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Football Great Clint Didier Running for U.S. Senate in Washington
By Tom Forbes | 10/22/09 | 03:11 PM EDT | 23 Comments
Shortly before Super Bowl XXII, Clint Didier had a dream that his team, the Washington Redskins would be down, but come back to win, and that he would catch a touchdown pass.
That dream came true.
Later that year, Didier dreamed that he would no longer be with the the Redskins and watch from afar as they played in another Super Bowl.
That dream also came true.
Now, Clint dreams of going back to Washington, D.C., this time as a U.S. Senator, to rein in what he sees as a government out of countrol.
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Disgusted at the confirmation of Obama administration officials such as Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, who failed to pay social security or self-employment taxes from 2001 to 2004, and former "Green Jobs" czar Van Jones, who has Marxist affiliations and believes in 9/11 conspiracy theories, Didier announced at a Tea Party held last month in the Tri-Cities that he was considering running for the U.S. Senate next year against Democrat Patty Murray. In his speech, he proclaimed that "I can honestly say I do not trust my government" and that "I, Clint Didier, want to answer the call to service. I want to work toward a return to the Constitution and its precepts."
I had an opportunity to speak with Clint last night in Kennewick following a meeting of his Senate exploratory committee. The ruggedly handsome, 6'5" (1).jpg)
former tight end is an imposing presence. Even at age 50, he looks like he could still suit up and throw the block that cleared the way for John Riggins' winning touchdown in Super Bowl XVII. The overflow crowd at Tony Roma's was inspired as Didier passionately spoke of how we need to take back the Republican Party and get back to the common ground that Ronald Reagan once held. His platform is simple: Responsibility, accountability, and national security. Didier is afraid Americans are losing their freedoms and their ability to make money and therefore, grow the tax base. He has four kids, with his first grandchild on the way. Clint wants to make a difference for them and for our country.
In this day of multi-millionaire, primadonna sports stars who take performance-enhancing drugs and frequently have brushes with the law, Clint Didier is a throwback to a bygone era.
Didier's parents scratched out a hard living farming in the arid lands of the Columbia Basin. The future two-time Super Bowl champion learned the values of hard work, discipline, dedication, and persistence while doing chores on the farm such as moving irrigation equipment.
Didier played for a state championship at Connell High School, then went on to win a junior college state championship as a wide receiver at Columbia Basin College. He was recruited by legendary "run-and-shoot" coach Darrel "Mouse" Davis to play at Portland State University. At Portland State, Didier became one of the favorite targets of future St. Louis Cardinals quarterback Neil Lomax, who broke an NCAA record by throwing seven TD passes in one quarter. It was Lomax that the NFL scouts came to see, not Didier. No one ever thought Didier, a kid from rural Eastern Washington, could make it in the NFL.
But underdog Didier would prove them all wrong. He hit the weight room religiously. He visualized success. He constantly pictured himself making one-handed catches, so that when the ball came his way, he just reacted.
When rookie head coach of the Washington Redskins, Joe Gibbs, came to Portland to work out Neil Lomax, Didier acted as the receiver. He vowed to catch every ball Lomax threw to make him look good. In the end, it was Didier that Gibbs wanted to talk to, not Lomax. General Manager Booby Beathard ended up drafting Didier in the 12th round of the 1981 draft (the 1981 Redskins draft class has been been ranked seventh best of all time by the NFL.) Didier said that he was blessed to have played for Joe Gibbs. Gibbs brought tight ends into camp every year to compete for his job. But, as Didier, pointed out, it was that competition that made him a better player.
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Clint made only $35,000 his rookie year and was placed on injured reserve. In his second year, Didier missed nine games because of a player's strike and he and his wife had to work odd jobs to make ends meet. But by the end of the championship 1982 season, he had become a key part of the Redskins offense, both as a blocker and receiver. Didier went on to play in three Super Bowls with the Redskins, gaining 1,815 receiving yards and catching 19 TD passes before finishing his career with the Green Bay Packers.
After football, Didier returned home to Washington to raise alfalfa, grass seed, wheat, and popping corn on an 1,100 acre farm in Eltopia and also operate an earthmoving business. More importantly, he wanted to give back to the community. He took a job as co-head football coach at his old high school in Connell, leading the Eagles to a state championship in 2002 and runners-up at state in 2006 and 2007. Didier is proud of making a positive impact on these young men's lives, and says that is the thing he will miss most during his Senate campaign.
Since Didier had invoked Ronald Reagan, I asked him what he thought of the Gipper after meeting him twice following his Super Bowl victories. Didier said he was impressed, although he didn't realize until later what a great leader Reagan was. One of Didier's most prized possesions is an autograph of Reagan that he received after the President and First Lady greeted the Redskins on the runway after they flew home from Super Bowl XVII.
The last time I saw Didier was at the Super Bowl victory parade held on February 3, 1988. I lived in the D.C. area during the Redskins glory years of the Eighties and early Nineties. I've been a lifelong fan. So, I had to ask Didier what his favorite moment as a Redskin was. He said it was catching the only touchdown pass in Super Bowl history from an African-American quarterback (Doug Williams in Super Bowl XXII) to a white receiver.
Coincidentally, this is my favorite Redskin memory as well. I watched Super Bowl XXII at my friend's house in Southeast D.C., a predominantly African-American area. But after the Skins triumphant come-from-behind victory, there was no color bar in D.C.. We were all, however briefly, just happy fans. Clint and I agreed on the unifying effect that sports can have. He also talked of how he learned life's most important lessons on the gridiron; how to overcome adversity, how to stand up for yourself, how to measure a man by his worth and not the color of his skin, and how to tell right from wrong. These are the principles that we as Republicans should stand for.
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People tell Clint that he has no chance to beat Patty Murray. But people have been underestimating Didier his whole life.
Clint told me that you have to play football with "controlled rage." And he plans to take that controlled rage back to Washington, D.C. to fight for limited government based on the Constitution. Big time pro sports didn't change Clint Didier and neither will Capitol Hill. We can count on Clint to uphold liberty and not succumb to the "Beltway Disease" that other elected Republicans suffer from.
But before Clint can go to D.C., he needs money to get his campaign off the ground and establish himself as a legitimate candidate. I urge you to go to Clint's website www.clintdidier.org and contribute all you can. Patty Murray already has $2 million in the bank.
One final note: After my interview with Clint was over, he found out that my girlfriend's son plays football. Clint took the time to give some tips to him on how to properly catch a football. What an exciting and unforgetable moment it was for this young boy to get personal coaching from a man who owns two Super Bowl rings. That, to me, says it all about Clint Didier.
TAGS: Clint Didier, Patty Murray, U.S. Senate, Washington Redskins
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23 Comments | Related Topics »Whitman County (WA) | Snohomish County (WA) | Pierce County (WA) | King County (WA) | WASHINGTON
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Comments
I heard him speak at the Yakima County Republican Central Committee meeting. Clearly he is a passionate leader and wants the best for our country.
Other than apparently slamming those with different viewpoints from himself "Disgusted at the confirmation of Obama administration officials such as... former "Green Jobs" czar Van Jones, who has Marxist affiliations and believes in 9/11 conspiracy theories", does he actually have a plan or specific policies he is in favor of.
Becuase right now it just sounds like more of the same old "no ideas" Republican party.
Better to have no ideas, than ideas that will kill America.
Consider yourself owned and turned into glue.
Hey Anonymous, Why don't you put up some of your great ideas and add your name to them so we can see if you are the one we should vote for. Right now we need to do something as Patty Murray is playing 'bat boy' for the big spending of Reid/Pelosi/Obama. She no longer listens to our limited government ideas. We need the government to get its hands out of ours, our children's, and our grandchildren's pockets. What better ideas could there be? Several socialist countries would let you give them a try if big debt spending is your idea of how a government should run the people's business.
Hmm... so you admit then that he has no ideas, nothing new to add, nothing at all to bring which would help our state or our country?
How emblematic of the Republican party.
How can you complain about him having no stance on things before his website is even up and finished.
I mean I'd wait to see what his site has to say before making that kind of snap judgement
Have you noticed that the Dmeocrats are in control of everything everywhere and the country has become a basket case?
so anonymous, didn't like the Reagan era? fiscal responsibility?
forget that it was Reagan's policies that set up the longest stock-market bull run
in history and the greatest period of job creation in history? It's capitalism
no socialism that can turn this economy around.
Fiscal responsibility... would that have been during the greatest increase in national debt and defecit the US had seen since WW2
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_public_debt
Unfortunetly a few minutes of searching yielded nothing concrete on job creation, so I can't comment one way or the other, but I welcome you to provide actual proof.
However, doesn't it seem hypocritical that you condemn Obama for defecit spending, while Reagen was the modern pioneer of such a practice?
And by the way, wasn't it a does of socialism that brought the US out of the Great Depression (World War II clearly finished the job, but FRD's first terms in office had decidedly reversed the trend prior to that time)
And by the way, still no comment on what Didier might actually support in terms of policies?
What I know is that what he'd support is what Patty Murray wouldn't.
That's good enough for me.
The title may be misleading because if he only has an exploratory committee, he isn't actually running yet. He no doubt wants fiscal restraint and reduced government. That alone puts him over Patty Murray, who with her running shoes, rubber stamps nearly every Progressive spending plan. We went from a max 4% debt of GDP under Bush to about 8% of debt of GDP under Obama. And the CBO says spending is projected to rise 14.2% in FY2010! No matter that gov't revenues probably will be in the negatives percentage.
With Dr. Sean Salazar and Craig Williams in the running, and two (maybe three) in the wings, this will be an interesting race. Murray has about $4 million, but likely will have to turn to her #1 donor group - trial lawyers - to pump more lobbyist money into her coffers.
Question: Do you feel better off today than you did last year?
Please note the physical & political resemblance between Patty Murray and her idol Col. Rosa Klebb of SPECRE fame as seen in "From Russia With Love".
Murray is a disgrace to the office of senator. She has no original ideas and always votes Democrat party line.
Mr. Didier would be a refreshing change. All of us should be ashamed to have Murray and Cantwell as our senators. Puke!
And watch out for the poison-tipped dagger in her boots.
I went to his site today and it's up. Looks very nice and he has a very through issues section.
It looks like he's got a link off of each issues point that leads to an expanded discussion on his stances. I guess Anon up there was wrong about him not having a stance on anything.
He not only has a stance he seems to have a very solid and thought out stance.
I attended High School with Clint and watch him achieve excellence in every goal he set. From a distance, I watched Clint’s career soar beyond everyone’s expectations, and watched as Clint unselfishly gave back to his community. If Clint had believed what his critics were telling him, the Washington Redskins might have had two less Super Bowl wins. If you want strength, drive, determination, and commitment from Clint, just tell him he can’t win…. Then stand back and watch him get the job done. If Clint set the goal to lead our country to the life our founding fathers intended for us, my money’s on Clint.
Sounds to me like he has lots of GREAT ideas, like limiting federal power and putting a freeze on Congressional salaries. Those two ideas wouldn't cost us any more tax money. It would reduce our Taxes!! I believe he will uphold and protect the constitution; which will protect everyone of us from an intrusive over powering government which takes away our personal freedoms. Most of the IDEAS that come from our Congress ends up costing us more money and infriging upon our FREEDOMS! I like Clint's ideas that keeps more of our money in our own pocets! We don't need a bunch of new ideas. We need common sense and adherence to our Constitution. GO CLINT!!!
Come on guys… In politics, everyone claims to have “good ideas.” Everyone running for office claims that they are going to fix the world. It is the same cookie cutter, and spurious talk. This guy is an ex football player. What is his education, background, or where is his passion for this country? Has he ever served our country? I am not impressed with Didier’s resume. He has no resume, other than the same old usual credentials to run. In my opinion, the only guy on the list that has a chance to win King County is Dr. Sean Salazar. Let’s face it. In order to win Washington; you have to win King County. Logistically, the only guy who can get KC is Salazar. Before getting star sighted by anyone running, you have to look at who has a chance. So far, Didier has no chance. Sorry! Charlie
I can tell you haven't met Clint or heard him speak from his heart about his love and sense of duty to his country. Believe me, he has passion for his country. Background? He is a regular, hard working American who understands what it takes to balance a check book. He is not a polished politician. We don't need anymore politcians. Education? I haven't seen his college degree, so can't speak to that. He does have the most important kind of education: Common Sense!! We don't need anymore educated idiots that write 2000 page bills that no one has time to read. I believe he can win!!
Who would you want working to turn this country in the right direction?
Patty Murray may be the "mother in tennis shoes", but Clint Didier is the "father in football cletes." More impressive I would say.
I like his principles and his passion. Therefore, I will support and even campaign for Clint Didier.
As much as I like Clint, lets be realistic. Dr. Sean Salazar is the only candidate who can beat Patty Murray. In fact, the Salazar Team deliberately wanted primary competitors so they deliberately cancelled events in the 8th and 17th legislative districts in order to give Craig Williams and Clint Didier traction. It seems now that both Craig and Clint feel confident about being viable candidates. Watch what happens when Sean Salazar starts campaigning in their territory. They are toast!
I'd vote for this guy. He's much more pro-common sense then Patty Murray has ever been.
Today, I received some very exciting news. I have been keeping the faith that a great candidate would come along to run against Senator Patty Murray. An incredible man by the name of Clint Didier has decided to create an Exploratory Committee for the U.S. Senate seat that is currently held by Murray. Over the last eight or so months, I can’t begin to tell you how many times I have heard people through emails and personal appearances say to me, “we need real people in Washington D.C. not just a bunch of lawyers” or “where are the average people that can represent us in government”. Clint is that real person and one we need now more than ever. Clint is a successful farmer in Eastern Washington. Some of you may even think the names sounds familiar. Well, that is because Clint went on after college to play professional football for the Washington Redskins where he participated in three Superbowls. He spent his final two years with the Green Bay Packers. Clint was not wooed by fame; instead he returned to his roots and purchased a farm back in his hometown here in Washington where he knew he could make a difference. Clint volunteers, runs a business and can relate to the middleclass working Americans that make this country great. He is all about community. Clint has a platform that will resonate throughout Washington State. Congressional term limits, Environmental Balance, Healthcare Reform and most importantly Government Accountability are the foundation that will create a strong base in order to rebuild this state as well as this country. There was a time in this great nation when men and women put aside their lives to serve their people with their only personal intent being to serve, represent and then return to their lives back at home. Today, we have representatives whom have built careers out of being lifelong politicians, representing parties and lobbyists instead of constituents. Clint Didier is cut from the cloth of those that served merely for the love of country and people. He is a tough, persistent and true leader. I could go on and on about Clint’s years of volunteering or post a resume with the number of years he has served the farm community at a state level and given back through good works. Instead, I will just say that as a person and a personal friend to my husband for over 38 years, you will not find a more qualified, sincere and hard working candidate who will work to serve the people than you will find in Clint Didier. I know Patty “the mom in tennis shoes” Murray, is going to try to get out those old tennis shoes that helped get her elected so many years ago and wear them through her next election. She will try to remind us that she knows what it is like to be just one of the average middle class American s that keep this country going. We know better and won’t be fooled. We all have followed Patty’s voting record and we have watched her become just another self serving politician that represents her party and casts votes for the campaign contributors that need a payback. So, here is my advice to Patty…instead of blowing off the dust on those old tennis shoes, I strongly suggest she buy some new football cleats. This is a whole new game in America and it’s one I am going to be watching from the sidelines! Go Didier!
I do want to take a look at the other conservatives that are running. Tell me why you think Salazar is the one to beat Patti Murray?
I first met Mr. Clint Didier as a junior high school student in Richland. I was visiting the campus at Columbia Basin College. He was a host to a group of students for a vocational interest seminar. While taking some time to get to know the students, he made small talk and invited all the students to the home football game that Saturday against Treasure Valley College. Later in high school I had a chance to work out with him at the old Man’s World Gym below the former beauty school in downtown Pasco. When I came my turn to see out colleges and a chance to play college football, he counseled me, where ever you go do it for the right reason. My purpose of tell this bit- is that since a young man I have found MR. Clint Didier to be a MAN of CHARACTER. One who truly has a heart for his fellow citizens and would make a noble citizen – statesman.
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