#47 - Alex Paen on the NFL's role during the 1979 Iran Hostage Crisis

In November of 1979, 26-year-old Alex Paen, a cub reporter at KMPC Radio in Los Angeles, convinced his bosses to send him to Iran to cover the story of the 52 American hostages held hostage at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran.  Paen became a focal point of information during his time in Iran, relaying news back to the United States and obtaining interviews with militants and others involved in the crisis. Paen also delivered millions of Christmas cards to the American hostages.

America’s Game and the Iran Hostage Crisis is part of NFL Network’s series The Timeline and it re-airs Tuesday, January 19 at 8:00 PM Eastern, one day before the 35th anniversary of the hostages’ release.

It is my honor to interview Alex Paen on this episode.