MGoHistory: Leslie Lynch King, Jr. was Michigan's MVP in 1934

Just learned from the podcast "Presidents are People too!" that Gerald Ford, Jr. was born Leslie Lynch King Jr. in 1913 in Omaha, Nebraska.  HIs mother escaped an abusive relationship and in 1916 married Gerald Ford (who then became "Not that Gerald Ford" or "NTGF"), a salesman in a family-owned paint and varnish company.

They then called her son Gerald Rudolff Ford, Jr. and treated him so well that people thought he was a natural son.

As we know, Ford was named Most Valuable Player on the 1934 team (and, of course, received professional football contract offers from the Green Bay Packers and the Detroit Lions, which he declined).

In September 1935, Yale University hired Ford to be an assistant football and boxing coach.  Ford was in New Haven for law school.

On December 3, 1935, Ford legally changes his name to Gerald R. Ford, Jr., which of course means that he was Leslie King when on the team at Michigan.  I don't know if players or coaches even knew.

Post-script note:  The first Heisman was won by the University of Chicago, but the next two were won by Yale (and two different players) after Ford had been there for full year.  Clear cause-and-effect if you ask me.  Go Blue!