OT: Muhammad Ali passed away this evening at 74

[j66kicker]

I saw Muhammed speak on our college campus in 1970. I pretty much idolized him at that time, as did all the other tens of thousands of students gathered there on an outdoor mall. He seemed much bigger than his 6'3", 210+ lbs. There was a glow - like there was a force field around him where it would be impossible for anyone to penetrate. He was really riled up - VERY charismatic, so he got others really riled up too. Specifically all the black people on campus. As a white person it was kinda scary. But he didn't incite people to violence. But I couldn't believe the power of his personality.

A few years ago I had floor seats at a Phoenix Suns game. My buddy and I noticed Muhammed sitting in similar floor seats at the other end. At halftime I walked down to say hello. His wife was very nice - got his attention even though Muhammed was shaking and couldn't really raise his head to look up. Very nice moment until his security guys grabbed me and "asked" me to leave. Also saw him at a Diamondbacks game (he was in the front row there too, of course).

I can't believe he's gone. Very very special person

 

[mhshuskies]

Disturbed? Trash talking?
Maybe I can add the perspective of a young, voiceless Black boy who grew up in the housing projects of Bed-Sty, Brooklyn. He spoke for me and many others in this country. He showed me that I could grow up and confidently project my self image. He helped me see that I didn't have to quietly smile and bow my head and nod and hide my light (remember these were the 60's and 70's) where Blacks were sometimes beaten -- I was -- for merely looking at a White person. So here was a strong, smart, Black man saying "I am the best -- the greatest of all time" and it gave me confidence to go to an Ivy League college and Ivy League law school. To ultimately sit with three Presidents of the United States and hold myself erect.

So for some it was "trash talking". For me (and I dare say millions of other voiceless people) it was necessary. It was all a part of his social commentary challenging the underpinnings of American society, its current culture and the Vietnam war. It was going to jail for his beliefs (which the Supreme Court vindicated). It was pronouncing our (almost) unfiltered presence. It was talking to reporters and Presidents and Kings and to us all at the same. With strength. With intelligence. With a twinkle in his eye. I am sorry that so many missed that.

Muhammad Ali's picture hangs in my office to this day. May he rest in peace

Thank you.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Shook his hand at an airport. He looked smaller than I expected, but he wasn't young anymore. I've never asked anyone else for the privilege of shaking their hand.

I shook Geno's hand at the Team USA practice at Bender Arena on the AU campus in 2010.

 

[LesMis89]

I was five when Clay fought Liston for the title. I rooted for the guy whose name reminded me of Play-Doh. He won. I continued to follow him throughout his career and afterwards. I didn't always understand what he was doing and why in the 1960's but I knew he was taking a stand for what he believed to be right.

As a girl growing up in an all-white town in an all-white county in rural central Illinois, I cannot begin to describe the impact he made on me. I didn't know any black folks so had no way to relate to them. Most of what I saw on TV news regarding blacks was negative. But I knew there were people like Dr. King, Bob Gibson and Ali too and they were wonderful. That was huge.

One of my absolute favorite Olympic moments was him lighting the Olympic flame in Atlanta while the athletes and crowd chanted his name. Chills.

RIP Champ...and thanks.

 

[DaddyChoc]

 

[DaddyChoc]

good interview

 

[stamfordhusky]

I lost all respect for Ali due to the extreme cruelty he directed at Joe Frazier, Joe Louis, and Floyd Patterson, among others. Never regained it.

 

[BobbyJ]

I lost all respect for Ali due to the extreme cruelty he directed at Joe Frazier, Joe Louis, and Floyd Patterson, among others. Never regained it.

You are correct. A spiritual man of God would never do that. America loves to worship and hold hands with celebrities. As Martin Luther King said of him, "When Cassius Clay joined the Black Muslims and started calling himself Cassius X he became a champion of racial segregation and that is what we are fighting against". Memories can be conveniently short when it comes to worshiping celebrities.

 

[meyers7]

It is not possible for me to identify with you. Or Muhhamad Ali. I did not criticize him - never did. I could not grasp why people admired him early on for what seemed to me to be mere arrogant boastfulness.

Ah, but it ain't boasting if you can back it up.

 

[meyers7]

Ali was probably my favorite fighter of all time. I used to watch quite a bit of boxing back in the day. My favorite memory was the Ali-Foreman fight (Rumble in the Jungle). I remember being astonished at what Foreman did to Frazier. I didn't think (as most people) that Ali had a chance against this great young fighter. The match must have been later at night because I didn't watch or hear it live. But on my way to school the next day on the bus the radio announcer reported Ali had beaten Foreman by knockout in the 8th round. I was shocked but very happy.

RIP to The Greatest.