What happened in this game would, in April 1942, save Motts' life. He left the Chicago Cardinals for active duty prior to the start of the War, assigned to the 200th Coast Artillery (Anti-Aircraft) and shipped to the Philippines. He would be among the troops surrendered on Bataan. While on the Death March to Camp O'Donnell, a Japanese Guard attempted to steal his Notre Dame class ring. Tonelli resisted and would have been killed had the commotion not attached the attention of a nearby officer. Seeing the ring and immediately recognized it, he asked the bedraggled POW his name. The officer informed Tonelli that he was a graduate of USC and had travelled to South Bend from LA to attend the game. The officer returned the ring, berating the guard. and telling Tonelli to hide it, insuring that he would not be bothered the rest of the march

Incredible story!

Here after listening to Shane Gillis.