From The Files of J. Edgar Hoover & The FBI
As I work on my next book about sports gambling and game fixing, I will periodically post actual quotes from the over 400 FBI files I have obtained through the Freedom of Information Act. It is shocking how much the FBI knew, but were unable to prove to the point of bringing charges against the athletes, coaches and officials involved in rigging games.
For you information and understanding, when you see [redacted] in one of these posts, it means a portion (usually a name, but sometimes more) that was blacked out by the FBI and cannot be read. A PCI is a Potential Criminal Informant. SA stands for Special Agent.
First Case - Posted 1/15/12
I'm posting this one first because it came from a file I just received three days ago, and in light of the current NFL playoffs, it seemed rather timely.
From the Los Angeles, CA division. Dated December 1962: This quote follows a successful raid on a major bookmaking operation run in conjunction with the Los Angeles Police Department. In papers found on the scene, it was noted that several NFL games were taken off the boards. The FBI debated why these games were taken down. Some were of the opinion it was due to suspicions of fixed games; others that it was because the betting on these games was too lopsided. From there follows this quote:
“During conversations with Officer [redacted] prior to 12-5-62 he has expressed an opinion that professional football is the sport perhaps most vulnerable to ‘fixes,’ for reasons including that the point spread is narrower in that contest than in other games. [redacted] has even stated his belief that betters [sic] on pro-football games are suckers, generally speaking. His assertations have been in the nature of opinion, based upon a quite profound knowledge of bookmaking practices, and upon tips and hints dropped by bookies and informants.
“On 12-17-62, SAs Logan J. Lane and Frank H. Townsend discussed this matter further with Officer [redacted]. He mentioned that he had been concentrating much attention on the records taken from [redacted], and he again referred to crooked gambling in pro-football. This time he specified Sammy Baugh as notoriously involved with gamblers in his day, and he went on to name the Green Bay Packers as an excellent example of why the professional teams are highly suspect. Again he was apparently not in possession of any proof, but he has arrived at a conclusion based upon the word of informants connected with bookmaking… Then [redacted] added, in confidence, that [redacted – probably 7-8 lines worth].”
“The only additional information available to this office bearing on the matter was provided by PCI [redacted] to SA Townsend, [redacted] has said that [redacted] had hear what he considered a substantial rumor that the Green Bay-Minnesota game for 10-14-62 was fixed [The Packers won this game 48-21]. Armed with this supposedly accurate knowledge [redacted] called [redacted] that Sunday in an effort to place a [redacted] bet. [redacted] refused the action, as did [redacted], and this confirmed PCI’s suspicion that the game was ‘off the board’ with local bookmakers—meaning that they believed the game was fixed, and they were not in on the fix so would not risk taking action on the game."
Second Case - Posted 1/16/12
From the Albuquerque Division. Dated January 2, 1963: The following comes from the same file as above. My first thought was that this described the actions of Hall of Fame QB Bobby Layne, who was a notorious gambler (and likely game fixer). But Layne died in the 1980s, and if this was about him, the name should not be redacted. So who is this describing?
“[redacted] also advised that the word is out among various gamblers that [redacted] of the Pittsburgh Steelers bets rather heavily on his own team on some of the Steeler games. He always bets on the Steelers to win and when gamblers received information that [redacted] is betting on his own team they bet everything with him.”
Third Case - Posted 1/24/12
From a FBI memo sent January 10, 1963: There's two interesting things about this letter. One, that the FBI openly talks about game fixing in both the NFL and AFL even though neither has ever admitted a single game has ever been fixed. Two, the hand-written note of J. Edgar Hoover attached to the end of the file.
“Our inquiries into gambling in national sports have developed allegations of possible corruption on the part of several well-known athletes in both the National and American Professional Football Leagues. There have been indications of possible manipulation of point spreads by players and of their fraternization with known gamblers and hoodlums.
“It is to be noted that in each instance where we have received a substantial allegation concerning misconduct by professional football players a separate case is opened and investigation is being pressed in an effort to develope [sic] a Federal violation.
“The results of our inquiries as well as recent newspaper articles indicate both Leagues have conducted considerable investigation concerning alleged misconduct on the part of players. It therefore appears desirable at this time to contact the Commissioners of both Leagues in order to obtain from them all details developed during the course of their investigation concerning any possible violation of the gambling statutes.
“ACTION BEING TAKEN:
“There is attached for approval a teletype to New York and Dallas instructing that Pete Rozelle, Commissioner of the National Football League, and Joe Foss, Commissioner of American Football League, be contacted for the purpose o f obtaining from them full and complete details regarding any possible violations of the gambling statutes on the part of any member of either League. The purpose of these contacts is to secure information and not disseminate any information.”
Underneath, in a hand written note signed “H” (Hoover): “All the Commissioners have done so far is to down grade the allegations. Nothing can be expected from them.”
Fourth Case - Posted 2/5/12
From Dallas, January 23, 1963: Prior to the late 1960s betting scandal involving the Kansas City Chiefs, the FBI had information regarding three Dallas Texans (which later moved to become the Kansas City Chiefs) players. The names are redacted here, but will be revealed in my next book.
“The information was furnished from Lt. [redacted] to [redacted] who in turn gave it to owner, Lamar Hunt and Head Coach Hank Stram. [redacted] stated he even reviewed movies of all games in which these three men participated. He advised that the only thing that he could definitely state was that their performance was erratic and on several occasions, caused the Texans to either win by less than the point-spread or even lose. He advised there was no concrete evidence of any point-fixing by the three men other than the above.
“As a result [redacted] subsequently retired from professional football after the 1961 season and prior to the beginning of the 1962 season, [redacted] was traded to the Oakland Raiders, [redacted] was ‘dropped’ and thereafter signed a contract and played with the Oakland Raiders during the past season.”
Fifth Case - Posted 2/13/12
From New York City, March 25, 1982: Since football season has ended, it's high time the NBA was brought up on this page. This tidbit comes from a much larger FBI investigation surrounding the 1981-82 New York Knicks. I have a solid suspicion of who at least one of the three players involved was, but I don't want to be sued for a website post. These identities will be revealed in the next book...assuming the lawyers allow it.
"[redacted] advised that he and a second independent source have determined that [redacted] and a third unidentified player are heavy users of ‘cocaine.’ Their supplier for ‘cocaine’ is identified as [redacted] (not to be confused with New York team physician.) [redacted] obtains his ‘cocaine’ from [redacted] subsequently identified as [redacted].
“Source first reported on March 25, 1982 that [redacted] a normal $300 better per game, began placing large bets on the Knick game approximately two (2) months ago. As of March 25, 1982, [redacted] had bet seven (7) games and covered six (6) of them. Source at that time stated that he did not think the players were actively participating in ‘point shaving’ but rather extending a courtesy to their ‘cocaine’ dealer, regarding inside player information, not known to the general public.
“On March 31, 1982, source reported that both of the Knicks last two (2) games: 1) Chicago Bulls, and 2) Indiana Pacers had been bet heavily by [redacted] has increased his betting to $10,000 per Knick game and wanted to extend it to $12,000 on the Bulls game, but was turned down by bookmakers. [redacted] continues to bet the rest of the games at his regular $300 per game rate. On Sunday, regarding his bet on the Bulls, he told other bookmakers that he was betting $7000 for himself and $3000 for [redacted]."
