In Week 11 on November 24 , just two days after the assassination of President Kennedy , the NFL played its normal schedule of games . League commissioner Rozelle said about playing the games : " It has been traditional in sports for athletes to perform in times of great personal tragedy . Football was Mr. Kennedy 's game . He thrived on competition . " Attendance at games went unaffected despite the assassination . Although the choice to play the games was protested , and Rozelle had also eventually regretted the decision , he stated that Kennedy 's secretary , Pierre Salinger , had urged him to allow the games to be played
assassination of President Kennedy
Assassination of John F. Kennedy
1963 NFL season