“To Stu from (FROM) Muhammad Ali, May 11, 1981” – When the champion admired and then signed the photograph I took of him years earlier, he accidentally wrote “FROM” a second time. He was simply distracted, most likely; though judging by his remarks that day at a political event in Sacramento, his humility and sense of humor could have contributed as well.
The Sacramento Bee covered the appearance, which added to my personal recollections:
Asked about a recent heavyweight bout, Ali said, “I was considering another comeback, but that wouldn’t be wise. I’m too old.”
“I think I might try running for something,” Ali said, noting that he gets many guest appearance invitations when politicians are running for re-election. Assemblymember Maxine Waters responded, “Just don’t run in my district. Run in (then-Assembly Speaker) Willie Brown’s district.”
About another function at which he left behind a key to the city, Ali joked, “I left it behind on purpose. The gold ain’t real.”
It’s been 35 years since Speaker Brown recognized Ali’s cultural influence, “Without a doubt one of the biggest heroes, image setters, that this country has ever known.”
Praising her late father, who died June 3, Hana Ali said he was a “Humble Mountain!”
Forever, “The Greatest.” RIP Muhammad Ali (1942-2016)
He was one of a kind!
Love it, gald you posted the story.
Love Humble Mountain! Great photo, Stu you have learned the humility lesson!
“The service you do for others is the rent you pay for your room here on Earth.”
The Humble Mountain spoke the truth.