Which presidents played sports? Ulysses S. Grant: Before he was president, Ulysses S. Grant was a great horseman. Growing up in Ohio, Grant was around horses from a young age, learning to ride in his early years and handling teams of horses by the time he was 7 or 8. While in school, Grants horsemanship skills were more impressive than his average grades. Grover Cleveland: An athletic youngster, Grover Cleveland could allegedly out-wrestle and out-swim most of his classmates at school. However, his favorite sport was fishing. Theodore Roosevelt: To combat childhood asthma, Theodore Roosevelts parents got him started in sports at a young age to build his strength and stamina. He enjoyed outdoor activities, such as riding horses, swimming and hiking, and he competed in boxing and tennis while at Harvard. Dwight Eisenhower: President Dwight D. Eisenhower showcased his strength while playing on the West Point football team. He played at halfback until a knee injury forced him to the sidelines. John F. Kennedy: John F. Kennedy was athletic in his youth, and was said to have gone out for swimming, football and sailing while at Harvard. His athletic endeavors were hindered by a back injury, although he was still able to enjoy his familys hobby of sailing later in his life. Gerald Ford: Before he was president of the United States, Gerald Ford was a standout football player. A lineman at the University of Michigan, Ford helped the Wolverines capture the 1932 and 1933 national crowns. He was voted the teams Most Valuable Player in 1935, his senior season. Aside from football, Ford also enjoyed golfing, swimming and skiing. Jimmy Carter: Jimmy Carter showed off his athleticism while attending the U.S. Naval Academy, where he ran track and cross country, and also played on the schools lightweight football team. Ronald Reagan: With well-rounded interests, Ronald Reagan was also a well-rounded athlete. The former U.S. president played football and enjoyed swimming when he was young, and eventually played three sports at Eureka College (Ill.): football, track and swimming. George H.W. Bush: President George H.W. Bush was a three-sport athlete in high school, playing basketball, soccer and baseball. He had the most talent in baseball, and went on to play first base at Yale. Bill Clinton: During his presidency, Bill Clinton incorporated jogging into his work day. From battling childhood weight problems to undergoing heart surgery, the former president tries to maintain a healthier lifestyle in his post-White House years by continuing to walk and jog to stay in shape. George W. Bush: President George W. Bushs interest in sports began with baseball, as he assembled a group of investors to buy the Texas Rangers while his father was president. Bush is also an avid cyclist, which resulted in a few minor accidents during his presidency.
Posted on: Thu, 24 Jul 2014 15:06:49 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015