Random thoughts [and curiosity!] about the ‘Redskins Rule’…

I try not to talk or share opinions about politics here. For obvious reasons, I’d say, but also, because it could distract from the main idea of this blog. That’s not my goal. This blog’s been used as a forum for other expatriates, to share impressions, advice, comments about traveling, living overseas, challenges of raising children, parenting, multicultural settings. NEVER about politics, and I prefer that way…

Well, because today is Sunday, and Sundays in my household are devoted to sports, recently, to Football. More precisely, the ‘men in my family’ [husband & son] are unconditional fans of the Washington Redskins. The Redskins play today. They play at home. Their last home game before the Presidential Election. That said, I just happen to learn (thanks to dear hubby!) about the ‘Redskins Rule’.

More can be found searching history about this ‘quasi-urban legend’… 😮 In any way, the question remains: “Will the Redskins performance determine the winning candidate?” Again, no political discussion, just curiosity… Now, let me get back to the game, and who knows? Maybe the traditional ‘predicting behavior’ will happen again.. or… maybe another ‘2004’?? 😮

What history tells us:

• Since 1940 — when the Redskins moved to D.C. — the team’s outcome in its final game before the presidential election has predicted which party would win the White House each time but once.
• When the Redskins win their game before the election, the incumbent party wins the presidential vote. If the Redskins lose, the non-incumbent wins.
• The only exception was in 2004, when Washington fell to Green Bay, but George W. Bush still went on to win the election over John Kerry.

Here’s a rundown of the Redskins Rule games since 1940:

• 1940 – Redskins 37, Steelers 10 – Roosevelt (D) defeats Willkie.
• 1944 – Redskins 14, Rams 10 – Roosevelt defeats Dewey.
• 1948 – Redskins 59, Boston Yanks 21 – Truman (D) defeats Dewey.
• 1952 – Steelers 24, Redskins 23 – Eisenhower (R) defeats Stevenson.
• 1956 – Redskins 20, Browns 9 – Eisenhower defeats Stevenson.
• 1960 – Browns 31, Redskins 10 – Kennedy (D) defeats Nixon.
• 1964 – Redskins 27, Bears 20 – Johnson (D) defeats Goldwater.
• 1968 – Giants 13, Redskins 10 – Nixon (R) defeats Humphrey.
• 1972 – Redskins 24, Cowboys 20 – Nixon defeats McGovern.
• 1976 – Cowboys 20, Redskins 7 – Carter (D) defeats Ford.
• 1980 – Vikings 39, Redskins 14 – Reagan (R) defeats Carter.
• 1984 – Redskins 27, Falcons 14 – Reagan defeats Mondale.
• 1988 – Redskins 27, Saints 24 – Bush defeats Dukakis.
• 1992 – Giants 24, Redskins 7 – Clinton (D) defeats Bush.
• 1996 – Redskins 31, Colts 16 – Clinton defeats Dole.
• 2000 – Titans 27, Redskins 21 – Bush (R) defeats Gore.
• 2004 – Packers 28, Redskins 13 – Bush defeats Kerry, ending the streak.
• 2008 – Steelers 23, Redskins 6 – Obama (D) defeats McCain, restoring the Redskins Rule.
• 2012 – Redskins vs. Panthers – Obama vs. Romney – TBD

Related articles

• Washington Redskins 2012: How “Redskins Rule” Picks a US President. (bleacherreport.com)
• Redskins Rule and the 2012 Presidential Election (sbnation.com)
• The Redskins-Panthers Game Could Predict The Election, But Injuries May Veto A Good Game (charlotte.cbslocal.com)
• Presidential predictors: Beyond the Redskins rule (tv.msnbc.com)
• Redskins vs. Panthers: How The Hail Do We Win? (theburgundywarpath.com)
• The Redskins-Panthers Game Could Predict The Election, But Injuries May Veto A Good Game (charlotte.cbslocal.com)
• Redskins vs. Panthers: How The Hail Do We Win? (theburgundywarpath.com)

Author: 3rdCultureChildren

Welcome! Here I am, 'releasing' my thoughts on traveling, parenting, raising TCKs, teaching, writing, working... and who knows what else! I’m a WIFE, 'geeky-stuff' SCIENTIST, TEACHER, AMATEUR photographer, MOM of 3, TRAVELER by choice and by marriage, and of course, a HOUSEHOLD QUEEN!! View all posts by 3rdCultureChildren