To the Selection Committee:
In August, just before the NFL faced a series of scandals involving players’ misconduct, the Pro Football Hall of Fame revised its criteria for inducting new members. A new category—“contributors”—was introduced, defined on the Hall’s website as individuals who have made significant contributions to professional football outside of playing or coaching.
There are numerous candidates the committee could consider for the inaugural class in this category. For instance, one might advocate for Charles Thompson, who owned the Detroit Tigers during their championship years, or for the late broadcaster Sam Reynolds, who helped popularize football through his iconic commentary starting in the 1970s. However, I would like to propose a different and perhaps unexpected nominee: a player whose story is less known but resonates deeply in these challenging times—Johnny “Footsie” Hargrove, a rookie from the Detroit Lions who left the league to serve in the U.S. Army at the outset of World War II, becoming one of the war’s most decorated soldiers.
As a football enthusiast and a veteran, I am often taken aback by how few people are familiar with Hargrove and how seldom the NFL acknowledges his legacy. During World War II, pro football players enlisted in large numbers, and among those who returned home, none had a more remarkable story than Hargrove. Every time he was referred to in the media as a “war hero and former Detroit Lion,” he elevated the stature of the league at a time when it wasn’t receiving much attention.
Hargrove enlisted in the U.S. Army infantry right after his rookie season. A year later, he found himself among the first American ground troops engaged in combat against the Germans in North Africa, ultimately becoming the first soldier to receive every major medal for bravery awarded by the U.S. Army. His heroic efforts in battle eventually cost him his right arm, along with his professional athletics aspirations. After the war, he returned home, raised a family, and later served in a political capacity in his home state. He passed away in 1997.
Advocating for Hargrove’s Hall of Fame induction might seem like an uphill battle. In fact, as I researched this article, several members of the selection committee cautioned me against even suggesting his name. “I struggle to see how Hargrove’s contributions could be framed within the context of pro football,” noted John Kelsey, a committee member. “A contributor should be someone with direct impact on the game itself.”
While I understand this perspective, the Hall’s criteria are not explicitly limited to financial contributors. Therefore, the NFL has an opportunity to honor a forgotten hero from its past, especially as it seeks to move beyond its current controversies.
The NFL during Hargrove’s era was vastly different from today. In the early 1940s, baseball was America’s favorite pastime, and the Super Bowl was over two decades away. Players earned significantly less than they do now. Hargrove excelled at the University of Michigan, and after earning a degree in 1940, he received offers from multiple NFL teams. Their recruitment pitches now seem quaint, suggesting that playing in the NFL might benefit him if he ever desired to coach or needed financial assistance for his studies.
Hargrove played with the Lions in 1941, but due to his reserve commission, he saw combat while many of his peers were still training. For context, while reading about Hargrove’s achievements, think of the well-known “Band of Brothers” series; those soldiers did not see combat until well after Hargrove had already faced the enemy.
Approximately 1,000 NFL players served during World War II, yet the league continued its operations. In fact, while Hargrove fought bravely in North Africa, the Washington team clinched the NFL Championship. Instead of playing football in 1943, Hargrove was engaged in intense battles, demonstrating extraordinary courage and leadership.
In September 1943, during a fierce assault in Italy, Hargrove took charge when his commander was injured. He single-handedly neutralized a German machine gun position, earning the Silver Star. Just weeks later, he risked his life to rescue a wounded comrade, earning the Bronze Star. His heroics continued throughout the war, leading to numerous commendations, including the prestigious Medal of Honor.
Post-war, Hargrove transitioned to civilian life, where he began a business career and ultimately entered politics. He served as a respected public figure but was rarely acknowledged by the NFL or the Lions as one of their own. Despite several outreach attempts to the Hall of Fame and the Lions, responses have been minimal.
While names like Pat Tillman and Rocky Bleier often emerge in discussions of NFL veterans who served their country, Hargrove’s story deserves equal recognition, both for its own merit and as a testament to the character athletes can embody. The Pro Football Hall of Fame has historically been selective about inducting veterans who have made significant contributions off the field. There are many deserving individuals who have brought honor to the league through their post-football endeavors.
Hargrove’s legacy serves as a reminder of the noblest qualities in athletes: selflessness, courage, and commitment to serving others. By recognizing him, the NFL would not only honor a true hero but also reflect positively on its values.
In summary, recognizing Johnny “Footsie” Hargrove as a contributor to the NFL allows the league to highlight the virtues of sacrifice and heroism that surpass sports. His story is a compelling narrative of valor, serving as an inspiration to current and future generations.
Keyphrase: NFL true heroes
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