re: #154 HappyWarrior

You jest I know but there may be some truth to that. Ford as a former college football player probably had more contact with African-Americans as peers than most white men of his generation. I think that also may be why Jack Kemp was more sympathetic than most Republicans to issues important to the African-American community. That’s not to say I agreed with either man on the issues for the most part but I think they had an understanding that few Republicans now or then did on those issues.

I was joking, and also kinda thought of what you say, which turns out to be true, according to wikipedia (condescended? well, maybe), my bold:

During Ford’s senior year, a controversy developed when Georgia Tech said that it would not play a scheduled game with Michigan if a black player named Willis Ward took the field. Students, players, and alumni protested, but university officials condescended to the Georgia Tech request and opted to keep Ward out of the game. Ford was Ward’s best friend on the team and they roomed together while on road trips. Ford reportedly threatened to quit the team in response to the university’s decision, but he eventually agreed to play against Georgia Tech when Ward personally asked him to play.