RIP Muhammad Ali (1942-2016)

[KennClique]

Muhammad Ali, 'The Greatest,' dies at 74

Muhammad Ali, the legendary boxer who proclaimed himself "The Greatest" and was among the most famous and beloved athletes on the planet, died Friday in Arizona, a family spokesman said.

Ali had been at HonorHealth Scottsdale Osborn Medical Center in Scottsdale since Thursday with what spokesman Bob Gunnell had described as a respiratory issue.
"After a 32-year battle with Parkinson's disease, Muhammad Ali has passed away at the age of 74. The three-time World Heavyweight Champion boxer died this evening," Gunnell said in a statement. "The Ali family would like to thank everyone for their thoughts, prayers, and support and asks for privacy at this time."
Ali's daughter Hana Ali said her father was a "humble mountain."

Source: http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/03/us/muhammad-ali/


A legend is gone...RIP Champ.

[thekillman]

To be honest, I thought he died years ago.

[Falcon Horus]

To be honest, I thought he died years ago.

He was present at the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in London in 2012.
Okay, that's almost 4 years ago but still.

I know his name, and that he suffered from Parkinson's Disease. I know he was a great boxer, and that's pretty much it.

[KennClique]

Much more than a boxer, he was a humanitarian....

Muhammad Ali’s life and legacy are inspirational and impactful. The lessons learned are universal and transformative; his global footprint is enormous. Muhammad Ali is one of a select few individuals to have transcended athleticism into a symbol of larger societal issues and it is the totality of his life and the core principles that have guided him that have made him one of the most beloved symbols of peace and well-being in our nation and the world.

His awareness of the needs of the developing world has guided much of his good work. He has served as a symbol of hope and a catalyst for constructive international dialogue, has delivered sorely-needed medical supplies to an embargoed Cuba, provided more than 22 million meals to the world’s hungry, and helped secure the release of 15 U.S. hostages from Iraq during the first Gulf War. As testament to his work in developing nations, the United Nations named him a Messenger of Peace, and he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, as well as Amnesty International’s Lifetime Achievement Award. In September 2012, he was the recipient of the prestigious National Constitution Center Liberty Medal.

Beyond Mr. Ali’s international efforts, he is equally devoted to helping charities at home. In addition to co-founding the Muhammad Ali Center with his wife Lonnie, Mr. Ali hosts the annual Celebrity Fight Night in Phoenix, is involved as a founding member of Athletes for Hope, and contributes substantially to the awareness and research efforts of Parkinson’s disease. Muhammad Ali has proven that one person can change the world.

Source: http://www.alicenter.org/about/muhammad-ali/

[Falcon Horus]

Didn't know about his humanetarian side until he died -- except for his donations to the research of Parkinson's Disease (because that's something that is very close to home).

Truly the greatest!