The 1946 Los Angeles Dons: A Forgotten Chapter in Football History
The 1946 Los Angeles Dons season is a fascinating yet often overlooked chapter in the annals of American football history. Who were the Los Angeles Dons, you ask? They were a professional football team that played in the All-America Football Conference (AAFC), a league that dared to challenge the NFL's dominance. The Dons were based in Los Angeles, California, and their inaugural season kicked off in 1946. This was a time when the world was recovering from the ravages of World War II, and America was eager for entertainment and distraction. The Dons played their home games at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, a venue that would later become iconic in the world of sports. The team was part of a bold experiment to bring professional football to the West Coast, a move that would eventually pave the way for the NFL's expansion.
The Dons were a team that embodied the spirit of post-war America: ambitious, daring, and ready to take on the establishment. They were led by head coach Dudley DeGroot, a man with a vision for what football could be. The roster was filled with talented players, many of whom had served in the military during the war. This was a team that knew how to fight, both on and off the field. The Dons' first game was against the Brooklyn Dodgers (yes, they had a football team too), and it was a thrilling contest that ended in a 20-14 victory for the Dons. This win set the tone for a season that would be full of ups and downs.
The Dons finished their inaugural season with a record of 7-5-2, a respectable showing for a new team in a new league. They were competitive in almost every game, and their high-powered offense was a sight to behold. The Dons' passing attack was particularly impressive, with quarterback Charlie O'Rourke leading the charge. O'Rourke was a gunslinger in every sense of the word, unafraid to take risks and push the ball downfield. His favorite target was end Jim Benton, a player who could stretch the field and make spectacular catches. The Dons' offense was complemented by a solid running game, featuring the likes of fullback John Kimbrough, a bruising runner who could wear down defenses.
Despite their on-field success, the Dons faced numerous challenges off the field. The AAFC was in a constant battle for legitimacy, struggling to attract fans and secure financial stability. The Dons, like many teams in the league, had to contend with the NFL's established presence and the public's skepticism of a new league. The Dons' attendance numbers were decent, but they were not enough to ensure long-term viability. The team also faced competition from other forms of entertainment in Los Angeles, a city known for its glitz and glamour.
The 1946 season was a pivotal moment in the history of professional football. The AAFC's existence forced the NFL to innovate and expand, ultimately leading to the merger of the two leagues in 1949. The Dons, however, would not survive the merger. They were one of the teams that folded, a casualty of the fierce competition and financial pressures of the time. Yet, their legacy lives on. The Dons were pioneers, helping to lay the groundwork for the NFL's eventual expansion to the West Coast. They proved that professional football could thrive in Los Angeles, a city that would later become home to multiple NFL franchises.
The story of the 1946 Los Angeles Dons is a reminder of the boldness and ambition that defined post-war America. It is a tale of a team that dared to dream big, challenging the status quo and leaving an indelible mark on the history of the sport. While the Dons may be forgotten by many, their impact on the game of football is undeniable. They were trailblazers, and their story deserves to be remembered and celebrated.