On the Today Show this morning, on a segment called inspired by. This is also a man Ive admired over the years. He is not only as a sports legend, but a true humanitarian. I have followed him since childhood, and consider him an honorable human being. Matt Lauer introduced this man as his inspiration. The greatest of all times former boxing heavyweight champion of the world Muhammad Ali, a.k.a. Cashey Clay. Matt said, that he idolized him since 7 years old. Famous quote, Im going to float like a butterfly and sting like a bee. His hands cant hit, what his eyes cant see. Its not what he has done in the ring, its his greatness outside the ring. He was chiseled out of stone, and he had that personality. He is magnetic, and mesmerizing. You couldnt turn away from the man, when you watched him. In 1967, Ali refuses to be inducted into the military. Matt was ten. He didnt know the religious reasons and he was too young to understand the politics about it. Matt went to his dad and asked, do you agree with what Muhammad Ali was doing. His father was a World War II veteran. His dad said, I dont agree with what hes doing. But he paused just a second and said, I will tell you I admire him for standing up for what he believes in. Matt realized his dad could see layers, that he disageed with his actions, but admired him as a man. Ali didnt just use his popularity as a celebrity, he used it for good. He felt a responsibility. He helped people who were hungry, poor, oppressed, and illiterate. Ali quote, People look for miracles, people look for surprises of all kinds, yet the greatest wonder, the greatest miracle, the greatest surprise is to be found in ones heart. Remember the opening ceremonies in Atlanta for the Olympics? There stood Muhammad Ali holding the torch shaking from Parkinsons. What a message it sent all around the world, that the boxing icon is saying, I AM STILL POWERFUL. Matt said, he wept watching his idol during the ceremony. I must admit, so did I. Matt said, it must be hard when your used to having a chiseled body and now have Parkinsons. Ali still goes out and travels around at Parkinsons centers, being an inspiration to others. It cant be easy on him, but he still does it. He perhaps could be the most famous man in the world, and he could easily still make it all about himself, and yet he choices to live his life in a way that makes it all about others. Parkinsons has taken his voice away largely, but he is still speaking volumes in so many ways. He touched the world, and has left his mark.
Posted on: Thu, 14 Nov 2013 18:39:21 +0000
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