Not only did Gerald Ford play at Michigan, but he was a team MVP with the Wolverines after being named all-state in high school. He also had offers to play professionally following college, but instead chose to coach at Yale while attending law school there.

Jan 7, 2014 · However, when Georgia Tech came to Michigan to play football in 1934, they threatened not to play the game if Willis Ward, played for Michigan. A recent documentary titled “Black and Blue” retells and embellishes a story told of the heroism of President Gerald Ford in taking a stand to quit the team if Willis Ward was benched [1].

Ford remained interested in football throughout his life. He occasionally attended Michigan football games. He spoke to players and coaches during practices, and once he even asked to join the players in the huddle.

What is the story behind the now infamous U of M - Georgia Tech game of 1934? What part did Fielding H. Yost play in the events leading up to the benching of Willis Ward for that game and how...

Feb 25, 2011 · Chris Clark | The Grand Rapids Press Committed to film: Brian Kruger and Buddy Moorehouse are directors of a documentary based on Gerald R. Ford and Willis Ward playing football at the...

Feb 10, 2022 · It's the time former President Gerald Ford took a stand for his University of Michigan football teammate Willis Ward. It's 1934, with Michigan coming off two straight conference championships, riding a 22-game winning streak, but now they're struggling badly in …

Dec 27, 2006 · According to the folks that represent his library in Grand Rapids, Ford turned down offers to play for the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers after his senior season. He instead went on to coach boxing and football at Yale while waiting to gain entry to law school.

Willis Ward: The African-American end and U-M track star was Gerald Ford’s roommate for road games and a member of the ’32 and ’33 national championship squads. This man’s story deserves a full documentary or movie, not a blurb on a blog post, and it’s safe to assume he gave some interesting remarks to the banquet crowd…

Oct 18, 2024 · Among the most furious people at Michigan were Ward’s teammates, particularly his best friend on the team, a lineman from Grand Rapids named Gerald R. Ford. Ford wanted to quit the team over it, agreeing to play only after Ward personally asked him to.

Feb 8, 2024 · It would not be difficult to make the case that Gerald Ford was the greatest athlete ever to serve as President of the United States. Captain of the University of Michigan Wolverines men’s football squad, he was also named its most valuable player in his senior year.