George Halas Role Of Sports During The Great Depression

The NFL saw many great owners who changed the game because of them needing a source of income during the depression.“Halas borrowed money from virtually everyone he knew [...] at the start of the ‘31 season the Bears were his alone” (Anderson 216).George Halas was the owner of the Chicago Bears and believed and trusted that the team would be a wise investment.He went and got loans from investors, friends, and family to help kickstart the Bears in the early 1930s.This investment eventually paid off. “He [Sid Luckman] joined the Bears as a first round pick out of Columbia in 1939, hand picked by Halas for his new offense” (NFL QB 156). George Halas had success through the 1930’s but as the decade was ending the team’s players were getting old

“ Knowing the publicity potential of radio, Richards along with NBC Radio, setup 94-station network to broadcast the Lions-Bears showdown” (The First Thanksgiving Day Game” 3). The First Thanksgiving game was broadcast across the U.S. for listeners to experience during their turkey dinner. This was not just used during this event, but radio was used for most games. Even though radio was common the program being on CBS was a big deal. “The now essential relations between pro football television actually began on October 22, 1939” (Pro Football Hall of Fame 1). The NFL shared its game on TV at the world’s fair in New York and broadcast the event to a small number of people who owned a TV. Although technology then had to improve and TVs had to be more common for this media to become popular which came true. “Coverage of the NFL increased in newspapers across the country” (“All Decades” 1). When people saw the NFL in newspapers they became interested and more people became fans. With the new fans the NFL became more popular and bigger more the media, newspapers, and radio commented on the NFL. This chain reaction lead to growth of the NFL and Football. The ‘30s saw many events and start traditions that are continue today and are very famous. “26,000 tickets for the Turkey Day clash in the University of Detroit Stadium, were sold out two weeks in advance of the

“Thus football on Thanksgiving tradition became firmly established in Detroit” (First Thanksgiving Day Game 4). The most famous and longest football tradition smoothly started in the 30’s. “The first Pro bowl game was played in 1939” (“All Decades”1). The game were we see our favorite players together and against each other in one game started in the 1930’s. The NFL’s all star game has changed, but it was founded in the 30’s. “He [Don Huston] retired holding 18 different NFL records an incredible 488 catches and 99 TDs” (“All Decades” 2). Don was able to be the first star receiver with the coming f the passing game. Receivers were a second option and there were no stars at the position until Huston laced his cleats up and became a star. “Herber quickly formed the first truly great passer receiver combos in the NFL [with Don Huston] and paved the way QBs, like Sammy Baugh and Otto Graham to take passing to a new level” (NFL QB 90). Herber recreated the way teams build their teams. Team defenses were not prepared for Herber’s to defend his long passes. His abilities showed that passing is a way of winning and, changed the way we think of the game. “He was the first great thrower at what was the single-wing half back, having perfected the forward pass as two time All-American at TCU before the NFL in passing attempts, and yardage as a rookie in 1937” (Sports Illustrated 156). Sammy Baugh took after Herber and changed NFL