Boxing superstar and civil rights activist Muhammad Ali passed away on Friday night. He was 74 years old.
An ambulance had reportedly been called to Ali’s home in Phoenix on Tuesday. He was taken to a nearby hospital to be treated for respiratory issues, where his condition worsened. Ali had suffered from Parkinson’s for decades, among many other health issues that sadly plagued his retirement from boxing.
Muhammad Ali has died, a family spokesperson has announced. @ABC Special Report on now. @EVargasABC anchors pic.twitter.com/dCC7ka91Qa
— Joshua Hoyos (@JoshuaHoyos) June 4, 2016
A family spokesperson confirmed the news of Ali’s passing to ABC News, which was one of the first outlets to report on his death. Earlier on Friday, the Miami Marlins had prematurely made the same announcement, interrupting a match-up between the New York Mets.
Marlins tell crowd Muhammad Ali has died, even though no news outlet is reporting that (via @beth819, @WillManso) pic.twitter.com/djvxNZv5XM
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) June 4, 2016
Save for a few befuddled tweets, social media stayed mostly silent regarding the potential Marlins gaffe. Tributes from prominent celebrities from all walks of life began appearing on Twitter following news reports, however.
Ralph Ali, Frazier & Foreman we were 1 guy. A part of me slipped away, "The greatest piece" https://t.co/xVKOc9qtub
— George Foreman (@GeorgeForeman) June 4, 2016
God bless Muhammad Ali peace and love to all his family. 😎✌️🌟💖
— #RingoStarr (@ringostarrmusic) June 4, 2016
rest in peace #MuhammadAli
— juicy j (@therealjuicyj) June 4, 2016
My deepest condolences to Muhammad Ali and his family. The greatest of all time pictured with my grandfather. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/56MUnwHLhX
— Nattie (@NatbyNature) June 4, 2016
Today we lost a true superhero. You will be missed, Muhammad Ali. pic.twitter.com/4qocEYFfzp
— DC (@DCOfficial) June 4, 2016
To honor Muhammad Ali's life & work, flags at all Metro Government facilities will be lowered to half-staff at 10am pic.twitter.com/Qm5xjkk6qr
— Greg Fischer (@GregFischerLou) June 4, 2016
My heart is deeply saddened yet both appreciative and relieved that the greatest is now resting in the greatest place.
— Roy Jones Jr. (@RealRoyJonesJr) June 4, 2016
Ali will be honored in his hometown of Louisville, according to mayor Greg Fischer, who tweeted that flags will be lowered to half-staff on Saturday morning. The Kentucky metropolitan and its citizens have dedicatedly honored their native son throughout the years, erecting a multicultural arts center bearing his name as well as restoring Ali’s childhood home.
That humble house at 3302 Grand Ave. has been turned into a museum to celebrate the early years of the man born Cassius Clay. Its grand opening was the Saturday prior to his death and had been championed by his brother, Rahman, also a former heavyweight boxer.
Born on Jan. 17, 1942, Ali took to boxing at age 12. A decade later, he would face Sony Liston, upsetting the heavyweight champion in a match that would put him on the map. Ali would win the heavyweight belt not only that night but twice more over the course of his career. He would go on to earn an Olympic gold medal at the 1960 Summer Games as well.
Ali was deeply committed to his faith, outspoken, and dedicated to philanthropic endeavors well beyond the issues he brought to the public conscience in interviews. His efforts earned him the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005.
Of all the speeches, and all the quotes, and all the stellar match-ups, perhaps the best tribute to the “Greatest” came from the man himself, who lived life on his own terms unabashedly.