Professional Football Researchers Association Forum

My hall for the 1940s. (alphabetically) Same deal as my 1920s and 1930s. If the sculptor called and said "I've only got enough bronze for 15 busts."

Discuss!.... or post your own.

Sammy Baugh
Jim Benton
Paul Brown
Otto Graham
Don Hutson
Bruiser Kinard
Sid Luckman
Riley Matheson
Marion Motley
Greasy Neale
Mac Speedie
Bulldog Turner
Steve Van Buren
Al Wistert
Alex Wojciechowicz

The 40s are tough - WWII and more players that an argument could be made for two different decades (40s or 50s). For example, Chris, you have Graham in the 40s, I'll put him in the 50s and I'm not surprised to see Baugh turn up on your 40s list.

20s

E: Chamberlin, Dilweg
T: Healey, Slater, Lyman, Henry
G: A. Nesser, Youngstrom
C: Trafton
B: Driscoll, Friedman, Latone, Nevers, Lambeau, Pollard

30s

E: Hutson, Hewitt
T: Hubbard, Edwards, Stydahar
G: Michalske, Fortman
C: Hein
B: Baugh, D. Clark, Nagurski, Blood, Hinkle, Herber, Battles

40s

E: Benton, Sprinkle, Lavelli
T: A. Wistert, B. Ray
G: Willis, Banducci
C: Turner, Wojciechowicz
B: Luckman, Waterfield, Van Buren, Motley, McAfee
Coach: Paul Brown

40s

E: Benton, Sprinkle, Lavelli
T: A. Wistert, B. Ray
G: Willis, Banducci
C: Turner, Wojciechowicz
B: Luckman, Waterfield, Van Buren, Motley, McAfee
Coach: Paul Brown

No Baugh? Or did you create a rule for yourself that a player cannot be on consecutive lists? (which is cool I guess)
Bill Dudley was a tough omission who I see you left out as well. I was also considering Ray, Willis and Banducci. Willis may appear in my 50s Hall.

ChrisBabcock wrote:

No Baugh? Or did you create a rule for yourself that a player cannot be on consecutive lists? (which is cool I guess)
Bill Dudley was a tough omission who I see you left out as well. I was also considering Ray, Willis and Banducci. Willis may appear in my 50s Hall.

Yep, I decided not to double list anyone which is why I'm keeping the running count. I grouped Dudley, Trippi, Canadeo, and McAfee and decided to take just one which was possibly a biased choice as I've read a little bit more Bears history than a lot of other teams and McAfee watched the Tanks as a kid . Even though I'm looking forward to the 50s, this is the last era where you can think about both sides of the ball for all the players. T.J. Troup's book sold me on Banducci. I think Willis is a must have - I started another discussion on this - it could be argued the gap between him and any other middle guard is larger than the gap between the best and 2nd best at any other position. I believe even though he was probably made a specialist as soon as the rules allowed, he would have played offense guard in his AAFC days as well.

Sammy Baugh
Sid Luckman
Otto Graham
Mac Speedie
Marion Motley
Joe Perry
Bob Reinhart
Frankie Albert
Bruno Banducci
Steve Van Buran
Al Wistert
John Strzykalski
Pete Pihos
Bruiser Kinard
Norm Standlee
Arnie Weinmeister
Bulldog Turner
Lou Saban
Bill Willis
Jim Benton
George McAfee
Bob Waterfield
George Musso
Joe Stydahar
Lou Groza
Mel Hein
Lou Rymkus
Spec Sanders
John Woudenberg
Riley Matheson
Paul Brown
George Halas
Ray Flaherty
Buck Shaw


Sorry if I left off any deserving players.