Interfaith leaders, personal tears and collective tributes, world’s sadness over the loss and celebration of Muhammad Ali’s achievements, almost all things seemed to have come together in a moment of time to say farewell to the champ in his hometown Louisville, Kentucky.
Former President Bill Clinton called Ali a “universal soldier for our common humanity,” and a “free man of faith,” in an emotional eulogy for his friend, and champion of the people, who lined the Louisville streets to say farewell to Ali with flowers and gratitude.
Back in 1996 during his presidency, Clinton had honored Ali by inviting him to light the Atlanta Olympic Games flame, and since Ali’s death last Friday people have been sharing pictures of the two friends that show the former president’s deep respect for Ali.
I can just hear Muhammad saying now, ‘Well I thought I should be eulogized by at least one president and by making you the last of a long long long long line I guaranteed you a standing ovation,’ ”Clinton said of Ali’s feelings.
Clinton said he would “never forget” watching the legendary boxer take final steps toward the Olympic cauldron for Atlanta Olympics as his hands shook from Parkinson’s disease.
“I was weeping like a baby seeing his hands shake,” Clinton said. “No matter what it took, the flame would be lit. The fight would be won. I knew it would happen,” Clinton said in reference to Ali’s indomitable spirit.
Former President Bill Clinton delivering eulogy for Muhammad Ali Photo: Screenshot
He also recalled the supreme confidence Ali had shown at a young age.
“I think he decided something that I hope every young person here will decide, I think he decided very young to write his own life story,” Clinton said.
“I think he decided before he could have possibly worked it all out and before fate and time could work their will on him, he decided he would never be disempowered, he decided not his grace nor his place nor the expectations of others would strip from him the power to write his own story,” Clinton continued.
“He figured out from a very young age who he was and what he believed and how he could live through the consequences of acting in line with his beliefs,” the former president said. “Not many people make it to that last step.”
Clinton also paid tribute to Ali for not bowing to Parkinson’s disease.
“He refused to be imprisoned by his disease that kept him hamstrung longer than Nelson Mandela was imprisoned in South Africa,” Clinton said. “He perfected gifts that we all have – gifts of mind and heart – and he found a way to use them in ways that were large and small.”
In fact, Ali’s disease, Clinton said, made the boxer’s life bigger, not smaller.
“He may not have been able to run across the ring anymore, he may not have been able to dodge and exhaust everybody, but he was bigger than ever because he was a free man of faith,” Clinton noted.
“And we should honor him by bringing our gifts to the world as he did.”
Bill Clinton was among a constellation of prominent people, who along with common people from all the diverse backgrounds, faiths and cultures converged on Louisville to pay their final respects to Ali’s contribution to the world as a matchless athlete, social activist, poet, political voice and above all a fearless fighter for justice, equality, humanity and dignity of human beings.
Bryant Gumbel also said some memorable things about the hero he met a long time ago, when the champ himself was young.
“I was awestruck then and man, I thought he was the greatest,” Gumbel, a known sportscaster, said of his first meeting with Ali. “Now, a half a century and a lifetime of experiences later, I’m still awestruck and I’m still convinced more than ever that Muhammad Ali is the greatest.”
