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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsOn Ali, Frank Sinatra, and the Measure of True Fame . . .
Some years ago, the morning Frank Sinatra died, I was getting an oil change. The television was on and the coverage of Sinatra was non-stop. There were maybe half a dozen or more guys sitting around watching the tube, waiting for our cars.
In the midst of it all, one of the well-coiffed talking heads said,
"You know, Sinatra -- he's the only person in the world, you just say his name and everyone knows exactly who he is."
Television dweeb paused for a breath, and in the silence of the room I said two words:
"Muhammad Ali."
Every guy there just nodded his head. I could have said that name in Zaire, in Belgium, the Ukraine, or Outer Mongolia, and gotten the same recognition. I don't believe Ol' Blue Eyes ever had half the recognition the Greatest enjoyed. And few men ever walked this Earth with greater confidence than Muhammad Ali.
herding cats
(19,549 posts)I never knew him as a boxer, even though I knew about that part of his life. I knew him as a humanitarian and a civil rights activist. To me he was a real fighter. One who fights for what's right and decent in our world. One thing I loved about him was how he still fought on after he became sick for what he believed in.
I'll always hold vast amounts of deep respect for Muhammad Ali.
jhart3333
(332 posts)There was no one like Muhammad Ali. We need more like him.
brettdale
(12,332 posts)every corner of the planet.