As you are well-aware, Muhammad Ali died from Parkinson’s syndrome on Friday, June 3. He was 74.
He won his first championship title in 1964, the year I graduated from high school. He was Cassius Clay then. His last fight was against Trevor Berbick in 1981, after being pummeled into submission by Easton’s Larry Holmes in Las Vegas in 1980. I don’t think I missed an Ali fight, even though many of them I had to listen to on the radio if I wanted to hear them LIVE.
Looking at the dates, I realize that most young people have probably never seen him throw a punch, except in highlights; never seen him brag, which was always entertaining; never seen him revered wherever he went. He was the self-proclaimed “Greatest of all time.” And, in my opinion, he was. But sadly, the sport has changed so much that most young people today probably have no idea who the current heavyweight champion of the world is, how important that title once was, and have no idea how big boxing was back in the day (as they say).
Trust me, Ali was special when he was fighting and just as special after he left the ring. Whether you were able to see him fight or too young to watch, you should certainly contemplate some of his words other than “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.” He was an inspiration and he said many inspirational things:
- “If they can make penicillin out of moldy bread, they can surely make something out of you.”
- “Hating people because of their color is wrong. And it doesn’t matter who does the hating. It’s just plain wrong.”
- “Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.”
- “Don’t count the days; make the days count.”
- “It isn’t the mountains ahead that wear you out; it’s the pebble in your shoe.”
- “A man who has no imagination has no wings.”
- “A man who views the world the same at 50 as he did at 20 has wasted 30 years of his life.”
- “Impossible is not a fact. It’s an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It’s a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.”
- “If my mind can conceive it, and my heart can believe it-then I can achieve it.”
- “Live every day as if it were your last because someday you’re going to be right.”
I have purposely left out the famous quotes where he bragged, rightfully so, about his talent like, “I’m so mean, I make medicine sick.” Or, “I should be a postage stamp. That’s the only way I’ll ever get licked.”
Ali was always great theater; he was always the center of attention; he always made you take notice. Despite some losses in his boxing career, he always put forth the greatest of efforts. He did the same against Parkinson’s disease. Once taken off life support this past Friday, the family said his heart beat another thirty minutes. I am not surprised. His heart still wanted to answer the bell!
ABOVE THE EARS (SOME MUSINGS)
- Billy Crystal, former President Bill Clinton, and Bryant Gumbel will all give eulogies at Muhammad Ali’s funeral.
- Congratulations to the Easton Red Rover baseball team for their District Championship. It was their first District title since 1993. Also, congrats to the Parkland and Bangor girls’ softball teams. They, too, won a District title. On to the PIAA championship tournament for all three.
- The Golden State Warriors have managed to really garner my interest in the NBA playoffs. I love watching them play as a team and it seems as if Coach Steve Kerr makes all the right moves. The “Splash Brothers” club is absolutely fun to watch.
- The U.S. women’s soccer team cannot strike before the Olympic Games, according to a federal judge. The female judge ruled that the no-strike clause in earlier agreements takes precedence. The women were looking for improved conditions and wages on par with the men’s team. The women have won three straight Olympic gold medals.
- The RCN Television team will once again be producing the PIAA State Baseball Championships for PCN at Penn State on June 16.
