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To: Col Frank Slade

It was said of Gerald Ford, by no less than the Great and Magnificent Elbie Jay himself, that “Ford played football without a helmet”.

Joe Biden couldn’t carry water for football players. But maybe he did drink a little too much Gator-Ade.

Or grape Kool-Aid. Because he sure blindly accepts whatever the current brand of evil and poisonous beliefs being passed around.


15 posted on 09/26/2012 11:39:20 AM PDT by alloysteel ("You have attributed conditions to villainy that simply result from stupidity".)
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To: alloysteel

>>Joe Biden couldn’t carry water for football players. But maybe he did drink a little too much Gator-Ade.<<

Gator-Ade was invented at the University of Florida in 1965, after Biden supposedly played football. More like he was hitting the kickapoo joy juice extra heavy.


50 posted on 09/26/2012 12:58:25 PM PDT by NTHockey (Rules of engagement #1: Take no prisoners)
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To: alloysteel
It was said of Gerald Ford, by no less than the Great and Magnificent Elbie Jay himself, that “Ford played football without a helmet”.

Gerald Ford attended Grand Rapids South High School and was a star athlete and captain of his football team.] In 1930, he was selected to the All-City team of the Grand Rapids City League. He also attracted the attention of college recruiters.

Attending the University of Michigan as an undergraduate, Ford played center and linebacker for the school's football team and helped the Wolverines to undefeated seasons and national titles in 1932 and 1933. The team suffered a steep decline in his 1934 senior year, however, winning only one game. Ford was the team's star nonetheless, and after a game during which Michigan held heavily favored Minnesota (the eventual national champion) to a scoreless tie in the first half, assistant coach Bennie Oosterbaan later said, "When I walked into the dressing room at half time, I had tears in my eyes I was so proud of them. Ford and [Cedric] Sweet played their hearts out. They were everywhere on defense."

Ford later recalled, "During 25 years in the rough-and-tumble world of politics, I often thought of the experiences before, during, and after that game in 1934. Remembering them has helped me many times to face a tough situation, take action, and make every effort possible despite adverse odds." His teammates later voted Ford their most valuable player, with one assistant coach noting, "They felt Jerry was one guy who would stay and fight in a losing cause

During Ford's senior year a controversy developed when the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets refused to play a scheduled game if a black player named Willis Ward took the field. Even after protests from students, players and alumni, university officials opted to keep Ward out of the game. Ford was Ward's best friend on the team and they roomed together while on road trips. Ford reportedly threatened to quit the team in response to the university’s decision, but eventually agreed to play against Georgia Tech when Ward personally asked him to play.

During the same season, in a game against the University of Chicago, Ford "became the only future U.S. president to tackle a future Heisman Trophy winner when he brought down running back Jay Berwanger, who would win the first Heisman the following year".] In 1934, Ford was selected for the Eastern Team on the Shriner's East West Crippled Children game at San Francisco (a benefit for crippled children), played on January 1, 1935. As part of the 1935 Collegiate All-Star football team, Ford played against the Chicago Bears in an exhibition game at Soldier Field. By virtue of Ford's later career as President of the United States, the University of Michigan retired Ford's No. 48 jersey in 1994.

Ford remained interested in football and his school throughout life, occasionally attending games. Ford also visited with players and coaches during practices, at one point asking to join the players in the huddle. Ford often had the Naval band play the University of Michigan fight song, The Victors, before state events instead of Hail to the Chief.

] He also selected the song to be played during his funeral procession at the U.S. Capitol. On his death in December 2006, the University of Michigan Marching Band played the fight song for him one final time, for his last ride from the Gerald R. Ford Airport in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Gerald Ford really did play football.

54 posted on 09/26/2012 1:20:25 PM PDT by kabar
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