Moments in NFL Draft history: 1945 & 1976 drafts each produce 5 Hall of Famers
As the National Football League heads into the first full month of its new season, the Pro Football Hall of Fame will look back at a few of the many NFL Drafts held in April that impacted not only the landscape of football history but also started the careers of individuals who settled into the hallowed halls of Canton, Ohio.
In 1936, Hall of Famer BERT BELL, the NFL’s commissioner at the time, hatched a plan to maintain competitiveness in his league. His idea – a “draft style” event in which teams with worse records would have the opportunity to pick top college prospects before the more successful teams. From that day in 1936, to a three-day NFL tentpole event, the draft is one of the most important events on the NFL’s annual calendar.
1945 NFL Draft (April 8, 1945)
- Round 1 (1st overall): CHARLEY TRIPPI to the Chicago Cardinals
- Round 1 (5th overall): ELROY “Crazylegs” HIRSCH to the Cleveland Rams
- Round 5 (41st overall): PETE PIHOS to the Philadelphia Eagles
- Round 11 (103rd overall): TOM FEARS to the Cleveland Rams
- Round 17 (166th overall): ARNIE WEINMEISTER to the Brooklyn Tigers
This draft was formally called the “1944 Preferred Negotiations List” because of the notable use of “future” picks. These picks were made for players who were still in college or were in the military during World War II. Trippi, Hirsch, Pihos and Fears were all future selections in 1945.
Trippi and Hirsch also were selected in the All-America Football Conference (AAFC). Trippi eventually started his pro football career in 1947 with the Cardinals. Hirsch also played in Chicago, with the Rockets of the AAFC, then moved to the Los Angeles Rams in the NFL in 1949.
1976 NFL Draft (April 8, 1976)
- Round 1 (1st overall): LEE ROY SELMON to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Round 1 (5th overall): MIKE HAYNES to the New England Patriots
- Round 3 (86th overall): JACKIE SLATER to the Los Angeles Rams
- Round 4 (105th overall): HARRY CARSON to the New York Giants
- Round 4 (117th overall): STEVE LARGENT to the Houston Oilers
Slater and Carson became the 22nd and 23rd Hall of Famers drafted who had played at a Historically Black College or University. Slater was the fourth Hall of Famer to be drafted from Jackson State; Carson the second from South Carolina State.
Largent’s career with the Oilers lasted only four preseason games before he was dealt to the expansion Seattle Seahawks for a Round 8 pick.
This article from the Hall of Fame Communications Team is part of recurring series celebrating memorable moments in NFL history.
