How a multi-purpose stadium became a battleground for civil rights and political scandal

Countries & Cities · Published 12 October 2026 · Updated 25 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Opened in 1961, RFK Stadium was a pioneer of the 'cookie-cutter' design, built to host both baseball and football. But its legacy is defined by more than sports, spanning racial integration battles, presidential influence, and high-stakes political bribery scandals.

Originally known as District of Columbia Stadium, the venue was a significant engineering feat as one of the first large stadiums designed for both baseball and football. Its construction was marked by political tension; while it provided a new home for the Redskins, baseball owner Calvin Griffith was dissatisfied with the location and the lease terms. This tension eventually contributed to the Senators moving to Minnesota after the 1960 season, leaving Washington to field a new team in 1961.

The stadium also served as a pivotal site for social change. In 1961, the first NFL game at the venue was met by civil rights picketers protesting the Redskins' segregationist owner, George Preston Marshall. Marshall had maintained the NFL's last all-white roster until President John F. Kennedy intervened, refusing to allow the team to play on federal land unless they desegregated. This pressure led Marshall to select Ernie Davis in the 1962 draft and eventually sign four black players.

Beyond the field, the stadium was entangled in the Bobby Baker bribery scandal. In 1964, allegations surfaced that a $25,000 kickback was paid to the Kennedy-Johnson campaign in exchange for the stadium's construction contract. While Baker was imprisoned for tax fraud, the investigation into the contract's awarding remains a notable chapter in the stadium's complex history. Following the assassination of Senator Robert F. Kennedy, the venue was renamed in his honor in January 1969.

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