Kennedy Brothers Considered Buying The Eagles, According To NFL Network Special
By Mike DeNardo
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - The Kennedy brothers as owners of the Philadelphia Eagles? It was a possibility, according to an NFL Network series airing this week for the 50th anniversary of JFK's assassination.
Jack, Bobby and Ted Kennedy kicked around the idea of buying the Philadelphia Eagles in 1962, according to the series "The Untold NFL History of That Day in Dallas." What if? Prominent Democrat and Eagles fan, former governor Ed Rendell, believes one thing that would not have happened is an Eagles move to Boston.
"I think the Kennedys understood the connection between a city and a sports team. I don't think they would ever consider -- I know Leonard Tose took a look at moving to Arizona -- they would have never done that," Rendell said. "They were, I assume, good Boston sports fans and they know what sports means to their community."
Rendell says the power of the Kennedy name may have drawn more talent to the franchise.
"Bobby Kennedy was idolized by the African-American community, even moreso than Jack. And I think, assuming they had all lived, of course, the chance to play for a team owned by a president - I think that would have impressed a lot of players."
The series quotes a friend of Ted's as saying the Kennedys ultimately decided owning a football team wouldn't work with Jack's duties as president.
The Eagles were sold in 1963 to the late Jerry Wolman.
