New Orleans' pursuit of an NFL team occurred at an opportune time, coinciding with a period when Louisiana's congressional delegation in Washington wielded unprecedented power and influence.
U.S. Rep. Hale Boggs was the House majority whip. U.S. Sen. Russell Long was chairman of the Senate Finance Committee. And Gov. John McKeithen was such a powerful national figure that Hubert Humphrey considered making him his vice presidential running mate in 1968.
"It was a remarkable time, a heyday for Louisiana politics," said former U.S. Rep. Lindy Boggs, Hale Boggs' wife. "They were able to swing a lot of stuff for Louisiana."
In the fall of 1966, Louisiana powerbrokers swung a pivotal measure for the NFL.
Four months earlier, the NFL had announced plans to merge with the American Football League, a move that would consolidate interest in the sport, eliminate bidding wars for players and create a true world championship game: the Super Bowl.
One man stood in the way of the merger: U.S. Rep. Emanuel Celler, D-N.Y. The chairman of the House Judiciary Committee and the congressional subcommittee on antitrust had no intention of letting the legislation pass.
Rozelle needed a way around Celler and asked Dixon whether he knew Rep. Joe Waggoner, a representative from Shreveport who served on the committee. Dixon informed Rozelle that Waggoner was not the answer.
Boggs, a fraternity brother of Dixon's at Tulane University, was far more powerful in Washington circles. And he might be willing to make a quid pro quo deal.
Boggs' approval ratings had dipped dramatically since supporting the Voting Rights Act in 1965. He could use a boost, and pushing this legislation through Congress for the NFL and helping secure an NFL franchise for Louisiana was just the ticket.
Dixon sent powerhouse political adviser David Kleck to Washington to meet with Boggs. A plan was hatched. Boggs attached the NFL-AFL Congressional Antitrust exemption as a rider to an anti-inflation tax bill supported by President Lyndon Johnson. That lifted the bill from Celler's committee to the Senate Finance Committee, where Long steered it to a vote.
Twisting the screws
Congressional approval still remained, though. And, according to several accounts, Boggs twisted the screws on Rozelle.
An hour before the formal vote took place Oct. 21, Dixon said, Kleck, who was walking the Rotunda with Boggs and Rozelle, observed this conversation between the two men.
"Hale, I don't know how to thank you enough for what you are doing," Rozelle said.
Boggs shot back, "What do you mean, you don't know how to thank me? New Orleans gets an immediate franchise in the NFL. Isn't that our deal?"
Rozelle replied, "I'm going to do everything I can to bring it about."
At that time, Boggs turned away. "Well, we can always call off the vote while you get back to the owners."
Rozelle raced after Boggs and said, "It's a deal, Congressman. You'll get your franchise."
The vote passed. Eleven days later Rozelle stood in the Pontchartrain Hotel and awarded the 16th NFL franchise to New Orleans.
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