Muhammad Ali Tribute

Thanks to Nicole for passing along this beautiful tribute to Muhammad Ali, which she came across on Ross Training.  He was an amazing fighter and champion, but the real story about Ali has to do with the millions of people around the world he inspired (and continues to inspire), in the ring and outside of the ring.

Whether it was his trash-talking (much of which is captured in the tribute video), his religious conversion to Nation of Islam, or his stand against the Vietnam War, Ali was never afraid to speak up and speak out.  Much has changed in the world of sports today, and with the huge endorsement deals and corporate sponsorships that are such an integral part of most professional sports today, it makes you wonder if someone like Ali could thrive in this era (not as an athlete, mind you, but as an activist).  That Ali won his first heavyweight title in the '60s is somehow fitting, just as fitting as Sports Illustrated naming him Sportsman of the Century.

Wikipedia entry on Muhammad Ali:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammad_Ali

And for the record, my favorite trash-talking moment in the video begins at 1:27 (it's a close call--a lot of good material to choose from), when the interviewer leads with the statement about seeing Sonny Liston (the fighter he would go on to defeat to win the heavyweight title at age 22).  I won't reveal the punchline, but needless to say, it's some great improvisational comedy.