All I know is that he did meet Ronald Reagan once, during a Monday Night Football game, as both were set to be interviewed, although not together.
The story is that Cosell saw Reagan talking the rules of football to John. I could see that may have made an impression on John.
His former assistant said John supported Reagan for POTUS over Carter......
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yuZxR3VOXs&t=1s