Inside Media: Redskins Report
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- Michael Richman addresses the legend that President Richard Nixon called a play in a 1971 Redskins playoff game.
- Richman discusses the relationship Redskins’ coaches George Allen and Joe Gibbs had with the press.
- Richman predicts what the first five weeks of the Redskins’ 2008-2009 season will reveal about the team.
Guest: Michael Richman
The Boston Redskins expected media praise when they earned a spot in the 1936 NFL championship game. But when they didn't get the publicity they thought they deserved, the team moved to Washington, D.C., according to Michael Richman, Redskins historian.
"One time, he [owner George Preston Marshall] complained that a girl's field hockey team was placed higher in the sports section than his Redskins."
When the team arrived in Washington, Marshall launched a vast radio network that carried Redskin games. The network reached as far north as New England, as far south as Florida, and as far west as Texas and made the team popular in Washington and beyond.
"The Redskins were the southern most NFL team at the time," Richman said. "They were known as the team of the South." It was also the last NFL team to integrate.
Though the South now has many other teams, the Redskins still enjoy a large fan base. This can be traced back to Marshall's extensive campaign, which also included entertainment such as halftime shows.
Richman has written for Sports Illustrated, The Washington Post, and American Football Monthly and is the author of "The Redskins Encyclopedia." He believes media and public relations savvy have helped the franchise succeed during their 71 years in the nation's capital.
"Inside Media," produced by the Newseum, is open to the public. Seating is on a space-available basis.
