Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 815 › Conversation 815-003

Nixon alone in the Oval Office on Frank Gifford and Monday Night Football

Friday, November 24, 1972 · 8:03 AM–8:21 AM ET · Oval Office · 3 min

ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President)Conversation815-003 on Tape 815StartFriday, November 24, 1972 at 8:03 AMEndFriday, November 24, 1972 at 8:21 AMRecording deviceOval OfficeSourceNixon Library record for 815-003 ↗

AI Summary

President Nixon dictated a letter to sportscaster Frank Gifford to acknowledge an invitation to appear in the ABC booth during a Monday Night Football broadcast. He expressed regret that his schedule prevented him from attending games in person, though he praised the quality of the commentary provided by Gifford, Howard Cosell, and Don Meredith. The President also included warm regards from First Lady Pat Nixon and authorized Gifford to share the letter with ABC executive Roone Arledge to assist in his upcoming contract negotiations.

Audio

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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 Do not cite it as authoritative — verify against the audio and the finding aid.

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It was very thoughtful of you to invite me to drop into the ABC booth on that call game.
Unfortunately, my schedule has been so heavy this fall that I haven't been able to get to any of the games in person.
And I doubt if I will be able to make them unless
because we made one this year, period.
However, I want you to know how very much I have enjoyed the broadcasts that, uh, the great, uh, broadcasts of the Monday Night Game by the tremendous priest.
Gitter, Cosell, and American 3.
I have seen 3 or 4 games, 3 or 4 of them in that game this year.
Either in a hole or in a park.
Usually the games have been close ones and very easy.
Sometimes they have been
I was so one-sided as to be, as to become almost dull.
However, I have yet to turn off the television set.
Even when such a game is being played.
Because the tri-lock, make that P-R-I, I put it in quotes, the word, the tri-lock,
of a tree view.
It is so interesting.
It is worth listening to, very important.
All the names are very, very
And your fellow USC alumnus joins me in signing our very best wishes for the Christmas season.
Sincerely.
P.S.
You're welcome to show this letter to full knowledge.
The next time you negotiate your visit, when you negotiate your next contract, period.
That's the end of the letter.

NARA Description

On November 24, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 8:03 am and 8:21 am. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 815-003 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid

Conversation No. 815-3

Date: November 24, 1972
Time: Unknown between 8:03 am and 8:21 am
Location: Oval Office

The President dictated a letter to Frank Gifford.

       Monday night football games
           -Invitation to the President to American Broadcasting Corporation [ABC] booth
                 -The President’s schedule
                        -The President’s attendance at games
           -ABC broadcasts
                 -Quality
                        -Sportscasters
                              -Gifford, Howard Cosell, Don Meredith
           -The President’s viewing
                 -Competitive balance
                 -“Trilog” of sportscasters

       Well wishes
            -Thelma C. (“Pat”) Nixon
                  -University of Southern California [USC]

       The President’s letter to Gifford
            -Roone Arledge
                  -Next broadcasting contract
                                               -3-

                   NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

                                                           Conversation No. 815-19 (cont’d)

Also recorded on November 24, 1972

  • 815-001 8:03 AM · 7 min — President Richard M. Nixon met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 8:03 am and 8:21 am.
  • 815-002 8:03 AM · 12 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and unknown person(s) met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 8:03 am and 8:21 am.
  • 815-004 8:03 AM · 17 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Rose Mary Woods met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 8:03 am and 8:21 am.
  • 815-005 8:03 AM · 1 min — President Richard M. Nixon met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 8:03 am and 8:21 am.
  • 815-006 8:21 AM · 34 min — President Richard M. Nixon, John D. Ehrlichman, Stephen B. Bull, and Alexander P. Butterfield met in the Oval Office of the White House from 8:21 am to 8:56 am.
  • 815-007 8:56 AM · 3 min — President Richard M. Nixon met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 8:56 am and 9:37 am.
  • 815-008 8:56 AM · 13 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Alexander P. Butterfield met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 8:56 am and 9:37 am.
  • 815-009 8:56 AM · 2 min — President Richard M. Nixon met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 8:56 am and 9:37 am.

All 19 conversations from November 24, 1972 →

Cite this conversation

Conversation 815-003, November 24, 1972. White House Tapes, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives. Audio and AI transcript via Easy Nixon, https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/815-003 (accessed October 12, 2026).