Ali near death (Ali has died at 74)
 

News services are reporting that The Greatest is on life support. My childhood hero...sad

Where did you see that?

Checked ESPN, CNN, FOXnews, AP, and CNNSI.

Only CNNSI said anything and it said he was in fair condition

Sad news.....A quick Google search shows this might not be the first time folks have thought he could be nearing the end. Hopefully he can fight back from this too. But Parkinsons and his other issues might make it impossible. Float like a butterfly....sweet memories of watching him in the ring.

http://www.standard.co.uk/news/world...-a3263606.html

I hope I jumped the gun...

An exceptional athlete and an amazing person. Praying for his recovery but should it be his time...may he float like a butterfly.

I heard something briefly on the news this morning. Sounded minor to me. Hang in there champ.

The respiratory issue is obviously concerning. My father had Parkinson's and it was pneumonia which ultimately caused his passing.

Who are you praying to? God or his god.

Sorry, Ali (Cassius Clay), Malcomn X, and such, does not sit well with me. If you look more into his life, he is not the American hero everyone embraces.

I don't wish his death, but, I am prepared on how the media protrays his life.

But, to each his own.

-Jimmy Knowles

C'mon


Everyone loves you when your dead

Memory
 

Years back, when he lit the Olympic flame - one of the most choked up moments of my life. I remember i couldn't hold back the tears.

Jimmy touche. great boxer but did things I don't agree with either

Jimmy, Muslims are monotheists. You might want to add that to your lists of things to look into.

I'm assuming the way you say "God or his god" implies his is a false "God". Being an atheist, I'm more impressed that he chose his religion as opposed to being given one by his place of birth and/or upbringing.

Ali never advocated racial violence as far as I know. I am not sure what point is being made.

I knew it would not be popular, but I have never held Ali very high. Again, I don't wish his death or anything, I just think people should know his connections and unreported activity, before they say what a hero he is.

He has a very checkered past. Look into it.

I'll let this thread ride. Just exposing another side of his life story.

PM if you want to further the discussion. :D

Peter, whatever point it is, it is not consistent with the Judeo-Christian ethical system. Or did I miss the part about where it is good to say nasty things about people who are ill?

Ali has brought a lot of joy to a lot of people all around the world. I wish him well.

Off the rails real quick.

A Pity
 

What a shame........we're running out of low-life draft dodgers.

Ali
 

Dave,

I've heard the same reports. Fox and MSNBC News are tweeting the same info.

Muhammad Ali in "grave condition." https://t.co/a4vcAcfnEE

Whoa. I am not a prolific poster by any means, but I can't imagine the restraint I would have to have to only post four times in 7 years on this board.

And I thought we weren't supposed to go to the religion thing. If that restriction is lifted, I have some thoughts that I would LOVE to share about some of the comments on this thread.

If this thread goes the religion route it will be locked. Lot's of places to discuss religion and this isn't one of them....thanks all

Too bad he wasnt more like Pete Rose, Joe Paterno, Ray Carruth or OJ

How can you forget the battles with Joe Frazier? What a pair of warriors those two were.

That's okay. Based on his response less is more...a lot more!



.

That's 'portrays' genius. If you have to be ugly, try to be smarter about it.

Well, all I guess I will say is that most people, whether religious or not, have enough grace not to say shitty things about someone who may be dying and who, regardless of opinion, probably did as much to shape this nation as did any other athlete in the last 40 years. You can love it or hate it, but its true.

IMO, it is very sad that some people can't get past their own personal prejudices, particularly at a time like this. That's not a shame on him, that's a shame on you. :(

Lol
 

I never revered Ali as an athlete because boxing leaves me cold, but he was one of the most important figures of the Civil Rights movement, no question. And that's enough to make Ali d*mned important.

(Or maybe some of you guys still think we should be back in the 1950s where race relations are concerned... :( )

+1

I just saw on ESPN that Ali died.

RIP, Champ. :(

Hmm. Four posts in seven years.

Do us all a favor, George. See if you can't up your average length of time between posts so we don't have to see you scurrying around on the board again any time soon.

R.I.P to "The Greatest!"

Weird to be told by Vin Scully. But it is a message best delivered by such a gracious man. RIP.

We have been losing many sports icons of late.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

The Grim Reaper can take a break for a while, as far as I'm concerned. David Bowie, Glenn Frey, Garry Shandling, Prince, George Martin, Alan Rickman, and now Muhammad Ali.

This year really sucks, so far.

He refused the draft a year before MLK delivered his major speech against Vietnam and then was assassinated the next day. Neither of them were low lifes. Some see refusing to enter foreign wars without just cause an act of moral courage, not cowardice. Any appreciation of historical context makes his decision understandable, whether you agree or not.

Thanks for the memories Ali, but I always favored Sugar Ray Leonard. :)

[REMOVED] This forum used to be great, but it's awful now. Arbitrary enforcement of rules by the moderator, plus people who don't know anything about vintage cards and don't care posting over & over again.

Every time I watch a Dodgers broadcast, I have this pit in my stomach like it's the last time I'm ever going to hear his voice.

for 'george':

The statement is appropriate "You can't fix stupid."

- and another one from the same source (Ron White):

"Next time you have an idea, (rather than sharing it)- just let it go."

Me too!


Garry Shandling slipped past me...did not hear about him.

just googled him and he made me laugh again,

"What I want at my funeral is an actual boxing referee to do a count, and at 'Five', just wave it off and say, 'He's not getting up.'"



.

Which is I haven't missed a call of his this year.

" the rule should be if you don't put your name to it, you don't get to post at all. No qualifiers."


That's going to knock all of our posts down by two grades, you know.

RIP Ali what a sad day in history

You sure about that, chummo? Fooled me. Looks like you got your "wish." Georgia, huh? Figures! :( He was a revered and great man to many, not just blacks.

RIP Champ
 

Rest in peace Champ. Just a little education as well. Muslims and Christians both worship the same God, The God of Abraham. And Mr. Trump dodged the draft so if you are ripping Ali for not going to Vietnam I hope you are not supporting Mr. Trump for President. Stated for contextual not political reasons. Love or hate him Clay/Ali was one of the most important people of the 20th century and one of the most important and socially relevant athletes in history. On a card note I had several Clays (Hemmetts and Rekord) on Ebay for a couple months as BIN and sold 4 of the 6 within 2 minutes of each other last night.

I thought religion wasn't allowed on here, but that is not true.

As far as Ali, his religion is irrelevant. He was a great athlete and humanitarian. Arguing about his religious beliefs or politics, both of which don't belong here per the rules, is in poor taste at the time of his death.

I was defending him
 

I did not bring up the religion discussion but responded to earlier attackers. And just stated facts my intention was not to debate. Facts are facts I gave no opinions. Iwent by what the pope has stated on religion as I figure he knows a little more about religion than i do.

Well I would suggest that you educate yourself a little more. You stated an opinion which is not the same as a fact.

I liked Ali. He never did anything to me. That being said, I agree with some that say he wasn't the hero everyone paints him out to be. Those old enough to remember his Playboy magazine interview after he converted to the Nation of Islam will know what I am talking about. Irregardless, God rest his soul and I hope he finds the peace he deserves.

George Altemose gave the unneeded opinion. I will say that this board has not always been friendly to the deceased, aka Where art thou now, Brucii?

And for Ali, RIP Champ...

a very good and succinct report is here.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/muhamma...042902069.html

.



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RIP

Despite the controversy, a case can be made that he was the greatest athlete in his sport of all time, beyond the wins and losses.

Certainly the most recognizable sports figure world-wide.

Ali was one of the best entertainers inside or outside the ring I've ever seen.

Back in the early 70s my college roommate was visiting and he was catching a ride home in NYC. We went in early and we were just walking around the city when we happened on Ali walking to an engagement. It was amazing. Cabbies were stopping in the street yelling to him. Ali was smiling, talking to everyone. The people parted on the crowded sidewalk like he was Moses walking through the Red Sea. One kid jokingly challenged him to a fight. Ali stopped, dropped his bag, put on that mean "fight face" he did biting his lower lip, and whipped off a flurry of shadow box punches. Everybody laughed including him. My roommate and I both got his autograph. One of the best bits of New York theater I've ever seen.

Nighty nite, Cassius.

As someone who spent a lot of time in the old squared circle he will be missed. He was one of my heroes. The things that man could do in the ring was beyond belief.

RIP. A great fighter and a greater man.

Even if you didn't like him, he was great and unique theater. And from my perspective he evolved greatly from the brash youth who doubtless made mistakes into a genuinely spiritual humanitarian.

The Louisville Lip

I got the chance to meet him, with a group of others, in what was a complete surprise circumstance a little less than 30 years ago. Quite a thrill. I stayed up late last night and got up early, listening to the discussion about Ali on NY's WFAN (via the Internet). Some great reflections from reporters who covered and knew Ali, but it was striking how many callers detailed their encounters with the man. He was simply great and gracious meeting with normal, regular folks in public. It's amazing to consider how many people he must've touched in this way. RIP

him and cosell were the best omg what a show ,,rip champ

RIP Champ
 

“I ain’t draft dodging. I ain’t burning no flag. I ain’t running to Canada. I’m staying right here. You want to send me to jail? Fine, you go right ahead. I’ve been in jail for 400 years. I could be there for 4 or 5 more, but I ain’t going no 10,000 miles to help murder and kill other poor people. If I want to die, I’ll die right here, right now, fightin’ you, if I want to die. You my enemy, not no Chinese, no Vietcong, no Japanese. You my opposer when I want freedom. You my opposer when I want justice. You my opposer when I want equality. Want me to go somewhere and fight for you? You won’t even stand up for me right here in America, for my rights and my religious beliefs. You won’t even stand up for my rights here at home.”

- if he's a draft dodger, then put me in jail also.

Jeff Rogoff

I choose to judge people on their present actions, not their past. We age, we learn and hopefully grow as a person.

As Ali stated in that infamous Playboy interview referenced; "The man who views the world at 50 the same as he did at 20 has wasted 30 years of his life."

I will mourn the loss of a legend who lived and learned like us all. The world will miss him.

Well quoted and well said, Jeff.

FYI, (especially for newbies), if a member posts stuff that makes you upset or that you find offensive, it is possible to ignore/block them so that you no longer have to see anything they post.

When I was 8 I was lucky enough to meet Ali at Riley Childrens Hospital where I went for checkups on my heart as a kid. By then he already had Parkinson's disease and I remember asking my mom why he was shaking so bad because at the time I didn't understand. Even though he was struggling even then he signed I'm sure hundreds of autographs and lifted every child up that he was able to take a picture with him. He was smiling and laughing the whole time. At the time I only knew him as a boxer, not as the civil rights leader and cultural icon he had become. But even in that short time at that age I could tell he was someone who cared more about the well being of others than himself.

R.I.P. Ali,

I was lucky enough to Meet Ali at a Dearborn Michigan show in 1985. Had him sign this poster and had Leon Spinks sign at another show. The funny thing about Ali, someone had a magazine and he signed every photo of him in the magazine. all for one price of the one Autograph.

I remember watching the Ali fights and Cossell interviews when I was a kid. I didn't understand what was going on with him as I was very young at the time. When I got older, I understood and appreciated the man. RIP CHAMP

RIP Ali.

One thing that I have to say to anyone who would call into question the kind of person Ali was its this: I'm sure some of the people you admire and love, including family, are not as great as you see them.

Everyone has flaws and we shouldn't be judged as a person for something we did at some point in our lives. We have all done bad things that we are not proud of. Get over it.

Polarizing in life. Unifying in his very public struggle with Parkinson's and subsequent passing. If you can watch his Olympic torch lighting ceremony without shedding a tear, you have a heart three sizes too small. RIP Champ.

Walk around Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Yemen, or the United Arab Emirates for a few days espousing that and see what happens.

Rip
 

Of all my collection, these are two of my favorites.
1) type 1 original iconic photo over Liston
2) spectacular quote signed and dated by Ali.

http://i1376.photobucket.com/albums/...sge8wmldu.jpeg


http://i1376.photobucket.com/albums/...sqw9g3yih.jpeg

Fantastic pieces, Ben

Thank you. Sad day in my book.

RIP Champ!

Rumble in the Jungle

+1000

++++1000 more

I meant ++++10000 to this post

Media is now reporting that the cause of death was septic shock according to Ali's family.

I was a sports loving teen in the 70s and had an uncle who tuned into Saturday Night Fights religiously. Every now and then, I had the really cool opportunity to watch with him. He appreciated talent, skill and sportsmanship. I remember watching the heavyweight battle in the early to mid 70s with Ali, Foreman, Frazier, Norton and a couple of other dudes - that period of boxing cannot be equaled. Holmes came along, Tyson was freakin devastating, Lewis and Holyfield were deserving world champs, but the 70s were the epitome of heavyweight boxing and I was lucky to witness it.

The superstar was Muhammed Ali - love him or hate him; he was glorious. The story was always whether he won or lost. I was mesmerized. I met him once at our local movie theater, which was close to his Deer Lake training camp. "Met" is a bit exaggerated - I yelled and he waved. Anyway, that was a highlight for me. I knew nothing of his politics or religion - I only learned later of his gold medal. He was a god.

Ali transcended sports, transcended most everything. His life in and out of the ring was stuff of controversy and legend. I spent a few hours today watching his old fights (good and painful), reviewing eulogies and biogs, and unfortunately, reading some venomous attacks on his character (a lot here). Everyone is entitled to his opinion, but class rises above all and I believe Ali had class to go along with his God given talent. RIP champ.

As a CNA I can attest to "septic shock" being the most common cause of death in ICU's. Clinically speaking cause of death is probably septic shock due to complications from Parkinson's. When doctors say septic, it typically means tiny blood clots have formed which block oxygen and nutrients from reaching vital organs. I am sure he had the very best quality of care available.

Rip ali.......