Ali near death (Ali has died at 74)

[Jeff_cvc]

“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

[JustinD]

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.

[Dewey]

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.

[bravesfan22]

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.

[jcmtiger]

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.

[Big Ben]

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

[scashaggy]

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.

[dgo71]

Originally Posted by jeff_cvc

“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

+1000

[Billy5858]

Originally Posted by dgo71

+1000

++++1000 more

[Billy5858]

Originally Posted by Jeff_cvc

“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 meant ++++10000 to this post

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

[wondo]

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.

Originally Posted by NewEnglandBaseBallist

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

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.

[aaroncc]

Rip ali.......

[DerekMichael]

Not the best quality, but my family and I were fortunate enough to meet Ali at a book signing when I was very young. I was about 4 years old if I recall. He was always one of my Dad's greatest sports heroes and was a legend in our household. It is comforting to know that he is at peace.

The Greatest!

Derek

[jerrys]

Ali signing autographs at the 2003 NSCC. RIP.

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