Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson has opened up on his obsession with John F. Kennedy, and how the former US President has inspired him throughout his career
Legendary Manchester United gaffer Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed his deep-seated fascination with John F. Kennedy, going back to the time of the president’s earth-shattering assassination in 1963.
During JFK’s presidency, a youthful Fergie was only in his early 20s, making a living playing part-time for St Johnstone and toiling away at his local shipyard.
Despite being worlds apart from Kennedy’s White House, Sir Alex felt a palpable connection to the US’s youngest elected leader. “I was fascinated with JFK when he was president,” Ferguson told Insider.
“People don’t maybe recognise the era he lived in, because he had to deal with the Cold War, Vietnam, racism, Medicare, the rail strikes, and Cuba.” He added, “You know, it was an amazing challenge for a young president.”
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Amid various international tensions like the Cuban Missile Crisis, JFK’s innovative approach won him widespread admiration until his untimely assassination.
Fascinated by one of history’s pivotal moments, Ferguson admits the tragedy resonated deeply with him, reports the Daily Star.
He reflected in his 2013 autobiography: “The killing of John Kennedy in Dallas in 1963 left its mark on me from the day I heard the news. Over time I developed a forensic interest in how he was killed, by whom and why.
“For a young lad like me, Kennedy captured the imagination. He was a good looking boy and there was a certain spark about him.”
The legendary Manchester United manager credits JFK’s influence as part of his inspiration that led to unprecedented success at Old Trafford.
Sir Alex also shared a special connection with ex-Prime Minister Gordon Brown through their mutual fascination with Kennedy. “I’ve got about seven books by my bed. I’m into history (books) mainly. Gordon Brown sent me 35 CDs on the American Civil War, it was brilliant.
“I got a letter from a lad who ran the JFK committee and he used to send me a lot of stuff and he sent me the autopsy report. I’ve actually got a brand new copy of the Warren Report (the official investigation into JFK’s assassination) signed by (former President) Gerald Ford, its the only one of its kind.
“He was a young man who was kind of in my era. I was involved in the trade unions and I was an ideologist about life. Kennedy presented a new vision of politics. Of course he had his critics but in his time as President I don’t think any President in American history has been presented with as many problems and had to deal with it in a three year spell.”
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