The Greatest by SHINYGOODGUY

GENERAL DISCUSSIONS

The Greatest

POSTED BY: SHINYGOODGUY
UPDATED: Friday, June 10, 2016 18:23
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Saturday, June 4, 2016 5:10 AM

Rest in Peace, Muhammad Ali.

I remember when I was in my twenties seeing him not 10 feet away from me on Lexington Avenue near 52nd Street, outside of the All-Star Deli, where they had just finished
naming a sandwich after him. It was before the first Ali-Frazier fight at the Garden, and the first person I recognized coming out of the deli was his trainer, the great
Angelo Dundee; then I saw Bundini, his confidante and excellent "hype" man.

I thought where is Ali. The crowd opened up around him and out steps the champ. Big as life and fit. The second thing I notice, aside from his very recognizable face, was his huge hands. He was holding court messing with the press, who was hanging on his every word. I couldn't hear a word he was saying because of the traffic noise.
Cars, taxis honking their horns, well wishers wanting to get a glimpse. His physical presence was remarkable and impressive.

But it was his overall presence that ignited and excited the crowd around him. Then one voice yelled out: "Are you gonna knock him out, champ?" He turned on his heels and faced in the direction of the person who asked the question. I couldn't hear his response, but the crowd roared with laughter. It didn't matter to me what he had said, because I got to see him in his glory days. He was beyond a sports hero, he was a man of the people, it seemed like magic as he disappeared into the crowd. Cameras flashing, people laughing, ooohing and ahhing; calling out to him. He stopped for pictures and did a few air jabs, as though he was shadow boxing. I will never forget that day.

Smoking Joe is waiting for him with a pair of gloves, in the ring, and Howard Cosell is ringside with a mike in his hand. Just waiting for the champ to arrive.

Rest in Peace, Champ, Rest in Peace.

SGG

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Saturday, June 4, 2016 2:35 PM

JEWELSTAITEFAN

Reportedly he was so smart that he was able to avoid The Draft by failing his mental ability exam, scoring at the level of a moron.
People say that is hard to do, but he was smart enough to do it.

Rest in Peace, Cassius Clay, Jr.

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Monday, June 6, 2016 12:12 PM

REAVERFAN

“Why should they ask me to put on a uniform and go 10,000 miles from home and drop bombs and bullets on Brown people in Vietnam while so-called Negro people in Louisville are treated like dogs and denied simple human rights? No I’m not going 10,000 miles from home to help murder and burn another poor nation simply to continue the domination of white slave masters of the darker people the world over. This is the day when such evils must come to an end. I have been warned that to take such a stand would cost me millions of dollars. But I have said it once and I will say it again. The real enemy of my people is here. I will not disgrace my religion, my people or myself by becoming a tool to enslave those who are fighting for their own justice, freedom and equality. If I thought the war was going to bring freedom and equality to 22 million of my people they wouldn’t have to draft me, I’d join tomorrow. I have nothing to lose by standing up for my beliefs. So I’ll go to jail, so what? We’ve been in jail for 400 years.”

I'll just leave this here, too.

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Tuesday, June 7, 2016 7:16 PM

SHINYGOODGUY

All are welcome!

It takes guts to stand up for what you believe in, and stand firm when all others are pointing fingers and ever at the ready to ridicule. He was one of a kind and will be missed greatly.

SGG

Quote:
Originally posted by reaverfan:
“Why should they ask me to put on a uniform and go 10,000 miles from home and drop bombs and bullets on Brown people in Vietnam while so-called Negro people in Louisville are treated like dogs and denied simple human rights? No I’m not going 10,000 miles from home to help murder and burn another poor nation simply to continue the domination of white slave masters of the darker people the world over. This is the day when such evils must come to an end. I have been warned that to take such a stand would cost me millions of dollars. But I have said it once and I will say it again. The real enemy of my people is here. I will not disgrace my religion, my people or myself by becoming a tool to enslave those who are fighting for their own justice, freedom and equality. If I thought the war was going to bring freedom and equality to 22 million of my people they wouldn’t have to draft me, I’d join tomorrow. I have nothing to lose by standing up for my beliefs. So I’ll go to jail, so what? We’ve been in jail for 400 years.”

I'll just leave this here, too.

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Friday, June 10, 2016 6:23 PM

SHINYGOODGUY

Thousands lined up today, in Louisville, to honor and pay their respects to Ali who lived his life and died a hero, a man of immense talent and a big heart.

Rest in Peace Champ

SGG

Quote:
Originally posted by reaverfan:
“Why should they ask me to put on a uniform and go 10,000 miles from home and drop bombs and bullets on Brown people in Vietnam while so-called Negro people in Louisville are treated like dogs and denied simple human rights? No I’m not going 10,000 miles from home to help murder and burn another poor nation simply to continue the domination of white slave masters of the darker people the world over. This is the day when such evils must come to an end. I have been warned that to take such a stand would cost me millions of dollars. But I have said it once and I will say it again. The real enemy of my people is here. I will not disgrace my religion, my people or myself by becoming a tool to enslave those who are fighting for their own justice, freedom and equality. If I thought the war was going to bring freedom and equality to 22 million of my people they wouldn’t have to draft me, I’d join tomorrow. I have nothing to lose by standing up for my beliefs. So I’ll go to jail, so what? We’ve been in jail for 400 years.”

I'll just leave this here, too.

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