On Ali, Frank Sinatra, and the Measure of True Fame . . .

[Journeyman]

Some years ago, the morning Frank Sinatra died, I was getting an oil change. The television was on and the coverage of Sinatra was non-stop. There were maybe half a dozen or more guys sitting around watching the tube, waiting for our cars.

In the midst of it all, one of the well-coiffed talking heads said,

"You know, Sinatra -- he's the only person in the world, you just say his name and everyone knows exactly who he is."

Television dweeb paused for a breath, and in the silence of the room I said two words:

"Muhammad Ali."

Every guy there just nodded his head. I could have said that name in Zaire, in Belgium, the Ukraine, or Outer Mongolia, and gotten the same recognition. I don't believe Ol' Blue Eyes ever had half the recognition the Greatest enjoyed. And few men ever walked this Earth with greater confidence than Muhammad Ali.

[herding cats]

1. Muhammad Ali's name recognition spanned at least three generations.

I never knew him as a boxer, even though I knew about that part of his life. I knew him as a humanitarian and a civil rights activist. To me he was a real fighter. One who fights for what's right and decent in our world. One thing I loved about him was how he still fought on after he became sick for what he believed in.

I'll always hold vast amounts of deep respect for Muhammad Ali.

[jhart3333]

2. Well said.

There was no one like Muhammad Ali. We need more like him.

[brettdale]

3. He was Global

every corner of the planet.