FORD ON HIS COLLEGE DAYS: 'FOOTBALL TAUGHT ME TO KEEP MYSELF STRONG MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY.' FO...

FORD ON HIS COLLEGE DAYS: 'FOOTBALL TAUGHT ME TO KEEP MYSELF STRONG MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY.' FORD, GERALD R. 1913-2006. Typed Letter Signed ('Gerald R. Ford'), to Raymond Lawing reminiscing about his college football days, 1 p, 4to, Rancho Mirage, August 13, 1980, on personal letterhead with presidential seal, with original transmittal envelope, matted and framed to 17 1/2 x 25 1/4 in. In this warm letter written in his retirement, Gerald Ford answers questions for an acquaintance: 'I played varsity football three years at the University of Michigan—1932, 1933, 1934. Was selected Most Valuable Player by my teammates in 1934. Harry Kipke was our coach. In 1932 we were 8-0 and national champions. In 1933 we won 7 and tied 1 and were again national champions. In 1934 we were 1 and 7 and it was a bad year with serious injuries to our passer, kicker and ball carriers. Our toughest games each year were with Minnesota, especially in 1934 when Minnesota won the national championship. Michigan's best ball players in those years were Harry Newman, Whitey Wistert and Ted Petosky. My greatest thrill was playing 58 minutes (both ways) in the Shrine East-West game in San Francisco on January 1, 1935. The East team lost, as I recall, 19 to 14. / Football taught me to keep myself strong mentally and physically. I learned that team play was vital to success and that one should be humble in success and a good loser in defeat.' For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing