Moments in NFL History: ‘Operation Overlord’ included 4 future Hall of Famers

“Overlord” sounds ominous. Maybe that is what the Allied forces were going for when they gave the Battle of Normandy this codename.

June 6, 1944 – a date every student reads about in American history books – is the day the United States, along with 14 other countries, aligned and launched an assault on German-occupied Western Europe during World War II.

During the early hours of June 6, more than 1,200 aircraft dropped paratroopers into Normandy, France, and by the end of the siege, more than 160,000 troops stormed the beaches that stretched over 50 miles of coastline. More than 10,000 Allies lost their lives, with over 2,400 alone at Omaha Beach – but not in vain. Historians agree “D-Day” was an overwhelming success, even with the loss of life.

These events were a huge first step in overtaking the German-occupied area. By August, the Allied forces liberated Paris, and in May 1945 forced Germany to surrender.

Unbeknownst to anyone at the time, the Pro Football Hall of Fame would have a piece in this famous battle indirectly with four future Hall of Famers taking part: DANTE LAVELLI, SID LUCKMAN, FRANK GATSKI and PETE PIHOS. Each was part of the invasion, and each left his own mark on history.

Lavelli, a wide receiver who spent his entire career with the Cleveland Browns and a Hall of Famer from the Class of 1975, served in the 28th Infantry Division. He fought in Normandy and later in the Battle of the Bulge.

"After what guys went through when looking down a loaded rifle barrel, compared to getting hit in the face (by a linebacker) ... he realized that football is a game. The other is life or death," Edward Lavelli, the son of Dante, told an interviewer with the Columbus Dispatch in 2009.

Lavelli’s grandson Aaron Bill told the Hall of Fame: “I think, if nothing else, he was most proud of having served his country. … It goes without saying that we [his family] are all incredibly proud of what he did and what he was able to overcome before coming back to play” in the National Football League.

Luckman, a revolutionary quarterback for the Chicago Bears and a Hall of Famer from the Class of 1965, served as an ensign in the U.S. Merchant Marines, working on a tanker that ferried troops from Britain to Normandy’s beaches.

Gatski, the anchor of the Browns’ offensive line that powered one of pro football’s most potent offenses and a Hall of Famer from the Class of 1985, served as a private first class in the Army Enlisted Reserve Corps. His unit was called to the front lines after his college football program was dropped due to the war.

Pihos, the All-Pro star on both offense and defense for the Eagles and a Hall of Famer from the Class of 1970, served as a second lieutenant in the 35th Infantry Division under Gen. George Patton.

“I am fiercely proud of Pete, not only because he impacted football, but especially because he risked his life and fought bravely so that freedom could survive in the world,” his widow, Donna Pihos, said in an exclusive interview with the Hall of Fame. “Whether in football or in combat, Pete was a fighter. His bravery was unmatched.

“I am so proud of that. I felt that I was standing beside a living piece of history.”

After D-Day, Pihos continued his service as he was among the American GIs who drove the German Army out of France. During this fighting, Pihos lost his dog tags, which were returned to his daughter, Melissa, 80 years later.

“I couldn’t believe it,” Melissa said to writer Ray Didinger in an article about Pihos. “I was speechless.”

Melissa was sent her father’s dog tags in a letter postmarked Fontainebleau, France. The tags were found while someone as walking through the forest and were returned to their rightful owner’s family.

Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, in his order to those taking part in the D-Day invasion, said to those soldiers, sailors and airmen: “The eyes of the world are upon you.”

Four future Pro Football Hall of Famers lived through that experience. These moments would shape their lives and football careers, eventually landing them not on a beach, but in Canton, Ohio.

This article from the Hall of Fame Communications Team is part of recurring series celebrating memorable moments in NFL history.