Ali near death (Ali has died at 74)

[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.