Ford, a better golf ambassador than U.S. President, recovering from pneumonia

Gerald Ford, the oldest living former President of the United States, is in the hospital today, fighting off a case of pneumonia. While at 92, such a condition is not to be taken lightly, reports are that Ford is doing well and resting comfortably.

Ford, who managed to go from the U.S. Congress to the vice-presidency to the Presidency basically by not being a criminal, is generally known for a couple things – pardoning Richard Nixon, and being a terrible klutz.

While there will be myriad opinions on whether he did the right thing in regards to the Nixon pardon, his reputation as a klutz is extremely overblown. Sure, he had a penchant for stumbling (giving Chevy Chase a career in the process, something much more damning than pardoning Tricky Dick), but Ford was a fantastic athlete who starred on the University of Michigan football team and was a 12-handicap on the golf course.

Unfortunately, even the golf course conspired against Ford, however, as while President he hit an errant drive that ended up braining some older lady. If I recall, all three major networks at the time played the shot on a loop for about a month straight. But Ford kept his humor about it all.

“I know I’m getting better at golf because I’m hitting fewer spectators,” he famously said.

But while history and events beyond his control shaped his reputation, Ford has been a marvelous ambassador for the U.S. over the years, and has been a great ambassador for golf, as well. So here’s hoping for a quick recovery, Mr. President.

Not a bad swing for a klutz