Gerald Ford : All posts

Gerald Ford, Willis Ward U-M football documentary 'Black and Blue' to air on TV

The Emmy-nominated documentary "Black and Blue: The Story of Gerald Ford, Willis Ward and the 1934 Michigan-Georgia Tech Football Game" will air at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, on WXYZ-TV in Detroit. This is the first time the acclaimed film has aired on TV in southeast Michigan.

NCAA strips Joe Paterno of his 2011 Gerald R. Ford Award

The NCAA's hammer drop on the Penn State football program Monday and subsequent sting on the legacy of late former coach Joe Paterno does indeed have a Michigan football tie.

According to multiple reports, the NCAA has stripped Paterno of his 2011 Gerald R. Ford Award, an honor named after the Grand Rapids-born president who starred on the football field for the Wolverines in the early 1930s.

Michigan to honor Gerald Ford, Bennie Oosterbaan and Ron Kramer as 'Football Legends'

Desmond Howard and Gerald Ford will have company in the "Michigan Football Legend" department.

After Michigan coach Brady Hoke announced via radio Tuesday that the program plans to honor former President Gerald Ford's No. 48 next season, the university announced that two more retired uniforms will be placed back into circulation next season.

In 2012, Michigan will honor Ford's No. 48, Bennie Oosterbaan's No. 47 and Ron Kramer's No. 87 as "Football Legend" numbers, joining Howard's No. 21.

"The success and acceptance of the Desmond Howard 'Legend' recognition led to conversations with the family members who had retired jerseys, several of whom were never recognized or celebrated in the appropriate manner," Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon said in a statement. "The Ford, Kramer and Oosterbaan families want to see their family member honored in this way.

"This program is about tradition and legacy and this is a unique way to recognize these great Wolverines."

with poll: Brady Hoke says Michigan plans to re-issue Gerald Ford's retired No. 48 jersey this year, no plans for No. 1

Desmond Howard became the first ever "Michigan Football Legend" last season.

And now, it appears a second "Legend" could be in the works.

Michigan football coach Brady Hoke told Jox 94.5 FM in Birmingham, Ala. on Tuesday that the Wolverines have plans to honor former President Gerald Ford's No. 48 next season.

"We're honoring Desmond Howard now every year with one of our players (senior receiver Roy Roundtree) who really deserves it," Hoke told the station. "We're going to do the same with Gerald Ford's jersey here this year."

New movie 'Black and Blue' focuses on Willis Ward, Gerald Ford, and a historic Michigan football game

That’s just one of the lessons learned from “Black and Blue: The Story of Gerald Ford, Willis Ward and the 1934 Michigan-Georgia Tech Game,” a new movie being released by local production company Stunt3 Media. The film will have a premiere free screening at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library, at 1000 Beal Ave., at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18.

The gentlemen’s agreement in question concerned what happened, in the early 20th century, when a college team from the South played a football game against a squad from the North. As a bow to Jim Crow laws, the northern team would quietly bench all black athletes for the game, while the Southern team would bench the same number of players of similar caliber.

Lucy Ann Lance | Newsmaker Q&A

COLUMN: Q&A with Anita McBride: Remembering Betty Ford

Former First Lady Betty Ford, married to President Gerald Ford for 58 years, is once again beside her husband. She was laid to rest at the Gerald R. Ford Museum in Grand Rapids Thursday, on what would have been the president’s 98th birthday, following her death at the age of 93.

Anita B. McBride, who has ties to the state of Michigan, served in the administrations of Presidents Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, and George W. Bush, and was chief of staff to First Lady Laura Bush. She is currently executive in residence at the Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies for the School of Public Affairs at American University in Washington, D.C.

McBride shared her reflections on the important role Betty Ford and other first ladies have had throughout history with me and Dean Erskine on 1290 WLBY.

this week in ann arbor history: 1976: Ann Arbor supports Jimmy Carter over President Ford, AATA OKs downtown precursor to 'The Link'

Editor's note: This Week in Ann Arbor History looks back at some notable moments from the city's past.

In 1976, the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority took a step toward its original vision when it approved a downtown circular bus loop.

mvictors.com: A piece of Michigan football history from 1934

In 1934, it cost a quarter to buy a program at the Michigan-Ohio State game. It will cost considerably more to purchase the historic piece of memorabilia now.

Ex-Michigan football player Jon Jansen eager to find playing time with Detroit Lions

ALLEN PARK - Jon Jansen and his wife, Martha, stumbled across some long-forgoten memories while packing boxes for their move back to Michigan after the Washington Redskins released him earlier this spring.