An audience with The Greatest
I'll be honest, my greatest sporting dream came true in Louisville last night and it had little to do with golf.
I shook hands with Muhammad Ali and I haven't stopped smiling since.
For a brief second, I had in my hand, the right that dropped Sonny Liston and George Foreman and he had in his, the palm that conceded a penalty in an 8-2 defeat for UEA's 4th XI in Cardiff.
It wasn't a fair trade, but the occasion was not about what the champ could take from us. It was a surprisingly humble and informal welcome from Louisville's "Greatest" to all Ryder Cup visitors.
A mixed crowd of 300 or so, press and public, assembled in the sunshine in a stone-seated amphitheatre outside the Muhammad Ali Centre and lapped up every minute - Arsenal shirts, alongside Louisville shirts, alongside Kenny Perry autographed caps, alongside conservative-looking families dressed in their Sunday best. A curious bunch, but Ali has long been a unifying force.
Mayor Jerry Abramson (who has a touch of the George W's about him) was there and so too was the deputy first minister of Wales Ieuan Wyn Jones (the event strangely doubling as a Ryder Cup handover from Kentucky to 2010 hosts Wales before a ball has even been struck in anger). But clearly everyone was there for Ali.
I've since heard some say that the overwhelming sense they had was one of sadness.
But it wasn't that way for me.
It was uncomfortable seeing the most charismatic of all sportsmen so obviously dimmed by Parkinson's. But there were still flickers of the great entertainer, signs that he still enjoys holding court, particularly at the Muhammad Ali Center, which was created to inspire others via Ali's six core values: "respect, confidence, conviction, dedication, giving and spirituality."
Ali didn't address his people - his illness doesn't permit public speaking these days. But wife Lonnie, a polished performer herself, spoke for him, batting away lavish praise as she was introduced with the opener: "I don't believe my own press, it's what keeps me humble".
She later referred to her husband as someone "who definitely does believe his own press", prompting Ali to swirl his hand around his ear as if to say his wife was "cuckoo".
Cue laughter and relief all around. Ali may be a shadow of his former self, but he is still there. He's still playful and he retains unparalleled presence wherever he goes.
When the formalities were over, press and public alike converged around Ali's throne (keeping up with the informal tone, his throne for the evening was a green armchair - the kind you may have sat on at your granny's), in the same gentle but passionate way that a Catholic congregation might swarm around the Pope.
"We love you Ali" was shouted several times and hands offered from all corners.
One of them was mine and I can categorically state that I would not have acted in this way for another human being on the planet. The man is my ultimate sporting hero and I reached out not as press (that hat was thrown to one side for a few moments) but as a fan.
To which end, I fully sympathised with the Arsenal shirt who "pressed flesh" with Ali moments before me and peeled away saying: "That's it, I'll never wash this hand again." (I have subsequently washed for the record but there was a moment of hesitation at the tap).
Ali didn't disappoint anyone and incredibly, he stopped to sign a few autographs, each taking a full 20 seconds to complete in his slowed condition. He also got a big hug from an elderly devotee as he retired to safety, visibly exhausted by his 30-minute outing.
There are some around Valhalla who feel that the column inches devoted to Ali (a boxer after all), ahead of the world's premier golf event, are over the top.
I disagree.
Ali has long transcended sporting and cultural boundaries. He is Louisville's most famous person (arguably the world's) and its finest ambassador.
US captain Paul Azinger used the Louisville Lip to kickstart his team's final push to win back the Ryder Cup. "I've idolized Muhammad Ali all my life...when you walk in the Ali Center, it's about what-ifs and dreams. I thought that was an important message."
And on Thursday, the European team suddenly converged on the first fairway in a flotilla of golf carts for an audience with Ali.
Cue more happiness, more cheers and more wonder. The Ali effect had struck again.
With Ali away from Valhalla and the opening ceremony fast approaching, now is definitely the time for the golf.
But I will always remember my night with Ali.
He shook up the world and I shook his hand. It doesn't get much better than that.
I look after all of the BBC Sport blogs (as well as the 
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I agree, he does transcend sporting and cultural boundaries. He was the greatest and it is wondeful to hear that he continues to be an inspiration. Your report was wondefully touching to hear you shook his hand as fan not a reporter was a lovely touch. Thank you.
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Alex - I know what you mean. I had the good fortune to meet, speak and shake hands with Ali while he toured the middle east in 1982. He didn't need to speak to me - he just did - but that is just Ali; his brash persona solely for the media, off camera, a warm and very humble man with extraordinary charisma. It may have been 25 years since - but like you, Ali is my all time sporting hero and remember the meeting like it was yesterday.
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Too often we hear of heros. The best at this, the best at that. "Legends" abound, "the best there ever was" are numerous but there really only ever was one "The Greatest". Cassius Clay/Mohammed Ali. This guy would have won the boat race and the grand national if he'd entered. So sorry to see what illness has done to him, but Ali will always be to me, THE GREATEST!!!!
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Ali is the most extraordinairy athlete ever to have lived. His charisma, charm and infectious personality made him unique among sportsmen and his talent as a boxer was special too. He boxed the same, brash manner when a young pro as he did as an amateur (witness his Olympic performances), and it's truly tragic that his best years were taken away from him by the US government. How good could he have become had he not been stopped at 25?
He fought in the toughest heavyweight era there has ever been and prevailed as the greatest - despite being past his youthful best.
For me, he is head and shoulders above any boxer or sportsman. The likes of Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan and Pele don't even come close.
Ali was, and still is truly special.
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USA!!!
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Great article about a great man. I can only imagine how you felt when shaking Muhammed Ali's hand and seeing him in person. You lucky thing!
Muhammed Ali was a genious in the ring. His boxing ability is legendary, but so was his personality. A smart man he knew exactly how to play the media. His entertainment value was a second to none. A pioneer in 'trash talking' where his words were instantly quotable and at times poetic. He not only gave it to his opponents physically, he knew how to effect his opponents psychologically.
He truely is the GREATEST.
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Ali is an icon - a living icon - an embodiment of greatness and one of the few people anybody who has been thirty years or more on this rock would love to meet. These people are few and far between. Cherish the moment.
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Thanks for the comments and reminiscences.
And Lord Slipperfield - after a little over 35 years on "this rock" I will be cherishing the moment, believe me. And what is amazing is that you know from looking at their faces that anyone else who comes into contact with Ali (from dignitaries to golfers to blue collar workers) will do just the same.
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I remember in the sixties when Ali fought Liston twice my Dad and myself would go to bed at our normal times and we would put our alarm clocks on for 3.00 A.M. Then we could watch the fight at 10.00 P.M. New York time on the BBC. The second fight Dad and myself were in the kitchen making tea and came back one minute late to see Liston sprawled on the canvas. Did he take a dive I believe so he knew he could never defeat Ali who was coming into his greatest years. A champ for the ages who belongs to the whole world.
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Great article. One thing though. Mayor Abramson, King Jerry or Mayor for life as he's referred to here, is as far from GW as one can be. He is a democrat. He's popularity can be traced back to his first term. a Prozac crazed man went into the Standard, a newspaper house, and began killing people. Our Mayor went in and began personally carrying the wounded out. I don't agree with him much of the time, but those images of him helping his fellow citizens to safety as he was covered in their blood sticks with me and I will always respect the man.
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Alex thanks for such an emotive desciption of your meeting with arguably, no definitely the greatest sportsman of this or any other time.
Ali showed and still does what mankind can achieve both in and out of the sporting areana.
I feel truely privileged and humbled that I have lived through and witnessed in my lifetime the exploits of "The Grearest"
God Bless You Ali and thank-you a million times over for everything you have contributed and the happiness you have given.
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I know exactly how you feel Alex!
I had the honour of meeting the great man himself along with his charming wife Lonnie, Angelo Dundee and Muhammad's brother at a showing of the 'Rumble in the Jungle' at the Ali Centre in Louisville last year.
One of the most special moments in my life and I treasure the memories.
The Ali Centre is a great source of inspiration for so many people - one of those places you have just got to visit.
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You are a very lucky man. Of all the great sportsmen of this world he is truly the greatest. I echo No. 8 "Cherish the moment. "
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A wonderful story about an amazing man. I was fortunate to meet Ali at Heathrow about 15 years ago, it was a moving experience I cherish and will never forget. He is a true hero and champion, one which some of our current day sportsmen can learn a lot from.
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Great blog post!!
I spent 3 hours queing up at a book signing back in 1995 when he released a book with his good friend Howard Bingham.
Like you I got to shake his hand and have spent years happily telling people I have shook the hand that shook the world!!!
What a man!!!
Back at the book signing, he was tired and didn;t speak but there was a couple in front of us in the queue with two young children and Ali's eyes lit up and sparkled as he reached forward and picked both of them up. No words needed to be said.
Simply the greatest!
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The fact that we still talk about him in awe, the way he can still captivate a room despite his crippling illness, the way people remember meeting him decades ago, speaks for itself.
I've never met him, but I know enough that I know when you are in the same room as Ali, you don't blink...because you don't want to miss a split second of a very special moment for most mortals.
Without exception, the greatest athlete / sportsman who has ever lived.
Correction, the greatest man who has ever lived.
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I wasn't even a teenager, bedtime was 9pm, I was several cms shorter and many kilos lighter. Rarely was I permitted to stay up late. But I was always allowed the privilege of watching the Ali fights. He is a true icon, a living legend who has reached the dizzy heights of leaving everyone around him in a state of utter awe. I was in awe then and I still am now. Thank you.
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Quite Simply - THE GREATEST
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An extraordinary man. I am full of envy!
In his prime, a doctor who once examined him said he was as close to human pefection, physically, as anyone he had see; a living embodiment of Michaelangelo's David. At the time of the Rumble in the Jungle, he was the most famous and instantly recognisable man on the planet. His wit and morals took him beyond the reach of all others.
We are privileged to witness some of the greatest sportsmen ever in 2008. To watch Tiger Woods and Roger Federer is a sporting treat. Pele, Bradman, Jordan, Redgrave, all remarkable. None come close, though, to Ali. Undoubtedly the greatest sportsman ever lived.
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Nice to have the golf world acknowledge Ali. My first recollections of Ali were in the mid 1960's. Then he was a brash boxer with much to prove. In the ring he managed to earn the title GOAT- Greatest of All Time. Today he owns that title as a man, not only as a boxer. The mention of the Pope was appropriate. Ali, the "boxer", has been bringing the message of peace, tolerance and respect to a far wider audience than anyone before him. I truly believe he is the world's most famous person. Be it in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia- people know the man and his face. No Pope, President, King, movie idol or TV personality can make that claim. I still see him as the fast talking, fast moving dynamic man who challenged Frazier, Howard Cosell, the U.S. courts and intolerance everywhere. I am grateful for his example. He defines the Golden Era of modern sports - now sadly ended.
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Great blog indeed .. it got me thinking how I can convince the wife to visit the Ali Centre next year .. a long trip from Germany, but definitely worth it.
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Amazing "Ali"true story.
I come from a boxing family. Mickey Duff and Ted Kid Lewis stood as my joint godfathers.
I met Muhammad when I was a young boy in the UK, in the 1960's, before he was the champ. He was so nice to me and "shaped up". I was sparring with "The Greatest"
Years later living in L.A., where I still live, I ran into him in an apartment block where we both knew people who lived there. He remembered me and my family. He was a gem. I am in the entertainment business and I would see him now and then at different events and I would threaten to knock him out and he would shape up to me, just like the first day I ever met him.
Anyway, and you are going to love this...
One day I ran into him in the elevator. I had some beers in a supermarket bag. He asked me where I was going with a dozen beers. "To my friend's birthday party". Muhammad knew my friend and said "let's play a trick on him.
We took the beer from the bag and he put the bag over his head and his hands in his pockets and I led him to my friends apartment where there was a real party going on (50 people).
"Guess who is under the bag" I said. No-one could guess who the "big man" was.
After a bit Muhammad took the bag off his head. The whole place fell on the floor. The "Greatest" was in their midst.
He stayed a while, photo op, shaking hands,
chatting away. Then a hug for me, wishing my family well and he was gone.
I saw him often after that, and we laughed about that day. The nicest, funniest and warmest man you could ever meet.
He was the greatest boxer, by most accounts, including mine that ever lived. He says, it was his idol Sugar Ray Robinson. He would.
To me he is still a friend, and if I saw him tomorrow, it would be like yesterday. I would threaten to knock him out and he would bite his lip and shape up to me.
Now his physical prowess is gone. What is left is the man, and what a man. What a human being, and to be so loved by all people everywhere. That, towers over his sporting accomplishments and makes his truly "The Greatest". I love the guy.
God bless him and keep him as an example of humanity to us all.
P.S. You should NEVER have washed your hands!
Stephen Sinclair
L.A. 2008
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Dear Alex,
We shall be avoiding you for the next 10 years. You are going to be insufferable.
Regards,
All your friends.
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I have never been a huge Ali fan until I read this blog. I knew he was an extremely talented boxer but, being young, I never watched the man in his prime and all I really saw was a cocky boxer.
But reading these posts (and the brilliant blog of course) about how much of a kind and incredible man he seems to be has certainly changed my view.
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Sorry I can't let that post (#23) go Stephen with a huge thank you - great memories you got there and thanks for sharing.
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Nearly always these comments on blogs cause huge debate with conflicting views of heroes or villans. I've not read any criticisms of Ali, the word legend isn't quite enough.
I've met a couple of my childhood sporting heroes and when they turn out to be really decent blokes you just want to give them a hug for not letting you down.
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More great comments. A few responses...
legendzero1 (comment 11) - duly noted. I only meant that he has a touch of George W to look at. Plus the odd mannerism.
dariuzthepole (17) - your comment about not blinking rings very true to me. I looked down at my note pad to jot down a quote from Lonnie Ali, heard laughter and had almost missed Ali's cuckoo sign. I had to check with other members of the media to make sure it had happened. I didn't look down again!
ss8882 (23) - That is a wonderful story - am truly envious of you and your friends. Speaking of which...
teamsloth (24) - 10 years won't be enough. Shall we arrange a meeting of Team Sloth for when we are 60? Nah, didn't think so...
oslow99 (25) - Thanks for that. I can only suggest that you get yourself a couple of books about Ali and get reading! Start with The Fight by Norman Mailer and King of the World by David Remnick and go from there. Glad that we have all helped to point you in the right direction!
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This brings tears in my eyes hearing there is so much love coming from "The Greatest".
No wonder when i looked at that picture where the golfers were taking pics with him and just look at their faces it tells you all about it.
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Hi' I'm ss8882.
I am so glad some people liked my story about Muhammad Ali. I enjoy telling it because it makes people feel good about the world. There is greatness with humility. I think that is what was in the golfers faces who had their picture taken with the man.
As I mentioned in my earlier post Ted "Kid" Lewis was a co-godfather of mine with with Mickey Duff. When my Grandfather Curly Carr a well-known boxing manager and promoter died. hundreds attended his funeral. He help start Sportsman's aid which has through the years helped many former sportsmen, especially boxers, when they have problem's. Curly was well respected.
After the funeral, many came back to the "house". Ted was my grandfather's oldest friends They grew up and boxed together in Brick Lane, where I was born. Ted was pretty broken up, but to honor his friend, he cleared the room, took off his jacked and summoned me to the center of the room. Two sets of boxing gloves were produced,. I wore a pair that were worn by Randolph Turpin when he won the world championship and there in that living room as many many great champions looked on. I boxed a round with the greatest pound for pound boxer England ever produced. for me it was a big deal and no big deal. I was twelve. I didn't realize how profound the moment was until later when I came to hollywood and worked with and met so many stars, it never overwhelmed me. I was ready. I had boxed with giants. I could handle anything. I swear this is all true. I was one lucky kid, that's for sure. Have a great day!
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Slow down everyone; yes Ali was a great boxer, but I don't buy all this 'humanitarian' stuff.
To read accounts of the Ali mostly kept from the public eye, read Mark Kram's excellent (and highly slated) 'Ghosts of Manila'.
I have been a fan of Ali for years and a boxing fan all my life. But I don't understand where people get their information regarding Ali, touting him as an ethical human being. You only have to look at his 'ethics' as a member of the separatist 'Nation of Islam'.
Not for equal rights.
Not for women's rights.
There are clear examples of this throughout Ali's life and career.
Let's not get carried away.
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NOT THE GREATEST.
A great boxer yes, but not the greatest by a long way. Anyone who is knowledgeable about boxing knows these facts.
He had clever chat and a sharp wit but was not liked by most people who came into contact with him.
The hero worship he receives is over the top and embarrassing.
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Superwazzman:
"He had clever chat and a sharp wit but was not liked by most people who came into contact with him"
How did you come to this conclusion? Have you corroborated this statement with every person Ali has met?
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superwazzman,
your talking nonsense mate. he's the 2nd greatest boxer ever, SRR was better, ali himelf says so.....but he is unquestionably the greatest sportsman that has ever lived, transcending boxing, sport and all racial and cultural boundries to act as a role model for everyone.
He is the epitomy of hard work, dedication, skill, wit, intelligence and conviction. he lost his world title, his finest years in the ring and had the whole country against by sticking by his principles that eh wasnt fighting for a country that oppressed him......
if you can name anyone else who ebodies even half as much as Ali does then ill eat my hat!
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As I'm still only 25 years old I regret to say I didn't witness Ali in his prime as a boxer. I have however watched many of his fights back over the years, his loss to Frazer and his two rematch wins and of course the classic Rumble in the Jungle with Forman.
If you haven't yet seen the Documentary "When We Were Kings" I recommend it highly for any Ali fan. This is one of the things that got me hooked on the great man, but one moment above all sticks in my mind. 1996 Atlanta Olympics Opening Ceremony, watched by 3.5 billion people across the world was a moment I will never forget.
The torch was set alight by Quite simply the Greatest Of All Time.
God Bless
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Imagine if Ali lost to Foreman on that fateful day in 1977.
Crazy how tiny moments create history.
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Ali was the best ever. He was being respectful when he said that SSR was the best. He was willing to sacrifice his career for a cause greater than that of boxing and in doing so, he lost arguably the best 3 years of his boxing life.
For those who argue that Ali was not so ethical because he was a member of the NOI back in the 60's; to you I can only say that you have no idea what the blackman's experience in America was like, or else you would have understood why Ali joined the NOI. That said, Ali did accept orthodox Islam and has been a great humanitarion and advocate for peace.
Angelo Dundee related one incident that says it all; Ali was on a visit to China and was walking on a country road. An old lady in a field (paddy or some thing like that) saw him, and just pointed to him (Ali) and put up her hands in a boxing pose and did a little shuffle and looked at Ali and smiled. She did not speak a word of English, in fact she said absolutely nothing, but her actions said it all in acknowledging who Ali was. That was before PPV TV, the internet, cable TV and all the advances we have today.
The man trancended sport like no other and there will never be another like him.
Mohamed Rahaman
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You lucky swine, Alex!! Lovely article and I had the privilage to witness him and Henry Cooper at Wembley before Frank Bruno fought Tim Witherspoon at Wembley. He easily got the biggest cheer that night.
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