Nixon White House Tapes › Topic
Nixon Tapes on Sports
20 conversations · frequently with Nixon, White House photographer, Ziegler, Staubach
President Nixon met with journalist Walter Trohan to discuss administrative matters, including the dictation of a personal letter. The pair reviewed comparisons between Nixon's presidency and that of Herbert Hoover, while also addressing concerns regarding press coverage and security. Additionally, the conversation touched upon lighthearted topics such as sports and the Bohemian Grove.
President Nixon met with Olympic swimmer Donald Schollander and Jonathan Rose to express his appreciation for Schollander’s achievements and dedication. The conversation centered on the societal value of athletics, the importance of discipline and leadership in sports, and comparisons of coaching styles across various disciplines. During the meeting, President Nixon presented Schollander with a pair of presidential cuff links.
President Nixon dictates a letter to an unidentified professional shortstop struggling with an extended hitting slump. Drawing a parallel to his own political career, the President offers encouragement regarding the necessity of perseverance during periods of professional failure. Nixon frames the letter as a gesture of support, urging the athlete to maintain confidence despite his current lack of performance.
President Nixon held a brief, informal meeting with Alexander P. Butterfield and guests Christian de Guigne III and IV to exchange gifts and engage in light social conversation. The discussion covered the security challenges associated with potential presidential travel, including a proposed visit to Bohemian Grove, and touched upon regional politics and professional Bay Area sports, specifically the performance of Vida Blue and the San Francisco Giants. The meeting concluded after the presentation of commemorative gifts featuring the presidential seal.
President Nixon placed a brief congratulatory call to Susan Mara regarding the recent birth of her family's tenth child. During the conversation, the President inquired about the gender balance of the children and jokingly encouraged the parents to have an eleventh child to complete a full football team. The exchange concluded with lighthearted banter regarding the President's preference for the Washington Redskins over the New York Giants.
President Nixon contacted the White House operator to initiate a call to professional baseball player Harmon Killebrew of the Minnesota Twins. The President requested that the operator locate Killebrew, who was believed to be in Bloomington, Minnesota, at the time. This brief interaction served solely to facilitate personal communication between the President and the athlete.
President Nixon hosted the Oakland Athletics, led by owner Charles O. Finley and manager Dick Williams, for a ceremonial visit to the Oval Office. The meeting served as a social meet-and-greet where the President engaged with players, discussed various professional baseball teams and notable past games, and shared anecdotes regarding his grandson, David Eisenhower. Nixon concluded the brief visit by presenting the players with official presidential golf balls as keepsakes.
President Nixon hosted a social visit in the Oval Office for Miss America titleholders Phyllis George and Laurie Lee Schaefer, alongside their family members and White House staff. The conversation touched upon the participants' professional aspirations in television and film, as well as the President's personal views on current trends in the entertainment industry. Nixon also engaged in lighthearted discussions regarding sports, specifically football and the potential relocation of the Washington Senators baseball team, before concluding the meeting by presenting presidential gifts to his guests.
President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler discuss a public relations strategy to frame the President as a new fan of the California Angels baseball team. Following the departure of the Washington Senators, Nixon decides to establish Angel Stadium in Anaheim as his new home ballpark for ceremonial first pitches. Nixon directs Ziegler to coordinate with Robert Finch to contact team owners Gene Autry and Robert Reynolds to generate media coverage and build support for this narrative in California.
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.
President Nixon met with professional football player Roger Staubach following the Dallas Cowboys' victory in Super Bowl VI. The President expressed personal admiration for Staubach's athletic performance and bravery on the field. During the meeting, Nixon dictated a congratulatory letter to the quarterback to formally acknowledge his achievements.
President Nixon hosted professional boxer Floyd Patterson and his family in the Oval Office for a brief courtesy visit, which included a photo session with a White House photographer. The discussion focused on Patterson's upcoming fight, his training regimen, and the broader history of collegiate and professional boxing. Nixon expressed appreciation for Patterson's career and his positive influence as a role model for young people, concluding the meeting by presenting the family with gifts.
President Nixon met with Dallas Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach at Camp David to dictate a personal letter of encouragement following Staubach's recent injury. The President expressed his well wishes for the athlete's recovery and inquired about the automobile he had previously provided to the Staubach family. This interaction highlights Nixon’s practice of using personal correspondence to build rapport with prominent public figures and professional athletes.
President Nixon contacted the White House operator to request a telephone connection to George E. Allen, the head coach of the Washington Redskins. This brief exchange served as a routine administrative request to facilitate a direct conversation between the President and Allen. No further substantive policy matters were discussed during this brief communication.
President Nixon met with his personal valet, Manolo Sanchez, at Camp David to discuss football games. The conversation was informal and primarily focused on game commentary, including observations about specific plays and team performance. No official policy matters or significant administrative decisions were recorded during this brief interaction.
President Nixon met with his personal valet, Manolo Sanchez, at Camp David to engage in casual conversation. The discussion focused on routine personal matters, specifically including a review of the sports section in The Washington Post regarding football coverage. No significant policy decisions or official government actions were recorded during this brief interaction.
President Nixon dictates a formal public statement honoring Roberto Clemente following the baseball legend's recent death in a plane crash. The President emphasizes the widespread admiration and respect Clemente earned from sports fans worldwide. This tribute highlights the President's efforts to officially recognize Clemente's legacy as one of the era's preeminent athletes.
President Richard Nixon met with professional golfer Arnold Palmer to offer personal congratulations on Palmer's recent tournament victory. The brief interaction focused on the President's appreciation for Palmer’s athletic achievement and his interest in the golfer's upcoming season. The two concluded the conversation by expressing a mutual desire to play a round of golf together in the future.
President Nixon met with Mr. and Mrs. C. Edward Little, accompanied by Ronald Ziegler, to discuss the broadcast industry and Mr. Little's career with the Mutual Broadcasting System. The conversation covered the challenges of radio networks, the future of UHF television and cable, and Little's efforts to develop specialized programming for Spanish-language and Black radio audiences. Beyond business, the group exchanged anecdotes regarding sports, particularly college football and Duke University, as well as travel experiences in Japan.
President Nixon hosted Vera Clemente, widow of baseball legend Roberto Clemente, alongside several legislators and fellow professional athletes to honor the late humanitarian and star outfielder. The meeting focused on the formal signing of H.R. 3841, a bipartisan bill authorizing a commemorative medal in Clemente’s honor. During the ceremony, the President presented the Citizen’s Medal to Mrs. Clemente, offered commemorative gifts for her children, and coordinated photographs with the attendees.