The 1945 Cleveland Rams season was another transitional year for the franchise. Although the team had suspended operations during the 1943 season due to World War II, the Rams resumed play in 1944 but did not see much success. By 1945, the franchise was again facing significant challenges, but it would soon undergo a major change.
Key Points about the 1945 Cleveland Rams:
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Record:
- The 1945 Cleveland Rams finished the season with a 3-9 record, continuing their struggles on the field. This poor performance was in part due to the challenges posed by the lingering effects of World War II, as well as issues with team stability and roster strength.
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Coaching:
- The Rams were still coached by Robert “Pete” Cawthon during the 1945 season. Cawthon had been the team’s head coach for several years but had not led them to significant success in terms of wins and championships.
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Key Players:
- Despite the team’s overall struggles, Bob Waterfield (quarterback) and Ace Parker (halfback) were among the standout players on the Rams’ roster in 1945. Both players were highly skilled and would go on to have successful careers in the NFL.
- Waterfield, in particular, would later become one of the greatest quarterbacks in the history of the franchise.
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End of the Cleveland Era:
- The 1945 season was one of the last seasons the Rams played in Cleveland. After the 1945 season, the franchise was sold, and the team would relocate to Los Angeles for the 1946 season.
- The Rams’ move to Los Angeles would ultimately mark a new chapter in the franchise’s history, and the team would become one of the most prominent and successful in the NFL.
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World War II and Its Aftermath:
- The Rams, like other NFL teams, had to deal with the aftereffects of World War II, including a lack of talent due to players being drafted into the military. Many of the stars of the era were either absent or not in peak condition. The post-war years saw the NFL start to recover, but the Rams were still struggling to field a competitive team in the mid-1940s.
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Legacy:
- Although the 1945 season was not a success for the Rams, it represented a transitional phase before the franchise moved to Los Angeles, where they would go on to achieve more success. The move to Los Angeles in 1946 helped the Rams become one of the NFL’s premier teams, setting the stage for future championships and a significant presence in the league.
Conclusion:
The 1945 Cleveland Rams season was part of a difficult period in the team’s history, marked by a poor 3-9 record and a lack of major success. However, this season was significant as the team began to wind down its time in Cleveland and prepare for a historic move to Los Angeles, where the Rams would find renewed success. The 1945 Rams season is often viewed as the last of an era for the franchise in Cleveland before they became the Los Angeles Rams in 1946.
Head Coach: Adam Walsh
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