Todd Anton - When Football Went to War

Honoring those who served and remembering those who paid the last full measure

Contents

Foreword by Marv Levy

I became enthralled and deeply moved when I read the captivating stories in this book about the men who put all else aside in order to serve in the cause to which our whole nation at the time was dedicated.

On December 7, 1941, the day that Pearl Harbor was bombed and World War II began, I was a 16 year-old junior student and member of the football team at South Shore High School in Chicago. Even then, I was enamored by the game of football. So many of the NFL players of that time, whose names evoked hallowed memories for me as I read this entrancing account, were my gridiron heroes. Then they became much more than that as I, and the whole country, watched them march off to war on behalf of a cause that meant even more than gridiron glory.

They contributed in helping to inspire our nation during a desperate time. They also contributed to inspiring me along with 21 of my high school teammates and classmates, when in June 1943, on the day after we graduated from high school, we all enlisted in the Army Air Corps.

These revered NFL players, of course, were not the only ones who rallied to face this challenge, but it was an honor for them, too, to have been among the 16 million Americans who answered the call.

There is nothing glorious about war, despite how it is sometimes depicted. I can recall, just a few years ago during a Pro Football Hall of Fame ceremony, sitting next to Artie Donovan, a great former NFL defensive lineman and a decorated veteran of several World War II battles in the Pacific. We were all viewing a big-screen presentation of a pregame pep talk being delivered by a fired-up player along the sideline to his teammates just prior to the kickoff of the previous seasons AFC Championship Game.

That player was screaming, This is war! This is war! Artie turned to me and said, Marv, Ive played football, and Ive been to war. Football is not war. I concur.

No, war is not glorious. It is about sacrifice when it is most needed in circumstances that are dire, and I do believe that among the many who did make that sacrifice we can count those NFLers who stepped away from their coveted careers for such a vital purpose. After the war many of them came sprinting joyfully out onto the field of play once again. We remember them, but we must never forget those who would never play the game again. They are the ones who made the ultimate sacrificethat of their lives.

We will not forget them, and this book serves as a wonderful tribute to them all and to the game of football, as well. So, go get your ankles taped and enjoy reading it.

Marv Levy

Acknowledgments

I ve long believed that victory in World War II, and all of our nations conflicts, comes on the backs of the common man, the common soldier often depicted by Bill Mauldins classic Willie and Joe cartoons. Some of those common men were extraordinary athletes who walked away from a game they loved to serve a nation they loved more. When Football Went to War grew out of that belief. There was a noted WWII adage: Were all in this together. That is truer now than it was then. Our 2008 book, When Baseball Went to War , grew out of that belief, and here once again, a team assembled to look at the athlete as contributor to the war effort. For me, this team begins and ends with my wife, Susan, and two great kids, Jamie and Jason. We have a home divided at times, with half rooting for the Saints and the other half rooting for the Packers. Thanks for catching the fever. Also, what can I say about my right-hand partner/writer for so long, Bill Nowlin? His dedication, work ethic, and art in telling and writing a good story always inspire me. None of this would have happened without you, Bill. Your kindness is immeasurable. You are the best.

Also this project could not have happened without the National World War II Museum led by Dr. Gordon Nick Mueller, Stephen Watson, and the Board of Trustees who were patient, generous, and helpful in funding the research for this effort. Thank you to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. Football is America, and spending any time in Canton will teach you that.

I would like to thank The Sons of the American Legion Pelham, New York Post #50 for your help and advice. I am proud to be a member!

Thank you to Triumph Books and Tom Bast for believing in this concept and supporting it. It doesnt get much better, and your passion, professionalism, and vision are truly appreciated.

There are others too who have moved this story along to its completion and whose vision and renaissance-like talent will take this story even furtherColin Hanks, Sean Stuart, Chuck Dalaklis, and all who all came aboard after a chance encounter with Steve Fuhrman, my brother, on a warm Southern California afternoon at the beach. Also thank you to American Military University for their support and assistance to me.

Lastly, thank you to my mom and dad who both served America and raised five children to do the same. Although you have both left us now, your spirit carries on as we grow into the people you wanted us to be.

Its amazing the journey life takes you on and the people you meet. Ive learned a lot about people on this journey, and in the end kindness repays kindness, and we still see an endless road of freedom ahead of usa gift from all of those who have gone before.

God bless all of you my friends,

Todd Anton

I remain inspired by Todd Anton and his lifelong dedication to honoring our veterans. He is author of the book, No Greater Love , which I was pleased to edit and publish, and we have now collaborated on two team effort publications, one on professional baseball and When Football Went to War , which focuses on pro football but acknowledges the college game as well. Todd does community-based work as well. For many years now he, along with his eighth-grade history students, has presented a Veterans Day dinner in his home community which has honored thousands of veterans while giving the students the opportunity to learn about their commitments and sacrifices and become involved in public appreciation of their service. Todds dedication and enthusiasm are and remain inspirational to me, too.

Thanks to Tom Bast of Triumph Books, who first got me started in writing books back in the middle 1990s. Thanks for help with research to Saleem Choudhry of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. And thanks to Nick Mueller and Stephen Watson of the National World War II Museum, who agreed to sponsor the idea Todd and I had presented for a conference on baseball and World War II that was held at the Museum in New Orleans and led to the book, When Baseball Went to War . The Museum provided most of the funding for the research of this companion book.

The Professional Football Researchers Association was a source of a good amount of information, and we would particularly like to thank its executive director Ken Crippen and assistant executive director Andy Piascik.

I would also like to thank Triumph Books editor Karen OBrien, who labored behind the scenes to make this a book in which we can all take pride.

Bill Nowlin

After returning from combat with the army in Europe, Chaffey Junior College tackle Wally Anton (Todd Antons father) poses for the upcoming Junior College Rose Bowl Game in Pasadena, California, 1947. (Photo courtesy of Todd Anton)