[Joe Realist]

Originally Posted by Hostile

...but did you know this?

Clint Murchison had a backup plan in case Redskins owner George Preston Marshall did not blink over the rights to "Hail to the Redskins."

A man named Bobby Baker was hired to be a deal broker with a powerful Senator named Estes Kefauver. (Do not make this political when you respond please.) The deal involved Baker delivering $25,000 to Kefauver who was the chairman of the Senate committee overseeing monopolies.

George Preston Marshall had a monopoly in the south with his Redskins Television Network. He did not want any other team below the famed Mason - Dixon line. Hence the original words to the Redskins fight song saying "fight for old dixie" where they now say "fight for old DC."

Bobby Baker sought the assurance that the anti-monopoly committee of the Senate would look closely at the Redskins monopoly.

[View Full Quote]Well, amazingly the committee did notice the Redskins and surprise, surprise (wink, wink) they did find them to be a monopoly. $25,000 will make things happen in those days.

Marshall hoped to delay the Cowboys entry for 1 year, mentioning in fact that the 1960 NFL Draft was already past and the Cowboys couldn't Draft to build their team. Tex Schramm pointed out the creation of the AFL having a team in Dallas. The NFL had to have a team in 1960 or they would fail miserably.

Marshall's kingdom was being attacked from every angle and he had nothing left to fight with. He bought back the rights to the fight song, closed down his TV networks, and lost his Monopoly. Do not pass Go, do not collect $200.00.

At every possible point of attack, Clint Murchison took the upper hand and won. Okay, so this was a bit underhanded. Clint was no saint. He could be ruthless.

The total cost to start the Cowboys, $625,000.00 counting the $25,000.00 assist from a US Senator. Hey, he got back $2500.00 of it from Marshall. He also got the team. The rest is History.

I never knew the whole fight song deal until I read " Cowboys have always been my heroes "