Muhammad Ali, American Icon

I can’t really add anything new to the buzz on the internet about Muhammad Ali. As a kid born in 1970, I certainly remember him vividly in our consciousness as a very big celebrity and a HUGE part of the ’70s. Very visible, funny, glamorous, all that. And I, of course, remember his signature title/tagline: The Greatest.

Today, I came across a quote of his that might be the best “how I want to be remembered” quote I have ever read:

“I’d like to be remembered as a black man who won the heavyweight title and who was humorous and who treated everyone right. As a man who never looked down on those who looked up to him and who helped as many of his people as he could – financially and also in their fight for freedom, justice and equality.”

Fantastic.

Beyond that, all else I can share are some of my favorite photos of this dazzling American icon. Enjoy.

April 28, 1967 - Heavyweight champ Muhammad Ali, center, leaves the Armed Forces induction center with his entourage after refusing to be drafted into the Armed Forces in Houston. Hundreds of Ali fans and supporters filled the streets to greet him when he left the building. (AP Photo)
April 28, 1967 – Heavyweight champ Muhammad Ali, center, leaves the Armed Forces induction center with his entourage after refusing to be drafted into the Armed Forces in Houston. Hundreds of Ali fans and supporters filled the streets to greet him when he left the building. (AP Photo)
Feb. 18, 1964 - The Beatles, from left, Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Ringo Starr, and George Harrison, take a fake blow from Muhammad Ali while visiting the heavyweight contender at his training camp in Miami Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/File)
Feb. 18, 1964 – The Beatles, from left, Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Ringo Starr, and George Harrison, take a fake blow from Muhammad Ali while visiting the heavyweight contender at his training camp in Miami Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/File)
Cassius Marcellus Clay (Muhammad Ali) with Black Muslim leader Malcolm X at 125th St. and Seventh Ave. (Photo by John Peodincuk/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images)
Cassius Marcellus Clay (Muhammad Ali) with Black Muslim leader Malcolm X at 125th St. and Seventh Ave. (Photo by John Peodincuk/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images)
Teasing sportscasting legend Howard Cosell.
Teasing sportscasting legend Howard Cosell.
The legendary April 1968 cover of Esquire by George Lois.
The legendary April 1968 cover of Esquire by George Lois.

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Comments (1)

  1. Thanks for this. One of the most influential men in my life. A true champion, gentleman and oh yeah, he was a helluva boxer.

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