The great boxer , Muhammad Ali, died this past Friday. He had suffered from Parkinson’s Disease, a debilitating, withering disease that stripped him outwardly of the larger-than-life persona that made him one of the most well-known , iconic figures throughout the world in the 1960’s to 1980’s. Many of us remember Ali in mixed ways. Many of us remember the brash, young man who stepped into the ring in Miami, right in the middle of the Civil Rights era as Cassius Clay. He knocked out the reigning champ, Sonny Liston, then let us all know he was “The Greatest.” Immediately, he changed his name to Muhammad Ali, getting rid of his slave name, and becoming a Black Muslim, not well understood by many at that time. Many remember the man who predicted the knockouts of each of his title defenses, and delivered on them, growing more bombastic each time. Still, others may remember when he would not enter the service when called because he declared himself a “conscientious objector” because of his religious beliefs. His title was taken away, and his livelihood suffered in his prime boxing years. Though unpopular with many people, Ali fought it through the Court System where he finally won his case. He came back, but after beating Jerry Quarry, was beaten by new champion , Joe Frazier in one of the most widely covered sports spectacles ever in Madison Square Garden and sports history. He came back again, and had two more memorable fights with Frazier, regained the title with the “Rope-a-dope ” strategy beating Champion , George Foreman in the “Rumble in the Jungle ” in Africa, and finally losing to Larry Holmes as he left the stage quietly. Many of us never knew about the kindnesses, or the trips he took to help mankind. Many of us did not understand what it was that made this man “the Greatest, ” because we have only seen the quiet figure for the last 30 years that suffered before us, and only occasionally was seen or honored. I believe greatness takes time to be reckoned. We often think greatness is without imperfection. That was not Muhammad Ali. He had plenty as we all do and they were out there for all to see. He said things that were hurtful to many, and handled situations in a way that would not comport with normal, accepted behavior. Yet, amidst all of that, he reminded us that he was “the Greatest,” though in a much quieter way, In hindsight, maybe, “the Greatest” was not so much a Muhammad Ali statement as it was a call to each of us to be “the Greatest” despite our own faults, foibles, and shortcomings. Maybe when we get knocked down on the mat of life, it reminds each of us that we can get back up and aspire to be the greatest in our own lives again. Maybe, just maybe, Ali’s appeal ultimately to so many here and around the world was that we all have hope and ability if we only believe in ourselves, to be “The Greatest!”….Gary Sutton
