Subdeacon Joe Posted June 4, 2016 Share Posted June 4, 2016 Muhammad Ali, the silver-tongued boxer and civil rights champion who famously proclaimed himself "The Greatest" and then spent a lifetime living up to the billing, is dead. "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," Bob Gunnell, a family spokesman, told NBC News. Ali had suffered for three decades from Parkinson's Disease, a progressive neurological condition that slowly robbed him of both his legendary verbal grace and his physical dexterity. A funeral service is planned in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky. Rest in peace, Champ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calico Mary Posted June 4, 2016 Share Posted June 4, 2016 I jus saw that tuu....and now I gots ta tell Buick when he wakes up..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smoken D Posted June 4, 2016 Share Posted June 4, 2016 R.I.P. Cassius Clay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Plasters, SASS#60943 Posted June 4, 2016 Share Posted June 4, 2016 I saw him years ago at the Taos Pow Wow. During an intermission they had him come into the center of the dance arena and many of the pueblo indians gathered around him - he towered over them (they were rather short) by more than a head. I never realized until then how tall he was. I think the daughter of our friends got his autograph. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badlands Bob #61228 Posted June 4, 2016 Share Posted June 4, 2016 Draft dodger. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smokin Gator SASS #29736 Posted June 4, 2016 Share Posted June 4, 2016 Draft Dodgers are the guys who took off for Canada or faked disability or other things to not get drafted. He stayed here and and took his punishment. Imagine what his boxing legacy would be if he had not missed 3 years while in his prime. Smokin Gator Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yul Lose Posted June 4, 2016 Share Posted June 4, 2016 Draft dodger. No he wasn't. Draft dodgers went to Canada. He stayed here and faced the scorn, criticism and punishment. There a big difference, IMHO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smoken D Posted June 4, 2016 Share Posted June 4, 2016 Draft dodger. +1 I'll just leave it at that. No need to get into trouble over this issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt. R. Hugh Kidnme Posted June 4, 2016 Share Posted June 4, 2016 Me and a good buddy spent a day (playing hookie) at his Deer Lake training camp in '74, as HS sophomores. It was one of the best days I ever had skipping school. Athlete, entertainer, philosopher, activist, showman, marketer, historian, magician.........he was all those in less than 2 hrs. To me, he'll always be "the champ". R.I.P. Champ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Free Bird 61147 Posted June 4, 2016 Share Posted June 4, 2016 Sonny Liston took the dive for the mob. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Hombre Sin Nombre Posted June 4, 2016 Share Posted June 4, 2016 Draft Dodgers are the guys who took off for Canada or faked disability or other things to not get drafted. He stayed here and and took his punishment. Imagine what his boxing legacy would be if he had not missed 3 years while in his prime. Smokin Gator +1. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marshal Mo Hare, SASS #45984 Posted June 4, 2016 Share Posted June 4, 2016 Sept 10, 1966, The Colonel's driver drove the XO to Frankfurt, for his flight to Viet Nam. I hitched a ride because I had business with our ordnance company in Heilbronn. When we got the Rhein Main the GIs who had been watching the Ali-Mildenberger fight were very excited and all over the place. thousands of them in fatigues. If you want to see that fight: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8jcQbAimkU Ali was making a European tour. Ringside commentary is by the Great How-ard KO-sell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hardpan Curmudgeon SASS #8967 Posted June 4, 2016 Share Posted June 4, 2016 I recall the media discussions at the time... in '64, he failed the U S Armed Forces qualifying test because his writing and spelling skills were sub-standard. The following year, the test standards were lowered; a few months later, he was reclassified 1-A. He applied for Conscientious Objector status, was declined, and declared he would not serve in a war. Subsequently, he was suspended from boxing, fined $10,000, and sentenced to five years in prison. This was overturned by the Supreme Court, 8-0. Almost unanimous - Justice Thurgood Marshall rightfully recused himself. "Draft dodger?" Maybe... maybe not. But he did stand up for his convictions, and certainly wasn't a coward. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smoken D Posted June 4, 2016 Share Posted June 4, 2016 I just had, still have, ill feelings about it. His name was Cassius Clay, got drafted, suddenly became a muslim, changed name to Muhammad Ali, avoided the draft. Draft dodger in my book. Those that didn't have the big bucks, went to Canada. Draft dodger, don't matter how ya did it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdeacon Joe Posted June 4, 2016 Author Share Posted June 4, 2016 I recall the media discussions at the time... in '64, he failed the U S Armed Forces qualifying test because his writing and spelling skills were sub-standard. The following year, the test standards were lowered; a few months later, he was reclassified 1-A. He applied for Conscientious Objector status, was declined, and declared he would not serve in a war. Subsequently, he was suspended from boxing, fined $10,000, and sentenced to five years in prison. This was overturned by the Supreme Court, 8-0. Almost unanimous - Justice Thurgood Marshall rightfully recused himself. "Draft dodger?" Maybe... maybe not. But he did stand up for his convictions, and certainly wasn't a coward. Well said. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Utah Bob #35998 Posted June 5, 2016 Share Posted June 5, 2016 I just had, still have, ill feelings about it. His name was Cassius Clay, got drafted, suddenly became a muslim, changed name to Muhammad Ali, avoided the draft. Draft dodger in my book. Those that didn't have the big bucks, went to Canada. Draft dodger, don't matter how ya did it. We will have to agree to disagree. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smokin Gator SASS #29736 Posted June 5, 2016 Share Posted June 5, 2016 Smokin D. You are wrong about the sequence of events that led up to his refusal to serve. After winning the gold medal, representing the U.S., and what he had to put up with on his return to the U.S., I don't blame him one bit. Refusing to serve, standing his ground and not running, and suffering the consequences is not dodging. Of course we are all free to "choose" to believe anything we want. Smokin Gator Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diamond Curly SASS#57086 Posted June 5, 2016 Share Posted June 5, 2016 He was an outstanding boxer but only a few people close to him know what he really believed in. I put my duty to my country ahead of anything else and never looked back. I am not a great fan of journalism in our country and tend to make up my own mind about what they say is the truth in their stories. There were many celebrities in our country who served if nothing more than with the USO. Let the family alone to get through their sorrow and I am sure life will continue. RIP to a talented athlete. DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smoken D Posted June 5, 2016 Share Posted June 5, 2016 We will have to agree to disagree. Smokin D. You are wrong about the sequence of events that led up to his refusal to serve. After winning the gold medal, representing the U.S., and what he had to put up with on his return to the U.S., I don't blame him one bit. Refusing to serve, standing his ground and not running, and suffering the consequences is not dodging. Of course we are all free to "choose" to believe anything we want. Smokin Gator I certainly have no problem with other beliefs and opinions. Just the draft thing I had problems with him. As a boxer, the greatest, as a human and what he accomplished for others, one of the great ones also. R.I.P. Cassious Clay The Great One! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noz Posted June 6, 2016 Share Posted June 6, 2016 I was never a fan! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Harley, #14153 Posted June 6, 2016 Share Posted June 6, 2016 I wish his family peace in their time of grieving. He was a great boxer and a complicated person. That's about the most I can say. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunner Gatlin, SASS 10274L Posted June 6, 2016 Share Posted June 6, 2016 I recall the media discussions at the time... in '64, he failed the U S Armed Forces qualifying test because his writing and spelling skills were sub-standard. The following year, the test standards were lowered; a few months later, he was reclassified 1-A. He applied for Conscientious Objector status, was declined, and declared he would not serve in a war. Subsequently, he was suspended from boxing, fined $10,000, and sentenced to five years in prison. This was overturned by the Supreme Court, 8-0. Almost unanimous - Justice Thurgood Marshall rightfully recused himself. "Draft dodger?" Maybe... maybe not. But he did stand up for his convictions, and certainly wasn't a coward. I hear ya, but....he didn't want to go to Vietnam to hurt people, but was more than willing to profit on bashing a person's face and body? weird to me, but that's just me I guess - Yes, he will be honored for being the "greatest (heavyweight) boxer of all time" (Jesus Christ is truly the "Greatest of All Time" )...and his work as a humanitarian - much respect for that. May his family find comfort in his passing. GG ~ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirty Redd Posted June 6, 2016 Share Posted June 6, 2016 You doubters need to research the reason why he threw his Olympic gold medal in the river. You might get a little insight on what the man going through. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunner Gatlin, SASS 10274L Posted June 7, 2016 Share Posted June 7, 2016 http://espn.go.com/sports/boxing/greatest/featureVideo?page=greatest110 GG ~ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Grass Range #51406 Posted June 7, 2016 Share Posted June 7, 2016 I don't care one way or the other about C. Clay but he has a very pretty daughter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henry T Harrison Posted June 7, 2016 Share Posted June 7, 2016 The greatest what? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badger Mountain Charlie SASS #43172 Posted June 7, 2016 Share Posted June 7, 2016 Good Question Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smoken D Posted June 7, 2016 Share Posted June 7, 2016 The greatest what? Heavyweight boxer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badger Mountain Charlie SASS #43172 Posted June 7, 2016 Share Posted June 7, 2016 Ever hear of Joe Louis? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunner Gatlin, SASS 10274L Posted June 7, 2016 Share Posted June 7, 2016 Heavyweight boxer. Yup. GG ~ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunner Gatlin, SASS 10274L Posted June 7, 2016 Share Posted June 7, 2016 Ever hear of Joe Louis? Yup - he was pretty good Here is Joe giving his best to Ali... GG ~ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grizzly Dave Posted June 7, 2016 Share Posted June 7, 2016 He often proclaimed he was the greatest. Was he? That is open to opinion. While I am neither a boxing fan in general nor a good judge of talent or style, there are boxers that I like more than Ali. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunner Gatlin, SASS 10274L Posted June 7, 2016 Share Posted June 7, 2016 He often proclaimed he was the greatest. Was he? That is open to opinion. While I am neither a boxing fan in general nor a good judge of talent or style, there are boxers that I like more than Ali. To most people IN the boxing profession Ali is considered the greatest heavyweight boxer. GG ~ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grizzly Dave Posted June 8, 2016 Share Posted June 8, 2016 Perhaps...and I'm not arguing their opinion, just sharing mine. Theirs may be backed up by statistics or competitive criteria, but as I stated in my first post, mine is not. The term 'greatest' in my mind speaks to more than just statistics. To me, someone who repeatedly proclaims how great they are, or how bad they are, frequently aren't. Some may call it showmanship or whatever, most times I call it annoying at best. Given the choice to have dinner with Ali or any other boxer, I'd choose George Foreman. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunner Gatlin, SASS 10274L Posted June 8, 2016 Share Posted June 8, 2016 Perhaps...and I'm not arguing their opinion, just sharing mine. Theirs may be backed up by statistics or competitive criteria, but as I stated in my first post, mine is not. The term 'greatest' in my mind speaks to more than just statistics. To me, someone who repeatedly proclaims how great they are, or how bad they are, frequently aren't. Some may call it showmanship or whatever, most times I call it annoying at best. Given the choice to have dinner with Ali or any other boxer, I'd choose George Foreman. Well. Ali is dead so you can't have dinner with him anyway GG ~ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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