2016 Election: 6 Times Presidential Politics Intersected With Cleveland Sports
George W. Bush Remembers Phil Dawson’s College Days
Back in 2004, George W. Bush was in Cleveland to open the International Children’s Games at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Like Reagan before him, Bush surprised Browns players at practice.
While soaking in practice, Bush ran into fellow Texan Phil Dawson. The President didn’t waste an opportunity to show a fellow Texan how sharp is memory is.
Bush recalled a game Dawson kicked in for the University of Texas back in 1995. Dawson told the story to Morning Journal Browns writer Jeff Schudel, who wrote about the interaction.
“When Bush spotted Dawson, the president brought up a game in 1995 against the University of Virginia in which Dawson kicked a game-winning field goal for the Texas Longhorns on the final play.
‘He recalled a few moments of that game, one of which was a field goal I was able to make,’ Dawson said. ‘That was quite a thrill for him to bring that up. He said it broke his brother’s heart. His brother was a Virginia grad.’
‘He remembered the kick was 50 yards, that it was into the wind, that it was the University of Texas’ 700th all-time win. He remembered I was the one that kicked the field goal… I’m in shock right now.'”
And like Reagan, Bush didn’t hesitate to throw a pass. Andre Davis and Dennis Northcutt were the recipients.