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Every four years, an NFL phenomenon takes place so we can once again ponder just how deep the rabbit hole goes. 2016 marks the 84th anniversary of the "Redskins Rule," and history shows that it might just decide the election.
What is the "Redskins Rule"?
The "Redskins Rule" states that if Washington wins its final home game prior to a presidential election, the incumbent party will retain the White House. Since 1932 the rule has only failed twice, and just once if you strike games from the book where Washington played as the Boston Braves.
Why do we care in mid-October?
This Sunday, October 16th marks that final home game ahead of the 2016 election. Washington hosted the Eagles, and won 27-20. The long gap ahead of November 8 is due to Washington technically playing a Week 8 home game in London when they will face the Cincinnati Bengals in Wembley Stadium.
The "Redskins Rule" was first noticed in 2000 by Steve Hirdt of the Elias Sports Bureau. At that time, the rule had never failed since the team played in Washington, but this was broken in 2012 when the Carolina Panthers beat Washington and President Obama went on to defeat Mitt Romney in the general election.
Recent history aside, the trend is uncanny.
Year |
Game Result |
Election Result |
Did Washington win? |
Did incumbent win? |
Rule upheld? |
| 2012 | Carolina 21 Washington 13 |
Obama beats Romney | No | Yes | No |
| 2008 | Pittsburgh 23 Washington 6 |
Obama beats McCain | No | No | Yes |
| 2004 | Green Bay 28 Washington 14 |
Bush beats Kerry | No | Yes | Yes* |
| 2000 | Tennessee 27 Washington 21 |
Bush beats Gore | No | No | Yes |
| 1996 | Washington 31 Indianapolis 16 |
Clinton beats Dole | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 1992 | New York 24 Washington 7 |
Clinton beats Bush | No | No | Yes |
| 1988 | Washington 27 New Orleans 24 |
Bush beats Dukakis | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 1984 | Washington 27 Atlanta 14 |
Reagan beats Mondale | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 1980 | Minnesota 39 Washington 14 |
Reagan beats Carter | No | No | Yes |
| 1976 | Dallas 20 Washington 7 |
Carter beats Ford | No | No | Yes |
| 1972 | Washington 24 Dallas 20 |
Nixon beats McGovern | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 1968 | New York 13 Washington 10 |
Nixon beats Humphrey | No | No | Yes |
| 1964 | Washington 27 Chicago 20 |
Johnson beats Goldwater | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 1960 | Cleveland 31 Washington 10 |
Kennedy beats Nixon | No | No | Yes |
| 1956 | Washington 20 Cleveland 9 |
Eisenhower beats Stevenson II | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 1952 | Pittsburgh 24 Washington 23 |
Eisenhower beats Stevenson II | No | No | Yes |
| 1948 | Washington 59 Boston 21 |
Truman beats Dewey | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 1944 | Washington 14 Cleveland 10 |
Roosevelt beats Dewey | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 1940 | Washington 37 Pittsburgh 10 |
Roosevelt beats Willkie | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 1936 | Washington 13 Chicago 10 |
Roosevelt beats Landon | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 1932 |
Boston Braves 19 Staten Island 6 |
Roosevelt beats Hoover | Yes | No | No |
Purists will say that 2004 proved the rule wrong. However, the "Redskins Rule" was changed following the election to add a caveat:
When the popular vote winner does not win the election, the impact of the Redskins game on the subsequent presidential election gets flipped.
So, because Al Gore won the popular vote but lost the general election in 2000 it somehow impacted the rule four years later. I know, I think it's a total stretch too.
What does this mean for Sunday?
It's really pretty simple:
If you want Hillary Clinton to win the White House in November you're happy to see Washington win.
If you want Donald Trump to win the White House in November you are saying "THIS DOESN'T COUNT!" because of the game in London.
UPDATE
Washington beat Philadelphia 27-20, which means ...
