RIP The Greatest (Ali)

[Louis]

http://nyti.ms/1sUH6gD

https://static01.nyt.com/images/2013/04/30/sports/20130430muhammadali-slide-ZBJ4/20130430muhammadali-slide-ZBJ4-master675-v2.jpg

[gasman]

Sad but seemed inevitable watching how frail he become over the last two decades.
An amazing boxer.

[Louis]

On the Dick Cavett show before his brain turned to mush:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zvg2XX2SXt8

[beeatnik]

I really liked his style

https://c4.staticflickr.com/9/8750/17056425459_bf4410fca5_o.jpg

https://c7.staticflickr.com/8/7709/17216652086_9d104554a7_o.jpg

http://www.amazon.com/Goat-Tribute-Muhammad-Benedikt-Taschen/dp/3822816272/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1465017063&sr=8-2&keywords=GOAT+ALI

[jlwdm]

He was the greatest - amazing boxing skills.

Jeff

[jimcav]

he inspired and wasn't just talk
RIP, or float etc

[OLB]

Great boxer. Probably as influential outside of the ring as in it, which was no small feat. He will be missed. RIP to a true American icon.

[marciero]

Perhaps best-loved athlete in history.

[marciero]

Lots in that article. I didn't know many of those details of his life.

[velomonkey]

Going to the group ride and wearing this shirt I dug out of the dirty clothes - gonna have to wear it all weekend.

[velomonkey]

Oh and this . . . . .

[OtayBW]

RIP Champ.

[cadence90]

Love.

http://video.gazzetta.it/muhammad-ali-contro-bambino-ring/0ada6954-2a69-11e6-9739-7579a969e025

[wc1934]

Your title says it all - the greatest.
I've had that picture hanging in my office for eons.

The thrilla in manilla was epic - smoking joe with those hooks and Ali with those rights.

He really was a world champion - both in and out of the ring!!!!
RIP champ.

[ptourkin]

Perhaps best-loved athlete in history.

And the most hated. We have short memories.

On Twitter today:

Half of the people who will be paying tribute to Ali over the next few days, would absolutely crucify a 25yo Ali living in 2016. 😐😐😐😐

https://twitter.com/KashannKilson/status/738961169268936704

[buldogge]

Agreed...

...but, the other 1/2 (ourselves included?) like/respect him for the very things he was (and will be again?) demonized for.

He WAS boxing to this child of the 70's, no doubt...but his steadfastness out-of-the-ring must also be recognized and appreciated.

The haters have plenty of people to hate-on in 2016...they never need or utilize long memories because they are always comfortable spitting forth new hate.

Some things never change in this country...

-Mark in St. Louis

And the most hated. We have short memories.

On Twitter today:

Half of the people who will be paying tribute to Ali over the next few days, would absolutely crucify a 25yo Ali living in 2016. 😐😐😐😐

https://twitter.com/KashannKilson/status/738961169268936704

[cookietom]

Oh and this . . . . .

Amazing,,,,that pictures give me a chill

[firerescuefin]

....and I'd say he certainly regretted some of those (not all) actions. His life story was nowhere near written at that point.

The sentiment today that you have to 100% love somebody or get 100% behind a cause without having the ability to apply critical thought and have issues with a part or a nuance without getting labeled a hater/bigot/ or similar is incredibly myopic/misplaced.



And the most hated. We have short memories.

On Twitter today:

Half of the people who will be paying tribute to Ali over the next few days, would absolutely crucify a 25yo Ali living in 2016. 😐😐😐😐

https://twitter.com/KashannKilson/status/738961169268936704

[cadence90]

I really doubt that the Twitter-verse represents a balanced and considered analysis of Ali's life.

“The man who views the world at 50 the same as he did at 20 has wasted 30 years of his life.”

[ptourkin]

He never rejected his faith or his decision to resist what he felt was an unjust system. I understand that some of you respect his athletic accomplishments but he influenced the world in other ways. Cognitive dissonance is strong. He never took any of it back.

The same goes for Kareem. I'm old enough to remember what was said about them at the time. The world has changed and the way we look at them with it but that doesn't diminish the bravery of their convictions.

[cadence90]

http://blog.constitutioncenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/russell-civil-rights.jpg

http://www.popsspot.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/img_51ed642880e47.png

[ptourkin]

It's quite possible that peoples' opinion of avoiding the draft is what has changed. How many conservatives are going to vote for the guy whose dad paid his podiatrist to keep him out? The same man who also trashed a Vietnam POW for getting captured after he was shot down. How many "pro military" people trashed John Kerry and Al Gore who wore the uniform while getting their news from a man who avoided it for a cyst on his butt?

Times change.

[CampyorBust]

Cognitive dissonance is strong.

Yup, sanctimonious sycophants and hypocrites permeate the world and our reality today.

He had the courage to speak truth to power and stand up to the establishment, and do so effectively. I would wager his courage was far greater than that of all of his detractors combined. RIP Muhammad Ali I have a feeling you are in a much better place now.

https://youtu.be/HeFMyrWlZ68
https://youtu.be/4zs5lCrHxCc
https://youtu.be/Ba23hxCDrM4

Of course George hits it out of the park…

https://youtu.be/rtZXgfdauBY

[redir]

Oh and this . . . . .

That's such a great picture and you know everyone of those kids has told that story over and over again and probably still do today. The look on thier faces is priceless and that was the hope that Ali stood for.

Sweet bikes too :D

[goonster]

Some great photos here (https://www.theguardian.com/sport/gallery/2014/oct/30/muhammad-ali-25-best-photographs-cassius-clay-legendary-boxer), but one of my faves is from the 1960 Olympic podium.

http://www.americanheritage1.com/assets/images/olympics/1960-gold-medalist-cassius-clay-2.jpg

[malcolm]

He never rejected his faith or his decision to resist what he felt was an unjust system. I understand that some of you respect his athletic accomplishments but he influenced the world in other ways. Cognitive dissonance is strong. He never took any of it back.

The same goes for Kareem. I'm old enough to remember what was said about them at the time. The world has changed and the way we look at them with it but that doesn't diminish the bravery of their convictions.

Word. I'm 57 and grew up in the deep south, single parent family with little income. Most of the adults around me hated him and I think mostly because he was a black man that spoke his mind and happened to have access to a microphone. It was my first up close look at just plain old racism other than television. I always though he was just cool and my thoughts haven't really changed. To this day to me he is a guy that stood for what he believed and never wavered.

[campy man]

And the most hated. We have short memories.

On Twitter today:

Half of the people who will be paying tribute to Ali over the next few days, would absolutely crucify a 25yo Ali living in 2016. 😐😐😐😐

https://twitter.com/KashannKilson/status/738961169268936704

Since when does twitter matter :bike:

Black, White, Red, Green, ... far from perfect but no doubt made the world a better place.

Float like a butterfly and sting like a bee ... RIP Champ!

[rugbysecondrow]

I saw Ali in O'Hare a few years back.

Walking past a gate, there was an uproar of crying, joyful smiling, excited commotion...it was a weird mix of emotions all thrown together. Then Ali emerges from the group, aided by a helper, he gets on the rear facing seat of a golf car.

I walk by thinking, "damn, I just saw Muhammad Ali". That was cool.

About 10 seconds later, the golf car passes me, pulls right in front of me, and of course it slows down to walking pace. We are keeping pace with one another.

Ali is about 10' in front of me, looking right back at me. Our pace is the same for a few seconds, but it felt like minutes.

I am the sort who, when I have ever seen famous people, I don't bother them, assuming they want privacy. I tried to do this with Ali, just trying to act normal.

We made eye contact for a few seconds and I broke down and waved at him. He then gave me one of one of his fists-up shadow boxing smirks. Then a smile.

I was in my mid 30's, but I felt like a 9 year old.

I have seen famous people before, Walter Payton, Madonna, even Senator Obama...but Ali, as a sick-elderly man had more charisma than anybody I have ever seen. As he traversed the airport, people just wept, screamed and jumped with joy...sometimes all of the above.

What he managed to squeeze into one life is pretty amazing, factor in that he was very ill the last 30 years and it is even more incredible.

http://i.cbc.ca/1.3616517.1465047869!/fileImage/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/original_300/sport-boxing.jpg

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2016/03/08/13/02672094000004B0-3482048-image-a-34_1457442493347.jpg

[gasman]

I saw Ali in O'Hare a few years back.

Walking past a gate, there was an uproar of crying, joyful smiling, excited commotion...it was a weird mix of emotions all thrown together. Then Ali emerges from the group, aided by a helper, he gets on the rear facing seat of a golf car.

I walk by thinking, "damn, I just saw Muhammad Ali". That was cool.

About 10 seconds later, the golf car passes me, pulls right in front of me, and of course it slows down to walking pace. We are keeping pace with one another.

Ali is about 10' in front of me, looking right back at me. Our pace is the same for a few seconds, but it felt like minutes.

I am the sort who, when I have ever seen famous people, I don't bother them, assuming they want privacy. I tried to do this with Ali, just trying to act normal.

We made eye contact for a few seconds and I broke down and waved at him. He then gave me one of one of his fists-up shadow boxing smirks. Then a smile.

I was in my mid 30's, but I felt like a 9 year old.

I have seen famous people before, Walter Payton, Madonna, even Senator Obama...but Ali, as a sick-elderly man had more charisma than anybody I have ever seen. As he traversed the airport, people just wept, screamed and jumped with joy...sometimes all of the above.

What he managed to squeeze into one life is pretty amazing, factor in that he was very ill the last 30 years and it is even more incredible.

http://i.cbc.ca/1.3616517.1465047869!/fileImage/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/original_300/sport-boxing.jpg

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2016/03/08/13/02672094000004B0-3482048-image-a-34_1457442493347.jpg

Great story. Thanks for sharing. What an amazing life and person.

[bironi]

Nice tribute to Ali in his own words on NPR today.

http://www.npr.org/2009/04/06/102649267/i-am-still-the-greatest

[Doug Fattic]

His death was big news around here because Ali lived in Berrien Springs, Michigan (near me in Niles) for 30 years. His estate on the Saint Joe river actually had links to Al Capone that used to hang out there in his hey day in the 20’s. As a kid in the 50’s I knew it as the Capone place. Sometimes when my frame building class students would go out to eat they wanted me to drive up to his gate to check it out. Lots of locals would run into him all the time. He sometimes liked to walk around the campus of Andrews University (where I got my degrees) before his body started to really fail him. And – even though he was a devout muslim – he would pop into the campus church occasionally. He actually sent his youngest to the K to 8 church school operated by Andrews U. He was a couple of years behind Herbie Helm that helps me teach my frame building classes. Herbie remembers when his son brought one of Shaquille O’neal's shoes for show and tell. Apparently Shaq had sent one to Ali as a gift for some reason. Herbie said it was the biggest shoe he had ever seen. Herbie loved it if Ali’s son went to after school care because Ali’s mom would bring pizza for everyone when she came to pick him up. When he was older he went to Berrien Springs High School and played on the varsity baseball team. Ali paid for all his entire graduating class to go to a game in Chicago. Ali used to have an open house where he allowed the public to watch him train in his gym on the estate. Herbie’s dad used to go in to watch. What impressed him was the speed of his punch swing. According to him it was so fast you could hear it before it landed on his sparing partner. I don’t believe Ali has lived there the last few years.

Our bike club even saw him on a bike many years ago just around the time his body started to go south. A big hulking guy going slow. At 1st we were wondering who was the big guy on too small a bike and then it was Whoa that’s Mohammed! It was the 1st time I realized something was wrong with him physically.

[jwalther]

There is an organized ride tomorrow evening in Louisville to honor the champ. http://www.louisvillebicycletours.com/

[cadence90]

I just saw a bit of the procession on the AM news. Wow.

[OtayBW]

I saw Ali in O'Hare a few years back.

Walking past a gate, there was an uproar of crying, joyful smiling, excited commotion...it was a weird mix of emotions all thrown together. Then Ali emerges from the group, aided by a helper, he gets on the rear facing seat of a golf car.

I walk by thinking, "damn, I just saw Muhammad Ali". That was cool.

About 10 seconds later, the golf car passes me, pulls right in front of me, and of course it slows down to walking pace. We are keeping pace with one another.

Ali is about 10' in front of me, looking right back at me. Our pace is the same for a few seconds, but it felt like minutes.

I am the sort who, when I have ever seen famous people, I don't bother them, assuming they want privacy. I tried to do this with Ali, just trying to act normal.

We made eye contact for a few seconds and I broke down and waved at him. He then gave me one of one of his fists-up shadow boxing smirks. Then a smile.

I was in my mid 30's, but I felt like a 9 year old.

I have seen famous people before, Walter Payton, Madonna, even Senator Obama...but Ali, as a sick-elderly man had more charisma than anybody I have ever seen. As he traversed the airport, people just wept, screamed and jumped with joy...sometimes all of the above.

What he managed to squeeze into one life is pretty amazing, factor in that he was very ill the last 30 years and it is even more incredible.

http://i.cbc.ca/1.3616517.1465047869!/fileImage/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/original_300/sport-boxing.jpg

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2016/03/08/13/02672094000004B0-3482048-image-a-34_1457442493347.jpg
With this post, I hereby redeem you for all the nutty things (IMO...;)) that you've said here over the years... :beer:

[rugbysecondrow]

With this post, I hereby redeem you for all the nutty things (IMO...;)) that you've said here over the years... :beer:

Haha, thanks homey. :beer:

[cnighbor1]

Never was sure who could sell themselves the best Ali or Colnago
Both were great at it
I followed Ali's rise thru boxing and to the end
Amazing run for a fighter
Than followed his rise has a person
Amazing has he aged and got wiser
I miss his words and jabs at this world of ours
Charles Nighbor

[krhea]

I saw Ali in O'Hare a few years back.

Walking past a gate, there was an uproar of crying, joyful smiling, excited commotion...it was a weird mix of emotions all thrown together. Then Ali emerges from the group, aided by a helper, he gets on the rear facing seat of a golf car.

I walk by thinking, "damn, I just saw Muhammad Ali". That was cool.

About 10 seconds later, the golf car passes me, pulls right in front of me, and of course it slows down to walking pace. We are keeping pace with one another.

Ali is about 10' in front of me, looking right back at me. Our pace is the same for a few seconds, but it felt like minutes.

I am the sort who, when I have ever seen famous people, I don't bother them, assuming they want privacy. I tried to do this with Ali, just trying to act normal.

We made eye contact for a few seconds and I broke down and waved at him. He then gave me one of one of his fists-up shadow boxing smirks. Then a smile.

I was in my mid 30's, but I felt like a 9 year old.

I have seen famous people before, Walter Payton, Madonna, even Senator Obama...but Ali, as a sick-elderly man had more charisma than anybody I have ever seen. As he traversed the airport, people just wept, screamed and jumped with joy...sometimes all of the above.

What he managed to squeeze into one life is pretty amazing, factor in that he was very ill the last 30 years and it is even more incredible.

http://i.cbc.ca/1.3616517.1465047869!/fileImage/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/original_300/sport-boxing.jpg

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2016/03/08/13/02672094000004B0-3482048-image-a-34_1457442493347.jpg

Thanks so very much for sharing this. Excellent post.

[velomonkey]

What he managed to squeeze into one life is pretty amazing, factor in that he was very ill the last 30 years and it is even more incredible.


I really enjoyed reading this, Rugby. Thank you for posting.

[cadence90]

I thought that Clinton's eulogy was very elegant.

Too bad the minister who wrapped things up decided to do his own show.