NFL reaches West Coast, is fairly stable despite war in '40s

FILE - In this 1946 file photo, Green Bay Packers' Don Hutson makes a catch. When he retired after the 1945 season, Green Bay receiver Don Hutson had a record 488 catches. The next most at that time was 190. The “Alabama Antelope” had 99 career touchdown grabs, a record that stood for more than four decades. (Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel via AP)

FILE - In this undated photo, Chicago Bears quarterback Sid Luckman looks downfield for a receiver. Luckman, the second overall pick by the Chicago Bears in 1939, created a rush of teams using the T-formation after leading the Bears to a 73-0 demolishing of Baugh and the Redskins in the 1940 championship game. The 1943 MVP threw for 14,686 yards and 137 touchdowns. (Chicago Tribune via AP)

FILE - In this Dec. 14, 1941, file photo, Chicago Bears' Hugh Gallarneau (8) stumbles as a Green Bay Packers defender attempts a diving tackle during a football game in Chicago. (AP Photo/File)

FILE - This Jan. 18, 1947, file photo shows Chicago Bears owner and coach George Halas, left, watching as Bob Fenimore signs a contract with the Bears. Halas left the Bears in midseason in 1942 to join the Navy, so Luke Johnsos and Heartley Anderson led the club for the rest of that 11-0 season. The Bears won the championship again in 1946 when Halas returned. (AP Photo/File)

FILE - In this Dec. 11, 1949, file photo, the Cleveland Browns lift their coach, Paul Brown, onto their shoulders after defeating the San Francisco 49ers 21-7 in Cleveland. Players from left are Lou Rymkus (44), George Young (52), Edgar Jones, holding Brown, and Lou Saban (20). (AP Photo/File)

FILE - In this Nov. 4, 1949, file photo, Los Angeles Rams quarterbacks Bob Waterfield, left, and Norm Van Brocklin warm up at a practice session in Hershey, Pa. Waterfield was the NFL MVP in 1945 as a rookie while leading the Cleveland Rams to the championship. Then the former UCLA player got to go home to California when the franchise moved to Los Angeles following that title season. Waterfield was a three-time All-Pro and led the league in passing twice. (AP Photo/File)

FILE - In this Sept. 13, 1942, file photo, Washington Redskins quarterback Sammy Baugh, left, drops back to pass against the Chicago Bears during a football game in Washington. “Slingin’” Sammy Baugh, Washington’s top draft choice in 1937, gets credit for being the NFL’s first big-yardage passer. (AP Photo/File)

FILE - In this Dec. 1948, file photo, Steve Van Buren (15) of the Philadelphia Eagles plunges over the goal line with a fourth period touchdown that defeated the Chicago Cardinals in a snowstorm in Philadelphia. Other players are, Bill Blackburn (57) and John Cochrane (24) of the Cardinals. Van Buren was a four-time NFL rushing champion for the Eagles while leading the league in punt returns as a rookie in 1944 and kickoff returns in 1945. The former LSU star was the first player with multiple 1,000-yard rushing seasons while finishing with 5,860 yards before retiring at 30 after eight seasons. (AP Photo/File)