Black and Blue documentary film screening and panel discussion

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The Center for Local, State, and Urban Policy, the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy and the Center for Public Policy in Diverse Societies will host a screening of the documentary titled Black and Blue: The Story of Gerald Ford, Willis Ward, and the 1934 Michigan-Georgia Tech Football Game, followed by a panel discussion featuring former Senator Buzz Thomas (grandson of Willis Ward) and Steve Ford (son of President Gerald R. Ford) on Wednesday, January 23, 2013 in conjunction with the Martin Luther King Day events.

About the Film "Black and Blue"
When Georgia Tech came to Michigan in 1934, the Wolverines were forced to bench their best player, Willis Ward, because he was an African-American. The incident infuriated Ward's best friend on the team, a future president by the name of Jerry Ford, who threatened to quit the team in response. The friendship that began in the Big House lasted all the way to the White House. This is the story of two schools, two friends, and a game that changed everything.

For more information:
Ann Arbor Chronicle story
Ann Arbor Journal story
Ann Arbor.com story
Mlive.com story

Other links:
Documentary home page
Livingston Post story on Emmy nomination
USA Today story on Michigan's Willis Ward honor in 2012
The Block M story on Willis Ward


[View photos from this event]

• gerald ford