1941 NFL draft facts for kids

The 1941 NFL draft was a big event where professional football teams chose new players. It happened on December 10, 1940. The draft took place at the Willard Hotel in Washington D.C.. This is where teams picked college players to join the NFL.

The Chicago Bears had the very first pick in this draft. They chose a talented player named Tom Harmon. He was a halfback, which is a running back position in football. The Bears picked 24 players in total. However, they had to give up their last four picks. This was because league rules at the time said teams could only draft 20 players.

What is the NFL Draft?

The NFL draft is an exciting yearly event. It is where NFL teams pick new players from college football. Teams take turns choosing players. The team with the worst record usually gets the first pick. This helps to make the league more fair. It gives all teams a chance to get great new players. The draft is a key way for teams to build their rosters. It helps them find future stars.

How the 1941 Draft Worked

The 1941 NFL draft had 22 rounds. This means teams picked players 22 times. In total, 204 players were chosen by the different teams. Each team had a chance to pick players they thought would make their team stronger. The draft helps new players start their professional football careers. It is a big moment for many young athletes.

Top Picks from Round 1

The first round of the draft is always very important. Teams try to pick the best players available. These players are often expected to become big stars. Here are the players chosen in the first round of the 1941 NFL draft:

Player Selections: Rounds 2 and 3

After the first round, teams continued to pick players. Here are the selections from the second and third rounds. These players also had a chance to make a big impact in the NFL.

Round 2

Round 3

Hall of Famers from this Draft

Only one player from the 1941 NFL draft later became famous enough to be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. This is a very special honor for football players.

• Tony Canadeo, a halfback from Gonzaga University. He was picked in the 9th round, as the 77th player overall, by the Green Bay Packers. He was inducted into the Professional Football Hall of Fame in 1974.

Notable Players Not Drafted

Sometimes, great players are not picked in the draft. They might join a team later as "undrafted free agents." These players can still become very successful. Here is one player from the 1941 group who became notable even without being drafted: