# Hugh Jackman Honors Gerald Ford’s Legacy at Michigan Football Game Actor Hugh Jackman wore a symbolic jersey to highlight a historic act of friendship. - **Source:** [Us Weekly](https://www.usmagazine.com) - **Published:** 2026-11-08 - **Topic:** [culture](https://brifing.si/c/culture) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/49ca9d33-7617-4bc2-ae5f-f2efac5eed9d ## Honorary Captain Appearance Actor Hugh Jackman served as the honorary captain for the University of Michigan Wolverines on Saturday, November 7. Accompanied by his girlfriend, Sutton Foster, the 58-year-old star attended the game wearing team gear. Jackman jokingly expressed his excitement on Instagram, playfully questioning the team about his missing playbook before the kickoff. ## Symbolic Jersey Choice Jackman wore a jersey featuring the number 48, which holds deep historical significance for the university. While some might associate the number with the 48th commander-in-chief, Gerald Ford, Jackman clarified that the choice was specifically intended to honor a pivotal moment from 1936 involving Ford and his teammate, Willis Ward. ## The 1936 Controversy During a 1936 game against Georgia Tech, the visiting team refused to play if Willis Ward, a Black star player, remained on the field. The university's sporting director ultimately benched Ward to appease the opponents. This decision deeply angered Gerald Ford, who threatened to quit the team in protest of the injustice. ## A Bond of Friendship Willis Ward personally convinced Gerald Ford to stay and play in the game, urging him to defeat the opposing team. Ford followed this advice, and the two remained lifelong friends after the incident. Jackman highlighted this story to the current Michigan players as a profound example of character and team loyalty. ## Lessons in Integrity Jackman used the historical anecdote to emphasize the importance of standing up for teammates regardless of the stakes involved. He described the crooked number four on his jersey as a memento representing the enduring bond between Ford and Ward, framing this commitment as the true definition of being a Wolverine. ## Pregame Speech Impact Before the game began, Jackman shared these reflections with the Michigan football team in a pregame address captured on social media. He urged the athletes to prioritize integrity and mutual support, framing the historical narrative as a guide for their own conduct both on and off the competitive football field. ## Game Day Outcome Despite the emotional weight of the pregame speech and the symbolic tribute provided by Jackman, the University of Michigan team faced a difficult result on the field. The Wolverines ultimately lost the game with a final score of 6-15, marking a disappointing conclusion to the actor's honorary captaincy appearance. ## Cultural Significance The event highlights how public figures often use their platform to bridge sports and historical social justice narratives. By focusing on the 1936 incident, Jackman brought attention to the racial dynamics of collegiate sports history, reminding modern audiences that team loyalty often requires taking a firm stand against discriminatory external pressures. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.usmagazine.com/sports/news/hugh-jackman-sutton-foster-go-to-university-of-michigan-game/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._