Chuck Bernard Joseph Charles " Chuck " Bernard ( August 29 , 1911 – March 1962 ) was a professional American football center who played for the Detroit Lions in 1934 and was a two - time All - American at the University of Michigan . He was born in Chicago , Illinois . College career . Bernard attended Benton Harbor High School before enrolling at Michigan . Bernard was a 60 - minute player who was said to be equally brilliant on offense and defense . In 1928 and 1929 , Bernard was named the Michigan outstanding prep athlete . Bernard was an All - American center on the Wolverines back - to - back undefeated national championship teams in 1932 and 1933 . The 1932 team went 8 – 0 ( including six shutouts ) and outscored opponents 123 to 13 , an average of 1 . 6 points per game by U - M ' s opponents . The 1933 team went 7 – 0 – 1 , outscored its opponents , 131 to 18 , and its only blemish was a scoreless tie against the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers in the Little Brown Jug game . In an article in " Collier ' s " magazine , famed sports writer Grantland Rice said of Bernard : " His height , weight and physical power combined with a keen football intelligence , made him an ideal man backing up the line . He was quick at diagnosing plays and went to the right spot . He was one of football ' s best defenders against the forward pass and adept at intercepting passes . " Bernard was a consensus first - team All - American , being selected by Walter Camp and Associated Press , among others . In a January 1934 article announcing the All - American selections , " Time " magazine noted : " Michigan ' s Bernard , a 215 - lb . cyclone . . . [ was ] picked by practically every All - American selector of standing . " Associated Press sports editor Alan Gould wrote : " Without Bernard , the Wolverines could hardly have topped the toughest league in the country . " Along with Whitey Wistert , Bernard was one of chief reasons why 1933 Wolverine lines were said to be " impregnable . " Gerald Ford . Bernard is also remembered as the All - American center for whom U . S . President Gerald Ford served as a backup in the 1932 and 1933 seasons . When President Ford was asked in his later years about his greatest regret in life , he thought for a moment and said : " Well , I wanted to play more football as a sophomore and junior , but one year ahead of me , Michigan also had an All - American center , Chuck Bernard . I was the better offensive center , but Chuck was 25 pounds heavier and better on defense . And in those days a coach played one guy . So that was my great regret . " The interviewer asked , " But , Mr . President , what about losing the election in ' 76 ? " Ford laughed and said , " Oh , well , that too . " Ford told his biographer that it was a terrible let - down to sit on the sidelines . Ford noted : " So here I am , great prospects as a sophomore , and my competition is All - American . " Ford was forced to watch and play backup as Bernard started for the 1932 and 1933 National Championship teams . " Not playing was tough , " Ford said , " but I learned a lot on the bench . I learned that there was the potential always that somebody could be better than you . And Chuck was better overall . " NFL career . After graduating from the University of Michigan , Bernard played 10 games for the Detroit Lions in 1934 .