Throwback Thursday: 1930s All-Decade Team

Here's the NFLs All-Decade Team for the 1930s as selected by the Pro Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee members:

E     Bill Hewitt, Bears/Eagles
E     Don Hutson, Packers
E     Wayne Millner, Redskins
E     Gaynell Tinsley, Cardinals
T     George Christensen, Portsmouth Spartans/Lions
T     Frank Cope, Gianst
T     Glen (Turk) Edwards, Redskins
T     Bill Lee, Brooklyn Dodgers/Packers
T     Joe Stydahar, Bears
G    Grover (Ox) Emerson, Spartans/Lions
G    Dan Fortman, Bears
G    Charles (Buckets) Goldenberg, Packers
G    Ross Letlow, Packers
C    Mel Hein, Giants
C    George Svendsen, Packers
QB Dutch Clark, Spartans/Lions
QB Arnie Herber, Packers
QB Cecil Isbell, Packers
HB Cliff Battles, Redskins
HB Johnny (Blood) McNally, Packers/Steelers
HB Beattie Feathers, Bears/Dodgers
HB Alphonse (Tuffy) Leemans, Giants
HB Ken Strong, Giants
FB Clarke Hinkle, Packers
FB Bronko Nagurski, Bears

One of the things that I like to look at with these All-Decade teams, especially teams from the early decades, is the Hall of Fame presence. Those included in the Hall and those that aren't. There are ten on this team that have not been inducted. Gaynell Tinsley, George Christensen, Frank Cope, Bill Lee, Ox Emerson, Buckets Goldenberg, Russ Letlow, George Svendsen, Cecil Isbell, and Beattie Feathers. Emerson is probably the one that has the greatest argument against his exclusion from Canton. Feathers has a couple of stats that could one day bring a push for the Hall. He was the first to rush for 1,000 yards. He did so in his rookie season of 1934. His 8.44 yards per carry that season still stands as the NFL's single season record.

The Packers, Bears, Giants, and Redskins pretty much ruled the NFL in the 1930s. That shows with this team.

I'm surprised that Redskins quarterback Sammy Baugh didn't make the 1930s All-Decade team. His rookie season was 1937. He led the Redskins to their first NFL Championship that season. Baugh was dominant as soon as he stepped on the field. The Hall of Fame Selection Committee members selected two Packers quarterbacks (Herber and Isbell). That's hardly a surprise since both were throwing to Don Hutson. Isbell entered the league in 1938. That's one year later than Baugh and one less season for the decade. I dare anyone to claim that Isbell performed better in 1938 and 1939 than Baugh did from 1937-39.

I have my favorite players from the early decades of the NFL. Nearly all of them are on this team. Dutch Clark, Mel Hein, Don Hutson, Johnny Blood, Clarke Hinkle, and Bronko Nagurski. Great, great, memorable football players.