This video’s origins come from a lost film that was procured by Professional Football Researchers Association (PFRA) member Kenn Tomasch. He had the 30-minute film (which was silent) digitized so it can be shared and enjoyed by as many people as possible. We believe the majority of the footage has not been seen in over 80 years.
The original film consists of approximately 12 minutes of fascinating training camp practices and drills. Included are detailed demonstrations of a variety of Single Wing plays, revealing the intricacies and precision of yesteryear’s football strategies. Following the camp footage are newsreel highlights of six of the Giants 12-game season. An opening day victory over heralded rookie Byron “Whizzer” White in Pittsburgh, and an upset over the defending champion Washington Redskins at an overcrowded Griffiths Stadium with dozens of fans in the field of play as the Giants scored the winning touchdown are among the early highlights. Crucial late-season wins over Green Bay and a particularly violent clash with Washington precede a climactic championship game victory over the Packers.
Within the highlights you will see familiar stars like Mel Hein and Tuffy Leemans, as well as unheralded players such as Ed Danowski and Ward Cuff.
Kenn, PFRA member Mike Moran (whose father Hap Moran played for the Giants in the 1920s and 1930s), and I close with a discussion of the 1938 Giants legacy and players we believe merit consideration for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.