Reading the sports pages online after the first series of football games, I was reminded about an interesting piece of sports statistics that has occurred since the late 1930’s. Adam Schefter’s special article to NFL.com entitled Redskins to cast the deciding vote discussed this phenomeon where every time before the presidental election:

If the Redskins won their last home game before the election, the incumbent political party of the president won reelection.

If the Redskins lost the their last home game before the election, the opposing political party against the president won the election.

In the era of obsessive sports statistics, this one caught my eye. Here is a breakdown:

The franchise began its life in Boston in late November 1932 (after the election) as the Boston Braves Football team, the team was renamed the Redskins in 1933. However, it was not until November 1st, 1936, that the ‘Skins played their first game during an election season.

In their last game home before the vote during 1936, the Boston Redskins beat the Chicago Cardinals 13 to 10. Franklin Roosevelt was reelected president.

In 1940, the Redskins moved to Washington. In their last home game before that election, the Redskins beat Pittsburgh 37-10, and Roosevelt was returned to office.

In 1944, it was Cleveland at Washington. Redskins won 14-10. Roosevelt was elected for his third and final term.

In 1948, The Redskins won 59-21 against the Boston Yanks. Truman won election

In 1952, the Redskins lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers 24-23. Days later, Dwight Eisenhower was elected.

In 1956, the Redskins won 20-9 against the Cleveland Browns and Ike was re-elected.

In 1960, the Redskins were beaten 31-10 by the Cleveland Browns

In 1964, it’s the Redkins 27, Bears 20. Lyndon Johnson retains the office for the Democrats.

In 1968, Washington loses to the New York Giants 13-10. The Democrats lose the election to Richard Nixon.

In 1972, the Redskins win 35-17 beating the New York Jets. Nixon wins.

In 1976, Washington loses to Dallas 20-7. Gerald Ford loses to Jimmy Carter.

In 1980, the Redskins lose 39-14 to the Minnesota Vikings. Jimmy Carter loses to Republican Ronald Reagan.

In 1984, Washington wins 27-14 against the Atlanta Falcons. Reagan wins again against Mondale.

IN 1988, Washington wins 27-24 against the New Orleans Saints, George H.W. Bush beats the tank driving Dukakis.

In 1992, Washington loses to the Giants 24 to 7, and the incumbent party is defeated by Democrat William Jefferson Clinton.

In 1996, the Redskins win their final home game against Indianapolis defeating them 31-16. Clinton Defeats Dole.

However, In 2000 the Washington Redskins lose to the Tennessee Titans 27-21. In this game, the Redskins had the early lead 7-0 but the Titans came back to score 27 unanswered points against the Redskins. The Redskins made the score 27-21 and failed in a last-ditch effort to win the game on the last play of the game. Much like Al Gore’s election results were that evening and his last-ditch fight in the Supreme Court. Six weeks later, the Supreme Court ruled that Florida was won by Bush and therefore Bush won by a five-electoral-vote victory.

Today the Redskins played their last home game before the presidential election against the Green Bay Packers. The final score. Green Bay 28, Redskins 14. If this stat holds up to be true, this would mean that Kerry will win on Tuesday. On the front page describing the game at redskins.com, the first statement read:

The Redskins fell behind Green Bay in the first half and could never catch up…..

I am not going to read anything into this but it does make one wonder if the election coverage will read in the same vein………