Sports Wax Episode 3: Presidents and the Power of Sports
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There’s something about sports that brings people together, and no one understands that better than U.S. presidents. Whether it’s throwing a first pitch, flipping a coin, or simply sitting in the stands, our commanders in chief have often used sports as a way to connect with the American people — sometimes in moments of joy, other times in moments of great national uncertainty.
That’s exactly what this week’s Sports Wax is all about. Here's where you can listen to it:
In this episode, we take a trip through five unforgettable moments when U.S. presidents and sports intersected — sometimes in celebration, sometimes to provide a sense of normalcy when America needed it most.
Some highlights from this episode:
1961: JFK’s Army-Navy Coin Flip
In 1961, John F. Kennedy attended the Army-Navy football game in Philadelphia, where a young Roger Staubach led Navy to a 13-7 victory after the president performed the honorary coin flip. Just two years later, after Kennedy’s assassination, that same game became a tribute to the fallen president, moving forward at the request of Jackie Kennedy. Staubach, now a Heisman winner and national star, led Navy to victory again, bringing a moment of unity to a grieving nation.
1969: Nixon Names the National Champion
In 1969, President Richard Nixon attended the showdown between No. 1 Texas and No. 2 Arkansas, one of the most anticipated college football games of its era. Braving the cold and rain, Nixon sat in the stands before stepping into the broadcast booth to talk football with ABC’s Chris Schenkel. After Texas pulled off a dramatic 15-14 comeback win, Nixon declared them national champions right in the locker room, a moment that cemented his reputation as one of the most engaged sports fans ever to occupy the Oval Office.
1982: Bush’s Super Bowl Motorcade Mishap
Super Bowl XVI in 1982 was a historic night for the NFL, but for the San Francisco 49ers, the road to the game was anything but smooth. Vice President George H.W. Bush’s motorcade created a massive traffic jam near the Pontiac Silverdome in Detroit, and the 49ers’ team bus sat stuck for nearly 40 minutes, unable to move. Despite arriving at the stadium with little time to spare, Joe Montana and the 49ers didn’t let the delay rattle them, jumping out to a 20-0 lead at halftime and cruising to their first Super Bowl victory.
1991: Bush’s Post-War First Pitch
In 1991, as the first Gulf War came to an end, President George H.W. Bush looked for a way to signal that life in America was returning to normal. He found it on Opening Day in Arlington, Texas, where he threw out the ceremonial first pitch before a Rangers game. Sitting alongside his son, future President George W. Bush, who was then part-owner of the Rangers, the elder Bush watched as Nolan Ryan took the mound, giving baseball fans a comforting reminder that America’s pastime was back.
2001: A Post-9/11 World Series Moment
The most emotional moment in this episode comes in 2001, just weeks after the September 11 attacks. As New York City continued to recover, baseball played an important role in bringing people together. On October 30, at Yankee Stadium, President George W. Bush stepped onto the mound before Game 3 of the World Series, delivering a perfect strike in front of a roaring crowd. It later came out that Derek Jeter had challenged him to throw from the actual mound rather than in front of it, and Bush had even practiced in a batting cage under the stadium. That World Series, fittingly, was an all-time classic, ending with a dramatic walk-off single in Game 7, reminding Americans that, even in the hardest times, life moves forward.
Why This Episode Matters
Sports aren’t just entertainment. They help us celebrate, mourn, and heal. Whether it’s Truman attending 16 baseball games, Nixon naming champions, or George W. Bush’s post-9/11 first pitch, sports have always been part of America’s story.
If you love sports history, this episode is for you. Listen now and relive these moments that blend politics, history, and the power of the game.
Check out the episode here: