The fifth NFA Season would see fewer teams and a shorter schedule. Due to the exodus of players who had left to serve in World War II, the Pittsburgh Ironmen were given permission to suspend operations for the 1943 Season. Two other teams, the Chicago Packers and the Milwaukee Indians, would merge to form "Chicago Milwaukee". The 1943 NFA Draft was weak. Chicago Milwaukee would pick first overall and selected Frank Holovak (HB, Vanderbilt). New York's star halfback Earl Johnson would retire after the 1942 NFA Season. With the second overall pick, New York selected Joe Governor (HB, Georgia). Governor would prove to be the best player selected in the draft. He would become the first rookie in NFA history to be awarded MVP. On September 19, 1943 the NFA Season kicked off. In the NFA East, the NY Lions and the Boston Bluejackets were engaged in a heated race for the NFA East title. New York would defeat Boston 20-17 on September 26, 1943. This would give New York an edge over Boston until the division was decided on Week 8. On November 7, 1943, the Lions would defeat Baltimore 27-13. On the same day, Boston would lose to Philadelphia 10-7. With the Lions win and Bluejackets loss, New York would win their second NFA East Division title. The NFA West would come down to an extra "Playoff Bowl" game in St Louis, MO between the Detroit Mustangs and the St Louis Aviators. Detroit defeated St Louis on September 26, 1943, 26-13. Then on November 14, 1943, the Aviators defeated the Mustangs 20-14. This would tie the Aviators and the Mustangs for first place. On the final day of the 1943 NFA Season, both the Aviators and Mustangs would win their game, forcing a "Playoff Bowl" game. The Buckeyes would see a major decline after their back to back championships. With more players leaving for the war, like star Center William Mansfield, the Buckeyes would struggle and end with the worst record in the league. PLAYOFF BOWL November 28, 1943 Since the Aviators scored more points than Detroit in the two games they played, St Louis hosted the playoff game. The game to decide the NFA West would be decided late in the 4th quarter. The score was tied 20-20 at the start of the final quarter. St Louis would have the ball to start the quarter and would take the lead with a 23 yard field goal. Detroit would have difficulty answering and would trail 23-20 for most of the quarter. The Mustangs defense would hold the Aviators though and keep it a field goal game until 2:24 remained in the game. Detroit would have the ball and was able to advance into St Louis territory via a 33 yard pass by QB Giles Richland to WR Edward Bloom. This would set the Mustangs up in field goal range at the 21 yard line. Mustangs HB John Ames would rush the ball for 9 yards on the next play to the 12 yard line. As the clock continued to tick down, QB Giles Richland threw a quick pass to WR Edward Bloom. Bloom would catch the ball at the 1 yard line and was hit immediately. As he was being tackled, Bloom was able to stretch the ball across the goal line for a touch down. After the extra point, Detroit took a 27-23 lead. St Louis would get the ball back with 15 seconds left. A "Hail Mary" pass was deflected and fell incomplete to end the game. Detroit won it's first division title and earned its first American Bowl appearance. Joe Governor (HB, NY Lions) was awarded the NFA Most Valuable Player Trophy. The first rookie to win the award. Michael Garrett (DET Mustangs) was awarded the NFA Coach of the Year Trophy. NFA PLAYERS KILLED IN WWII 1) Ralph Bushhey, USN (OT, NY Lions) Killed during Battle of Kula Gulf July 6, 1943 AWARDS MVP: Joe Governor (HB, NY Lions) COY: Michael Garrett (DET Mustangs) 1943 AMERICAN BOWL New York Lions vs Detroit Mustangs (December 5, 1943, Manhattan Field, New York, NY)