Good bye to the Greatest!

[Voodooo]

I grew up watching Muhammad Ali on TV and met him once in person. It sucks that the Greatest of all time has passed, but no matter how great of a fighter you are you cannot cheat death. Today's celebrities don't hold a candle in the wind to him. He was a true sportsman, entertainer, professional, and gentlemen. He lived by his beliefs and cared for all of mankind. You cannot say that about any professional sports figure or celebrity today. He inspired so many people to be the best they could be. Some hated that he dodged the draft for the Vietnam War, but as he said then those people didn't harm him, his family, his mother or father. If more people were like him we may be living in a more peaceful world today. Unfortunately that will never happen. Wars of nations are fought to change maps. But wars for poverty are fought to map change. The man that views the world at 50 years old the same as he was at age 20, has wasted 30 years of his life. The man that has no imagination stands on the Earth. He has no wings, he cannot fly. When we are right, no one remembers. But when we are wrong, no one forgets. RIP

Sponsored

 

[tcman54]

Great fighter for sure and a good entertainer.

This is not directed at you but almost everyone I have seen is getting his stage name wrong, it is Muhammad Ali, most people are putting an "o" in his name.

Terry

 

[tcman54]

I see Voodoo corrected his post.

Terry :cheers:

 

[Voodooo]

I see Voodoo corrected his post.

Terry :cheers:

:cheers:

 

[Fordever]

I feel like a little piece of me died today as well. :(

 

[Patio208]

Its nice to see respectful comments worthy of this great man. I've seen far too many negative reactions and the "draft dodger" argument thrown around today. I've been in many an argument through the years trying to educate people on the fact that Ali used his fame as a platform like no one before him. By objecting to service in the Vietnam war he literally sacrificed his career and own personal gain to draw necessary attention to the civil rights movement. He didn't "dodge" anything, he stood up and proclaimed exactly why he was doing it. I know nobody wants to talk about race because it's messy, but this is history. Jus put yourself in the shoes of a young Cassius Clay. A poor black boy in the south during the 40's 50's and 60's who couldn't even use the same restrooms or eat in the same restaurant as whites. Of course he was angered by being forced to kill and or die for his country that at that time had failed to guarantee him the freedoms it promised. The fact that he is so widely loved after taking such a hard stand speaks volumes about his courage.

 

[NowInSixth]

Forget great boxer (wish he undoubtedly was, for many the greatest), that man was an American legend. Gone, but never forgotten. RIP Ali.

 

[Double D]

Muhammad Ali may have had the most recognizable face in the world. He was a remarkable man who transcended sports, race, and religion. He was respected like few others. I was at the 2000 Mens NCAA Final Four in Indianpolis. Before the games started, a roar and standing ovation began at the other end of the area. From my seat I couldn't see what was happening, but I could see a group of people moving on the main walkway. As they got closer the applause continued and everyone rose from their seats. It was Ali going to his seat. There was no announcement saying he was there, no fanfare, it was spontaneous. It gave me goose bumps and still does. It was at that moment I realized just how special he was.

Sponsored