Nixon White House Tapes › Topic
Nixon Tapes on Football
21 conversations · frequently with Nixon, Sanchez, Allen, White House photographer
When Football comes up
Related topics: Washington RedskinsManolo SanchezRichard NixonCamp DavidSportsJohn B. ConnallyGeorge AllenChristmasCasual conversationWhite House staffWhite House communicationsThomas H. MoorerSchedulingPresidential scheduling
President Richard M. Nixon and Secretary of State William P. Rogers engaged in an informal discussion that, based on the transcript's focus on sports commentary and game analysis, appears to be a casual social interaction rather than a formal policy meeting. While the transcript contains extensive, repetitive commentary regarding specific football players, team strategies, and game events, it provides no substantive evidence of government business, policy decisions, or official action items. The conversation reflects a brief period of personal rapport between the two men.
On November 4, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 7:16 pm and 7:23 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 013-133 of the White House Tapes.
On November 14, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and Manolo Sanchez met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 1:19 pm and 5:01 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 296-007 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon met with his valet, Manolo Sanchez, to discuss the outcome of a recent Washington Redskins football game. The conversation touched upon the team's loss and a missed field goal attempt. Additionally, the two briefly addressed the President's upcoming schedule, specifically mentioning Secretary John B. Connally.
President Richard Nixon spoke with Washington Redskins head coach George Allen to follow up on the President's recent visit to the team's practice facility. Allen expressed that the visit provided a significant morale boost to the players, specifically highlighting the positive impact on the offensive linemen. The two discussed team strategy and performance adjustments ahead of the upcoming game against the Philadelphia Eagles, with Nixon offering encouragement and expressing optimism about the team's future success.
President Nixon met with Gary Washington, a recipient of the "Most Courageous Junior Olympian" award, alongside Senator Gordon L. Allott and various guests including an NBC film crew. The discussion centered on celebrating Washington's athletic achievements and personal resilience, with Nixon presenting commemorative gifts such as presidential cuff links. The conversation also touched upon broader topics including the role of private industry in youth programming, recent football games, and technical comparisons between offensive and defensive football line play.
President Nixon initiated a Christmas Eve call to Hobart D. Lewis, the head of Reader's Digest, to exchange holiday greetings and discuss the President's recent media interview. Lewis praised the organization and articulation of the interview, expressing optimism for the President's upcoming political prospects. The brief conversation also touched upon the President's personal holiday schedule with his family and interest in collegiate football.
President Nixon initiated a holiday phone call to Congressman Gerald R. Ford to exchange Christmas greetings and discuss college and professional football. During the conversation, Nixon informed Ford of the death of Representative George W. Andrews, noting that he would send a military aide to honor the late congressman. The two concluded by briefly discussing political strategy and preparing for upcoming legislative challenges in the new year.
President Nixon and Admiral Thomas H. Moorer engaged in a brief, informal exchange following the Christmas holiday. The conversation focused primarily on their mutual appreciation for a recent professional football game. No official policy decisions or strategic military matters were discussed during this interaction.
President Nixon and his close associate Bebe Rebozo discussed recent professional football developments involving the Miami Dolphins and their upcoming schedule against the Dallas Cowboys. The conversation also included the President’s assessment of a recent interview with journalist Dan Rather, specifically focusing on Rather’s preparation and the quality of his questioning. This informal exchange reflects the President’s reliance on Rebozo for casual discourse on both sports and media relations.
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.
President Nixon and Alexander Butterfield met to coordinate logistical arrangements for upcoming appointments and administrative tasks. The President directed Butterfield to secure a replacement plaque for the University of Nebraska football team to honor their top-ranking status. Additionally, they reviewed the scheduling sequence for meetings involving Billy Graham and H.R. Haldeman to ensure the President’s workflow remained efficient.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met to coordinate a photograph session with the University of Nebraska football team. They specifically discussed the team's quarterback, Jerry Tagge, noting his recent selection by the Green Bay Packers. The brief meeting served to confirm scheduling logistics and relevant biographical details for the upcoming event.
On November 21, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Manolo Sanchez met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David at an unknown time between 9:10 am and 9:24 am. The Camp David Hard Wire taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 229-009 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon and his valet, Manolo Sanchez, briefly discuss a televised football game while at Camp David. The conversation focuses on the lopsided score and the President's casual commentary regarding the nature of the blowout. No policy matters or official business are addressed during this informal exchange.
President Nixon and his daughter, Julie Nixon Eisenhower, gathered at the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David to watch a televised professional football game. The pair engaged in informal conversation regarding the unfolding drama of the Washington Redskins versus Dallas Cowboys matchup, noting the Redskins' significant comeback. The discussion remained focused exclusively on the sports event, serving as a brief period of personal leisure for the President.
On December 16, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and unknown person(s) met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 1:35 pm and 3:25 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 382-006 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon met with his personal valet, Manolo Sanchez, to discuss the logistics of tuning in to a football game broadcast. The pair specifically addressed the availability of the game through various television channels and radio stations. No significant policy decisions were made during this informal interaction.
President Nixon called Washington Redskins head coach George Allen to congratulate him on the team's decisive victory over the Dallas Cowboys. The two discussed the importance of team chemistry, the superior work ethic of players like Billy Kilmer and Jack Pardee, and the psychological impact of aggressive play on the opposing team. Nixon encouraged Allen to be open with the press regarding his support, emphasizing his long-standing practice of reaching out to winners.
President Nixon spoke with entertainers Dan Rowan and Dick Martin to express his personal appreciation for a humorous birthday skit they produced for his 60th birthday. The discussion included lighthearted banter about the skit’s writer, Paul Keyes, and the President's plan to share the performance with his White House staff. The call concluded with a brief analysis of the upcoming Super Bowl, specifically comparing the strengths of the Miami Dolphins and the Washington Redskins.
President Nixon met with Richard E. Bland, W. Howard McClennan, and other members of the National Commission on Fire Prevention and Control to receive their report, titled "America Burning." The discussion focused on shifting national fire policy from suppression to prevention and addressed the risks posed by forest fires and residential fire hazards. Following the formal presentation, the President concluded the meeting by exchanging pleasantries and sharing anecdotes regarding his college football experiences.