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Why So Many Football Coaches Love the GOP

Gave big bucks to McCain team last election—and little to Obama

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 2, 2009 1:26 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Though Obama outraised McCain 5-1, 20 college and NFL head coaches gave to Republication candidates in 2008—and only 3 gave to Democrats. One coach led the Pledge of Allegiance at a Sarah Palin rally; another spoke at the GOP convention. The scales are clearly tipped to the right, reports the Wall Street Journal, and shared philosophies seem to explain why.

“In coaching, you've got to have more discipline and you've got to be more strict and just conservative, I think. It fits with the Republicans,” notes Florida State coach Bobby Bowden. Similarly, former coach Lou Holtz notes that coaches teach players “you aren't entitled to anything. You get what you earn—your position on the team.” Plus, many Republicans like a "strong, singular" executive, the Journal notes. Coaching’s “not a dictatorship, but it's on the verge,” says Bowden.

Florida State University head football coach Bobby Bowden watches his players as they go through drills on the first day of practice, Friday, Aug. 7, 2009, in Tallahassee, Fla.
Florida State University head football coach Bobby Bowden watches his players as they go through drills on the first day of practice, Friday, Aug. 7, 2009, in Tallahassee, Fla.   (AP Photo/Phil Coale)
Jacksonville Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio encourages his team following a first-quarter first down against the Indianapolis Colts Thursday, Dec. 18, 2008, in Jacksonville, Fla.
Jacksonville Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio encourages his team following a first-quarter first down against the Indianapolis Colts Thursday, Dec. 18, 2008, in Jacksonville, Fla.   (AP Photo/Phil Coale)
Joe Gibbs, former coach of the Washington Redskins, addresses the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn., Thursday, Sept. 4, 2008.
Joe Gibbs, former coach of the Washington Redskins, addresses the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn., Thursday, Sept. 4, 2008.   (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 41 comments
passinthru
Sep 4, 2009 11:35 AM CDT
its simply because they make millions of dollars and dont want that assed taxed...simple numbers here.
KurtRambis4va
Sep 3, 2009 8:20 AM CDT
Tony Dungy's white! Wow, could've fooled me
KurtRambis4va
Sep 3, 2009 8:17 AM CDT
Also, your comment "There are no Haves and HaveNots on the team, because they are all equal and necessary" is wrong, because there are certainly have-nots. There is no equality in any sport, which is why any given superstar is given large contracts, while unequal players make much less, and very often times barely make the league minimum. While this post may get plenty of thumbs down, it is not because you are right, it is simply because there is no alternative thought on this site. I'll even thumb down my own comment to get this thing rolling :)

 
NFL • Republican • politics • GOP • football • coach • Republicans • college football

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