With World War II complete, transcontinental travel became easier, as jet planes were beginning to take over trains as the primary mode of transportation. This opened the door for California to get a Professional Football team.

The newly formed All-American Football Conference placed two teams in the Golden State, one in San Francisco and another in Los Angeles. At the same time the Cleveland Rams were moving to the Los Angeles Coliseum, they would share the stadium with an AAFC team called the Los Angeles Dons.

The Dons were owner by Benjamin Lindheimer, a Chicago real estate and race track executive, and also had several celebrity owners including Louis B. Mayer, Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, and Don Ameche.

Coached by Dudley DeGroot, the Dons defeated the Brooklyn Dodgers 20-14 in their first game on September 13th. After a 30-14 win over the Miami Seahawks, the Dons played the Buffalo Bisons to a 21-21 tie in their first road game.

Following a 21-9 road win over the Chicago Rockets, the Dons came home and lost their first game to the San Francisco 49ers 23-14, starting a three game losing streak. The Dons would be one of just two teams to beat the Cleveland Browns, winning 17-16 at the Coliseum on November 3rd.

However, two losses to the 49ers would leave them in third place with a record of 7-5-2 at season's end.