Will We Ever Prioritize Safety? Ken Burns Documentary Confirms JFK Died After Being Struck By Three Foul Line Drives

A new documentary by Ken Burns confirms John F. Kennedy was killed by three foul line drives to the head, creating more demand for increased safety measures at ballparks across the nation.

The revelation was laid out in a new 10-part PBS series in what is being considered a spiritual sequel to Burns’ 18.5-hour “Baseball” documentary, where Burns first uncovered a lost amateur film that captured Kennedy’s death.

“This film provides incontrovertible evidence that JFK was killed by three hits down the foul line over a period of several innings,” Burns said of the footage. “Contrary to popular myth, the shots came from a single batter at home base over three separate plate appearances—and not from multiple sources or from someone in the grassy hill of the outfield.”

Burns’ lengthy documentary provides step-by-step detail of what happened on that fateful day in 1963 when JFK and Texas Governor John Connally were seated in a special, uncovered presidential box at Burnett Stadium in Dallas along with their wives.

“Not having baseball-proof glass over their box was a fatal mistake,” Burns said of the open-aired seating. “The first foul ball went largely unnoticed as it ricocheted off Kennedy’s neck and hit Gov. Connally in the wrist.  Ten minutes later, another foul ball hit the president in the head, while Jackie and the Governor were buying concessions.

“It wasn’t until after she turned toward JFK to pass him a hotdog that Jackie noticed her husband had been fatally struck by a third foul ball.  By the time the Secret Service arrived on scene, it was too late to protect the president with their baseball mitts.”

Burns’ documentary also serves to dispel conspiracy theories that have surrounded the event for decades, including ones that relief president Lyndon B. Johnson ordered the hits in an effort to inherit JFK’s season tickets or that the Cuban government trained baseball players to carry out the assassination.  

“Quite simply, the batter was a deranged lone wolf and crack shot. It just shows that spectator safety is at risk without protective measures. After all, JFK’s brother died the exact same way,” Burns added.

Plans are in works for Burns’ next documentary called “Golf,” which will examine the time Ted Kennedy abandoned his golf ball after driving it into the Chappaquiddick.