Depression and War

This chapter examines the evolution of the league from one centered in small and medium sized cities, to one made up of larger population centers with the exception being Green Bay. This change was the result of a strategy and was aided by the economic impact of the Great Depression. The Chicago Bears led by Bronco Nagurski was one of the powerhouse franchises of the NFL in the 1930s along with the Packers, Giants and Redskins. The decade saw the segregation of the NFL as the league succumbed to the wishes of the owner of the Washington Redskins, Preston Marshall. There was a steady growth in the interest in the league and media coverage moved beyond local coverage. By the end of the decade the league was on the brink of major status among American sports. World War II disrupted these developments and some franchises such as Pittsburgh and Philadelphia (Steagles) were combined. NFL Players and coaches joined the war effort as the league displayed its patriotism. Paul Brown became the coach of the football team at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center a powerhouse of wartime football. By wars end, there were predictions that professional football was the game of the future.