Gerald Ford: the record and the legends

Jerry. The 38th president, 1974-1977, from Michigan. Every story here is tagged Record, meaning it’s documented, or Legend, meaning it gets told a lot and doesn’t hold up. Each one links to its source.

President: 38th
In office: 1974-1977
Home state: Michigan
Party: Republican
Height: 6'0"

The record

RecordFord played center for Michigan on the national championship teams of 1932 and 1933, and his teammates voted him most valuable player in 1934.Source: Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library, Biography
RecordIn 1935 the Detroit Lions and the Green Bay Packers both offered Ford a contract. He turned them down for law school at Yale, where he coached boxing and football to pay his way.Source: Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library, Facts and Favorites
RecordIn December 1944 a typhoon hit his aircraft carrier, the USS Monterey. Ford lost his footing and slid across the flight deck toward the edge before he caught himself.Source: Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library, Biography
RecordFord is the only person who served as both vice president and president without being elected to either one.Source: Miller Center, Ford: Life in Brief

The legends

LegendFord the klutz, tripping down airplane stairs, mostly came from Chevy Chase on Saturday Night Live. The National Archives calls that picture unfair. He was one of the best athletes ever to be president.Source: National Archives, Ford in Focus: It's Saturday Night

What he cared about

Getting the country past Watergate. That's why he pardoned Nixon, which cost him dearly.
Easing tensions with the Soviet Union. He signed the Helsinki Accords, which also covered human rights.
Healing the wounds of Vietnam at home, with a clemency program for people who had avoided the draft.

How he fights in POTUS KO

Michigan center, Yale boxing coach

Ford spent his life taking hits and staying calm, from the football field to taking over after Watergate. In the ring he stays steady, lets you come to him, and answers.

See POTUS KO

Questions about Gerald Ford

Was Gerald Ford clumsy?

Ford the klutz, tripping down airplane stairs, mostly came from Chevy Chase on Saturday Night Live. The National Archives calls that picture unfair. He was one of the best athletes ever to be president.

Did Gerald Ford play football?

Ford played center for Michigan on the national championship teams of 1932 and 1933, and his teammates voted him most valuable player in 1934.

Was Gerald Ford ever elected?

Ford is the only person who served as both vice president and president without being elected to either one.