Nixon White House Tapes › Topic
Nixon Tapes on Professional Football
24 conversations · frequently with Nixon, Allen, White House photographer, Bull
President Nixon met with professional football players John Mackey and Nick Buonconti, accompanied by their wives and NFL Players Association representative Ed Garvey, to discuss labor-related concerns within the league. Facilitated by Henry C. Cashen II, the session served primarily as an informal meeting to exchange pleasantries and address the state of professional football. The discussion remained largely general, concluding with the President offering well-wishes for the upcoming season.
President Nixon met with a group of professional football players and union representatives, including John Mackey and Nick Buonconti, to discuss the importance of competitive spirit and athletic leadership. The President used the meeting as an opportunity to reinforce themes of perseverance, the drive to succeed, and the value of hard work in American life. He connected these athletic virtues to national character, encouraging the athletes to continue serving as positive role models for youth.
President Nixon initiated a brief, informal telephone call to the residence of Wellington T. Mara to offer personal congratulations on the birth of his tenth child. After being informed by the White House operator that Mara was unavailable, the President spoke with Mara's daughter, Susan, to convey his well-wishes to the family. The conversation concluded with lighthearted commentary regarding the family's gender balance and a brief exchange concerning the President's support for both the New York Giants and the Washington Redskins.
President Nixon hosted a social visit in the Oval Office for professional football players Jack Pardee, George Burman, and Maxie Baughan, along with their spouses and children. The meeting served as a ceremonial event featuring a White House tour and photo opportunities, with the President discussing the importance of football in the Washington, D.C. community. The conversation covered various aspects of the sport, including local team news and personal family backgrounds, before concluding with the exchange of gifts and farewells.
President Nixon consulted with Washington Redskins head coach George E. Allen to review the team’s recent performance and discuss personnel updates. The two analyzed individual player statistics, injury reports, and strategic outcomes from previous games. They also considered the outlook for an upcoming matchup against the Dallas Cowboys, including a potential attendance by the President.
President Nixon met with NFL quarterback Johnny Unitas and other officials to discuss professional football and the influence of athletes on American youth. The conversation touched upon the role of football stars as positive role models, particularly regarding the dangers of drug use, and the importance of professional athletes in national life. The meeting concluded with a photograph session and the President's presentation of gifts to the attendees.
President Nixon held an informal discussion with George E. Allen to analyze recent performances and strategic prospects for the Washington Redskins. The conversation focused on a detailed evaluation of quarterbacks Billy Kilmer and Sonny Jurgensen, as well as team injury reports and upcoming game schedules. Nixon shared his personal insights on the team's standing and coaching decisions, reflecting his deep interest in the Redskins' competitive trajectory.
President Richard M. Nixon met with George E. Allen for an informal discussion primarily centered on professional football. The conversation focused on the performance and prospects of the Washington Redskins, specifically analyzing their recent game results and upcoming schedule. The two exchanged observations regarding team strategy, player health, and the team's outlook for the remainder of the season.
President Nixon and George E. Allen engaged in a casual discussion focused primarily on professional football, including the performance of players like Larry Brown and the outlook for upcoming playoff games. The conversation also touched upon the President's scheduled diplomatic trip to the Azores to meet with French President Georges Pompidou. To accommodate the President’s travel, Allen agreed to arrange a private viewing of the game film for Nixon upon his return to Washington.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull engaged in a brief, informal discussion regarding the outcome of a San Francisco 49ers football game. The conversation centered on confirming the 31-27 final score and expressing general enthusiasm about the result. No significant policy decisions or official business were conducted during this exchange.
President Nixon met with Miami Dolphins head coach Don Shula to offer consolation following the team's recent loss to the Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl VI. During their brief meeting, the President dictated a formal letter of encouragement, praising Shula’s leadership and the team’s impressive performance throughout the season. Nixon expressed his admiration for the Dolphins' competitive spirit and conveyed his confidence that the franchise would remain a top contender in future seasons.
President Nixon met with Dallas Cowboys player Calvin Hill, Kevin Heald, and several guests for a photo opportunity and gift exchange in the Oval Office. The discussion focused on professional football, including the Cowboys' team performance and injuries to various players in the league. Additionally, the President and Hill discussed Hill's charitable work with youth drug prevention programs, with Nixon commending his efforts to help prevent addiction.
President Richard Nixon called Washington Redskins head coach George Allen to discuss the team's recent victory against the Philadelphia Eagles and strategize for future games. The two analyzed individual player performance, personnel decisions, and potential trades, with Nixon offering encouragement and tactical observations. The conversation concluded with Nixon advising Allen to maintain a guarded relationship with the press to prevent media-induced team dissension, and they agreed to reconnect after the upcoming election.
President Richard Nixon called Washington Redskins head coach George E. Allen to congratulate him on the team's come-from-behind victory over the Dallas Cowboys. The two discussed specific game highlights, including the performance of key players and the team's defensive efforts, while briefly touching on personnel needs and potential trades before the league deadline. Nixon declined an invitation to attend future games during the campaign season to avoid the appearance of exploiting the team's success for political gain.
President Nixon consulted with the White House operator regarding the status of professional football player Sonny Jurgensen. The operator informed the President that Jurgensen was currently hospitalized at Georgetown University Hospital. This brief exchange served to confirm the athlete's location for the President.
President Nixon called Washington Redskins quarterback Sonny Jurgensen at the hospital to express his personal sympathies following a recent injury. During the conversation, the President discouraged Jurgensen from retiring, urging him to continue his football career by highlighting his unique talent and competitive spirit. Nixon cited the example of other athletes returning from injury to encourage Jurgensen to pursue a comeback.
President Nixon consulted with John A. Scali regarding a personal phone call the President made to professional football player Sonny Jurgensen to offer encouragement following a professional setback. Nixon expressed concern about the optics of the gesture and explicitly instructed Scali to keep the call private. He authorized Scali to confirm the conversation only if the information were to leak to the public, emphasizing that he did not want to appear to be exploiting the athlete's situation.
President Nixon dictates a congratulatory letter to Washington Redskins running back Larry Brown regarding his recent athletic achievement of surpassing 1,000 yards. Beyond sports, the letter emphasizes Nixon’s admiration for Brown’s volunteer work at the Washington Receiving Home for Children, highlighting the importance of assisting those less fortunate. The President concludes by praising Brown’s character and offering encouragement for the team's upcoming Super Bowl prospects.
President Nixon and Attorney General Richard G. Kleindienst coordinate a strategy to persuade NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle to lift the television blackout on upcoming playoff games. The administration proposes a compromise where regular-season games retain broadcast protection while postseason games are made available to the public, similar to the World Series model. Nixon directs Kleindienst to publicly announce his involvement in these negotiations and personally promises to veto any congressional legislation that would mandate the end of all professional football blackouts.
President Nixon spoke with Washington Redskins head coach George E. Allen to discuss the team's recent playoff victory over the Green Bay Packers and their upcoming game against the Dallas Cowboys. The two men analyzed player injuries, specifically highlighting the team's physical condition and the importance of maintaining an aggressive game plan against the defending champions. Allen shared his motivational strategies, including his efforts to instill a sense of civic obligation in his players and his personal animosity toward the Cowboys organization to inspire team intensity.
President Nixon dictates a letter to Dallas Cowboys head coach Tom Landry to express his personal admiration following the team's recent performance. The President commends the Cowboys for maintaining their dignity despite a difficult loss, specifically highlighting Bob Lilly’s resilience while playing through injuries. The correspondence reinforces Nixon’s respect for the team's championship history and their representation of high standards in competitive athletics.
President Nixon met with aide Stephen B. Bull to discuss recent sporting events and upcoming scheduling matters. The conversation centered on a detailed post-game analysis of the Washington Redskins' victory over the Dallas Cowboys, focusing on key plays and individual performances. They also briefly touched upon the televised broadcast of the Rose Bowl Parade and reviewed the President’s scheduled meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka.
President Nixon and First Lady Pat Nixon hosted professional football player Jack Pardee, representatives from the American Cancer Society, and other guests in the Oval Office to honor Pardee’s recovery from skin cancer and his successful return to athletics. The meeting served as a photo opportunity and an awards presentation, highlighting Pardee's personal resilience and his support for the President’s cancer research initiatives. The group also engaged in casual conversation regarding the Miami Dolphins, football culture, and the general significance of athletic inspiration within the community.
President Richard Nixon met with Senator Hubert H. Humphrey, Representative Gerald R. Ford, Arthur B. Hanson, and William E. Timmons in the Oval Office to accept a commemorative medallion from the United States Capitol Historical Society. The group engaged in casual conversation regarding Bicentennial planning, specifically a Marine Corps-led replica project in Philadelphia, and discussed various academic and professional football programs, including the Washington Redskins and the Minnesota Vikings. The meeting concluded after a brief photo session and the exchange of personal gifts.