.46, the per customer gift was surprisingly low in comparison with the Packer figure. For instance, the 34,355 persons attending the Brooklyn Dodger-Eastern Army game contributed $46,093.05 or an average of only $1.34, or $1.62 less than the Packer figure...50,962 PAY $1: Take the Washington-Western Star game at Los Angeles which drew 50,963 persons. The amount to army relief was $52,873.74 or slightly over $1 per person. one case, War Relief got less than $1 per head. The New York-Army tussle at New York packed in 33,105 persons but only $20,615 for an average of nearly 63 cents per fan. The Giants' second game, at Syracuse, did better as 29,294 person contributed $49,549 for an average of just over $1.60. And Coach Curly Lambeau wasn't fooling last fall when he stated that expenses for the Army game would be cut to rock bottom. Let's figure the expenses for the eight games by deducting the taxes plus the Army Relief total from the gross receipts...BAY EXPENSES LOW: The Packers' expenses of $3,387.49 were the absolute low. Next were the New York game at Syracuse which cost the Giants $4,476.90. Other expense figures: New York at New York, $51,796.05; Bears at Boston, $28,476.87; Washington at Los Angeles, $27,222.23; Detroit at Detroit, $13,258.74; Brooklyn at Baltimore, $10,342.45; Chicago Cardinals at Denver, $9,975.79. In all, the league contributed $324,133.94 from the eight games attended by a total of 240,833. Other relief games like the College All-Star tilt and the Pro Bowl battle resulted in a relief melon of $514,671.46. The grand total raised for relief is $680,384.07. Here's another feather in the Packer hat:...BEST BOND EFFORT: The outstanding item in bond sales, which totaled approximately $4,000,000 at league games and rallies, is credited to Coach Curly Lambeau and his passing combination, Cecil Isbell and Don Hutson, who received a treasury citation for selling $2,100,000 worth in a single night's rally in Milwaukee.
PRO GRIDMEN ENROLLED AT M.U. MEDICAL SCHOOL
APR 1 (Milwaukee) - Paul Berezney, a tackle with the Green Bay Packers last year, and Bill Combs, Philadelphia Eagles end, are students at the Marquette university school of medicine. Both are reserves in the armed forces. Berezney a lieutenant in the medical administrative corps of the Army and Combs an engineer in the Navy.
PACKERS FIELD TO BE PLOWED UP!
APR 1 (Green Bay) - After heated discussion last night, the city council voted to plow under the Packer football field for use as a community victory garden this summer. Plowmen began to turn the sod this morning, and by Friday it is expected the field will be ready for cultivation. A woman's committee by noon today had secured a list of 47 women's groups who will form the first vanguard of Gridiron Gardeners. Councilmen decided to convert City stadium from football to food because of the acute shortage of both fresh and canned vegetables. At first Joannes or Fisk park were considered as sites, but proponents gave way when it was pointed out that the ticket windows will make ideal outlets both for handing out work assignments and distributing the produce. In addition, the high walls will keep out marauders...WHAT'S A LITTLE TILE: Conversion of the field to a garden will force the Green Bay Pacekrs to use the West High stadium as a practice field, a shift which football spokesmen said they would gladly make in the interests of victory. It does not affect the Packer game schedule, however, as the corporation had earlier decided to play games this season only before army and navy camps. Chief council opponents of the measure to convert the field to food said that plowing will destroy the tile foundation on which the sod is laid, and which was put in at some cost. However, as proponents argued, what is tile when the city needs carrots. In addition, a 23rd ward councilman pointed out that salvage from the field can go into the tile collection campaign which will open next week to gather badly needed material from the Sturgeon Bay housing project...THERE'S A WAR ON: News of the city's latest sacrifice for war shocked Green Bay citizen when they heard it this morning. However, when they got into first shock, most admitted the wisdom of turning turfs into turnips and other needed articles. Leaders of the movement plan to turn the shower room into dressing compartments and lockers for the football farmerettes and others who will care for the crops. It is expected that the shifts of clubhouse women will do the bulk of the work in view of the shortage in manpower. In the fall produce will roll out through ticket windows and stadium gates as those who believe in Lirpa Loof stand in line to call for their beets at the box office. Those who wish to volunteer for gardening on the gridiron are advised to get their hoes sharpened up for today is - April Fool!
APRIL FOOL GAGS BROUGHT MANY LAUGHS AND THRILLS TO CITY
APR 2 (Green Bay) - Green Bay citizens fell for the Press-Gazette's Lirpa Loof gags Thursday - hook, line and sinker. The comment on the Packer field yarn was almost unbelievable; the city's girls were preparing to welcome a battalion of six-foot soldiers at that imaginary camp off the Cedar Creek road; and scores of persons were wondering where in Sam Hill is Sir C. Sandwich Hamm. It be wise to explain Lirpa Loof before someone starts to connect Mr. Loof hook, line and sinker. Lirpa Loof is April Fool spelled backward, and this story is designed as an explanation for a lot of shocked Green Bayites. The Packer field plow up hoax really took the cake. It was splattered under a picture of a farmer behind horses and plow, slicing up City stadium grass. It was said that the city council had just voted to plow up the field and use it for a community victory garden but of course there had been no such action...ZIMONICK GAVE HAND: The trick photography employed was the secret of success because more than one person interviewed on the street commented that "it's a shame to cut up a the field like that", or some similar statement. Most citizens admitted they were "darned mad" about the whole thing. Few of them noticed that a 23rd ward councilman was involved in the council voting. It can be revealed that there are only 22 wards in the city. What made it 'worse" was that the April Fool part of the story was "jumped" onto Page two. In their hurry, disgust and despair, many readers didn't turn the page. They just shook their heads, said, "Well, I'll be ---". and looked at the picture again. Now about that trick photography. Clarence Bredell, Press-Gazette photographer, went to the Zimonick Brothers trucking garden and snapped a hired hand plowing up a piece of land. It was all "fixed" up since Mr. Zimonick isn't ready to plow yet. Bredell loaded his camera again and drive two miles to City stadium where he 'shot" the field and East stands from the northwest corner. From the negatives he developed the prints. The horse farmer, his plow and the part that was plowed up was cut out of the print - 'twas like cutting out paper dolls - and pasted onto the print of the stadium. The plate was engraved from the "double" picture and that's what you saw on Page 1 Thursday night...LAMBEAU GOT A JOLT: Coach Curly Lambeau got a jolt when he grabbed the Press, but quickly survived when he got to thinking about it. In fact, Lambeau said he had a hard time convincing people that the field wasn't going to be plowed up; "they thought I was pulling an April Fool joke." Another "error" besides the 23rd ward councilman, deliberately put in the story was that the "city council voted to convert the area into a garden." It would be up to the board of education to say yes or no to cutting up the field and forming the Gridiron Gardeners.
MANDEL OBJECTS TO FREEZING OF PRO FRANCHISES
APR 3 (New York) - The NFL will start a three-day meeting in Chicago Tuesday to decide what's what for next fall. And indications are that the answer for most clubs will be "football is what". Three or four clubs have hinted that they'd like to suspend for the duration but Prexy Jack Mara of the Giants figures that if the others vote to play, the lukewarm gents will string along with them. Otherwise the word is that the franchise likely will be "frozen" and the remaining players distributed among the other clubs. What's more interesting, Mara said, will be to see whether the clubs draft college players for this season or pick the big name guys in hope that they'll still be available after the war...OPTIMISTIC NOTE: Still quoting Mara: "From what we have heard, there will be a good many football players next fall - boys in the various reserves who don't expect to be called until December or January and those who have been deferred. As long as we can get eleven men (maybe just a few more, eh, Jack) and the other guys can get eleven they'll be football at the Polo Grounds. Maybe we'll have to put a call out before the games and get some of those old A-1 Americans or old Monday morning quarterbacks in the stands to come and help us."...CONTROVERSIAL NOTE: Very much agin' freezing franchises is owner Fred Mandel of the Detroit Lions. "Unless the owners are in some branch of the armed forces," he says, "I feel that the franchise should be taken up. If a club quits because it hasn't the fortitude to take a losing season financially, or hasn't the aggressiveness to dig up the players, I think it should forfeit its right to play in the league."
LAMBEAU TO TAKE 500 NAMES TO CHICAGO SESSION NEXT WEEK
APR 3 (Green Bay) - Coach Curly Lambeau's famous briefcase will be loaded with the names of 500 prospective Green Bay Packer footballers when he goes to Chicago next week for the annual spring meeting of the NFL. There's a catch, though. Four hundred of the names represent boys who are in service or will be eligible for Uncle Sam's activity next fall, the time the National league will start its own form of activity...25 YEARS OLD: Of the remaining 100 gridders, Lambeau expects to gather up enough boys to form the "silver" edition of the Packers. It will be 25 years ago that Lambea collected a crowd of boys and launched pro football in Green Bay. The coach expects to salvage about 15 players from the 1942 team. Complete historical data has been obtained on each of the 500 boys. Chief items of interest to Lambeau are their previous experience and status in the draft. About 70 percent of the players are married and about half of them have children. Lambeau isn't asking for any signatures yet. "We'll wait until after the meeting and see where we stand." If the go-ahead signal is flashed, Lambeau said he'd have some of the new boys under contract "very soon". In previous years, the girdders were signed shortly after they were drafted...DRAFT A FORMALITY: Incidentally, the draft at the Chicago meeting will be nothing more than a formality, chiefly to give the various teams player rights. Just about all of the 1942 collegiate stars are in service. A report by Commissioner Elmer Layden on his recent visit to Washington where he conferred with Paul V. McNutt and other officials is expected to be a highlight of the meeting. Since his trip to Washington, Layden has said that the league will operate next fall. Lambeau believes that no rule changes will be made, except possibly a new ruling on substitution. A member of the league's rule committee, Lambeau thinks unlimited substitution would make a more colorful and faster game. It would also give "older" players more opportunity to rest themselves...DRAW UP SCHEDULE: League officials will also draw up the 1943 schedule, although all of the teams know already who their opponents will be under the league's schedule setup. The Packers, for instance, will play host to the Washington Redskins, Brooklyn Dodgers and Philadelphia Eagles next fall. They also will play home-and-home series with teams in the Western division - Chicago Bears, Chicago Cardinals, Detroit and Cleveland. Previous to 1933, when the National league divided into its present Eastern and Western divisions, the schedule-making representatives had a merry time jockeying around in the effort to secure the most advantageous setup for each season. Now each team in each section must play its co-members twice during the season, home-and-home. It is then up to the individual clubs to book the other three games with any of the five in the other division. The latter are rotated.
NATIONAL FOOTBALL EXECUTIVES MEET IN CHICAGO
APR 5 (Chicago) - Executive of the NFL will go into a huddle here Tuesday to make plans for the professional game's kickoff of 1943. The three-day annual meeting, probably the most important in the league's 23-year history because of wartime difficulties, will decide for certain how to carry on this year. Commissioner Elmer Layden reiterated that ten teams will take the field and that the usual 55-game schedule will be played. Problems to be tackles include the annual players draft, which was postponed from last December, and ratification of the 1943 schedule.
GRID PROS WILL PLAY; LAYDEN TELLS PARLEY
APR 6 (Chicago) - "We can and will play football next fall," optimistically declared Elmer Layden, league president, as owners and coaches of the NFL assembled here Tuesday for a three day discussion of war created problems. "Pro football still has to be shown," he said, "that it cannot continue in the face of whatever demands selective service or the war in general make upon it." "It's not going to be easy, I know," he added. "Our easy source of playing material, college football, is gone for the duration. We're going to have to work to get players and prepare our teams for the schedule. And we can do it." Layden said there were certainly enough 3-A players available "somewhere in the country" to allow each club a workable minimum in 1943. He said that even under an accelerated selective service schedule not all players would necessarily be taken by fall. Reports continued to persist, as the league's executive committee convened Monday as a prelude to the league meeting, that two or four clubs would disband and ask that their territorial rights be "frozen" for the duration. Layden staunchly maintained, however, that he had not been notified officially that any league members intended to fold. With the manpower problem the chief concern, it was regarded as almost certain that the player limit would be reduced from 33, probably to 25. To permit full use of the limited material, it was also considered certain that the rules committee would recommend adoption of the free substitution rule. The agenda originally called for the player draft on Tuesday, but Fred Mandel of the Detroit Lions sought postponement until Thursday. Mandel attempted last week to get the player draft postponed indefinitely, but was defeated in a telephonic poll. The Lions owner's ostensible reason for the postponement was the illness of his new coach, Gus Dorais. Dorais is at his Detroit home recuperating from a skull fracture. There was no assurance, however, that he would be able to come here Thursday either. Thus the move generally was construed as one designed to stall the draft until after a general business meeting at which time all clubs would be forced to "show their hands" by making clear cut statements of their operating intentions in 1943.
PLAYERS DON'T WORRY LAMBEAU
APR 6 (Chicago Tribune) - Manpower shortage in pro football? Banish the thought, declared Curly Lambeau, the old warrior from Green Bay, last night as he prepared to participate in the NFL's three day get together starting today. Lambeau, with gray building up at the temples, has been in pro football since he was a boy. His contemporary of those early days, Lt. Comm. George Halas of the Chicago Bears, has detached himself from navy duties long enough to participate in the league's important discussions. But Lambeau is the dean of the active pro gents. "As I look at it," said Curly, "we had our big problem last year after losing 18 of our players. Well, somehow or other we got over that hurdle and managed to have a pretty fair team. Sure, we have our troubles, but for the Packers, 1942 was a tough year." The war is a challenge to pro football, says the master of the forward pass offense. "Well, our roster looked pretty sad this time a year ago," reminisced Curly. "Something had to be done. Someone told me about a fellow named Bob Flowers who was working in California, but who had been quite a center at Texas Tech. Well, I got Bob. We went to Baltimore for an exhibition game with the Washington Redskins. One of our players played 60 minutes. You guessed it - he was Bob Flowers. He'd been out of football for two years, but he got right back in the groove in a hurry. We had another example. Fred Vant Hull had been quite a ball player at Minnesota, but none of the pro teams had gone out of their way to line him up. With this player shortage staring at us, we jumped at the chance to give the boy a chance. When the season ended he was one of our best tackles, and he had been out of football for two seasons." Lambeau, a year ago, went through what many of the league clubs will be experiencing for the first time. He ridiculed any expression that the league can't find 250 to 300 ablebodied athletes and carry on with an exposition of pro football. "A lot of good boys like Flowers and Vant Hull slipped away from us," he declared. "A football player might be a trifle rusty after a two or three year layoff, but he'll come back quicker than you think. There are any number of Flowers and Vant Hulls who'll welcome the chance to play. It's up to us to find 'em." The master of the Packers almost is convinced that Don Hutson, his all-time all-league end, really means to retire. But he isn't crying. He's waiting for the results of this meeting before putting any pressure to get another typical Green Bay team.
NATIONAL GRID LOOP MAY OPERATE WITH ONLY SIX CLUBS NEXT FALL
APR 7 (Green Bay) - Coach Curly Lambeau of the Green Bay Packers today indicated that six clubs - three in each division - may operate in the NFL in 1943. In a long-distance call to Green Bay from the league's annual spring meeting at the Palmer House in Chicago this morning, Lambeau said there is a strong possibility that one or two more clubs may drop out. Cleveland decided to quit for the duration late Tuesday afternoon...MERGE TWO TEAMS: Remaining clubs would be Green Bay, Chicago Bears and Detroit in the Western division, and New York, Washington, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh in the Eastern section. To make three clubs in the east, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh would merge. If six clubs form the league, the teams would play a home-and-home basis, Lambeau believed. The league is expected to vote on this possibility late today. The annual draft will be held at 10 o'clock Thursday morning. Lambeau described Cleveland's move to quit as "a healthy situation," although he added that none of the owners and coaches wanted to see the Rams in the background. The Packer coach added that Cleveland's move cleared the way for "a smaller but more effective league."....VOTE FREE SUBSTITUTION: Lambeau, a member of the league's rules committee, said the group unanimously voted free substitution for next season. It was the only rule change, and all other rules were "frozen" for the duration. The league is expected to approve free substitution late today. The player limit will be up for vote today or late Tuesday.
BIG PROBLEMS CONFRONT PROS
APR 7 (Chicago) - With the Cleveland Rams a wartime casualty, the NFL's future was clouded by the possibility other clubs might drop out long before the 1943 schedule is inaugurated next September. Cleveland petitioned to suspend "for the duration" Tuesday and league officials countered by giving the Rams permission to drop out for the coming season. The Cleveland club must notify the league by March 1, 1944, of its future intentions. An extension of the suspension order can be obtained upon request. The withdrawal of the Rams immediately multiplied the league's problems. President Elmer Layden had a schedule drawn and was to submit it for approval today. However, the playing card must now be revised completely, and he doubted if the new chart could be ready for study at the present meeting...PARTICIPATE IN DRAFT: Despite dropping out of the league, Cleveland will go through with its participation in the player draft Thursday, but its title to the 20 college seniors it selects will be shor-tlived. The players the Rams select in the draft, coupled with 90 on the reserve list and 28 on the active list, immediately will be out up for grabs by the remaining nine clubs. Layden announced the following method would be used for distribution of the accumulated Cleveland talent: The names of all players on the active, reserved and drafted list will be placed in a hat. Then from another hat the clubs will select numbers from one to nine to determine the order in which the Rams gridders will be drawn. Players known to be in the armed services will be scratched from the Cleveland lists before selections are made...AVAILABLE TO PLAY: Coach Chile Walsh of the Rams estimated "that between 14 and 15 players on the active list remain available for play next season" but be declined to divulge names of those performers. "I do not believe it would be fair to the clubs to divulge this information," he said. Walsh said the suspension action wasn't a surprise to him. "I was well aware of the situation when I signed my coaching contract a month ago," he said. "My contract contains a war clause, but I anticipate that I will remain with the Rams until all necessary work is completed." Reeves and Levy gaiuned control of the Rams on July 1, 1941 when they purchased franchise from Homer Marshman. The latter had paid $10,000 for a new franchise in the league in 1937...NEVER A WINNER: The Rams never had a winning team during the six-year tenure in the league. The best mark was five victories, five losses and a tie in 1939. Last season the club finished seventh in the standings with five triumphs and six losses. Cleveland's withdrawal focused attention on the difficulties the league faces, and while its lead was not followed immediately, four other club owners were known to be skeptical of their ability to operate. They were not "stampeded" into withdrawing along with the Rams because, as one official explained, "it is a long time before any money has to placed on the table to indicate you mean business. You can play cards for a long time as long as every draw in the game is a free one."
PRO LEAGUE REDUCES PLAYER LIMIT TO 25
APR 7 (Chicago) - Club owners of the NFL cut the player limit today from 33 to 25 to met manpower difficulties, and voted to permit free substitution of players for the 1943 season against the wishes of most of the coaches. Elmer Layden, commissioner, said man mileage would be reduced 37 percent by adoption of the 25 player limit a cut in the schedule from 55 to 45 games, agreed upon tonight. Each team will meet the other eight clubs and, in addition, will play two other contests with traditional rivals for a total of 10 games. A rough drat of the revised schedule failed to satisfy the owners, however, and Layden was commissioner to submit it later for approval by mail. Reduction of the player limit brought about the change in the substitution rule. Coaches argues against making the rule permanent, and were of the opinion that it was against the best interests of the professional game. In agreeing to reduce the player limit some of the club owners said they did not believe any of the nine teams would be able to carry 25 players throughout the season. Curly Lambeau, coach and part-owner of the Green Bay Packers, said, however, that he was of the opinion that he could muster at least 150 players if necessary. Charles (Gus) Dorais, new coach of the Detroit Lions, will be unable to attend tomorrow's draft session, at which 200 graduating collegians will be selected. Dorais has been undergoing hospital treatment in Detroit for a skull fracture and his physician refused him permission to make the trip. Although the Cleveland Rams have dropped out for the duration, their coach, Charles (Chili) Walsh, will be retained on full salary.
NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE CONDUCTS DRAFT OF MANPOWER TODAY; 1,000 COLLEGIANS LISTED
APR 8 (Chicago) - The NFL plunged its annual player draft Thursday morning. Off giant blackboards carrying approximately 1,000 names, each of the clubs set about to establish negotiating rights with 20 men. In a normal year the draft list included only about 400 names. THe urgency of the times, however, and the need for manpower to keep the league operating influenced the officials to expand the list. Although he is already in the marines, coaches were virtually unanimous in the belief that Frankie Sinkwich, star of Georgia's Rose bowl eleven, would be the No. 1 to be drafted. It was believed most clubs would take several big name stars for "window dressing" purposes, then settle down to draw performers who might be on hand for use next fall. The draft has been postponed twice. It was originally scheduled for last December, but delayed because of "uncertain conditions." Rescheduled for Tuesday it was put off until Thursday at the request of Fred Mandel, owner of the Detroit Lions. Mandel sought the delay in the hope his newly appointed coach, Gus Dorais, would be able to attend. Dorais, recovering from a skull fracture, has been forbidden by his physician, however, to make the trip here. Detroit, which lost 11 straight games last season to finish in the league cellar, got first choice. Philadelphia, the Chicago Cardinals Brooklyn, Cleveland, New York, Pittsburgh, Green Bay, Chicago Bears and Washington followed the Lions. Although Cleveland will not operate next season, it was permitted to participate in the draft. The players the Rams select, plus those now on its active and reserve lists, then will be distributed among the nine other league members.
already are in the armed services and shrewd pro circuit observers estimated that "not more than 10 percent" of those drafted would report. The reporting percentage a season ago was 28.5, with 57 out of the 200 selectees joining their clubs.
LAMBEAU SATISFIED WITH DRAFT RESULTS
APR 9 (Chicago) - Curly Lambeau and his right hand bower, the roly poly Red Smith, came out of the annual NFL draft meeting here Thursday night all smiles, and no wonder. They got everybody they really wanted for their Packers and a few they hardly dared hope to get. They got who they insisted was the best college tackle in the country last season. Dick Wildung of Minnesota; one of the best all-around fullbacks, Royal McKay of Texas; the best center, Buddy Gatewood of Baylor; one of the best guards, Bob Barnett of Baylor; the far west's best tackle, Norman Veery of Southern California, and a collection of others as good as any they have ever been able to draw out of these annual "grabs", including Irv Comp of St. Benedict's. The selection of Comp in the draft, after Lambeau had signed him as a free agent, followed what threatened for a while to become the year's "cause celebre" of the league. Lambeau signed him Sunday as the rules of the league specified he could: "No player shall be permitted to play on any club (or be signed) until his class has been graduated. The foregoing shall be construed to mean the class to which the player belonged when he first entered a collegiate institution." Comp enrolled at Wisconsin in 1937, so that his class was the class of '41. He never finished his freshman year at Wisconsin, however, subsequently enrolled at St. Benedict's, and, after four years of football there, was graduated last February. Comp's first collegiate class was clearly the class of '41. At the start of Thursday's meeting, however, Elmer Layden, president of the league, arbitrarily included Comp on the draft list. He returned the contract Lambeau had sent in, declared Comp's case a little "unusual" and flatly refused to entertain Lambeau's protest. It was hardly an auspicious beginning for Green Bay in the draft but it all ended well enough when Lambeau, on his second choice, still had a chance to pick Comp. He did. Wildung was the first choice. The players Lambeau hardly dared hope to get were those drawn in the "grab bag" by which the league disposed of the veterans and men drafted by the inactive Cleveland club. Lambeau wanted Chet Adams, one of the best tackles in the league, and Mike Holovak, the Boston Thunderbolt, above all others, but figured it was something too good to happen. And yet when he dug into a hat he came up with both. For the time in the history of the draft, 30 men were drawn instead of 20, and the selections continued from shortly before noon until 9 o'clock at night.
PACKER GRID DRAFTEE COMMISSIONED IN NAVY
APR 12 (Los Angeles) - Ken Snelling, UCLA fullback who was drawn by the Green Bay Packers in Thursday's draft, has been commissioned an ensign in the navy and will leave soon for training at Fort Schuyler, N.Y. The 212- pound Snelling led the 1942 Bruins' Rose Bowl team in scoring with 45 points.
FREE 'SUBBING' MAY REVOLUTIONIZE PRO FOOTBALL; MAKE TEAMS TOUGH
APR 23 (Green Bay) - Buried among the headlines of the recent NFL conclave in Chicago was this item: League coaches unanimously approve free substitution rule adopted by rules committee. The free substitution ruling was hardly noticed when Cleveland decided to drop from the circuit and coaches started drafting the nation's gridiron stars, but when the 'law" is applied next fall the game may be revolutionized. What will F.S. do to the Green Bay Packers next fall? Coach Curly Lambeau explains that men like Cecil Isbell and Don Hutson, who specialize in offense, can be taken out when the Packers go on defense. Generally, Lambeau can make a substitution any time he wants to. Under the old rule, a player could reenter the game only once during the first three quarters but int he final frame two players could reenter...CHANGE ENTIRE STRATEGY: Lambeau believes the rule will change the entire strategy of the game. In future years - possibly not in 1943 because there will be a shortage of players - coaches will employ two teams, once for defense and the other for offense. Coaches are always confronted with players who have certain weaknesses on offense or defense, but free substitution will give the pilots an opportunity to put their best players - defensively or offensively - on the field at the same time. Lambeau expects the rule to result in a better brands of football...WILL HELP TEAMS: The rule was passed chiefly to help player-shorted teams this season. With a large number of "old timers" on the bench, the rules committee, composed of Lt. Comdr. George Halas, Steve Owen, Ray Flaherty, Bert Bell and Lambeau, figured that the F.S. rule would give those "boys" more chance for rest and at the same time make them feel that they can go all-out when on the field. There were any number of occasions in 1942 when the Packers, and other teams in the league, could have used the free substitution rule. In the second Bear game, for instance, Hutson, despite the fact that he reached his defensive peak last season, could have been taken out when the Bears had the ball - which was often. Hutson, it may be recalled,. was operating on an injured ankle and bruised ribs...LAMBEAU ON SCOUTING TRIP: Lambeau left today on a three-day scouting trip around the midwest. He expects to confer with - and sign - about 12 players. One of his chief goals will be Chet Adams, the 235 pound tackle who played with Cleveland the last four years. Lambeau drew Adams' name out of a hat when the Ram players were thrown up for grabs at the league meeting. Adams, together with Baby Ray and Tiny Croft, will form the nucleus of the 1943 Packer line. Adams, an investigator for the Erie railroad, is married and expects to be in civilian clothes most of this year.
LAMBEAU IS WINNER
MAY 4 (Green Bay) - Curly Lambeau has won more than one battle off, as well as on, the football field. His most recent triumph was at the meeting of the NFL some weeks ago, and is described by Chester Smith of the Pittsburgh Press: "The league meeting wasn't without its hilarious by-play. This time it centered around Curly Lambeau of the Green Bay Packers, who discovered he was being made the victim of a whispering campaign by his old friend, George Halas of the Chicago Bears. George went around, telling everybody that the Packers, who have 18 eligible men, were a downright menace to the league and should not be helped in any way. What Halas purposely neglected to mention was the strength of his own team; it suited his purpose better to throw the burden of suspicion on Curly Lambeau. When it came time to draw for the players freed by Cleveland, all the names were dropped into a hat and the owner pulled them in turn, designated by a previous draw. Lambeau extracted No. 9, and there was a great laugh, for the magnates were sure Curly couldn't possibly get Chet Adams, the standout Ram tackle whom everybody wanted. One after another, the owners walked up to the hat and withdrew the slips. Faces fell as they learned the prizes they had won, until it came to Lambeau's turn. His slip read "Chet Adams", and the man from Green Bay let loose a bellow that rocked the room. The next order of business was the drawing of the college players Cleveland had picked. Now the goal was Mike Holovak, the Boston college fullback. Mike is in the navy, but he is so well thought of that everyone was perfectly willing to wait for him to come back. When 28 names had been pulled, Holovak's name was still in the hat, and Greasy Neale of the Philadelphia Eagles and Lambeau were left to decide which was to be the lucky coach. You guessed it. Neale missed, and Holovak became Green Bay property. The owners even joined in Lambeau's merriment on this occasion. They knew they had been taken for a ride, but it was such a boomerang on Halas they almost enjoyed the sensation."
JUN 23 (Green Bay) - Roy McKay, the six-foot, 200-pound fullback drafted by the Green Bay Packers, was invited on Tuesday to join the All-Star football squad which will take on the Washington Redskins at Evanston, Ill., Aug. 25. He was Coach Curly Lambeau's second selection in the NFL's draft last April. Although single, McKay is expected to be available for pro football next fall. The big University of Texas product was the first backfield man named to the Star squad. The others selected to date, all linemen, are Pat Lyons of Wisconsin, Del Dickerhoof of Iowa and Al Wistert of Michigan. Lyons was drafted by the Chicago Bears.
START GROUND WORK
JUL 8 (Green Bay) - City Stadium, pride of the Green Bay Packers and the NFL, is getting greener these days as old Mother Spring makes her late appearance. The stadium grass, claimed by the Packer gridders as well as opponents to be the softest and best in the circuit, soon will get everyday attention in preparation for the 1943 season.
14 PACKERS UNDER CONTRACT YEAR AGO; ONLY ONE SIGNED FOR 1943
JUL 10 (Green Bay) - That strange, haunting silence regarding the Green Bay Packer football players will likely be broken next week when Coach Curly Lambeau expects to announce several signings. The haunting part of the 1943 setup is that Lambeau is about a month behind the pace set in 1942 when, on July 10, he had 14 players under contract. Up to today, the Packer pilot has only one announced gridder under his fingers - Irv Comp, the classy back from St. Benedict's college. A year ago the signees included ends John Stonebraker and Earl Ohlgren; tackles Paul Berezney, Fred Vant Hill and Ernie Pannell; guards Tony Cianci, Joe Krivonek, Clarence Herndon, Russ Letlow, Pete Tinsley and Bill Kuusisto; center Charley Brock; and backs Ted Fritsch and Lou Brock. The first report meeting last year was set for Aug. 8. This year the Packers will assemble Aug. 15. You can be sure there is nothing really alarming about the delayed contract activity. Lambeau, for one, isn't worrying too much and appears confident that he can field a team with players to spare. The coach has his own reasons for keeping names of the boys under his hat until the "last minute". It may be added that those reasons are confidential. While on the subject of players, one Ted Fritsch, a star fullback as a freshman last fall, is completing study for his master's degree in physical education at the University of Wisconsin. The former Stevens Point ace, 'tis said, will be finished come report-for-pro-football time...PACKER MARINES: Don Miller, the big University of Wisconsin back who tried out with the Packers last fall, is a second lieutenant in the Marines and is operating in the South Pacific. His career was cut short by induction into the service...Claude Perry, who played tackle for the Bays in the mid '20s, is a private in the Marines at the Hawthorne, Neb., ammunition depot.
PACKERS' FIRST GAME IS SHIFTED TO EAST
JUL 16 (Philadelphia) - A change in the date and site of the NFL opener between the Philadelphia-Pittsburgh entry and the Green Bay Packers was announced here Thursday. The Eagles-Steelers management said Curly Lambeau, coach and vice-president of the Packers, has agreed to play the game September 12 at Forbes field, Pittsburgh, instead of September 19 at Milwaukee as originally schedule. Official approval of the change is expected from Commissioner Elmer Layden.
WAR WORK SUGGESTED FOR PACKER GRIDDERS
MAY 4 (Green Bay) - Coach Curly Lambeau of the Green Bay Packers threw a little more light on the 1943 professional football setup at a luncheon meeting of the Kiwanis club Monday noon, with these statements: (1) Packer football will play a definite part in the morale of the city of Green Bay and war factories of northeastern Wisconsin; (2) Packer players may be given jobs in war industries here or in nearby communities; (3) Practice may be held late in the afternoon after the gridders finish war work; (4) The Packers feel it their duty to go ahead and operate pro football as a morale builder here as well as in other National league cities; (5) Professional football asks no deferments for its players. Under work or fight orders, Lambeau expressed the opinion that player may have to start their eight-hour war work day at 7 o'clock in the morning and practice after work. He recalled that the oldtimers played and worked at the same time, and saw no reason why the present crop of players could not do the same...MANPOWER BIG PROBLEM: The coach admitted that manpower is the biggest problem of the league teams, but quickly added that there are still 200 or 250 players available for action on the gridirons. Discussing the league teams, Lambeau explained that there is a possibility that the circuit may operate with six clubs last fall - Green Bay, New York, Washington, Detroit, the Chicago Bears and a combination of the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh clubs. He pointed out that Cleveland "did right in disbanding for the duration because both of the Ram owners are in service." With six or nine clubs operating, Lambeau stated that the Packers will have an attractive home schedule to offer fans of Wisconsin since New York and Washington, the top clubs of the Eastern division, are due in Packerland. In the even six teams play, a home-and-home schedule will be worked out...FREE SUBSTITUTION AID: Adoption of the new free substitution rule was described by Lambeau as an important move by the league. "Boys like Hutson and Isbell and a host of others who are experts on offense can be rested while we are on defense. Then, too, lads who are new to the game or have some offensive or defensive handicap can be drilled in one or the other department of play." Lambeau announced that Chet Adams, the Cleveland Ram ace who was picked out of a hat when Cleveland quit, will be able to play with Green Bay - "if there are no further developments". Adams is married and wants to play next fall, he added. Looking over prospects for next year, Lambeau said he expects to open with a right end - "something we didn't have last year". Harry Jacunski, rejected by the navy and the father of two children, will be at right end, with Hutson at left. The tackles will be similar to last year with the addition of Adams being the only real change. The coach failed to make a definite prediction for guard or center but said that Charley Brock may not return. Buckets Goldenberg will "help us considerably if he decides to play". Guards lost include Pete Tinsley, Fred Vant Hull and Russ Letlow...FRISTCH AT FULL: Of the 1942 backfield, only Tony Canadeo and Chuck Sample, halfback and fullback, respectively, are lost to service. Stepping in at fullback will be Ted Fritsch, the Stevens Point flash who has been placed in 4-F. After Lambeau's talk, the official Packer film, "Packer Highlights of 1942", was shown. Among interesting scenes were Charley Brock's steal of the ball and his ensuing touchdown run, the disputed out-of-bounds play during the first Bear game here last fall; and the spectacular pas catching of Don Hutson. In fact, the entire show was dotted with Isbell-Hutson aerials. The disputed play involved Andy Uram, who took a pass from Cecil Isbell on about the Bear 35-yard line and ran down the sidelines for a touchdown. The referee ruled that Uram stepped out on the 20. The picture, however, showed that Uram did not step out. The Kiwanians let out a mighty "NO" when Lambeau asked: "Did he step out?" The particular shot was run backwards and in slow motion.
URGE CONTINUATION OF SPORTING EVENTS
MAY 21 (Two Rivers) - Football and other sports should continue if at all possible, Cecil Isbell, ace passer of the Green Bay Packers told members of the Junior Chamber of Commerce last night at their installation dinner in he banquet room of the J.E. Hamilton Community house. The famed football star told the membership and guests that sports is "one of the greatest morale builders civilians and service men have" and cited several instances of how the boys in service await with interest results of sporting events in this country.
PRO FOOTBALL TEAMS CONSIDER CONSOLIDATIONS FOR NEXT FALL
JUN 9 (Pittsburgh) - NFL teams, struggling to keep going despite increasingly acute manpower shortages, may turn to consolidations that would produce a six or seven team league next fall. That possibility was suggested today by Art Rooney, co-owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers, who pointed out that only four of the 10 teams in the league last fall have announced they will operate this year. The others are definitely out or doubtful starters. Rooney listed his own team and the Philadelphia Eagles in the doubtful class. "Understand," he said, "we're going to make every effort to put a Steeler team on the field. But the outlook is not too good. If we can't round up enough men, we're going to ask about a merger with the Eagles. Perhaps the two Chicago teams may also want to merge." A spokesman for the Eagles said at Philadelphia that the consolidation "has been discussed" but added that the final decision is being withheld until the league meeting in Chicago June 19. He said the Eagles have a maximum possible total of 14 players available and "couldn't begin to field a team now." Rooney reported only five holdovers from last year's great Steeler club available for this season. Aggravating the manpower shortage is the fact that most of the 1942 college stars, who normally would fill the gaps in the league roster, already are in the armed forces. The Eagles, for instance, selected 30 players at the league draft meeting and not one will be available this year. As to the Chicago merger, Rooney said he understood both the Bears and Cardinals, in addition to loss of their regular coaches, face acute player shortages. Brooklyn, too, has been hit hard. The Cleveland Rams have announced they definitely will not operate. Only the champion Washington Redskins, Green Bay, New York and Detroit have declared they are ready to operate next fall.
LAYDEN HOLDS OPTIMISTIC VIEW FOR PRO LEAGUE
JUN 14 (Chicago) - Pointing to the success of baseball as a pattern for the future, Elmer Layden, commissioner of the NFL, said today he was confident the nine club owners who last April pledged themselves to carry on would go ahead with their 1943 plans after a league meeting in Chicago Saturday and Sunday. The main purpose of the special session will be to adopt schedules which had to be redrawn when Cleveland pulled out of the league. There will be supplemental selection of the collegians, he said, for most of those graduating between June and October were included in the player draft last spring. "I think our members feel that now is the time to assert ourselves, to show that pro football is deserving of its high position in the sports world. Baseball surely had as many problems last year, if not more, than now confront us. I am sure the league will prove it can survive under trying conditions." Discarding talk of mergers, such as the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles, Layden declared: "We won't have talent comparable to that of last year and we can't think in these teams of great unbeatable teams, but there will be lessening of competition and games will be just as hard fought and exciting as ever. Baseball and other sports have proved that competition is the big factor." He added that club owners have always recognized the importance of competitive sports and have not been guided solely by the dollar sign. "Many of them have lost money in normal seasons. Some of them never realized any profit. But still they continue."
St. Benedict's college, who was picked out of the draft. Lambeau expects Berezney to have a big year in view of the fact that he made a good showing as a freshman here last season. Paul, a student at the Marquette university medical school, weighs 220 pounds and stands six feet, two inches tall. Married and the father of a daughter, Berezney played to years with the Kenosha Cardinals after graduating from Fordham university. With the Cardinals, he earned money to continue his medical work at Marquette. Lambeau took a liking to Berezney's play during an exhibition game in Kenosha in 1941. Berezney was one of the "seven blocks of granite", as the Fordham university line of 1938 and 1939 was known. He was a teammate of Harry Jacunski, a former Packer who expects to return this year.
BEREZNEY SIGNS PACKER PAPERS
JUL 16 (Green Bay) - Paul Berezney, the big right tackle who carried his medical books to and from Green Bay Packer games last fall, has signed a 1943 Packer contract, Coach Curly Lambeau announced today. Berenzey is the first of the veterans to sign, and the second Bay under contract. The other is Irv Comp, a triple-threat halfback from St. Benedict's college, who was picked out of the draft. Lambeau expects Berezney to have a big year in view of the fact that he made a good showing as a freshman here last season. Paul, a student at the Marquette university medical school, weighs 220 pounds and stands six feet, two inches tall. Married and the father of a daughter, Berezney played to years with the Kenosha Cardinals after graduating from Fordham university. With the Cardinals, he earned money to continue his medical work at Marquette. Lambeau took a liking to Berezney's play during an exhibition game in Kenosha in 1941. Berezney was one of the "seven blocks of granite", as the Fordham university line of 1938 and 1939 was known. He was a teammate of Harry Jacunski, a former Packer who expects to return this year.
Milwaukee high school star a chance to make the grade with the Packers. He is Don Quinn, a left halfback from Nathan Hale High in Milwaukee Suburban conference, a punter and passer who weights 178 pounds. He is 19 years of age. There may be some surprises Sunday afternoon, and chances are the coach will be carrying a stack of contracts in his back pocket. A number of the veterans are now being classed in the holdout division, since they have expressed themselves in favor of playing but not in favor of signing a contract. This group might include Ted Fritsch, former Stevens Point fullback; Andy Uram, the Minnesota runner and pass catcher; Buckets Goldenberg, who may be starting his 11th season; Charley Brock, the center who is finding it hard to decide between business at home or football in Green Bay, and several others...FARMERS CRAIG, BROCK: Two familiar faces will not be here. They belong to blocking back Larry Craig and halfback or fullback Lou Brock. Craig is looking for somebody to run his farm, while Lou and his father are busy harvesting the crops on their Stafford, Kan., acreage. Brock will report in Pittsburgh Sept. 5, and Craig will come to Green Bay later next week.
DICK EVANS RETURNS FOR 1943 PACKER SEASON; GUARD SIGNED
JUL 27 (Green Bay) - Big, rough and tough is the type of line Coach Curly Lambeau expects to field this fall. The Green Bay Packer pilot indicated this today as he announced "purchase" of 435 more pounds of beef in the form of two linemen - Sherwood Fries, 230-pound guard of Colorado State, and Dick Evans, the former Packer who scales around 205 pounds. Lambeau thus far has four linemen and two backs under contract. In announcing the signing of Fries and Evans, Lambeau said he expects great things from Evans, who was one of Coach Eddie Anderson's 60-minute men at Iowa in 1939. Evans, the coach believes, didn't have a chance to show his real stuff here in 1940 because he was unable t0 go 60 minutes per game. In 1940, Lambeau found it necessary to divide up action between boys like Don Hutson, Harry Jacunski, Ray Riddick, Milt Gantenbein and Larry Craig. As a result, Evans, who later joined the Chicago Cardinals, got rusty on the Packer bench. Lambeau expects to correct that condition next fall. Evans, who played three years of varsity ball at Iowa, made the 1940 College All-Star team. He also was a varsity basketball player at Iowa. Now 26, Evans writes Lambeau that he should have a good season with the Packers. Fries, despite the fact that he's a guard, will come to Green Bay with the reputation of being a good punter. He played fullback and guard at Colorado State, and did most of the punting. Lambeau announced that he'll use Fries at guard. Fries later saw action with Hollywood and the Los Angeles Bulldogs. Lambeau, at present, is negotiating for the services of Tony Falkenstein, former St. Mary's (Calif.) fullback who was recommended a year ago by Lt. Comdr. Jimmy Crowley, the former Fordham university football coach now on duty in the South Pacific...PLAYED PACKER SYSTEM: Crowley gave Lambeau the "glad-eye" after watching Falkenstein play against Fordham in New York two years ago. Falkenstein lives on the coast, is married, and has two children. At St. Mary's, the 206-pound Falkenstein played the Packer-Notre Dame system. Lambeau received some encouraging news from Chet Adams, the former Cleveland all-National league tackle, who was drawn out of a hat when Cleveland quit the league last winter. Adams says he is looking forward to joining the Packers, but admitted he may have draft difficulties. A married man, Adams has no children. Signing of Adams would mean more experience in the Packer line. Adams goes 225 pounds and stands six feet, three inches tall. A native of Cleveland, Adams may be starting his fifth season.
PACKER TICKET OFFICE IS SET UP
JUL 28 (Green Bay) - Starting his second year as Green Bay Packer ticket director, Ralph C. Smith announced today that the Packer ticket office in the Legion building is now open for business. The office is open from 9 o'clock to 12 noon and from 1:30 to 5 o'clock daily except Sundays, with Mrs. Ruth Golden, Smith's secretary, presiding. Smith reported that he has no actual tickets to sell as yet, but applications for season ducats as well as pasteboards for any single game may be made. The office will handle tickets for the Packers' two games at City stadium, the Chicago Bears on Sept. 27 and Detroit Lions on Oct. 10, and the two contests in Milwaukee, Washington on Oct. 17 and Chicago Cardinals on Nov. 14. The office also will sell a limited number of tickets for the Packer-Bear game in Chicago Nov. 7 and the Packer-Cardinal game in the Windy City Oct. 3. Smith announced that the office will again distribute single game tickets to about 30 agencies in Northeastern Wisconsin, the Fox river valley, Upper Michigan and Milwaukee. A large number will be sent to Prange's store in Sturgeon Bay, where shipyard workers are expected to take advantage of big time football in their backyard. The Pettibone- Peabody company at Appleton is the veteran agency. A.H. Falk, in charge of tickets there, will handle ducats for the 13th year. Approximately 2,000 tickets were sold in Appleton last season. The annual Packer season ticket drive, plans for which will be announced later, will herald the real bloom of business at the officer. However, Smith announced that fans may now make reservations for the two home contests.
JOE LAWS BACK FOR 10TH SEASON WITH PACKERS; CROFT ALSO SIGNED
JUL 29 (Green Bay) - More weight was added to the Green Bay Packer line and a "slight" addition was made to the backfield today as Coach Curly Lambeau announced singing of Milburn (Tiny) Croft and Joe (Fat) Laws. In order not to confuse the P.P. (Packer public) over nicknames of the two aforementioned football players, it must be explained that Croft is "the fat" one and Laws the "tiny" one. Croft's contract means that the former Ripon college tackle will lug his 300 pounds back into the Packer forward wall, while Laws' signature on the dotted line has an extra special significance. Laws, now 32, married and the father of three children, is hereby starting his 10th season with Lambeau's warriors, a real distinction in view of the strenuous work a halfback is forced to do. He weighs 190 pounds now, but expects to be down to his playing weight of 182 a week after the coach calls his charges together Aug. 15. Signing of Croft and Laws gives Lambeau eight players under contract...THEY'RE NOT HOLDOUTS: Thought it's too early to dangle that word holdout before the public, the Packer pilot is having trouble getting his veterans and several newcomers to put their John Hancock on the contracts. Lambeau, in a measure, blames the price rise because all of the boys want more money. The weekly living allowance during training in Green Bay has been boosted. Since Laws was named the most valuable player in the Big Ten conference as a member of the University of Iowa eleven, the midget Packer ace has had his ups and downs, though his ability as a field general has never diminished. Whether Laws can regain his peak as a runner this season is a matter of conjecture, but it's a known fact up at Sturgeon Bay that months of hard work in the shipyards have toughened him considerably and he seems ready for a productive season. Laws got his toughest break in the Packer-Cardinal game in Milwaukee Sept. 29, 1940, when he wrenched his knee. The injury kept him out all season, but he returned in 1941 to help the Packers reach and "overtime" playoff with the Chicago Bears to settle the Western division championship. Laws' 1942 performance was most unusual in view of the fact that he lefthanded three passes and completed two of them, one for a 62-yard touchdown gain by Andy Uram. In receiving, Laws caught six for a total gain of 96 yards. He took one reception from Tony Canadeo for 28 yards and a touchdown. Laws carried the ball 29 times and gained an even 100 yards for an average of 3.4 yards per try. His longest gain was 17 yards...LOW PRICES HERE?: Unhappy in Washington where he worked out with the Redskins, Croft came to Green Bay last fall, happy about the low prices here (as compared with Washington), and a chance to play with the Packers. The "grand awakening" for Croft came in the second Bear game in Chicago in the form of extra hard knocks from Lee Artoe and Joe Stydahar. From that game on, Croft was able to hold his own and got several starting assignments. Lambeau is pleased with the speed of the big boy and feels Croft can be a terror in the line if he'd get his "dander" up more often. Last year, it took Artoe and Stydahar to put Croft to real work. This year? The Packers meet the Bears in their first league tussle Sept. 27.
GUDAUSKAS, MURRAY STATE GUARD, NINTH PACKER UNDER CONTRACT
JUL 30 (Green Bay) - Coach Curly Lambeau had enough football players for a baseball team today as he announced signing of Pete Gudaukas, former Cleveland Ram and Murray State college guard. The Green Bay Packer nine-man team now includes three backs, two guards, two tackles, one center and one end - a far cry from the 19 gridsters signed by the Detroit Lions, for instance. If he expects to put 25 or 30 men on the practice field Sunday, Aug. 15, Lambeau must average more than one signee a day during the 17 days from now until the opening drill. Lambeau, however, is far from worried and expects to sign a raft of gridders next week by which time most player-finance difficulties will be ironed out...HIGHLY PRIZED TOE: Gudauskas will come to the Packer squad with a highly prized toe - one that gave him quite a reputation for kicking off and booting field goals and extra points at Murray State. And he's a big guy as football players go, standing 6 feet, 2 inches tall and weighing 232 pounds. Gudauskas appears to have a good chance to take up where Russ Letlow left off in view of his ability to kick off. Letlow, now in the United State Navy, did most of the kicking off last year. Gudauskas is the second new guard to come to Packer terms. The other is Sherwood Fries, 225-pound Colorado State alumnus. Lamebau expects to do plenty of rebuilding at the "devil dog" position. Besides Letlow, Lambeau lost Pete Tinsley, the Georgia Peach, to the Army...START 11TH SEASON?: Other guard veterans not mentioned thus far are Charles (Buckets) Goldenberg and Bill Kuusisto. Goldenberg, if he signs, will be starting his 11th season. The Milwaukee restaurant owner made the second all-National league team last season, which is proof enough of the type of ball he played in his tenth season. Goldenberg is 32 years old. Kuusisto may be starting his third season here. If Bob Flowers, the promising Texas Tech center, returns, Lambeau may consider the possibility of switching him to guard. Flowers played both positions at Tech and Lambeau feels he would be at home at guard here.
LOOKING OVER LIST OF 36 PROSPECTS, LAMBEAU SEES HARDEST-RUNNING, HEAVIEST GREEN BAY PACKER '11'
JUL 31 (Green Bay) - Coach Curly Lambeau looked over a list of 36 prospective Green Bay Packer players today and came up smiling. "Did somebody say something about a manpower shortage?" he asked as he reeled off the names of 36 married-with-children or 4-F gentlemen who are skilled in the art of football. What the curly-headed mentor emphasized about his 36 charges was just this: "They are going to make up one of the hardest-running, heaviest and best defensive team we've had around here in many a year. Our 1943 team will outweigh last year's club and will be tougher and more rugged." Thus far Lambeau has nine of those 36 players, none of whom are in service, under contract. He expects to have the remaining 27 on the dotted line before practice starts Aug. 15. Lambeau asserted that many of the veterans' requests for pay increases are "unreasonable", and added that he is having little trouble signing newcomers...TACKLE BRIGHT SPOT: The 36-player list includes 16 backs, six guards, six tackles, five ends and three centers. The bright spot in the line is the tackle position, which was woefully weak in reserve power last season. Tackles already signed are Paul Berezney and Tiny Croft, while those "on their way" are Buford (Baby) Ray and Chet Adams, who made the all-league second team with the Cleveland Rams last year. With four veterans back at tackle, Lambeau already has the nucleus of his line. He had signed two 230-pound guards, Sherwood Fries and Pete Gudauskas, and hopes to get Buckets Goldenberg and Bill Kuusisto, both veterans, back into the fold. He is counting on Charley Brock, Bob Flowers and newcomer Forrest McPherson for center. The end setup is rather mysterious in view of the fact that the status of one Don Hutson, the league's most valuable player for two straight years, is still a question mark. The only end signed thus far is Dick Evans, ex-Packer and Chicago Cardinal. With Ray Riddick in the service, Lambeau undoubtedly is counting on Harry Jacunski for experience at the wings. Joe Laws is the only veteran signed thus far for the backfield and the youngsters coming up are Babe Webb and Irv Comp, both highly rated. Here again is a question mark. He is one Cecil Isbell. But Lambeau, in reviewing prospects, emphasized that Comp is a "fine passer with a good record behind him at St. Benedict's college."..."DON'T SELL PASSING SHORT": In fact, Lambeau exclaimed, "Don't sell our passing short when speaking about the great running squad we expect to have. We'll have some mighty good receivers and passers on the team, too." Just who will do all of the running will have to wait until the contracts are on Lambeau's desk, but a number of the "old guard" like Andy Uram, Lou Brock, Larry Craig, Ted Fritsch and many others likely will be back. Brock, incidentally, is working on his farm in Stafford, Kas., and will be late in reporting, although he has yet to come to terms with Lambeau. Brock will finish early in September and will be here about ten days before the league opener with the Bears Sept. 26, missing the two exhibition tilts in the east Sept. 5 and 12.
BIG NEWS! BABY RAY SIGNS PACKER PAPERS
AUG 2 (Green Bay) - Tackle stock of the Green Bay Packers leaped forward today as Coach Curly Lambeay announced signing of Buford (Baby) Ray, the liquor merchant from Nashville, Tenn. Ray's signing came on the heels of new hopes for another veteran tackle - Chet Adams, formerly of the Cleveland Rams. Too tall for the armed services, Ray will be starting his sixth season with Lambeau's outfit. He weighs 250 pounds and stands a fraction over six feet, six inches tall. He is the 10th player to sign. Adams' name was drawn out of a hat by Lambeau last spring when the NFL threw up names for grabs after Cleveland decided to disband for the duration. He's an investigator for a railroad company out east, but is also on Uncle Sam's calling list. Adams wired Lambeau recently that he wanted to play this fall. If the tackle, who made the league's second All-Star team last fall, has time before possible induction he'll report to Green Bay. Last fall, Adams booted a 46-yard field goal against the Packers at Cleveland. Now 28 years of age, Ray came to the Packers after three years of varsity ball at Vanderbilt. There he weighed 280 pounds, but during the past several seasons he has managed to stay some 30 pounds under that figure. Ray won honorable mention on the league's mythical teams of the past three seasons. Thus far, Lambeau has 770 pounds of tackle under contract, and if Adams come the Packer tackle will weigh a composite half ton. The other two veteran tackles under contract are Tiny Croft, who goes 300 pounds, and Paul Berezney, who weighs slightly over 220 pounds.
SPEEDY BOB KAHLER 15TH PACKER TO SIGN; DUE FOR KEY POSITION
AUG 5 (Green Bay) - Bob Kahler may get many chances to run 100 yards in ten seconds flat this fall. The rangu University of Nebraska back - signed today by Coach Curly Lambeau of the Green Bay Packers - is due for an important role in the 1943 professional gridiron drama. Buried under the performance of Andy Uram and Joe Laws at right halfback last season, Kahler didn't get much chance to scatter his legs. A year ago Bobbin' Bob was the fastest man on the team because of his ability to run the length of the field in ten seconds. At Nebraska he tied the IC-3A 70-yard hurdles record of 8.6 seconds and ran the 60-yard dash in 6.5 seconds. He ran the 100 in 9.7 - in track clothes. Lambeau expects to keep Kahler at right half chiefly because he can slash the ends with blazing speed and catch passes. The former Cornhusker is coming for his third try. In 1941, he was sent to Coach Verne Lewellen's and the Packers' Long Island Indians for seasoning after working out with the Bays. He carried the ball only eight times during the 1942 program...15TH PLAYER TO SIGN: Kahler, who packs 200 pounds on his six-foot, three-inch frame, is the sixth back and the 15th player to come to terms. With Chet Adams, the former Cleveland steamroller, coming to terms, the tackle setup appears at the moment as the most promising...Tony Canadeo, the left halfback who pitched and ran when Cecil Isbell wasn't on the field the last two years, is well on his way to becoming a fighter pilot for Uncle Sam. Canadeo has put in 25 hours of flying time and has passed all of his pre-flight tests. He's "working out" over the navy base at Glenwood, Ill. , almost every day and occasionally gets the football itch when his squadron wings near the football stadia in Chicago and suburbs. Tony may play a football game this fall, but THE game is still a secret...Remember the 1943 pro football draft? Coach Lambeau of the Packers picked 30 players, as did each of the other coaches in the league, but the only draftee holding a Packer contract is Irv Comp, a fullback. The general opinion at the draft meeting was that each coach ought to salvage five percent of their 30 pickees. Lambeau is dealing with "all" of the boys who haven't gone into service. And there may be a surprise - in the person of Dick Wildung, the all-American Minnesota tackle who was Lambeau's first choice...Coach Red Bergman and his assistant, Turk Edwards, are installing a new system for the Washington Redskins. Instead of the unbalanced line used by Lt. Ray Flaherty last season, the Redskins will now operate from a balanced line. Washington will show in Milwaukee against the Packers Oct. 17.
DON HUTSON SIGNS NINTH GREEN BAY PACKER CONTRACT
AUG 7 (Green Bay) - Left end Don Hutson signed his ninth Green Bay Packer contract today and thereby continued a spectacular career which for the past eight years has bordered on the unbelievable. Hutson's signing came on the heels of repeated threats to retire, but Coach Curly Lambeau, who announced Hutson's return, explained it this way: "Don feels he owes it too football to continue. Most of his success in his off-the-field life has resulted from his work on the gridiron. The game needs Hutson and we feel that Don, besides being a definite help to the Packers, will pay a big part in building home front morale as a result of his past record and great playing." To say that Hutson's name is magic in the gridiron world is putting it mildly. The former University of Alabama wizard is to professional football what Babe Ruth was to baseball, and Joe Louis or Jack Dempsey to boxing. The Packer pass receiver and scorer is always a marked man in a grid battle. Hutson holds more records than any player in the NFL's 22-year history - 17 of them. He was named the league's most valuable player for the 1941 and 1942 seasons, and will receive the 1942 MVP award during the College All-Star game in Chicago later this month. A year ago, 100,000 people thundered their applause when he was presented with the 1941 most valuable player trophy in Soldier's field. What has made Hutson the gridiron success he is? Writers throughout the country have tried to answer that question. The committee of sports experts who picked him for the most valuable player award seemed to have the best answer when they came through with this announcement last spring...ELUDE DEFENSE MEN: "Coaches and competent critics attribute Huston's phenomenal play in eight seasons in the pro league to his 'scientific loafing', a phrase which describes his seeming indifference to what goes on around him on a football field. His ability to elude defense men to catch passes from Cecil Isbell can be traced to a baffling change of pace in running. He has the uncanny knack of getting a step's jump on any player trying to corner him. His selection didn't rest alone on his great pass catching ability. Also considered were his nuisance value as a disrupter of enemy defenses, and his ability to transform the Packers into a confident, powerful aggregation in clutch situations." Hutson was named at left end on the official all-league team in 1936, 1938, 1939, 1940, 1941 and 1942 which is proof enough of his ability. Hutson led the league in scoring last season for the third straight time, the first player ever to accomplish that trick. He posted 138 points in 11 league games. As an added sideline, Hutson developed the knack of kicking extra points and proceeded to set a season record of 33 in 1942, a mark formerly held by Jack Manders of the Chicago Bears...FOUR INCHES TO 92 YARDS: The marks that set Hutson apart from other superstars of pro football, however, are his pass catching achievements. In eight seasons he has caught 336 passes for a gain of 5,515 yards and 72 of his caches were for touchdowns. He played in 91 games during his pro career, and has caught at least one pass in 89 of those encounters. The passes have ranged in gains from four inches to 92 yards. Hutson hit the ceiling in 1942 when he set eight new records while winning the pass receiving championship for the fifth time in eight years. He set five more league records when he won the scoring championship for the third consecutive season last year.
PACKER NOTES
AUG 7 (Milwaukee Sentinel) - Joy reigns in Packertown this morning. Don Hutson has signed to play another football season with the Green Bay Packers. That adds up to touchdowns and victories in any language. And that bitter grinding noise you've heard coming out of the south the past few hours is merely the molar gnashings of the Chicago Bears, who thought that at long last they would not have the Hutson bugaboo to contend with any longer. This corner believed right along that Don would be back in Packer regalia despite his "annual" retirement last winter and later statements that he had definitely decided to give up the game and devote his time to the bowling business...DON IS GRATEFUL: First of all the kind of money Don draws from the Bays is important money. Pro football has been good to Don. Not any more so than he deserved, due to his unparalleled record, but the fact remains that it was through pro football and the Packers that Don, comparatively young, is well established. Don, himself, brought the point up after signing, saying, "Green Bay and the Packers have been very fine to me. I wanted very much to retire and devote my time to business, but the more I thought of what this community has done for me the more my conscience clamored that it wouldn't be quite cricket to leave at this time when there is a shortage of available talent and when the league needs every experienced player. So I'm ready to give the grand old game another fling." Well said, Don, my lad, well said. And here's hoping you run the pants off rival pass defenses...FIVE LEAGUE RECORDS: Just how valuable the shufflin' man from Alabama is to the Packer cause is attested by the frank statement by Lt. Com. George Halas, now of the U.S. Navy, but in civilian life owner-coach of the Bears, who said: "I gave up believing long ago that any defense can stop him. We concede him two touchdowns per game and then stress our own offense with the aim of scoring more than two touchdowns." It must be admitted that George is right, not only on the Hutson angle, but also in building an offense that scores more than two touchdowns. Fleet footed Don holds five NFL records: Most passes caught, 336; most touchdown passes, 72; most yards gained on passes, 5,515; most points scored, 524; and most touchdowns, 74. He had been the loop's leading scorer three years in a row and twice was named the loop's most valuable player. Last year the veteran flanker had one of his greatest campaigns, establishing five season records: Most passes caught, 78; most points scored, 138; most touchdowns, 17; most extra points, 23, and most yards gained, 1,211.
STARRETT, FLOWERS SIGN PACKER CONTRACTS; OPEN DRILLS SUNDAY
AUG 10 (Green Bay) - Two sophomores and a freshman guard, who has two fingers missing from his right hand, today fattened Coach Curly Lambeau's Green Bay Packer roster to 19 players. The pro sophs are halfback Ben Starrett of St. Mary's (Calif.) and center Bob Flowers of Texas Tech, while the eight-fingered lad is Glen Sorenson, 190-pound guard from Utah State. Signing of the three gridders gives Lambeau a working capital of seven backs, two centers, three guards, three tackles and four ends including that flypaper wing, Don Hutson. Lambeau worked far into Monday night wiring and telephoning 15 unsigned veterans, players drafted at the spring meeting of the NFL, and others interested in making a comeback in the pro game. The Packer teacher expects about 30 gents out for the initial workout Sunday afternoon. Great things are expected from the three signees, and Lambeau has every reason to believe that they will be spreading stardust this fall. Starrett and Flowers, for instance, played under such experienced operators as Larry Craig and Charley Brock, but this year signs point to plenty of playing for these two. Sorenson has the attitude that Lambeau believes will make a mediocre college player or a star in pro ball. As an example of his spirit, Sorenson writes that "pro football has been a lifelong ambition with me."...STRING ON SORENSON: There is a string tied to Sorenson, however. The all-Big Seven conference guard,a junior, last winter said that Utah State had decided to quit football for the duration. Recently, Utah State officials hinted that they may sport a team despite the war this fall. At present, Sorenson is undecided whether to return to Utah State for his senior year or join the Packers, although he turned in his signed contract to Lambeau. Flowers went to the head of Lambeau's class in the first game last year, an exhibition tilt with Brooklyn. Flowers played 59 1/2 minutes and personally sparked the Packer line on offense and defense. Flowers had the misfortune of playing on the same team with Brock, who had a great year. Flowers will weigh in at 210 pounds Sunday. He stands an inch over six feet tall. Starrett will have one of his old St. Mary teammates, fullback Tony Falkenstein, to work with this season. Falkenstein was the ninth Packer to sign and was recommended by Lt. Comdr. Jimmy Crowley, former Fordham coach. Starrett is as tough as they come, and Lambeau almost had a notion to switch him to fullback last season after watching Ben bowl over the coach's regulars in a scrimmage last fall. Starrett, like Flowers, had some trouble unseating Craig, who has played a dual role with Hutson the last couple of years, switching from blocking quarterback to end on defense...PLACEKICKING SPECIALIST: Sorenson specializes in placekicking and blocking. A native of Las Animas, Col., Sorenson plays left guard, is 20 years of age and stands six feet one inch tall....Coach Curly Lambeau was informed of two "happy" events this week. A card from Dr. and Mrs. Paul Berezney announced birth of a son, Paul Lawrence, at Marinette. The Berezneys were parents of a daughter shortly before the 1942 season opened. Attached to guard Bill Kuusisto's unsigned contract was a note saying that "I've just been married and am on my honeymoon." A Minneapolis boy, Kuusisto said he'd be in Green Bay on Aug. 15...Howard (Smiley) Johnson, former Packer guard, has been promoted to first lieutenant in the U.S. Marines at Ocean Side, Cal. Sgt. Bob Adkins, the ex-Packer blocking back, has left his port in an Australian hospital for an officer's commission. Adkins' basketball and baseball teams have won seven cups in service competition in the last several months...Don Hutson will be recognized as the NFL's most valuable player for the second straight year at the annual College All-Star game at Northwestern's Dyche stadium Aug. 25. George Strickler, public relations director for the league, reported on a brief visit here last week. Last year, over 100,000 persons witnessed the presentation from Commissioner Elmer Layden at Soldier's field.
PACKERS GATHER SUNDAY; SMITH, LOU BROCK BACK FOR '43 WARS
AUG 11 (Green Bay) - Coach Curly Lambeau started to move the crank that raises the curtain on the Green Bay Packers' 1943 season today. He will wind up the curtain up to the top at 11 o'clock Sunday morning when he squeezes about 25 of America's supermen into a room at the Hotel Northland for a how-do-you-do meeting and general discussion on training, the aims of the current campaign and a few nasty cracks about the Chicago Bears, who open here Sept. 26. Lambeau will get his first look at most of his charges in sweat shirts at the practice field near City stadium at 2 o'clock Sunday afternoon. The coach announced today that he will have between 22 and 26 players out Sunday. Seven or eight of the lads will be coming in later in the week. In another week or two, Lambeau will have 30 to 34 gridders operating. Lambeau reported that Lou Brock, fullback and right halfback of 1942, has come to terms. However, Brock will not report until Sept. 8 in Pittsburgh - four days before the Phil-Pitt exhibition game - and will be in condition for the Bear opener. Brock is helping his father harvest the crops on their farm in Stafford, Kan., which is reason enough for his late arrival in view of the nation's food situation. Larry Craig will be late in reporting for the same reason. Another late arrival will be Babe Webb, the Hawaiian halfback, who left recently from Honolulu for the states. Lambeau also said that Richard (Red) Smith, line coach, will report for the Monday drill. He'll finish his first-base coaching duties with the Milwaukee Brewers in Louisville Sunday. The Packers coach today found himself in a position to become the envy of every pilot in the National league. It's quite possible that he may get tackle Dick Wildung and fullback Ray McCay, both All-Americans from Minnesota and Texas, respectively. However, both will be playing with the College All-Stars against the Washington Redskins in Dyche stadium Sept. 25, and will not report here until a day or two later - if they sign. Wildung, a 220-pound husky, was Lambeau's first choice in the draft, and McCay, the south's thunderbolt, was third in the coach's pick. With Brock in the fold, Lambeau now has 20 players for sure. He may obtain several more this weekend.
ANDY URAM, NO. 2 PASS RECEIVER, TO ARRIVE FRIDAY FOR PARLEY WITH BAY PACKER COACH
AUG 12 (Green Bay) - Right halfback and No. 2 pass receiver Andy Uram is on his way from Minneapolis to sign a contract with the Green Bay Packers. The former Minnesota ball lugger is due to report Friday and go into a huddle with Coach Curly Lambeau on the delicate matter of money. Although Andy is unsigned, Lambeau feels that Uram intends to put in his sixth season on the basis of this wire from Minneapolis: "Coming to Green Bay Friday to talk over contract." With the belief that Uram will be the 21st Packer to sign, a brief history of Andy's exploits might be in order. Uram averaged between seven and eight yards every time he carried the ball over a stretch of three years for Minnesota. In 1939, he was named starting halfback opposite Cecil Isbell, the former Packer passing great, in the College All-Star game. Lambeau made him his No. 1 choice in the National league draft that year. Until the 1942 season, Uram was chiefly a runner of high quality with a Packer team that featured throwing and catching the ball. Last year, Andy caught the fever and turned out to be the Packers' second best receiver and the league's eighth best. He averaged 20 yards every time he caught a pass, picking up 420 yards in 21 snatches...SCORED 31 POINTS: The incomparable master of pass receiving, Don Hutson, averaged "only" 16.3 yards in catching 74 passes for 1,211 yards. In the Cleveland game here last fall, Uram took a first down throw form Isbell and raced 64 yards for a touchdown. Andy scored four touchdowns by passing and one by running and kicked an extra point for 31 points, a figure well below Huston's 138 but still second in the Packer record. Uram has one spell of tough luck last fall. Late in the Chicago Bear game here, he fumbled on a left end run in Packer territory, and Ray Nolting dashed for a touchdown. What made Andy fumble? At least 700 pounds of Bear meat fell on him. Lambeau today is making ready an optimistic statement for Friday or Saturday. He has several ace cards up his sleeve but they cannot be played until contract difficulties are ironed out...GREAT TEAM IN MAKING: Just as a hint, It might be reported that Lambeau may have a great club in the making. The coach is enthusiastic about the names he has on a sheet of paper in his office safe. Anyhow, the Packers will start practice Sunday afternoon about 2 o'clock after a report meeting in the Hotel Northland at 11 o'clock that morning. The pilot will have from 22 to 26 players out for the first drill.
CECIL ISBELL LEAVES PACKERS, JOINS PURDUE STAFF
JUL 16 (Green Bay) - Professional football's greatest scoring twins - Cecil Isbell and Don Hutson - were separated Thursday night with the announcement from Lafayette, Ind., that Isbell, the National league's passing champion, has joined the Purdue university coaching staff. The announcement was made by Guy Mackey, athletic director at Purdue, shortly before Isbell broke the news to the grid boss, Coach Curly Lambeau Thursday night. Isbell will assume the duties of backfield coach, normally handled by Mel Taube, now on leave as a lieutenant in the naval reserve. A former Texas high school star, Isbell scintillated on Boilermaker gridiron teams of 1935, 1936 and 1937. For the past three years, the Isbell-to-Hutson combination, according to the records, blasted league records to the four winds. Isbell, by winning the passing title last fall, became the first pitcher in league history to take the crown two years in succession...CHANGE GAME SITE: Lambeau also announced today a change in the date and site of the exhibition game between the Philadelphia-Pittsburgh entry and the Packers. The game, originally scheduled for Milwaukee Sept. 19, will be played at Forbes Field, Pittsburgh, on Sept. 12. One of the chief reasons for the switch is a doubleheader baseball game in Milwaukee on Sept. 19, ending the Brewers' 1943 season in the American association. It may be recalled that Milwaukee fought for the association pennant in its last game at Brewertown last fall. Lambeau, of course, was disappointed at news that Isbell would leave his left halfback position with the Packers. At the same time he congratulated Isbell for his chance in the coaching ranks and wished him the best of luck...ONE OF BAD BREAKS: Lambeau said that "Isbell's leaving is one of the bad breaks that must be expected in the pro game. We've just got to take then and hope for the best." Loss of Isbell robs Hutson the second time of a pitcher. Arnie Herber, the former West High star, originally hurled strikes to the league's leading scorer, and Isbell took up where Herber left off in 1938. Lambeau discovered Isbell's passing ability in the College All-Star game of 1938, when he threw a touchdown pass in the Stars' 28 to 16 victory over Washington. Together with Hutson, Isbell, who resides in Manitowoc, reached his peak last season. He threw 24 touchdown passes, one a 73-yarder to Hutson against the Cardinals here. In 268 attempts, Isbell had 146 completions for a gain of 2,021 yards. One of Isbell's chief accomplishments was beating out the highly-publicized Sammy Baugh of the Washington Redskins for the passing title in 1941 and 1942. In his five-year career, Isbell threw 813 passes and completed 408 for a gain of 5,975 yards. His passes resulted in 61 touchdowns. Isbell holds the most unusual records in the books - a four-inch touchdown pass to Hutson against Cleveland here last fall, and a consecutive game touchdown passing mark of 23 over the 1941-42 seasons. In all, Isbell holds nine records. He reached his single-game peak against the Cards last fall when he pitched five touchdown passes in the same game, his passes gained 333 yards for a new record.
BEREZNEY SIGNS PACKER PAPERS
JUL 16 (Green Bay) - Paul Berezney, the big right tackle who carried his medical books to and from Green Bay Packer games last fall, has signed a 1943 Packer contract, Coach Curly Lambeau announced today. Berenzey is the first of the veterans to sign, and the second Bay under contract. The other is Irv Comp, a triple-threat halfback from
ISBELL, HUTSON VOTED TO ALL-LEAGUE TEAM
JAN 13 (Green Bay) - Cecil Isbell and Don Hutson, the Green Bay Packers' peerless passing combination, today were named to the NFL's 12th annual mythical all-league team. Packer Charles (Buckets) Goldenberg, a ten-year veteran, made right guard on the second team. Receiving honorable mention were tackle Buford (Baby) Ray, halfback Tony Canadeo and quarterback Larry Craig...HUTSON'S SIXTH YEAR: Hutson was the only unanimous choice. It was the fifth consecutive year he was named to the first string, and the sixth time in eight seasons that he topped the vote among ends. Isbell also was a member of the first team last year. The committee of nine newspapermen evinced a definite preference for Isbell over Sammy Baugh of Washington at halfback, principally because he is a better ball carrier and because of his greater passing productivity. He delivered at least one touchdown pass in his last 23 consecutive league games. Like nine of its predecessors, the team is dominated by Western division players. Five places went to Chicago's once invincible Bears. Three of them, including Danny Fortmann, guard; Clyde Turner, center; and Sid Luckman, quarterback, were first team selections in 1941. It was the fifth successive year for Fortmann, and the second year in a row that he missed being a unanimous choice by one first place vote...ARTOE, FAMIGLIETTI NAMED: Other Bears selected were tackle Lee Artoe and fullback Gary Famiglietti. It marked the first time since 1934, when New York won the title and placed five men on the all-league team, that one club has supplied so many first team selections. Tackle Wee Willie Wilkin and end Bob Masterson are the only members of the champion Washington Redskins voted first string berths. Guard Bill Edwards of New York and Bill Dudley of Pittsburgh, the rookie of the year, complete the eleven. Famiglietti, 230-pound line plunger who took over the Bears' fullbacking when Bill Osmanski was injured on the sixth play of the opening game here at Green Bay, polled four first place votes to beat out Andy Farkas of Washington by a margin of two points. Dudley, the league's ground gaining champion, is the first rookie to be chosen since Davey O'Brien was named quarterback in 1939. Like Fortmann, he missed being a unanimous choice by one vote, although he also appeared on all nine ballots. Sid Luckman's only opposition for quarterback came from Sammy Baugh, the Redskins's field general and passing paragon. Baugh missed first team selection when the committee split its ballot, some of the selectors placing him at halfback. Luckman received six first place votes...GUARD RACE WIDE OPEN: Failure of a Washington guard to make either the first or second team came as something of a surprise after the superb performance of Dick Farman, Steve Slivinski and Clyde Shugart in the championship game. Outside of Fortmann, however, the race for the guard positions was wide open with seven men receiving first team votes. There seemed to be little question about whom the committee consider the league's best centers. Chuck Cherundolo, who played 25 consecutive quarters for Pittsburgh, and Turner received all the votes, except two for the second team, which went to Mel Hein, retiring star of the New York Giants. At end, opposite Hutson, Masterson took a commanding lead over George Wilson of the Bears and Perry Schwartz of Brooklyn, largely because of a better rounded performance, which combined Wilson's rugged play with Schwartz's pass receiving.
PRO FOOTBALL SHATTERS CROWD RECORDS; 1,725,764 NOSES
JAN 15 (Chicago) - A greater attendance than in any previous year since professional football was organized, watched teams of the NFL during 1942. Spectators totaled 1,725,764 despite the uncertainties of war and the most wretched weather conditions in 10 years, according to Elmer Layden, commissioner of professional football. Layden said 14 charity games drew 453,652 fans and preseason exhibitions were played before 156,958 more. The remaining 1,115,154 attended the regularly scheduled games of the championship season - a total that was 6 percent less than the record number attracted to the same number of games the previous season. However, 16 of the 1942 games, 30 percent of the regular schedule, were played in adverse weather. Layden said a better break from the elements in any five or six of these games would have sent the 1942 attendance above the all-time high of 1,186,616 for the regular schedule, set in 1941. Green Bay's annual visit to Chicago to engage the Bears topped attendance for regular contests, drawing 42,787 to Wrigley field on Nov. 15
PACKERS' HUTSON REPEATS AS MOST VALUABLE
THIRD SCORING TITLE FOR HUTSON
FEB 17 (Green Bay) - Don Hutson, who is strictly a case for Thurman Arnold, cornered five more NFL records in 1942 as he won the scoring championship for the third straight season. It was no more a contest than the race for honors for receiving, which Hutson has monopolized for the last two years. The veteran Green Bay end froze out all of his competitors by scoring twice as many point as his nearest rival, Ray McLean of the Chicago Bears. McLean finished with 54, Hutson with 138. The mere winning of the scoring championship was a record in itself. No player had ever won three straight scoring titles, and only the redoubtable Dutch Clark had been able to finish first that many times. But with his typical leisurely indifference, Hutson added new records for touchdowns scored on forward passes (17), total touchdowns (17) and extra points in one season (33). Together with a field goal that gave him 138 points, also a new record. Previous highs for touchdown passes was ten, total touchdowns 12 and total points, 95, all of which Hutson set in 1941. The former record for most extra points in a season was 28, established by Automatic Jack Manders of the Bears, in 1934. These performances served to put Hutson's three lifetime scoring records farther beyond the reach of future National leaguers. He now has caught 72 touchdown passes, scored 74 touchdowns and brought his
RED SMITH TO COACH BREWERS BALL CLUB
MAR 5 (Green Bay) - Richard (Red) Smith, manager of the Green Bay Bluejays for the last two seasons and long identified with baseball as a player, coach and manager, has been signed as a coach by the Milwaukee Brewers for the 1943 season. Contracts of nine Green Bay players also went to the Brewers, although it is unlikely that any of them will engage in professional baseball this year because of the war. Eight already are in uniform and the ninth is a reserve who is likely to be called for service soon...REPORTS IN APRIL: Smith said that he probably will report for work with the Milwaukee club sometime in April. He will be relieved of his duties in time next fall so that he may continue to serve as line coach for the Green Bay Packers. For the last several months he has been assistant director at the Columbus Community club. Becoming manager of the Bluejays in 1941, Smith carried the club to the Wisconsin State league championship. He had another strong team last year, finishing only one game behind the first-place Sheboygan club...LONG WITH BREWERS: Smith has been identified with the Brewers since 1936, although during the last two years he served only during the spring training period. In 1936 he was the Brewers' catcher for part of the season, and finished as manager of the Fieldale farm club. The next two seasons he was manager at Hopkinsville, another farm team, and in 1939 he was in Milwaukee all season as coach. The following year he returned as coach, but spent part of his time with the Brewer farm system.
NATIONAL FOOTBALL CIRCUIT TO DRAFT PLAYERS IN CHICAGO
MAR 5 (Chicago) - The player draft will highlight the annual business meeting of the NFL here April 6-8. The draft originally was scheduled last December, but postpones because of wartime uncertainties. The delay has given club owners in the professional league additional time to survey the field and determine what collegiate gridders will be available next fall. Other important matters to be discussed are the 1943 schedule and rules revisions. Commissioner Elmer Layden recently conferred with War Manpower Commissioner Paul V. McNutt and Defense Transportation Director Joseph B. Eastman and will report the outcome of those meetings to the league.
DUNN, BLOOD ONCE SCORED T.D. ON 140-YARD PLAY AFTER PUNT
MAR 11 (Green Bay) - Did you ever hear about the Red Dunn-Johnny Blood 140-yard touchdown play? Probably not, because it happened in Providence, R.I., back in 1929 after the Green Bay Packers had sewed up their National league championship. Dunn and Blood stood on their own 20 at opposite sides of the field waiting to take a Providence punt, according to Spike Spachmann, former Packer ticket manager who saw the game?...WATCHING SCENERY?: The long punt came to Dunn who ran up the sidelines to the Packers' 40, where he stopped and passed diagonally across the field to Blood who stayed on his own 20,
PACKERS GET ADAMS, RAM TACKLE, AT DRAFT MEETING
APR 9 (Chicago) - Coach Curly Lambeau of the Green Bay Packers left here today with the makings of a powerful line - designed to operate with the Isbell-Hutson combination - and a handsome schedule setup for the 1943 season. Lambeau's "making" centered about Chet Adams, the 235-pound (married) tackle of the Cleveland Rams. The Bay coach drew Adams' number out of a hat containing names of the suspended Cleveland roster. A four-year veteran, Adams stands six feet three, and lists "special investigator" as his job. Lambeau's first choice in the NFL draft, held at the closing meeting at the Palmer house Thursday, was Dick Wildung, All-American tackle from the University of Minnesota...SELECT 19 LINEMAN: The Packer coach selected 19 linemen, indicating that he intends to put a powerful forward wall on the field next fall. He named three University of Wisconsin linemen: Dick Thornally, tackle, Lloyd Wasserbach, center, and George Makris, guard. The league will adopt a schedule at a place to be named later. In final sessions Thursday, the circuit abolished the home-and-home game rules and adopted a rule whereby every club must play one extra game with a team in its own division. Lambeau indicated that three clubs may discontinue operations before the June meeting. If six clubs play, the league will operate on a home-and-home basis, however. The "for sure" teams are Green Bay, New York, Washington, Detroit, Chicago Bears and either the Chicago Cardinals or a combination of the Pittsburgh and Philadelphia clubs...DRAWS MIKE HOLOVAK: Lambeau was elated over drawing Mike Holovak, great Boston college fullback, out of the Cleveland hat. Holovak was Cleveland's first choice in the drat. Other former Rams selected by the Packers are Jim Shepherd, Oregon; Bert Davis, Utah, and Dick Kieppe, Michigan State. The presence of one "corn college" player in a bevy of All-America stars drawn in the first five rounds of the league's draft served to jolt the gridiron experts. The "unknown" who popped up among the "big name" stars was Irv Comp from little St. Benedict college at Atchison, Kas., who was the second choice of the Bays...LAMBEAU PULL SURPRISE: While other teams in the pro circuit were scrambling for talented backs, Lambeau pulled the surprise of the draft meeting by picking Comp. He indicated his anxiousness to obtain Comp by signing him before the draft meeting, losing him by a league ruling and then regaining him through draft channels. Comp is a 205-pound Milwaukee boy. He attended the University of Wisconsin for part of his freshman year and then transferred to St. Benedict where he played four seasons under a pair of former Notre Dame stars, Don Elser and Marty Peters. Elser and Peters were the ones who "tipped" Lambeau, himself a former Irish star, on Comp's ability. When Lambeau investigated the gridder, he found portly Steve Owen of the New York Giants also on his trail. Comp, currently working in a defense plant, considered both offers and then agreed to sign with the Packers...COMP WAS "EXPOSED": Lambeau went into the draft meeting gloating over his good fortune, but his optimism was short-lived as President Elmer Layden ruled Comp had not been "exposed" to a draft period and therefore had to be put up for "grabs". While that was a jolt it didn't stop Lambeau for long. He picked Wildung as his first player and then took Comp on the second round. Comp figures to be available for football next fall. He is 4-F because of a serious defect in his vision. Wildung was the only lineman chosen on the first round of the draft. The other nine teams picked backfield men...300 PLAYERS DRAFTED: A total of 300 players, in contrast to the usual 200 gridders, were drafted in an effort to buoy the chances of getting full squads next fall. The choices were made from a list of prospective performers that totaled 1,150 players. Most of the 300 gridders picked
LAMBEAU THINKS PREDICTION OF SIX-TEAM LOOP WILL COME TRUE
JUN 18 (Green Bay) - Last March Coach Curly Lambeau predicted that the NFL would operate with six clubs in 1943. Today, as the Green Bay Packer coach left for Chicago to attend an important league meeting, he was "certain" that a compact, six-team organization would come out of the Saturday and Sunday sessions. He feels that business interests which applied this week for franchises would be unable to get teams formed for next fall. Lambeau announced that he would favor a six-club circuit. He called such a setup a "healthy league with the cream of last year's stars and a crop of good rookies making up six strong squads." The six clubs ready to go, he reported, are Green Bay, Chicago Bears and Detroit in the Western division, and New York, Washington and a combination Philadelphia-Pittsburgh club in the Eastern...PLAY HOME-AND-HOME CARD: Going further into the six-club plan, Lambeau stated that the teams would play a home-and-home schedule. Green Bay, for instance, would play all three Eastern division clubs in its own backyard. The general assumption today seemed to be that the Chicago Cardinals and Brooklyn Dodgers are the "doubtful" starters. At least these two clubs would have to quit if the league hoped to operate with six teams. Lambeau in the last two months expected the Cards and Dodgers to fall out. However, an Associated Press dispatch from Tuscaloosa, Ala., today revealed that Pete Cawthon, newly-appointed coach of the Brooklyn Dodgers, has been granted a leave of absence from the University of Alabama, where he was assistant grid coach, and will assume his new duties immediately. Cawthon said his appointment as coach of the Dodgers was made Thursday by Dan Topping, the club's owner. Cawthon was formerly head coach at Texas Tech...RECALL WALSH APPOINTMENT: Whether new Dodger interest will swell the league to seven teams will be one of the many decisions to come out of the league meeting. It may be recalled that Chile Walsh was appointed coach of the Cleveland Rams just before Cleveland decided to quit the league for the duration. In regard to new franchises being sought by Don Ameche, Ted Collins and business interest in Baltimore, Lambeau believes it will be impossible to form a team without a nucleus of players from 1942. Although, he added, it would be possible to take the leftovers from the Cleveland Rams or an other team that decides not to operate. However, such a switchover of personnel of the Rams would be taking players out of the pockets of the coaches who drew the Ram gridders out of a hat at the last meeting in Chicago...SUCCESS AT LONG ISLAND: Lambeau said that Collins would make an "excellent" team owner in view of the success he had with the Long Island Indians, which operated as a Green Bay Packer farm club in an eastern league. The Packers supplied the coach, Verne Lewellen, and players. At any rate, Lambeau is looking for plenty of "hot talk" at the Saturday and Sunday meetings. In fact, Commissioner Elmer Layden wired each club representative to make reservations for the entire weekend, which, Lambeau said, may also include Monday and Tuesday. Lambeau expects to interview players in Chicago late today and early Saturday.
SHUFFLE OF GRID LOOP MEMBERS LOOMS AS PRO OWNERS CONVENE
JUN 19 (Chicago) - A shuffle of the NFL's membership appeared likely Saturday as club owners opened a two day meeting. The pro circuit has only seven "sure fire" members now, but the possibilities were good that the league might number 10 or 11 cities before adjournment. Clubs regarded as certain to operate next season were the champion Washington Redskins, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, New York Giants, Brooklyn Dodgers and a club which may represent a merger of the Philadelphia Eagles and the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Dodgers, along with the Chicago Cardinals, were on the "doubtful" list until Friday. Dennis J. Shea, general manager of the Brooklyn club, upon his arrival here announced the Dodgers would operate. "I have received the go ahead sign from owner Dan Topping," Shea said...CAWTHON SUCCEEDS GETTO: The Cardinals were left without a coach when Jimmy Conzelman resigned to take a position with the St. Louis Browns' baseball club. A recent check indicated only four players from last season were available for play. The application for the merger of the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh clubs presented the league with one of its most difficult problems. If the merger should be approved, the league would lose a member, but applications have been received from three bidders who purportedly desire to operate clubs next fall...CHECKS FOR $25,000: Two of the prospective owners backed their applications with cash. They were radio and screen star Don Ameche, who is seeking to place a club in Buffalo, and Ted Collins, manager of singer Kate Smith, who desires to operate at Boston. Ameche and Collins accompanied their bids by certified checks for $25,000. The third city that may be included in the league is Baltimore. While several coaches and owners were worried over the player shortage, Earl (Curly) Lambeau of the Green Bay Packers was not one of them. He was confident the league would continue with at least six clubs in operation and possibly as many as 12. Lambeau indicated he was not worried about his own prospects.
LEWELLEN 'LIKES' TED COLLINS AS OWNER IN PRO FOOTBALL CIRCUIT
JUN 19 (Green Bay) - Verne Lewellen, the former Green Bay Packer whose long distance punting has never been duplicated since he put away the moleskins, delivered a "hoot" today in favor of Ted Collins, the successful business pilot of Song Bird Kate Smith, who is seeking a franchise in the NFL. Lewellen worked with Collins in 1941 when the Packer hero coached the Long Island Indians of the American association. Collins and William A. Shea of New York were co-owners of the club. "Collins' promotion of Ms. Smith as the nation's leading radio songster speaks for itself," Lewellen said in describing whether or not Collins would "go" in the National league. Collins and Shea this week applied for permission to operate a pro grid team in Boston during the 1943 season, and the NFL will act on their request today or Sunday at a meeting in Chicago. Besides working on the business angles of the Long Island eleven, Collins took an active personal interest in the team itself, Lewellen recalled, adding that "he made practically every trip with the team."...FRIEND OF CROWLEY: The ex-Packer stated the Collins is football-minded. A personal friend of Sleepy Jim Crowley, former Fordham coach and at present a lieutenant commander in the Navy, Collins and Miss Smith followed Fordham to New Orleans for a bowl
games at home, the Chicago Cardinals four and all the remaining clubs five. That schedule plan was based upon a 10-game playing program. Each club in the league would have played home-and-home engagements with every other club in its division, and one game each with clubs in the opposite division...LAMBEAU DRAFTS CARD: When the impasse was reached this schedule tentatively was given up and Layden set about to draft a schedule proposed by Earl (Curly) Lambeau of the Green Bay Packers. This calls for one game with every other club in the league and the remaining three contests against "selected" rivals. The schedule wrangle was one of the longest and bitterest in the 22-year history of the league. The adoption of the playing program has been postponed twice and all owners felt it imperative that it be drawn at the current meeting. Most of the pro grid clubs play in major league baseball parks and the late closing of the diamond season is another factor that complicates the picture. Outside of the schedule question the only other important issue to come up Sunday was the granting of permission to the pro clubs to sign undergraduate collegians who are enrolled at schools that have abandoned football for the duration...BOSTON COMING IN 1944: Although the league will operate with eight teams next fall - seven of its old members and a combine made up of two others - Boston is coming in for 1944 and there's a strong move to bring in Don Ameche's Los Angeles team, too. Marshall backed the admission request of Ted Collins for Boston and says he will lead the campaign to bring Los Angeles into the fold. "Right now," Marshall said today, "we have 11 memberships. Eight are going teams, Cleveland is inactive for the duration - and to me that was a big mistake we made permitting such a move at the April meeting. Technically, since their merger, the membership either of Philadelphia or Pittsburgh is inactive. And we have voted Boston in. Now we'll have to vote a 12th for balance, and I most certainly believe it should be Los Angeles."...OPPOSES CHICAGO MERGER: It was Marshall who spearheaded the successful opposition to a requested merger of the Chicago Bears and Chicago Cardinals at Saturday's initial meeting of the league. It was Marshall who jumped to his feet and made the motion to accept the franchise bid of Collins, manager of singer Kate Smith, for a Boston membership effective at the close of the 1943 season. That will permit Collins to participate in the December draft of college players and begin assembling his team for the future.
PRO GRID LEADERS ARGUE 1943 CARD; EIGHT CLUBS WILL OPERATE
JUN 21 (Chicago) - A bitter internal battle over the 1943 schedule plans threw the NFL meeting into a hopeless deadlock early today and forced the extension of the session for another day. After a continuous 16-hour session devoted principally to mapping the schedule, the pro grid moguls finally abandoned the futile task and agreed to reconvene today. As in the case in most controversial questions in the circuit the league centered around George P. Marshall, colorful owner of the champion Washington redskins. Marshall supposedly had an agreement with the league that he be given six home games. He advertised the season ticket sale in the capital on that basis. When the tentative schedule was drafted early Sunday the team was given the six games. Then the furor started...GIANTS WANT SIX, TOO: The New York Giants said if the Redskins were entitled to six home games that they wanted a like number. At one time the Giants threatened to abandon competition unless their demand was met. Jack Mara, president of the Giants, later dropped the threat but stuck firm in his demand. Under the schedule President Elmer Layden originally proposed the Redskins would have six
ANNOUNCE 12-GAME SCHEDULE FOR GREEN BAY PACKERS
JUN 22 (Green Bay) - Green Bay's Packers will play ten NFL games and two exhibition contests with league opponents next fall, Coach Curly Lambeau announced today in a long-distance telephone conversation from Chicago where the circuit has just completed a three day meeting. Four of the league battles are schedule at home - Green Bay or Milwaukee - but the decision on the exact site of the games will be made after a meeting of the Packer corporation within the next few weeks. The first exhibition game will pit the Packers against the World Champion Washington Redskins at Baltimore Sept. 5. The Bays will continue "practice" against the combination Philadelphia-Pittsburgh team in Milwaukee Sept. 19...BEARS OPEN HERE: As usual, the Packers will take on their hated rivals, the Chicago Bears, in their league opener at home on Sunday, Sept. 26. The other home contests will bring Detroit Oct. 10; Washington, Oct. 17, and the Chicago Cardinals, Nov. 14. After the opening Bear game, the Bays will visit Chicago in their road opener with the Cardinals Oct. 3. After the Detroit and Washington home tilts, Green Bay will launch a three-game road trip, going to Detroit Oct. 24; to New York Oct 31; and to Chicago Bearland, Nov. 7. The Cardinal game at home will be followed by a trip to Brooklyn Nov. 21 and to the Philadelphia-Pittsburgh Eagles lot in Philadelphia Dec. 5. The eight-team league will play a 40-game program which will extend from September 19 through Dec. 5. Each team will play ten league contests. Home and home games will be played with the Eastern and Western division memberships with four interdivision games for each club. The schedule gives the newly-formed club, created by the merger of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, six home games, four at Philadelphia and two at Pittsburgh. Six home games also were awarded to Washington and New York...CARDS, LIONS PLAY SEPT. 19: The Chicago Cardinals and Detroit Lions will open the season Sept. 19 at Detroit. The rest of the clubs will play the following Sunday. In a last minute ruling, the delegates swept aside the Sept. 20 deadline for reducing team rosters to 25. For the duration it was voted the clubs may retail all preseason squad members until their opening games. Buffalo, which has applied for a league franchise, was named the site of an Oct. 10 contest between Detroit and the Cards. Buffalo was selected, it was announced, to avoid possible conflict with World Series baseball games. Lambeau said that after the war pro football may no longer be a sectionalized sport, but may expand to such proportions that far western cities heretofore regarded as out-of-reach will find the game on their doorstep. This new frontier will be realized if the NFL, at its next session in December, votes to accept Don Ameche's franchise for Los Angeles. There also is a mover to obtain a franchise for San Francisco...LOS ANGELES LIKELY NEWCOMER: With Boston already in, starting next year, and with Cleveland returning after the wars when the new Philadelphia-Pittsburgh combine will separate, the league will have 11 new members - six in its Eastern division and five in the west . The need for another western club is evident for balance, and Los Angeles is the likely newcomer. This would mean teams would shuttle back and forth throughout the west, passing through such cities as Kansas City and Denver and Salt Lake City to reach their destinations. It is possible that these cities may eventually sponsor teams.
PACKER 'DRAFTEE SELECTED ON CHICAGO ALL-STAR GRID SQUAD
HAWAIIAN FLASH JOINS BAY PACKERS
JUL 20 (Green Bay) - Babe Webb, the flashy Hawaiian halfback, who was supposed to join the Green Bay Packers last season, has signed a contract for 1943 action. Webb, the third Packer under contract, wired Coach Curly Lambeau from Honolulu where he is employed with the news that "I'm going to make it this time." Webb could not get passage a year ago with the result that the Packers had Webb's contract but no Webb. The Hawaiian, who is believed to be on his way to the states now, will report for the opening practice Aug. 15. The former New Mexico star who was placed on the Border conference all-star team in 1939 was recommended last year by Red McQueen, sports editor of the Honolulu Advertiser. He had been playing with the Honolulu Bears, a semi-pro squad, and according to McQueen, Webb is the "sweetest running back I have ever seen." McQueen wrote Lambeau that Webb is interested in starting a professional football career. Lambeau feels that Webb should add considerable speed to the backfield. He goes 185 pounds, which is large for the average Hawaiian. Lambeau made his acquaintance with McQueen when the Packers played there in 1933. Lambeau was informed that Webb is a good passer. He undoubtedly will be one of the many players trying to fill the shoes left vacant by the resignation of Cecil Isbell, the front half of the Isbell-to-Hutson combination, who accepted a coaching position with Purdue university.;
HUTSON STILL CLAIMS THAT HE WILL RETIRE
JUL 21 (Green Bay) - Just about every big time athlete turns to golf when he retired - or is about to retire - from his specialized sport. Babe Ruth, the Sultant of Swat, Joe Louis of boxing fame and a 101 others have picked up the clubs
Bear game will open league action for both clubs, following the 1942 pattern when the Bears and Packers launched firing here Sept. 27. On Oct. 3, Lambeau's men will visit Chicago for a game with the Cardinals. This game, incidentally, will be the first pro league battle of the season in the Windy City. After the Oct. 10 and Oct. 17 dates with
Detroit and Washington, the Packers go to Detroit and the Redskins, the Packers go to Detroit Oct. 24 and to New York Oct. 31. The classic Bear-Packer struggle in Chicago is set for Nov. 7. After the Card game in Milwaukee, the Bays close their season in the east - at Brooklyn on Nov. 21 and at Pitt-Phil Dec. 5. In order to save precious miles, the Packers will warm up in the east with two exhibition games, visiting Baltimore for a game with Washington Sept. 5 and Pittsburgh for a game with the combined Phil-Pitt team Sept. 12. The Pitt-Phil game was originally scheduled for Milwaukee Sept. 19. Under present plans the Packers will remain in the east for the two exhibitions...CHANGE ISBELL'S MIND: Lambeau is conducting conferences with Isbell, the Manitowoc merchant and, more recently, backfield coach at Purdue university, in an effort to get the shape passer to change his mind. Although realizing that Isbell has a great chance with Purdue, Lambeau feels that "Cece is making a mistake by leaving professional football at this time." Announcement of Isbell's position with Purdue was made at the Lafayette, Ind., school last week. Isbell, in a telephone conversation here, admitted that "I hated to get started in a coaching career." Isbell was a Purdue hero before coming to Green Bay five years ago. Both Isbell and his pass catcher, Don Hutson, hit the jackpot with the Packers last season, but Lambeau sees no reason why they cannot repeat their outstanding performances. Hutson announced Tuesday that he had no intentions of playing this fall. Lambeau thus far has three players under contract - Paul Berezney, a tackle, and backs Babe Webb and Irv Comp. Berezney will be starting his sophomore year here, although he put in two years with the Kenosha Cardinals after a great career at Fordham. Webb is the Hawaiian star who was supposed to report last season, but was unable to do so because he could not get passage from Honolulu. Comp, who heroed at St. Benedict's college, will come here with a reputation of being the "greatest ever" in Coach Harry Stuhldreher's book. Stuhldreher has Comp at Wisconsin for a year. Lambeau will herd his Packers onto the practice field for the first time Sunday, Aug. 15. By that time he expects to have 25 under contract.
PACKERS SIGN MCPHERSON, GIANT NEBRASKA, PROFESSIONAL CENTER
JUL 23 (Green Bay) - Forrest McPherson, who preceded Charley Brock at the University of Nebraska, has signed a contract with the Green Bay Packers, Coach Curly Lambeau announced today. McPherson, a 230-pound center who stands six feet, two inches tall, is the fourth Packer under contract. Brock, who is expected back for his fifth season, became the regular center at Nebraska when McPherson bowed out in 1934. McPherson formerly played with the Philadelphia Eagles and the Los Angeles Bulldogs. His home is in Burbank, Calif...WANT MORE MONEY: Lambeau has resumed negotiations with a large number of Packer veterans who returned their contracts unsigned. Most of the players are asking higher wages despite increases in salaries and living allowances specified in the contracts. A definite decision on Cecil Isbell's status is expected next Tuesday or Wednesday. Lambeau conferred with Isbell in Manitowoc, where Isbell has a water softener business, Thursday. Halfback Isbell recently signed as backfield coach at Purdue university, and announced his retirement from professional football. Player activities are booming around the NFL. Philadelphia seems to be the hotbed since the combined Eagles-Pittsburgh Steelers team started an informal practice this week. Coach Greasy Neale had about 15 signed players out...HEWITT IS SIGNED: Among them were Bill Hewitt, former Chicago Bear and one of the few gridders who plays without a helmet; Jack Hinkle of Syracuse, backfield mate of Tom Harmon and Jack Kimbrough on the 1941 New York Yankees; Charlie Gauer, of Hampton-Sydney; and Dean Steward of Ursinus. The Chicago Cardinals have announced that they will practice at Carroll college in Waukesha, starting Aug. 20. New Card coach Phil Handler has signed Andy Puplis, former Notre Dame quarterback. Married and the father of two children, Puplis had been coaching at Maywood (Ill.) High. Things have been quiet in the Chicago Bear camp. Latest signee is Bob Steuer, the great Missouri halfback, who has been invited to play with the College All-Stars against Washington in Evanston, Aug. 25...TEN DETROIT MEN: Coach Gus Dorais has about ten players signed at Detroit, and this week announced that Joe Bach, 42, former University of Notre Dame lineman, will be the line coach of the Lions. Bach was one of the "seven mules" who helped Notre Dame's "four horsemen" to gridiron fame in the early 20s. In 1935 and 1936, Bach was head coach of the Steelers. Little news is coming out of New York and Brooklyn, although Stout Steve Owen, coach of the Giants, is said have over 20 player already under contract. Pete Cawthon, new coach of the Dodgers, is on a scouting trip in the South.
PACKERS HAVE TILTS AT HOME WITH BEARS, LIONS; PLAY REDSKINS, CARDS IN MILWAUKEE
JUL 22 (Green Bay) - Official word on the Green Bay Packers' home contests was released from Coach Curly Lambeau's office today just as the Packer mentor was going into a strategic huddle with his left halfback - Cecil Isbell. The Packers will play two NFL games in Green Bay and two of the same nature in Milwaukee. Guests at City stadium will be the Chicago Bears on Sept. 26 and the Detroit Lions on Oct. 10. Opposing the Bays at Milwaukee will be the champion Washington Redskins on Oct. 17 and the Chicago Cardinals on Nov. 14...OPEN LEAGUE PLAY: The
already proven his ability as a broken field runner. As for McWilliams, a fast and shifty back who packs 216 pounds on a 6-foot-2 structure, had one tryout with the Detroit Lions but, because of his career in baseball, arrived late for practice and was in no condition to make the squad. Two years ago married and quit sports, but in a recent letter to Lambeau the halfback stated that he wants to play pro football and feels that he can make the grade. McWilliams, besides a fair pitching arm, is highly rated as a punter. Falkenstein and McWilliams are the fourth and fifth backs signed. All are halfbacks except Falkenstein and Irv Comp.
ENDS JACUNSKI, MASON RENEW GREEN BAY PACKER CONTRACTS
AUG 4 (Green Bay) - Harry Jacunski, who a year ago said he liked playing second fiddle to Don Hutson, and Joel Mason, the bald sophomore, have signed Green Bay Packer contracts, Coach Curly Lambeau announced today. Signing of the two ends boosts the Packer roster to 14 players, 22 less than Lambeau's goal of 36. The list now includes three ends, three tackles, two guards, one center and five backs. Addition of the two ends also makes Lambeau's present roster look something like a team. He has veterans at every position except center and guard. The tackle situation appears well in hand with Baby Ray, Paul Berezney and Milburn (Tiny) Croft under contract. The third end, Dick Evans, is a veteran of many campaigns with the Packers and Chicago Cardinals. Jacunski will be starting his fifth season here-almost. He had decided to quit the game last year in favor of a Navy career but the water forces put thumbs down for physical reasons. As a result, Jacunski joined the club midway in the season. A former Fordham university product recommended by Lt. Comdr. Jimmy Crowley, Jacunski labeled himself as a great pass receiver in the Pittsburgh game at Milwaukee last December. On third down on the Packer 37-yard line, Jacunski took a 14-yard pas from Cecil Isbell for a first down on the Steeler 49. On the next play, Isbell fired a long pass that Jacunski caught with Steeler back Vernon Martin hanging on his shoulders near the ten-yard line. The Fordham flash shook off Martin and scored...GAINED 125 YARDS: This was the third touchdown pass Jacunski caught in his career here. The chief reason for his T.D. inactivity was Hutson, who was Jacunski's ideal player. Harry was substitute for Hutson until last year when Lambeau switched him to right end. In all last season, Jacunski caught eight passes for a gain of 125 yards. Jacunski accounted for two touchdowns by passes in the Packer championship campaign of 1939. He is six feet, two inches tall and tips the beam at almost 200 pounds. At Fordham in 1938, Harry was named the most valuable player by his teammates and the fans selected him as one of the few eastern gridders on the 1939 All-Star team in Chicago. Mason stamped himself as a promising defensive end last year although, like Jacunski, the former Western State star didn't have much chance to distinguish himself as a pass catcher because of Hutson's spectacular work. At that, Mason caught seven passes for a gain of 86 yards. All these figures are slightly "off" when you compare them with Hutson's 74 passes caught for a gain of 1,211 yards, but the fact remains that Hutson was an exception to all the rules of football the last few seasons...TRIED OUT WITH CARDS: Mason tried out with the Cardinals in 1941 but an oversupply of material forced former Coach Jimmy Conzelman to release him. Lambeau lost no time signing Mason last season on learning that he was still anxious to play football. Mason is six feet tall and weighs 197 pounds. His home is in Stambaugh, Mich., and is married and the father of one child.
FALKENSTEIN, MCWILLIAMS SIGNED BY PACKERS; BOTH BACKFIELD MEN
AUG 3 (Green Bay) - Tony Falkenstein, a highly recommended fullback from St. Mary (Calif.) , and halfback Bill McWilliams of Jordan college have signed contracts, boosting the roster to 12 players, Coach Curly Lambeau announced today. Lambeau saw Falkenstein play several years ago and put the stamp of approval on him immediately. However, Tony decided against the pro sport until this season. Lt. Comdr. Jimmy Crowley, now on duty in the South Pacific, tipped off Lambeau on Falkenstein after watching him play against Crowley's Fordham team two years ago. Ben Starrett, the St. Mary's blocking back who played with the Packers last season, speaks highly as well of Falkenstein...DEFENSE AGAINST PASSES: Falkenstein weighs 210 pounds and stands six feet, one inch tall. He's booked as a rugged charger, a good defensive operator, especially against passes, and a brilliant tackler. He has
LAMBEAU PREDICTS 'ONE OF THE BEST' PACKER TEAMS FOR 1943 SEASON
AUG13 (Green Bay) - Coach Curly Lambeau was filled with optimism today as he gloated over a list of 35 players. Though he has only 20 gridsters signed to Green Bay Packer contracts, Lambeau believes that "we may have one of the best teams in the league." The Packer pilot also came up with a big, fat IF, meaning that "if we are successful in getting veterans, not in service, signed to Packer contracts we could have one of the best teams in the league." But the coach isn't worrying too much about that IF. He revealed that much today in going over each position and pointing out the veterans and promising freshmen for each branch of duty. He's keeping certain names under his hat - for reasons which may be revealed later...ONE LIKES SPAGHETTI: For instance, Lambeau expects to sport two of the best backs in the country. One is a fullback, and the other a left halfback who would fill Cecil Isbell's shoes to a tee. One of the boys has a particular yen for spaghetti. They are expected to report in about two weeks. Lambeau looked over the line first today. The end situation appears definitely healthy with veterans Don Hutson and Harry Jacunski back in the fold. In addition, Joel Mason, the Western State toughy, is signed. Lambeau is dealing with John Freiberger, a six foot, eight inch giant from the University of Arkansas, for more power at the wings. The tackles present a bright picture. Chet Adams, the former Cleveland all-league selection, will report Tuesday, although he has yet to sign his contract, while Dick Wildung, an All-American from Minnesota, will come after the College All-Star game in Chicago...ROYAL KAHLER QUITS: Adams and Wildung represent what's on the way. Look at the tackles Lambeau already has: Baby Ray, Paul Berezney and Tiny Croft. Ray is ticketed for a great season and Berezney and Croft both are packed with valuable experience from their freshmen 1942 years. On the bad side, however, Lambeau has been informed that Royal Kahler, brother of Bob, will not be able to play. The guard picture brightened somewhat today when junior Glen Sorenson, the eight-fingered "devil dog" from Utah State, informed Lambeau that he definitely will not play at Utah State this fall. His alma mater is undecided about continuing the game this fall. Two other freshmen guards are Pete Gudauskas, Murray State, and Sherwood Fries, Colorado State, both of whom are expected to make the pro grade. Lambeau is dickering with Buckets Goldenberg and Bill Kuusisto, both veterans who undoubtedly will form the backbone of the guard corps. Goldenberg would be starting his 11th season. Kuusisto announced that he is coming to Green Bay but said nothing about terms...CHARLIE BROCK UNDECIDED: Charlie Brock is undecided about returning this fall but Lambeau has not given up the ghost on him yet. The only veteran center is Bob Flowers, a tough lad from Texas Tech who had a good season in 1942. The rookie center is Forrest McPherson, who preceded Brock at Nebraska. Lambeau has eight backs signed and four or five on the wire. Ted Fritsch, a star as a rookie last year at fullback, is coming in Saturday to talk turkey with the coach, while right halfback Andy Uram was due today. Larry Craig, the veteran blocking back, expects to report as soon as he finds a man to run his farm in Central, S.C....ACE VETERAN BACKS: Ace veteran backs already signed are Lou Brock, who will report Sept. 5; Joe Laws, who is starting his 10th season; Ben Starrett, a good blocking back; and Bob Kahler, who is the fastest man on the team. Ticketed for sharp scrutiny by Lambeau are Irv Comp, St. Benedict triple-threat, Babe Webb, the Hawaiian flash, and Bill McWilliams. Starrett, Kahler and Mason have started workouts on their own hook at the practice field. Most of the boys are expected in Saturday. Practice will open with a report meeting at the Hotel Northland at 11 o'clock Sunday morning and the first drill near City stadium at 2 o'clock in the afternoon.
RED SMITH TO KEEP POST WITH BREWERS
AUG 14 (Green Bay) - Line Coach Red Smith of the Green Bay Packers will resume his old position with Curly Lambeau's club August 17, but he plans to commute to Milwaukee nightly to continue his work as assistant to Manager Charley Grimm of the Milwaukee Brewers. The Brewers will make a long home stand late this month and Smith will be able to hold both his major athletic jobs.
LAMBEAU, PACKERS LAUNCH 25TH SEASON IN PRO FOOTBALL SEASON
AUG 14 (Green Bay) - Coach Curly Lambeau launches his 25th year in professional football and his 23rd year in the National league Sunday. Two dozen years ago, he got a bunch of individuals together and organized what was known as a semi-pro football team. Sunday, he will herd another bunch of fellows together to represent what is generally termed as the Green Bay Packers of the National league. The silver jubilee practice will start about 2:30 on Sunday afternoon and will feature about 25 signed players and a number of others who are about to be signed. The group will gather at the Hotel Northland at 11 o'clock in the morning for general instruction. The usual calisthenics will occupy the athletes for the first half-hour or so, after which the backs and linemen will be segregated for passing, punting, running and charging. Lambeau boosted his record Friday with signing of Bill Welch, a 205 pound fullback from the University of Minnesota. Welch was recommended to Lambeau by Coach Bernie Bierman and Bill Daley, ace Gopher halfback, who claimed Welch was the most underrated player at Minnesota...FORGET HE'S FULLBACK: Welch stands six feet, one inch tall and comes here with one of those certain-to-make-good tags hanging on him. The Minnesota ace possesses ideal fullback qualities in that he can't forget he's a fullback once he's past the line and turn into a halfback. Lambeau is giving a
