Vince Lombardi’s Steakhouse in Appleton has a notable piece of history on display, a letter from then President Ford to Vince Lombardi’s widow.

The letter was written in October 1974, three weeks after Ford pardoned Richard Nixon. In the brief note Ford acknowledges how much the decision and public criticism were weighing on his mind.

In the letter he tells Marie Lombardi he was certain in his heart he did the right thing.

A second Ford letter from 1977 is also displayed there. In it, Ford thanks Marie Lombardi for sending him a copy of the book Lombardi: Winning is the Only Thing.