The 1934 Michigan-Georgia Tech football game is a stark reminder of the deep-rooted racial prejudices that existed in American sports during the early 20th century. When Georgia Tech refused to take the field against the University of Michigan if Willis Ward, Michigan's African American star player, participated, it forced Michigan to bench Ward, causing a nationwide outcry. The decision wasn't just a blow to Ward, who was an exceptional athlete, but it also had significant emotional and moral implications for his teammates. One notable response came from Ward's best friend on the team, Gerald Ford, who later became the 38th President of the United States. Ford vehemently opposed the decision and threatened to quit the team in protest, embodying a strong stand against racial injustice. His threat did not change the university’s decision, but it underscored the moral dilemma student-athletes faced during this era, and highlighted Ford's early commitment to principles of equality and justice—principles that would define his later political career.