Last Team Standing: How The Pittsburgh Steelers And The Philadelphia Eagles--"the Steagles"--saved Pro Football During World War Ii

By 1943, so many players were in the armed forces that the NFL was forced to merge the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles. The Steagles included military draft rejects, aging stars, and even a couple of active servicemen. Yet, somehow, this motley bunch managed to post a winning record--the first in the history of the Eagles and just the second in the history of the Steelers.

During World War II, the national Football League faced a crisis unimaginable today: a shortage of players. By 1943, so many players were in the armed forces that the league was forced to fold one team (the Cleveland Rams) and merge two others: the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles. Thus were the "Steagles" born. The Steagles included military draft rejects, a superstar lured out of retirement, and even a few active-duty servicemen who got leave for the games. Yet, somehow, this motley crew posted a winning record-the first in Eagles' history and the second in Steelers' history. A book about football, about life during the war, "Last Team Standing" is, above all, about those of the Greatest Generation who, against all odds, contributed to America's war effort in the unlikeliest ways.