Prior to the formation of the Dallas Cowboys….there had not been an NFL team south of Washington, D.C. since the Dallas Texans folded in 1952. Oilman Clint Murchison Jr. had been trying to get an NFL expansion team in Dallas (as was Lamar Hunt – who ended up with an AFL franchise)….but George Preston Marshall, owner of the Washington Redskins….had a monopoly in the South. Murchison had tried to purchase the Washington Redskins from Marshall in 1958….as an agreement was struck….but as the deal was about to be finalized….Marshall called for a change in terms….which infuriated Murchison and he called off the deal. Marshall then opposed any franchise for Murchison in Dallas. Since NFL expansion needed unanimous approval from team owners at that time….Marshall’s position would prevent Murchison from joining the league.
Marshall had a falling out with the Redskins band leader Barnee Breeskin….who had written the music to the Redskins fight song “Hail to the Redskins”….and Marshall’s wife had penned the lyrics. Breeskin owned the rights to the song and was aware of Murchison’s plight to get an NFL franchise….so, angry with Marshall….Breeskin approached Murchison’s attorney to sell him the rights to the song before the expansion vote in 1959. Murchison purchased “Hail to the Redskins” for $2,500….and before the vote to award franchises in 1959….Murchison revealed to Marshall that he owned the song….and Marshall could not play it during games. After a few Marshall expletives, Murchison gave the rights to “Hail to the Redskins” to Marshall for his vote….the lone one against Murchison getting a franchise at that time….and a rivalry was born….but my question is…..”Didn’t that D.C. guy know he was horse trading with a Texan?”.
