Week 7 Notes and Predictions

On Thursday night I had the privilege of viewing "Black and Blue", the documentary about Gerald Ford, Willis Ward, and the 1934 Michigan-Georgia Tech football game. After watching the program, I came away with an altered view on Michigan's football history. I won't go into the details here because I believe this is one that is a must see for all Michigan fans alike but I do enjoy hearing about the history of Michigan football, and this is a chapter that has been forgotten over time and shrouded in gray. There will be another showing of it on November 18th at the Brighton District Library, and DVD copies will also be on sale for 20 dollars. Due to the efforts by a 2nd grader in Brighton, October 20th will be Willis Ward Day...so look for information regarding that come next week when Michigan will be hosting Michigan State. On a final note, considering this Saturday will be homecoming, and also the game honoring the late President Gerald Ford in the Legends Patch ceremony, that makes the game a watershed moment. Not only does the timing of the documentary work well with it, but there's rumors of Willis Ward being mentioned as well. I plan on attending the game, not only to see our beloved Wolverines kick Illini butt, but to soak in the history of Ford, Ward, and the story behind it all.

"Black and Blue" Showing

The Emmy-nominated documentary "Black and Blue: The Story of Gerald Ford, Willis Ward and the 1934 Michigan-Georgia Tech Football Game" will be shown at 7 p.m. Thursday at Howell High School's auditorium. The viewing is free and open to the public. The film was produced by Brian Kruger and Buddy Moorehouse.

The documentary tells the story of Willis Ward, a talented University of Michigan football player who was benched in 1934 for a game between Michigan and Georgia Tech because he was black. Future President Gerald Ford was a teammate and close friend of Ward, and he originally planned to quit the team due to his friend's benching.

"It was very moving," said Kathleen Zaenger, director of the Howell Carnegie District Library. Zaenger played a key role in bringing the film to Howell. She said local libraries had just launched the Building Community Through Civility and Compassion program, which is aimed at engaging the public in discussing the importance of community, civility and compassion in their daily lives. Zaenger said the film seemed to fit the goals of the new program.

Although it's unlikely such an incident would happen today, Zaenger said race and other issues raised in the film are still relevant. She said the film highlights the importance of how we get along with one another and how we conduct ourselves around one another. The viewing of "Black and Blue" is sponsored by First National Bank, the Livingston Diversity Council, Bob Maxey Ford and Howell Public Schools.

In other words, the public needs to make an effort to come and view this landmark story.