Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 18 › Conversation 018-086

Nixon phone call with Connally on Dallas Cowboys and Super Bowl

Sunday, January 16, 1972 · 7:39 PM–7:42 PM ET · White House Telephone · 2 min

ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President); Connally, John B.Conversation018-086 on Tape 18 (tape position 03:55:55–03:58:24)StartSunday, January 16, 1972 at 7:39 PMEndSunday, January 16, 1972 at 7:42 PMRecording deviceWhite House TelephoneSourceNixon Library record for 018-086 ↗ · National Archives Catalog, NAID 417192265 ↗

AI Summary

President Nixon and John B. Connally discussed the Dallas Cowboys' recent Super Bowl victory and their impressive all-around performance. The conversation centered on analyzing the team's strengths, including the contributions of Coach Tom Landry and specific players. Nixon confirmed that he had personally called Coach Landry to offer his congratulations on the win.

Audio

Download MP3 · 3.4 MB

NARA Description

On January 16, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and John B. Connally talked on the telephone from 7:39 pm to 7:42 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 018-086 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid

Conversation No. 18-86

Date: January 16, 1972
Time: 7:39 pm - 7:42 pm
Location: White House Telephone

John B. Connally talked with the President.

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[Previous PRMPA Personal Returnable (G) withdrawal reviewed under deed of gift 12/22/2017.
Segment cleared for release.]
[Personal Returnable]
[018-086-w001]
[Duration: 1m 47s]

     Dallas Cowboys' Super Bowl victory

          -Balance of team in offense, defense, special teams
                -Previous game with the Washington Redskins
                      -Minnesota Vikings, San Francisco 49ers, Miami Dolphins
          -Strength of Dallas
          -Coach Tom Landry
          -Green Bay Packers
          -Coach Tom Landry
                -William F. (“Billy”) Graham
                      -Opinion
                -Fellowship of Christian Athletes

     Texans

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     The President’s schedule

     The President's call to Coach Tom Landry
          -Congratulations

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[Previous PRMPA Personal Returnable (G) withdrawal reviewed under deed of gift 12/22/2017.
Segment cleared for release.]
[Personal Returnable]
[018-086-w002]
[Duration: 18s]

     Analysis of Super Bowl game
          -Chuck Howley
          -Offensive line, defensive line, quarterback
          -Walt Garrison, Duane Thomas

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     The President’s call to Landry

Transcript (AI-generated)

This transcript was generated automatically by AI (WhisperX) and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Names and numbers are often wrong; speakers are not identified. Do not cite it as authoritative — verify against the audio and the finding aid.

Download transcript (.txt) · JSON data

Click a timestamp to play from that point; the page address then links to that moment (e.g. #t=125).

Yeah, I got back.
Yeah, I'm working here now.
I gave Landry a call.
I told him.
I told him I said it was the best all-around performance that probably had ever been done.
Because, you know, there was...
Well, you were nice to call them.
I'm sure they appreciated you.
Well, OK.

Also recorded on January 16, 1972

  • 018-112 6:59 PM · 9 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 6:59 pm and 7:39 pm.

Cite this conversation

Conversation 018-086, January 16, 1972. White House Tapes, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives (NAID 417192265). Audio and AI transcript via Easy Nixon, https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/018-086 (accessed November 1, 2026).