while waiting to be drafted, bussey took a job building liberty ships for the houston shipbuilding corporation. he briefly attended the bears' training camp in the summer of 1942, but halas was committed to starting luckman at quarterback. on august 28, bussey played in the 1942 college all-star game in chicago before a crowd of 101,103 spectators, throwing one touchdown in a 21-0 victory over the college players. shortly after the game ended, he informed halas of his intent to enlist. he did so the very next day, joining the naval reserve.