President Nixon met in the Oval Office to dictate a formal letter of consolation to University of Nebraska football coach Bob Devaney following his team's recent loss to the University of Oklahoma. Nixon expressed his belief that while Devaney is accustomed to the frequent praise associated with winning, a defeat presents an unfamiliar and difficult experience. The President focused on crafting a message that would offer support to the coach during a rare moment of professional adversity.
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 815-005 of the White House Tapes.
Nixon Library Finding AidConversation No. 815-5
Date: November 24, 1972
Time: Unknown between 8:03 am and 8:21 am
Location: Oval Office
The President dictated a letter to Robert Devaney.
University of Nebraska football
-Defeat [November 23, 1972 versus University of Oklahoma]
The President replayed the dictation.
The President resumed dictation.
Introduction
-Devaney
-University of Nebraska Cornhuskers
University of Nebraska football
-Victories
-Congratulatory messages
-4-
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
(rev. Jan.-08)
Conversation No. 815-19 (cont’d)
-Defeats
[This dictation is continued on Conversation No. 815-7]This transcript was generated automatically by AI and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Do not cite this transcript as authoritative. Consult the Finding Aid above for verified information.