2016 Election: 6 Times Presidential Politics Intersected With Cleveland Sports
As the 2016 election races toward the finish line take a trip down memory lane and remember the six times presidential politics intersected with Cleveland sports.
As goes Ohio, so goes the nation. That’s a quote every politico knows and is a testament to the Buckeye State’s bellwether status.
Cleveland fans love their sports, and U.S. presidential candidates are well aware of their passion.
Take a look at these six instances presidential politics intersected with Cleveland sports.
PHOTO: Late '80s shot of @BernieKosarQB hanging with President Reagan (via Herman Fontenot) #Browns #AFCCentralDays pic.twitter.com/szce17Z
— Marc Sessler (@MarcSessler) September 14, 2011
Bernie and Reagan
Ah the 1980s. Bernie Kosar was the King of Cleveland. The Browns were perennial Super Bowl contenders and awesome TV shows like Family Ties dominated the airwaves.
Ronald Reagan was in the Oval Office, and whether you loved or hated The Gipper, there’s no denying his influence on the good ‘ole USA.
Reagan made his way to the Browns practice field Nov. 2, 1988 when Cleveland practices at Baldwin Wallace College. He was campaigning for George H.W. Bush across the street, a speech five-year old me just happened to be at.
Reagan was at the practice for 30 minutes, and even through a spiral to Hall of Famer Ozzie Newsome.
“Newsome said Reagan ‘is the oldest quarterback I’ve ever caught a pass from,’ Kosar, who previously had visited Reagan, said the visit ‘was a thrill,'” via UPI.
The picture features Reagan, then Cleveland Mayor and future Governor and U.S. Senator George Voinovich, Browns owner Art Modell, coach Marty Schottenheimer and of course, Kosar.
After the Browns moved to their new facility in the early 1990s, BW used the old practice facility for student housing.
The structure returned to its football roots in 2013. Named after legendary BW coach Bob Packard, The Packard Center underwent a $3 million renovation and is the practice facility for the Yellow Jackets’ football and lacrosse teams.
Kosar remains active in politics, having addressed the Ohio Delegation during the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland.