Mystery photo needs some explanation

Let’s put our heads together and figure this one out … Where and when was this photo taken?

Michigan’s Mr. Media, Tim Skubick, has written a column for MLive about a tradition at MSU vs. U-M football games in the 1950s and early 1960s that featured the governor, riding in a top-down car, across the 50-yard-line at halftime.

The column is accompanied by a black-and-white photograph (above) with this caption: Gov. William Milliken, right, was the last to cross from one end of the field to the other in a tradition once allowed at MSU-U-M games. Here he's pictured with a famous former U-M football player, President Jerry Ford. (File Photo).

First of all, the historical facts are out of whack. Milliken took over as the governor in January 1969, so the tradition did not end in the early ‘60s. Gerald and Betty Ford are prominently displayed in this photo and it looks to me like a post-presidency pic, after Ford left the White House in January 1977.

Another item: That sure appears to be U.S. Sen. Robert Griffin riding behind the president. Griffin didn’t leave office until January 1979.

Most importantly, I don’t think this photo was shot at Spartan Stadium or at that other place in Ann Arbor. It looks to me like the Fords and Milliken are standing up in a limo sun roof and they’re riding down a street during a campaign event. Maybe during Ford’s ’76 election campaign?

Any thoughts?

I’m not sure what “file photo” means in this case, given that the material is published by the relatively new online MLive news service. Perhaps someone associated with from one of the former Booth newspapers recalls this photo.

I was a freshman at MSU in the fall of 1977 and I don’t remember any such halftime tradition. (Then again, my memories of college football Saturdays from those days are a bit fuzzy.)

According to Skubick, the annual governor’s appearance was quietly discontinued due to security concerns.

Here’s a portion of his column:

“Back in the bucolic days of the 1950s and early 60s, there was a halftime tradition. The bands from both schools would form an aisle at mid-field either at the Big House or Spartan Stadium and the announcer would ask for everyone’s attention ... at least those who were still sober.

“Ladies and gentlemen. We direct your attention to the 50 yard line where the governor of the state of Michigan will move from the home side of the field to the visitors side.”

Whomever thought-up the idea was obviously going for the symbolism that the governor had no favorite in the game, which was the P.C. thing to do. Why risk losing an election by offending either the blues or the greens in the audience?

So with the announcement, the governor would begin the trek from one sideline to the other while the bands played on.”

Btw: It’s quite possible that Skubick played no role in choosing the photo for his column.