Prior to the start of the 1940 NFA Season, all 10 teams met at the New Yorker Hotel in New York City to draft players. The St Louis Aviators had the first selection and drafted Charles Hanson (Center, Texas Christian). The best player selected in the draft would be Giles Richland (QB, Columbia). He would be drafted by the Detroit Mustangs 8th overall.
SEASON SUMMARY
The second NFA Season started on Sunday September 8, 1940. In the East Division, the Baltimore Knights were dominant. The Knights would secure a berth in the championship game on November 10, 1940 (Week 9) when they defeated the 2nd Place Philadelphia Colonials 23-20. The Knights would only lose 2 games. On November 17th (Week 10) they would lose to the Detroit Mustangs 34-23. They would also lose to the Milwaukee Indians on November 24th (Week 12) 17-12. In the NFA West Division, it would take all 12 weeks of the season to decide the winner of the division. Heading into the final week of the season, the Cincinnati Buckeyes had 5 losses and were in 2nd place. The St Louis Aviators had 4 losses and were in 1st place. If the Buckeyes had won their game against the New York Lions, and the St Louis Aviators lost their game against the Pittsburgh Ironmen, the Buckeyes would win the tie break and win the NFA West Division for the second straight year. St louis would defeat the Ironmen however, and win the division. The Aviators would be the first team in NFA history to win a division title a year after finishing last place. AWARDS Jeffrey White (QB/HB, STL Aviators) was awarded the NFA Most Valuable Player Trophy. Lance Gibbs (BAL Knights) was awarded the NFA Coach of the Year Trophy. 1940 NFA CHAMPIONSHIP Baltimore Knights vs Saint Louis Aviators (December 8, 1940, Memorial Stadium, Baltimore, MD)