The Romney campaign has been sending around blog posts (here and here) from conservatives today reporting that a tale Vice President Joe Biden told about playing football at the University of Delaware from 50 years ago was false.
So First Read decided to check it out (especially considering your author is a Fightin' Blue Hen).
The reports seize on Biden's twice-repeated story about a 1963 trip to Ohio University for a football game. During visits to the college town of Athens, Ohio, over the last two political cycles, Biden has related the PG-rated Animal House-esque story of an encounter with police after he says he accidentally found himself in a girl's dormitory -- cause for punishment at the time.
"I came, I was a football player," Biden said during a recent trip to the Buckeye State town. "I came here in 1963, and I had to go back, I just double checked my memory – you know, you get my age and you’re not so sure of it, you know, your glory days look more glorious than they really were and all that, so we went back on the Internet and I just want you to know, I came here in October 1963, and we beat you Bobcats 29-12…"
Before launching into the same story during a campaign stop in 2008, he told an Athens audience, "I went to the University of Delaware, and we came out here to play Ohio University."
So was Biden a “football player”? It appears so, but not quite in the way he appeared to suggest during his trip to Athens during this campaign.
“We don’t have him as lettering for freshman football or varsity,” Kevin Tritt, assistant sports information director at the University of Delaware, told First Read. “We don’t have the freshman team playing Ohio University in 1963. We don’t have any record of the freshman team playing there.”
The varsity team did play Ohio University that year and won. And Biden got the score right.
Biden wrote in his memoir that he played briefly on the freshman team, but quit after one semester because of poor academic performance.
"When my first-semester grades came out, my Mom and Dad told me I wouldn't be playing spring football," he wrote in "Promises to Keep: On Life and Politics."
Two years later, Biden -- his grades having improved -- once again believed he had a shot at starting on the team, but he told his coach he planned on spending precious weekends with his wife-to-be Neilia instead.
The Sports Information Office at Delaware says it’s likely Biden did, in fact, play on the freshman team, but not long enough to letter and left the team before the season was over.
Even if Biden were a member of his freshman football team, it wouldn’t have been in 1963. Biden, a 1965 University of Delaware graduate, would have been a freshman in 1961.
It is possible Biden did go to the game in question -- and get into the trouble he joked about he did. But if he did, it was as a spectator.
*** UPDATE *** The vice president's office sent First Read a quote from legendary Delaware coach Tubby Raymond, for whom the school's football stadium is now named after, saying, "He was on the team!"
An aide said Biden did go to the game and, citing his memoir, said he made the varsity team in the spring of his junior year, but did not play in the fall of his junior year when Delaware played Ohio.
"The Vice President went to Athens with the University of Delaware football team to cheer," an aide said. "As he makes clear in his statement, he played football, but not during the fall of his junior year."
From page 94 of Biden's memoir, per the campaign: "I carried 37 hours the next two semesters, with decent grades, even while taking another run at the football team. I hadn’t played for two years, but I surprised the coaches by moving up the depth chart fast. After the annual spring game that April, it looked like I had a shot to start at starting defensive back. I couldn’t wait for next September; I could almost see the fall season unfold in my head. So I was feeling pretty good when I headed to Florida for spring break after our last practice. That trip changed everything."
*** UPDATE 2 *** Oct. 18, 2012: The director of Sports Information at the University of Delaware, Scott Selheimer, clarifies Biden's football career at UD:
"Joe Biden DID play on the 1961 University of Delaware freshman team, but did not finish out the season in order to earn a letter. He later came out for the team in the spring of 1963 and took part in practices, but did not end up playing varsity football in the fall of 1963 when the official competition season takes place. Thus he was not listed on the roster."
Domenico Montanaro is a 2001 University of Delaware graduate -- and also played football at Delaware, with the [Butt]-Kickin’ Chickens, which won the Blue League Intramural flag-football championship in 2000… he thinks.
Carrie Dann contributed to this report.
The gift that just keeps on giving.
Poor old Joe.
And we all know how much you libbes hate liars.
Yikes.
self loathing for our blue brethren. *popcorn*?
Are you two boys having a Bromance sleepover tonight???
I see that he acknowledges his age and forgetfulness - by himself I might add and I also see that he acknowledges a win. I don't see anywhere in this where he states he was on the team at the time.
But ... it's all fuel for your little campfire isn't it?
Obama/Biden 2012
Layton-3733410
cute Layton, sure Spanky and I, but tell me you have no problems with debaucherous liberal orgy you guys have in the blog and the DDI.
but you guys have Big Bird and taxes and bain, you know relevant stuff
Layton,
Citing his forgetfulness is not a reassuring quality you want to have in a vice president... Only further proof that he is definitely not qualified to be a vice president.
CA -
I wonder what gift Romney's going to give us tonight????? Excited to see!!! You two have fun and no staying up late telling fact-based stories like how the DOW is up, the housing market is improving, or that the unemployment rate is falling. We know how those kind of things scare you silly!!!!
JK1963 - I prefer a little forgetfullness about a football game in the 60's versus an out and out lie about Medicare.
Obama/Biden 2012
We already know he is a liar and a thug.
He couldn't debate like a candidate, instead he relied on distractions. How very presidential of him......NOT !
no way, I root for America Layton. but seriously the unemployment dropped? explain that. Dennis tried and failed perhaps you can cherry pick some numbers. Nah the unemployment rate is for a lack of a better term disingenious. I wish it werent though. as for Housing, sure Layton hows your value? in the red still? Mine is.
Economy is recovering just fine. See the gas prices? how bout the price of milk or bread?
Thats ok we have electric car batteries
Well..that's the difference...You'd rather have a senile man to be the second in charge with our military and our arsenal?? Hell, we take people's drivers license away for being less forgetful than this clown...
JK1963, I think Biden would attempt to invade antartica.
CA .... move to Utah.
Republican Governor, Democrat President ... we're all doing just fine here. Oh, and please DO remember that my Governor is the one that is working with the President to make welfare requirements more strict with work requirements and your little man Romney is calling him out on that. It's AMAZING how things work when people actually work TOGETHER!
My Governor accepted stimulus monies and guess what? It helped my State and HE admits he took them. I think our unemployment rate is around 6%.
Obama/Biden 2012
Sheesh Kaiser Arrg, Let me see if I can get you into DDI. You need some free therapy and not the kind that comes from under Spanky's streetlamp.
why?
thats great Layton, but the national unemployment is still significantly higher. in fact the percentage doesnt even start to paint the picture of MILLIONS out of work or under employed.
thats ok, ill pass, but thanks.
JK -
From a party that entertained soccer mom, "I can see Russia from my house" as a VP? To one that now entertains someone who can't remember his own personal best? Hellsbells, yes, I'd stick with Joe Biden any day!
CA -
Maybe if they got rid of some of their tea baggers and learned to work WITH the President rather than against him ..... just sayin'
Obama/Biden 2012
Mitt Romney is going to win by a landslide. He will become the most beloved and respected President since Reagan; and for the next 8 years, he will do wonderful things for the American people.
Uh, Layton?
It's forgetfulness if you forget the exact date, or the score, or the name of the guy you tackled, or number of yards you ran.
It's a LIE if you said you were on the team- but were not.
See the difference? No? I guess not. You don't even get why it's a big deal that he lifted someone else's life story, and made it his own.
Tell you how to get what's going on- pretend, for just a minute, that Biden has an "R" after his name.
no joe ....
do you ever READ the articles???
He never stated he was on the team when the win occurred. Good laws! Even little facts are hard for you!
Obama/Biden 2012
I guess none of you morons actually read the article. And the right has the nerve to whine about the Paul Ryan story. Maybe you hacks should have read the update.
The vice president's office sent First Read a quote from legendary Delaware coach Tubby Raymond, for whom the school's football stadium is now named after, saying, "He was on the team!"
Joe Biden's political record speaks for itself.
He has been a respected statesman for forty years. He doesn't need to prove anything.
Dear, delusional Layton.
This article has less to do with Biden's memoir, and ALL to do with Biden repeating the lie on the campaign stump. Here is what he is saying NOW
"I came, I was a football player. . ."
He lied. Bald faced, never-thought-anybody-would-check-on-it, lied. More than once, the same way he lied about two separate bouts of plagiarism.
And, I might add, for the same reason people like that always lie- because they think that everybody else is stupid enough to believe their BS.
He's wrong about the intelligence of a lot of people. Let's just hope he's not right about you.
C'mon Republicans, here's the boy at the top of your ticket.
...and he stands by whatever it was he said.
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/05/mitt-romney-defends-his-wright-quote-i-stand-by-what-i-said-whatever-it-was/
God, what is the world coming to? Spanky, Snookie and Pizza!, Pizza! ganging up on poor defenseless Layton! ;-) LOL
Joe's football tales of 50 years ago, yeah that equates to Romney/Ryan lies about taxes, jobs creation, entitlement cuts, women's rights, etc.
GOPers - You Lie! (in my best Joe Wilson impersonation) I am so sick of the hypocrisy spewing from the right!
Oh, Barry is about to kick Myth's ass, gotta go watch!
Layton,
The fact that Biden is VP should scare the HELL out of any reasonable person! And in case you forgot, Sarah isn't VP, the senile old geezer is... So, yes, ANYONE would be better than Biden to be VP...
UN-F---ING BELIEVABLE.
This is what the GOP has sunk to? This is all the 'dirt' they can dig up on Joe Biden? How petty and pathetic.
What about the time Paul Ryan took a cookie from the cookie jar before dinner and lied about it, when he was eight years old? How about THAT, huh??
sheesh
kaybee,
We also forgot to mention Biden's plagiarism..... I would think that someone in this high a position admitting that he is forgetful should scare the crap out anyone!!
And yet you liberals whined over Ryan visiting a soup kitchen...now that's UN-F--BELIVIEVABLE!!
Joe's not lying, he's EVOLVING. And, anyway it's BUSH'S Fault!
First, I don't think it's a lie, it's a long time for anyone's memory. And if this is the biggest "lie" we can talk about today, there must not be another news story on the web.
It sounds and smells like desperation for the Romney campaign. Talk about a Hail Mary pass. He didn't say he ran a sub three hour marathon now did he?
I don't think Sarah Palinis any kind of a brain trust, but Biden?
Seriously, Biden!!!
In the Oval Office?
You've got to be kidding.
Well then, my evening is complete now that the broad who is happier than a
bitchwitch in a broom factory checked in! lolPoor Snookie, here is a poster child of someone who can not process her bile naturally!
Like the idiot from Albany like to say - BWHAHAHAHAHAHA!
*grasp meet straw*
Have I mentioned lately how much I ♥ the smell of right wing desperation? lol
Desperate people describes the Willard Campaign.......
Feisty ....
Don't lick your lips or you'll have to taste it as well as smell it!!!!
Obama/Biden 2012
Layton,
They are already sweating like a WASP in a sweat lodge! ;o)
Debate hasn't even started and they are already crying foul over the moderator! lmfao!
Right wing desperation?
We will forgive a little Irish blarney from Joe about his college days and playing football..
If we start investigating whether Joe washed a pan that was actually clean, then, yes, that is desperation...
TICK TOCK, tick tock, Feisty the Red Communist, still not working. And she knocks the very people that pay for her pathetic, miserable life. What a slug!
Feisty ..
And continuing to whine about Martha Raddatz! Good Lord! The President admitted he could have done better at his first debate and the RWNJ's blame EVERYTHING on everyone else!
Obama/Biden 2012
Layton,
I continually laugh my ass off at the party of personal responsibility!
Talk about a bunch of hypocrites! lol
Probe-Boy - remind us again how YOU are credible? You have been WRONG so many times, we have all lost count!
If only they would walk the walk instead of trying to talk the talk! ☺
and Feisty hails from the party of the dissolute. I would laugh if i actually thought it was funny to watch American society decay as a result of the Feisty's in the country. then again you guys have Guy Fawkes as your mascot.
I wouldn't be surprised if she is a part of the 1% crowd she harps on so much there Caesar.
Amazing what little minds can create, isn't it.
Ohhhh and 1funnygirl appears to be a re-reg as well! Can't you peeps ever understand that you get banned because of well, you being you?
Obama/Biden 2012
seriously Feisty, you need to sober up.
Feisty is drunk 24/7 on Obama koolaid...
and thunderbird. heck she'll be passed out and in a pool of drool and urine before the debate begins. I cant help but feel sympathy.
Caesar Augustus-
If you don't like what you call the bottom of the barrel as you would call it, why are you still licking the dregs? Time to change your posting name, you are shaming it. But then it is just a proxy.
Hey Bob....you can't argue with a FOOL....
I believe the communist slug is drunk on purple drank!
Why does it show desperation on the right wing to point out Biden's lies? I think it's more of a desperation for the left wingers to try and run away from Obama's record and point fingers at the Republicans.
BTW, you left wingers do know that Joe Biden ran for President in 1988 and had to drop out because it was found out that he plagiarized a speech by British Labor Party's Neil Kinnock, also Biden took passages from speeches by RFK, JFK & HHH, I believe during the same Presidential run.
Biden also lied about his law school grades by stating he finished in the "top half" of his class, when if fact he graduated 76th of 85.
Does Biden even know what the truth is? Biden was quoted in the above article that: "I came here in 1963, and I had to go back, I just double checked my memory – you know, you get my age and you’re not so sure of it, you know, your glory days look more etc." could that be the reason Biden claims he didn't know about the request for additional security for the Libyan Embassy/Consulate? Sounds to me like he is senile.
Time to retire Biden and Obama, we need real leadership to turn this around.
Mitt Romney is going to win by a landslide. He will become the most beloved and respected President since Reagan; and for the next 8 years, he will do wonderful things for the American people.
Jody-#'s ....
Post it a few more times ... it's called comment spamming. Are you really that seriously in love with an old guy who wears mom jeans and has no new ideas? Get over it already!
Obama/Biden 2012
Jody-1593626
I see you have already started your multiple orgasm journey ... hint, it is better on the roof of a traveling vehicle.
Sorry, no matter who is elected president they will still have to deal with the same do-nothing congress.
just like obama wears
Just remember Joe finished at the bottom of his class at Syracuse...you must be PROUD....HA HA HA!!! LIB TARD "mania".....BARRY/BIDEN/BIG BIRD - 2012
"FOWL WE CAN BELIEVE IN"......
Ha! What have YOU done that's so great? Apparently it's something wonderful since you think being vice president is nothing to be proud of.
HEY MELO-D (PLAY ON WORDS there MOMA) if you AXE me, you are my favorite LIB TARD today....if not, don't worry (at least) top 5.....YEHAWWWWW!!!
rpmney, won the debate hands down! he answered questions and was hitting the target with answers, and some so close to truth, and he answered the questions if you watch it again watch how obama avoided answering romney in truth.
obama did not win the debate, romney did. he was most truthful and up front with answering questions asked , and hit and made points , saying illegals should not be here, there are people waiting to inter america legally , first, but look who are getting the jobs over middle class families and their children, american citizens all of their life, how many calls like i do are those that cannot even speak fluent english??? american jobs going to illegals that came in this country as criminals of american laws.
that is just one , many more that romney won the debate hands down!
Keep on writing your remarks - it's people like you that represent Romney.
Want to hear some lies? Google Century Miners Fight back and watch their video. Great sites! Or how about when Workers at GM Janesville were told. This plant will be here for another Hundred years?
anything to make a balance statement look sexy..Joe your the best.....
OK, I give. WTF is a "wind job"? Miit knows.
Romney and the GOP continue to mislead on Gas Prices over 4 dollars a gallon --as if this didn't happen under Bush.. See that little chart below??
sooo. . was this Bush and The Republicans fault -- and the reward from the GOP oil industry loving policies
Consumer Reports.org
Average gas prices—June 30, 2008
Jun 30, 2008 7:23 PM
Gas prices rise slightly in most areas right before the 4th of July holiday.
National retail fuel price averages
Price
Change from last week
Regular gasoline/gallon
$4.10
↑ .02
Diesel fuel/gallon
$4.65
0
Regional regular gasoline prices
well that is what was claimed by the libs when bush was president so I guess it must be!
In Debate #1 - Romney repeats GOP mantra that 'Government shouldn't be picking winners and losers.' Then he goes on to explain that THE GOVERNMENT picks which Oil Companies get Government Subsidies. Welll.. Isn't that The Government picking 'winners and losers' Guess it's okay for the Gov to pick winners and losers if it's in one of the GOP'S chosen industries such as Oil. But if the other party (Democrats) try to move us forward.. by INVESTING IN THE FUTURE.. the Ronmney and the Gop hate it!
i didn't know Obama administration invested in the futuristic thinking at Tesla and Fisker (Karma) -- wow.. now I like the guy even more. Obama and the Dems actually trying to help make America a technological leader again.. the GOP want us to keep digging for Dinosaur bones and be stuck in the dark ages.
Yankee, if the President is impeached and Hilary is gone, then that leaves us with Smokin Joe B! Good enough for me!
Romney was 100% on Libya,that should turn into much bigger Issue that Watergate ever was Rrefusing to protect the USA Ambassador & our military, in spite of them asking for more protection -that stinks
Oh shoot, it was a trailer Video,dumb people believing the lying Administration
We don't want to be seen as being attacked under this Administration>\? humbug
Romeny is an opportunist on Lybia. Get your facts straight!
Geez, I'm amazed that the moron got out of High School.
This story is interesting but similiar to the Ryan marathon story. It would have been exactly the same if Biden had claimed to be an All-American candidate. Makes no difference. Ryan showed his immaturity for claiming his time in the marathon and Biden probably did the same thing at the time.
WOW! All I keep reading from the Obama fans is how Romney lies. Hmmmm, very interesting how people can so easily dismiss the constant flow of lies that this president has handed the American people for the past 4 years. All I can say is if you vote for another 4 years of disaster, you will only get what you asked for.
Hey Layton,
Little facts seem hard for you too. Palin never said she can see Russia from her house. Your whacko lib media buddies spun that one.
Layton,
Palin said "I can see Russia from my house?" LMAO Gets his news from Saturday Night live. lol
Really NBC? - A 50 year old story about Joe playing football? Not the fact that Mitt Romney has flip-flopped 9 times on the issue of abortion? And numerous times on Gun control? Taxes? Healthcare?
Really? A 50 year old story on Joe Biden playing football or not? Instead, why not focus on Mitt Romney beating up and bullying classmates when he was in college... or focusing on whether Mitt changed positions on abortion, gun control, taxes, and healthcare a zillion times.... nah.. we want are attention diverted to know if Joe played football... it cant be that slow of a news day....
Poor little limp wristed, tree hugging, bed wetting, sodomizing, gay Libtards all upset because for the first time the media is playing by the same rules for both parties? Do you need a tissue? Not for clean up, just for your tears.
Yeah but what did he run a marathon in? Bet Eddie Munster could beat him and do it in like an hour or so.