You didn’t have to see Muhammad Ali fight to know he was the greatest. His legend lived and will live far longer than his boxing career or his lifetime, an icon whose impact on the world transcended both sports and time.
Ali died Friday, at 74, in a Phoenix hospital. Young athletes, many of whom lived their entire lives sharing a world with an Ali stricken with Parkinson’s disease, showed an outpouring of love and respect upon the news. Their only experiences with Ali were based upon YouTube clips and stories that carry their own mythology; people who never knew the real Ali still will never forget him.
Thoughts and prayers to the #legend@MuhammadAli#StayStrongChamppic.twitter.com/cYGsvyTIdb
— Odell Beckham Jr (@obj) June 4, 2016
R.I.P. To the Greatest Black Hero any kid could have known. Your legacy will forever ring from every mountain top. #FloatLikeAButterfly#Ali
— OG aka CAPTAIN 23 (@DeAngeloHall23) June 4, 2016
RIP @MuhammadAli THE GREATEST
— Justin Tuck (@JustinTuck) June 4, 2016
RIP Muhammad Ali. An inspiration for all! #GOAT 🐐
— Justin Verlander (@JustinVerlander) June 4, 2016
Greatest of All Time.
Inspiration.
Legend.
Rest in Peace Champ.#Ali— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) June 4, 2016
Forever a champion. #RIPAlipic.twitter.com/cPjMwSwije
— Andrew McCutchen (@TheCUTCH22) June 4, 2016
The World Lost an incredible man today…#RIP
— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) June 4, 2016
RIP to my favorite athlete of all time 😢 pic.twitter.com/Oinpk1ImgZ
— Michael Carter-Willi (@mcarterwilliams) June 4, 2016
“He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life.” – Muhammad Ali R.I.P
— Frank Kaminsky III (@FSKPart3) June 4, 2016
