Michigan Legends Are Dropping Like Flies

To the best of my knowledge, there was never a band called "The Dead Gerald Fords," but if such a band does exist, they're going to have to change their name, too. Former President and center on the 1932 and 1933 national champion Michigan Wolverines football teams Gerald Ford died last night at the age of 93.

Ford was the captain of his high school football team, and eventually had his #48 retired at Michigan. He repeatedly turned down offers to play professionally with the Detroit Lions, with Matt Millen having offered him a contract as recently as Sunday morning. His greatest accomplishment might be topping Dan Shanoff's Presidential athletic power rankings. If it's not too late, he'd probably like to have that honor inscribed on his tombstone somewhere.

All of this, of course, ignores everything he did politically, but you know, we are still a sports blog. And as you may have gathered, I'm about the last guy that should be eulogizing Gerald Ford. The thing for which I know him best is the scene in Beverly Hills Cop II were Axel tells the guy at 385 North that Taggart is Gerald Ford. That's not a fact I'm particularly proud of, but that's the way it goes sometimes.

Former President Ford dies at 93 [CNN.com] Gerald Ford [Wikipedia] Wednesday 12/27: Gerald Ford No. 1! (in Presidential Athletic Power Rankings!) [Dan Shanoff] Fare Thee Well, Gerald Ford [I Dislike Your Favorite Team]