Presidential Footballs

This game ball was presented to First Lady Betty Ford by the Chaplain of the National Football League after a Monday night Football game in September of 1975. The inscription is in white print and reads, "Game Ball / Awarded to / Mrs. Betty Ford / From coach George Allen / and Washington Redskins / Washington 30 - Denver 3 / September 30th., 1974 / Monday Night Football".  Signatures in black marker cover the ball. Notable signatures include Hall of Famers Deacon Jones, Ken Houston and Charley Taylor.

Accession Number: 1981.138.5
Dimensions: 11 1/4 x 7 in. (28.6 x 17.8 cm)
Donor: Gift of Gerald R. Ford
President's Diary Page
Other Links: Smithsonian Article

A brown and white leather football that reads "to Jerry Ford/ From The 1977/ Detroit Lions" in black and red print. The football has been signed in ink pen by the players of the team. There is additional black print from the makers of the football on the brown portion of the ball.

Accession Number: 1982.129
Dimensions: 11 x 6 in. (27.9 x 15.2 cm)
Donor: Gift of Detroit Lions
President's Diary Page

A leather football with one white and three brown panels. On the white panel in black , yellow and blue reads "to..President Ford / From Chuck Knox LA Rams 1977." The players of the 1977 team have signed the brown panels in ink pen. Popular autographs include Hall of Famers Tom Mack and Joe Namath; and players Pat Haden and Vince Ferragamo. The Ford's retired to Rancho Mirage, California in 1977 where Ford served on the Rams advisory board.

Accession Number: 1982.130.1
Dimensions: 11 1/4 x 7 in. (28.6 x 17.8 cm)
Donation Date: September 18, 1981
Donor: Gift of Chuck Knox

A football from the 1978 Rose Bowl, where the Washington Huskies (led by Warren Moon) thwarted a furious second half comeback of the Michigan Wolverines (led by Rick Leach). The Huskies defeated the Wolverines 27-20. Stamped on the ball is text that reads, "1978 Rose Bowl / Washington / vs. / Michigan". President Ford served as the Grand Marshal of the Tournament of Roses parade.

Accession Number: 1983.317
Dimensions: 11 x 6 in. (27.9 x 15.2 cm)
Donor: Unkown
Other Links: News Article

A Wilson brown leather football, which features on one side white stripes on each end, white laces, and black stamped lettering. On the opposing side is a message from the Notre Dame football team to Gerald R. Ford painted in yellow. President Ford attended this game between Notre Dame and South Carolina on Oct 27, 1979 where Notre Dame defeated South Carolina 18-17.

Accession Number: 1983.384
Dimensions: 11 x 5 1/2 in. (27.9 x 14 cm)
Donation Date: September 18, 1981
Donor: Gift of Dan Devine

A worn dark brown leather football with a waffle pattern. The football features the signitures of the 1932 University of Michigan football team, including Gerald R. Ford.

Accession Number: 1984.15.1
Dimensions: 11 1/2 x 4 1/2 in. (29.2 x 11.4 cm)
Donation Date: January 23, 1984
Donor: Gift of Margaret Savage James

A football given as a gift to Gerald Ford, which features the Notre Dame monogram on a white panel, along with three brown panels. The football was signed by the 1974 Fighting Irish football team, including Ken MacAfee, Ara Parseghian and Tom Clements.

Accession Number: 1987.224.1
Dimensions: 6 x 11 in. (15.2 x 27.9 cm)
Donation Date: September 18, 1981
Donor: Gift of Frank Allocco
President's Diary Page
White House Photograph
President's Trip Log

A Wilson Company manufactured, "Official" National Football League, leather football. Presented personally to President Ford on a trip to Ohio on October 22, 1974. The football features the acronym WIN, Whip Inflation Now, painted on a side panel in bold white paint.

Accession Number: 1987.225.1
Dimensions: 5 3/4 x 9 x 12 in. (14.6 x 22.9 x 30.5 cm)
Donor: Gift of Mr. James E. Houston
White House Photograph

An NFL, Brown Leather Wilson football, with white laces, and signed by the 1975 Green Bay Packers.

Accession Number: 1987.246.2
Dimensions: 11 1/2 x 5 1/2 in. (29.2 x 14 cm)
Donation Date: September 18, 1981
Donor: Gift of Bart Starr

A football signed by members of the 1975 Oakland Raiders including Hall of Famers: John Madden, Jim Otto, Dave Casper, and George Blanda. Other notable signatures include: Mark van Eeghen, Ray Guy, Ken Stabler, Al Davis and John Robinson. The football sports one brown quarter and three white quarters. Given to congressman Ford during his Campaign by the Oakland Raiders head coach John Madden.

Accession Number: 1987.557.2
Dimensions: 11 x 7 in. (27.9 x 17.8 cm)
Donation Date: September 18, 1981
Donor: Gift of John Madden

Football signed by Steve Spurrier and 35 others from a 49ers team. The ball also sports the 49ers logo on a white quarter of the football.

Accession Number: 1987.567.1
Dimensions: 11 1/4 x 7 in. (28.6 x 17.8 cm)
Donation Date: September 18, 1981
Donor: Gift of Robert B. Varner

This football contains facsimiles of an Oakland Raiders team printed on the ball. The football contains white laces and a stamp on the side with the NFL seal and Oakland Raiders.

Accession Number: 1987.567.2
Dimensions: 11 3/4 x 5 3/4 in. (29.8 x 14.6 cm)
Donor: Gift of Robert B. Varner

Football signed by the OSU football team and the "OSU" logo printed on the football below the laces.

Accession Number: 1987.568
Dimensions: 11 1/4 x 7 in. (28.6 x 17.8 cm)
Donation Date: September 18, 1981
Donor: Gift of Jim Stanley
President's Diary Page
White House Photograph
President's Trip Log
 

Football signed by the Northern Michigan wildcat, which was given as a gift to Gerald R. Ford. On the white quarter of the football an inscription written in blue can be found.

Accession Number: 1987.569
Dimensions: 11 1/4 x 7 in. (28.6 x 17.8 cm)
Donation Date: September 18, 2981
Donor: Gift of Northern Michigan University Football

Football signed by the 1974 Alabama Crimson Tide, the University of Alabama football team. Notable signatures include Paul (Bear) Bryant and Ozzie Newsome. In addition, an inscription Gerald R. Ford can be found on the white quarter of the football.

Accession Number: 1987.570
Dimensions: 11 1/4 x 7 in. (28.6 x 17.8 cm)
Donation Date: September 18, 1981
Donor: Gift of F. David Mathews
President's Diary Page
White House Photograph

A leather football stamped with the words, "Kodak All American Team 1974." The football also contains the autographs of the All American Football Team players.

Accession Number: 1987.571
Dimensions: 10 1/2 x 4 1/2 in. (26.7 x 11.4 cm)
Donation Date: September 18, 1981
Donor: Gift of Dick Bartlett
President's Diary Page
White House Photograph

This official NFL football features the autographs of the players from the 1974 Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Accession Number: 1987.572.1
Donation Date: September 18, 1981
Donor: Gift of Dick Gallagher, Director, Pro Football Hall of Fame

A football signed by the University of Kentucky Wildcats coach, Fran Curci. Along with an inscription to Ford stating “To our nation’s #1 ex-player/ and best college fan. Fran Curci.”

Accession Number: 1987.573
Dimensions: 11 x 6 in. (27.9 x 15.2 cm)
Donation Date: September 18, 1981
Donor: Gift of Fran Curci

A football from the Oklahoma Sooners and signed by the team. Notable signatures include Billy Sims (1978 Heisman Trophy winner) and JC Watts (would serve in the US House of Representatives).On the white quarter of the football an inscription to Ford can be found written in red.

Accession Number: 1987.574
Dimensions: 11 1/4 x 7 in. (28.6 x 17.8 cm)
Donation Date: September 18, 1981
Donor: Gift of Barry Switzer
President's Diary Page
White House Photograph 1
White House Photograph 2
President's Trip Log

A football signed by Don Panham, Bo Schembechler, and Walter Taninga all member of the University of Michigan sports department. Also, both Panham and Taninga wrote notes to the President on the football.

Accession Number: 1987.575
Dimensions: 11 x 7 in. (27.9 x 17.8 cm)
Donation Date: September 18, 1981
Donor: Gift of Don Canham, Glenn 'Bo' Schembechler and Walter Teninga
White House Photograph

A football inscribed and signed to Gerald R. Ford from the 1978 Penn State team. Notable signatures include Joe Paterno, Matt Millen, and Chuck Fusina the '78 Heisman trophy runner-up and Maxwell Award winner.

Accession Number: 1987.571
Dimensions: 11 1/4 x 6 1/2 in. (28.6 x 16.5 cm)
Donation Date: September 18, 1981
Donor: Gift of Penn State Football Team

Game football used in the 1974 Army-Navy game. Adhered to the football a blue label with white lettering reveals the game’s final score.

Accession Number: 1987.577
Dimensions: 11 x 6 in. (27.9 x 15.2 cm)
Donation Date: July 22, 2008
Donor: Gift of Bud Klenk

An autographed "Michigan State Spartans" collegiate football signed in ink by members of the 1979 football team.

Accession Number: 1987.626
Dimensions: 10 1/2 x 5 1/2 in. (26.7 x 14 cm)
Donor: Gift of Michigan State Spartans

A signed university of Pittsburg football and includes signatures from coach Johnny Majors, the Heisman Trophy winner from that year, Tony Dorsett, and the rest of the 1976 team. The football also includes an inscription to Ford which is featured on the white panel of the football.

Accession Number: 1988.210
Dimensions: 11 1/4 x 7 in. (28.6 x 17.8 cm)
Donation Date: September 18, 1981
Donor: Gift of Johnny Majors

A football with an ink sketch of Gerald Ford and plastic stick-on letters state the scores of the Ohio State-Michigan rivalry from 1932-34 (Gerald R. Ford's three years on the Michigan varsity).

Accession Number: 1988.233
Dimensions: 11 x 7 in. (27.9 x 17.8 cm)
Donation Date:September 18, 1981
Donor: Gift of Woody Hayes
President's Diary Page
White House Photograph
President's Travel Log

Official NFL Wilson Football that is brown with black text on top panels and white text on bottom panel, and white lace. The football features a signature from Redskins head coach George Allen written in white.

Accession Number: 1988.294
Dimensions: 11 x 5 1/2 in. (27.9 x 14 cm)
Donation Date: September 18, 1981
Donor: Gift of George H. Allen

A Wilson football signed by the 1975 Framingham College Rams team after they defeated Curry College. Also written on the football in white print is the date, "Nov. 1, 1975" as well as the results of the game, "Framingham State 16 - Curry College 8." Below this the print reads, "Presented to Pres. Gerald R. Ford by the F.S.C. Rams 11-7-75"

Accession Number: 1988.369
Dimensions: 11 1/4 x 7 in. (28.6 x 17.8 cm)
Donation Date: September 18, 1981
Donor: Gift of Edward J. DeSaulnier III

A plastic Kenowa Hills football from Kenowa Hills senior class. It is white in color, and signed in black (faded). There are gold stripes on each end of ball. There is a makers mark that reads "Concepts" molded on the back. President Ford participated in a "Phone the School" conference with the students of Kenowa Hills during his trip to Grand Rapids, Michigan on October 26th.

Accession Number: 1988.444
Dimensions: 5 1/2 x 3 3/4 in. (14 x 9.5 cm)
Donation Date: September 18, 1981
Donor: Gift of Kenowa Hills Class of 1973

A football that features the signatures of the 1973 UNLV Runnin’ Rebels football team. It also features an inscription to Gerald R. Ford on the white panel of the football.

Accession Number: 1988.597.1
Dimensions: 11 1/4 x 7 in. (28.6 x 17.8 cm)
Donation Date: September 18, 1981
Donor: Gift of Tinley Park High School

A football features red, white, and blue panels with white-painted text. It features the signature of the club chairman Dave Green. It was sent as a gift to Gerald R. Ford from the Oregon GOP Country Club.

Accession Number: 1988.598
Dimensions: 11 x 6 in. (27.9 x 15.2 cm)
Donation Date: September 18, 1981
Donor: Unknown

A white miniature football that has two orange stripes circling each end. The center features black text that reads “Hudson Tigers / 1973 / 'Effort is Everything'” and “Vice Pred. Ford / 53 / Straight / Wins.”

Accession Number: 1988.613.1
Dimensions: 3 1/2 x 6 1/4 x 3 1/2 in. (8.9 x 15.9 x 8.9 cm)
Donor: Unknown

An old regulation football inscribed with autographs of some of University of Michigan's famous football players, dating from 1903 including Fielding Yost and 1940 Heisman Trophy winner Tom Harmon. It is also signed by sportscasters Bill Stern and Ted Husing. It is Painted with the University of Michigan colors of blue and maize.

Accession Number: 1988.767
Dimensions: 11 x 5 1/2 in. (27.9 x 14 cm)
Donor: Gift of Charley Martin

A gift to President Ford. A white leather football that features white laces, black text, and signatures in black, purple, and green ink from the Coral Springs Youth Football Club.

Accession Number: 1988.1133
Dimensions: 11 x 5 1/2 in. (27.9 x 4 cm)
Donation Date: September 18, 1981
Donor: Gift of Tony J. La Monte

This white leather hide football with rawhide lacing was autographed by the members of the 1935 Collegiate All-Star Team, including Gerald R. Ford. The football includes the dates during which Ford played for the University of Michigan.

Accession Number: 1989.222
Donation Date: February 8, 1989
Donor: Gift of Elaine McGowan Grundl

A game football signed by the 1976 Carlinville, Illinois High School team. The football was given to Gerald R. Ford the day after a Carlinville victory during the president's Illinois train trip.

Accession Number: 1989.358
Dimensions: 11 x 6 in. (27.9 x 15.2 cm)
Donation Date: September 18, 1981
Donor: Gift of Carlinville High School
President's Travel Log

An official football that features the signature of John Brodie.

Accession Number: 1991.83.1
Dimensions: 11 x 6 in. (27.9 x 15.2 cm)
Donor: Unknown

A football given to Gerald R. Ford that features the signature of Colts player, Johnny Unitas.

Accession Number: 1991.84
Dimensions: 11 x 6 in. (27.9 x 15.2 cm)
Donor: Unknown

A 1978 Holiday Bowl football that features three tan panels and one white panel. The white panel features a commemoration on the inaugural Holiday Bowl and contains a signature by the BYU president at the time, Dallin H. Oaks. In 1975 President Ford included Dallin H. Oaks in a list of nominees for the Supreme Court.

Accession Number: 1991.86.1
Dimensions: 11 x 6 in. (27.9 x 15.2 cm)
Donation Date: September 18, 1981
Donor: Unknown
Other Links:
Wiki Article

A football that features two blue and two yellow panels with writing on the yellow panel. The writing says, "Gerald R. Ford / 38th President/ Good Health - Good Luck / Always."

Accession Number: 1991.87
Dimensions: 11 x 6 in. (27.9 x 15.2 cm)
Donation Date: September 18, 1981
Donor: Gift of Larry Dubow

A Washington Redskins football that features the embossed National Football League (NFL) logo and “Washington Redskins.” The football is faintly inscribed on the football in black marker, and it reads “To dearest/ Betty/ Ford/ ??/ 4/8.” Was given to Betty Ford at the Hospital while she was recovering from breast cancer surgery.

Accession Number: 1991.88.1
Dimensions: 5 3/4 x 9 x 12 in. (14.6 x 22.9 x 30.5 cm)
Donor: Unknown
White House Photograph

A football that contains one white and three brown panels. There are several notable signatures including Hall of Fame's Merlin Olsen, Dan Dierdorf, Tom Mack, Rayfield Wright, Ron Yary, Charley Taylor, Ken Houston, Jack Youngblood, Paul Krause, Charley Sanders and Roger Wehrli.

Accession Number: 1991.89
Dimensions: 11 1/4 x 7 in. (28.6 x 17.8 cm)
Donor: Gift of Dr. Ira Lee Eshleman

A red, white, and blue football that is composed of two white panels and two brown panels. The stitching is black and white, and the laces are white. All of the text is painted on in black.

Accession Number: 1991.90.1
Dimensions: 11 x 5 1/2 in. (27.9 x 14 cm)
Donor: Unknown

This Davenport University football contains one white panel and three brown panels. It features autographs. A gift to President Ford who had briefly taught and coached football back in the 1940's

Accession Number: 2002.164
Dimensions: 11 x 6 in. (27.9 x 15.2 cm)
Donor: Unknown

This deflated 1997 Michigan Wolverine National Championship football features a yellow panel in the center and three brown panels. The yellow panel contains the scores of Michigan's undefeated 1997 season in blue text.

Accession Number: 2006.59.96
Dimensions: 12 x 5 in. (30.5 x 12.7 cm)
Donation Date: October 31, 2006
Donor: Gift of Betty Ford

This NFL Official football features brown and white panels as well as white laces. It contains the autographs of famous NFL quarterbacks in blue.

Accession Number: 2006.59.97
Dimensions: 11 1/4 x 7 in. (28.6 x 17.8 cm)
Donation Date: October 31, 2006
Donor: Gift of Betty Ford

This leather football features one patch of brown leather with Wilson and NCAA written on it. The remainder of the football contains white leather featuring blue signatures and "Wilson" in black lettering. It also contains the NCAA 2002 Division II Championship logo. The football sits within a clear covering with the GVSU logo on the front and a black base that contains a plaque.

Accession Number: 2007.9.33
Donation Date: February 21, 2007
Donor: Gift of Betty Ford

A University of Michigan football made of two yellow and two blue panels. One of the yellow panels features in large block letters the word "Wolverines" that contains both blue and yellow coloring inside them and one of the blue panels features a yellow "M". The football contains messages signed in black marker by fans of Gerald R. Ford.

Accession Number: 2007.93
Dimensions: 6 x 11 1/2 in. (15.2 x 29.2 cm)
Donation Date: January 2007
Donor: Unknown

Green and white football with white laces featuring the Michigan State Spartans logo and helmet printed on it. Handwritten text in black marker. Red label of Collegiate licensed product. Black and white barcode.

Accession Number: 2007.94
Dimensions: 5 x 8 1/2 in. (12.7 x 21.6 cm)
Donor: Unknown

This brown practice football features the University of Michigan "M" drawn on it and the memorial text in silver ink of "Gerald R. Ford / A True American / and hometown / hero." The ball, made by Wilson, is official size. Julie Setlock left football at President Ford's memorial.

Accession Number: 2007.217
Dimensions: 6 1/4 x 11 in. (15.9 x 27.9 cm)
Donation Date: January 2007
Donor: Gift of Setlock Family

Mini plush University of Michigan football. Half yellow and half blue. Text handwritten on yellow half. Left as tribute at Ford Presidential Library in Ann Arbor during month of mourning.

Accession Number: 2007.377
Donor: Unknown