slinky Posted June 6, 2004 Share Posted June 6, 2004 http://www.redskins.com/news/newsDetail.jsp?id=1649 Gibbs On Reagan: 'A Sad Loss' By Gary Fitzgerald Redskins.com June 6, 2004 During the 1980s, Joe Gibbs happened to meet President Reagan on several occasions, most notably at the White House after the Redskins' two Super Bowl championships in 1983 and 1988. In fact, Gibbs was standing beside Reagan in 1988 during a memorable moment when the former president threw a pass to wide receiver Ricky Sanders at a ceremony in the Rose Garden. After hearing of Reagan's passing on Saturday, June 5, Gibbs reflected on the former president. Both arrived in Washington at the same time--in January 1981--and Gibbs attended Reagan's inaugural parade. "You really have to admire him and I think he probably did change the face of the world," Gibbs said. "It's a sad thing to lose somebody like that." Gibbs relayed a story from 1983, the first time the Redskins visited the White House following Super Bowl XVII. He stood inside the Oval Office waiting for the ceremony to begin when President Reagan started talking football with him. "The president leans over to me and says, 'I played football, you know,'" Gibbs said. "And I just said, 'Yes, sir.' He said, 'I played guard. I still sign things as number 33 [his jersey number].' And I said, 'Yes, sir.' Then he says, 'I remember we were playing Lehigh and the lineman across from me was about 180 pounds. I still remember cross-blocking him on outside plays.' "So the president and I walked all the way down the hallway as he was relaying this football story, all the way into the Rose Garden, where we had this little presentation for the team. I think that's the longest conversation I ever had with him. "It seemed like [President Reagan] was somebody who had a great feeling for the concept of team. Certainly, by him relaying that story to me, I think he liked sports. And I think he had a feeling of what it was like to play on a team. He was a real good team builder." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slinky Posted June 6, 2004 Author Share Posted June 6, 2004 Call transcript from Reagan to Gibbs after 83 SB win. good stuff... enjoy http://www.reagan.utexas.edu/resource/speeches/1983/13083a.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichmondSkinsFan Posted June 6, 2004 Share Posted June 6, 2004 Great article about two highly respected and admired men!!! President Reagan will be sorely missed. What a remarkable man he was. RIP!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slinky Posted June 6, 2004 Author Share Posted June 6, 2004 "Reagan may be president, but today I'm king," Riggo said after leading the 'Skins to a win in Super Bowl XVII. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
semiskin Posted June 6, 2004 Share Posted June 6, 2004 Two class acts. Kind of cool how President Reagan wore the samenumber of one of our franchise's greatest, Slingin' Sammy Baugh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slinky Posted June 6, 2004 Author Share Posted June 6, 2004 **Reagan enjoyed ceremonial occasions that brought him back in touch with sports. After the Redskins won the Super Bowl in January 1983, he happily met the team at Dulles International Airport; Coach Joe Gibbs quoted him as saying, "Congratulations, you really brought the city together.** http://msnbc.msn.com/id/5148272/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry Posted June 7, 2004 Share Posted June 7, 2004 Didn't they play together in High School? (Yes, that was a (feeble) joke.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rfdc Posted June 7, 2004 Share Posted June 7, 2004 He was a real good team builder." Joe Gibbs Wow, Gibbs nailed something interesting! Ronald Reagan's entire cabinet of the White House, all at one point ran or entertained the prospect of running for President or Vice President! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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