Times were tough for the remaining teams in the NFL during World War II. The Cleveland Rams shut down for one season. The Pittsburgh Steelers had to merge with the Philadelphia Eagles and then the Chicago Cardinals in consecutive seasons. In 1943, the league was down to eight clubs. One year, Chicago Bears head coach George Halas signed anyone who could run around the track twice. The league almost shut down for the duration of the war but limped forward instead. None of the franchises could fill their 33-man rosters each year.
Not only did current NFL players enter the war, but also some coaches and even several owners.