American Sports During World War II

American sports during World War II played a crucial role in maintaining morale and unity in a time of global conflict. Sports have always been a defining part of American culture, bringing people together and offering an escape from everyday struggles. From baseball and football to boxing and horse racing, millions of Americans found joy in their favorite pastimes. However, everything changed on December 7, 1941, when Japan launched a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor. Suddenly, the future of American sports became uncertain. With a nation at war, could America afford to focus on games, or would the war effort require full attention and sacrifice?

By early 1942, it was clear that sports would not remain untouched by the war. The military draft had begun in 1940, calling upon men between 18 and 35 to serve. This age range included the best athletes in professional sports, leading to a major dilemma: should American leagues continue while so many young men were being sent to battle? Baseball Commissioner Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis sought guidance from President Franklin D. Roosevelt on whether Major League Baseball (MLB) should suspend operations. Roosevelt’s famous “Green Light Letter” encouraged baseball to continue, emphasizing its importance in keeping morale high on the home front. However, with thousands of players being drafted, the leagues faced a severe shortage of talent.
Other sports were also affected. Automobile and motorcycle racing came to a halt due to gas and rubber rationing, as these resources were redirected toward the war effort. While some sports found ways to continue, others had no choice but to pause until the war ended.

With many male athletes fighting overseas, women stepped up to fill the void in sports, just as they did in the workforce. In 1943, Philip K. Wrigley, owner of the Chicago Cubs, founded the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL). This league allowed women to showcase their talent and keep baseball alive during the war. The game underwent some modifications, including a smaller field and different pitching styles, but the competitive spirit remained strong.
Dottie Schroeder, one of the league’s most famous players, became a household name. Women’s baseball provided entertainment for war-weary Americans and proved that female athletes could excel in professional sports. However, just as women were encouraged to leave their wartime jobs once men returned from service, the league eventually dissolved in 1954 as men reclaimed their spots in professional baseball.

Football was another sport deeply affected by the war. College football programs across the country suffered as thousands of young men enlisted or were drafted. More than 350 universities suspended football operations. The Rose Bowl, one of the most prestigious college football games, had to be relocated from Pasadena, California, to Durham, North Carolina, in 1942 due to fears of a Japanese attack on the West Coast. That year, Oregon State defeated Duke 20–16 in a historic matchup.
The National Football League (NFL) faced similar struggles. Over 1,000 players, coaches, and officials left to serve in the armed forces, leaving teams with too few players to compete. To address this, some teams merged for survival. The Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles combined to form the “Steagles” for the 1943 season. The following year, the Steelers partnered with the Chicago Cardinals to form “Card-Pitt.” These temporary teams allowed professional football to continue, providing entertainment and a sense of normalcy amid the war.

Among the many athletes who traded their jerseys for uniforms, Jack Lummus stands out as a true American hero. A former New York Giants player, Lummus enlisted in the Marine Corps and fought in the Pacific Theater. During the Battle of Iwo Jima in 1945, he led his men through intense combat, disabling enemy machine-gun nests despite sustaining severe injuries. After stepping on a landmine that cost him both legs, he continued to encourage his men to press forward. Lummus succumbed to his injuries but was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery and sacrifice.
His story is just one of many that highlight how professional athletes transitioned from sports icons to war heroes. These men demonstrated the same discipline, teamwork, and perseverance on the battlefield that had made them successful on the playing field.

As the war came to an end in 1945, American sports slowly regained their pre-war prominence. The return of baseball, football, and other beloved pastimes symbolized the resilience of the nation. While thousands of athletes never returned home, their sacrifices were honored through the continuation of the games they once played.
The impact of World War II on American sports was profound. From women stepping into the spotlight in baseball to teams merging in professional football, sports adapted to the challenges of wartime America. When Japan surrendered, and peace was restored, the revival of sports helped unify a nation that had endured great loss and hardship. Today, the stories of athletes-turned-soldiers like Jack Lummus serve as powerful reminders of the intersection between sports and patriotism during one of history’s most turbulent times.