Gerald Ford: The Accidental President Who Tried to Tripple Axle His Way into History

Gerald Ford, also known as the President who couldn’t stop falling, was the accidental President of the United States from 1974 to 1977.

Ford was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska. He attended the University of Michigan where he played football, famously saying, “I know I am not the world’s greatest athlete, but I can play.”

After college, Ford moved to Washington D.C., where he worked as an assistant coach for the Yale football team and served in the Navy during World War II. It was during this time that he reportedly fell off a ship and into the Pacific Ocean, proving that his clumsiness was not just limited to land.

Ford’s political career began when he was elected to Congress in 1948, eventually serving as the House Minority Leader. He was chosen to replace Vice President Spiro Agnew in 1973 after Agnew resigned amid a scandal. When President Nixon resigned in 1974, Ford became the first and only person to become President without winning a national election.

As President, Ford tried to make a name for himself by attempting to triple axel his way into history. Despite his obvious lack of experience on the ice, Ford reportedly spent hours practicing the move in secret in the White House skating rink. Unfortunately, his attempts were never successful, and he would often end up falling on his backside, much to the amusement of onlookers.

Despite his skating mishaps, Ford did make some significant accomplishments during his time in office. He helped to end the Vietnam War, improved relations with the Soviet Union, and launched a campaign to fight inflation.

Ford’s Presidency came to an end in 1977, and he retired from politics, deciding instead to focus on his newfound passion for ice skating. He continued to practice his triple axel, but never managed to land it successfully. He did, however, become a beloved figure in the world of figure skating, inspiring countless skaters to keep trying and never give up, no matter how often they fall.

In the end, Gerald Ford may have been an accidental President, but he will always be remembered for his dedication to the sport of ice skating and his unwavering determination to master the triple axel.