The people's champion, once and still

Sporting News, The, Nov 21, 1994 by Richard Lapchick

The headlines rang out recently that George Foreman had regained the heavy-weight championship at 45. A generation of people in their late 40s saw hope that growing old might not matter so much.

But hope was already in abundance in Boston before the fight. Muhammad Ali had come to town to be the first inductee in Northeastern's Sports and Society Hall of Fame and to receive an honorary degree. When Ali is around, nothing else matters: Fourteen years after he stepped out of the ring, Ali is still the people's champion.

This is a man who enraged many white Americans when he changed his name from Cassius Clay after embracing the teachings of Elijah Muhammad. Ali stepped into the political maelstrom surrounding the Vietnam War by refusing to be inducted into the Army and became a symbol of hope for antiwar activists and a symbol of hate for so many others. He seemed to be a fixture on the barricade of race and war that separated Americans.

Now, more than anyone I can think of, Ali transcends any remaining barriers. I was able to spend parts of three days with him and watched children and old people come to him: blacks and whites; men and women; Catholics, Muslims and Jews. He received doormen as he received chairmen of the board, making one and all feel better than before they met Muhammad Ali.

With this unique man, age, race, sex, religion, geography and class have no meaning. He is above it all because he walks with the people. His pace may be slower as a result of having Parkinson's syndrome, but nobody near him was bothered. You may have to lean to hear what he has to say, but that is a good excuse to get closer to him to hear him speak. It is always personal and memorable.

There was a time when he traveled with a large entourage. Now he moves with Lonnie, his wife, their son, Assad, and Howard Bingham, Ali's closest friend. Bingham was also receiving an award in Boston for his brilliant and artistic photo essay, "Muhammad Ali: A Thirty Year Journey." It is family and friends. He does not need to generate an entourage. As soon as the elevator door opens, an entourage is forged. Wherever he is, people come. Ali does magic tricks to make people smile. But he is the magic, no tricks are necessary.

How strong is his magnetism? My 5-year-old daughter, Emily, was 20 feet and 50 people away when Ali gestured for her to come. Emily had not met him at that point, and I was sure her shyness would keep her by her mother's side. But this was Muhammad Ali and she ran to him, leaped into his arms and accepted his kiss with a broad smile.

In my 49 years, I have never asked for an autograph. I now sit under two signed boxing gloves. This was Muhammad Ali.

Has his mind been dulled by Parkinson's syndrome? Twenty-four hours after meeting my kids, he said to me, "You have three beautiful children. But in 10 years, that Emily is going to cause you a lot of trouble." Muhammad never misses a chance to make you feel good. Never. You could be alone with him, in a small reception, or in a huge banquet hall. Muhammad Ali took the time to make you feel unique.

As Ali was inducted, there wasn't a dry eye in the room. Northeastern President Jack Curry, in conferring the honorary degree on Ali, was at his best:

"With a unique blend of speed, power and poetry, you became the people's champion ....For you, brute force took second place to grace, agility and finesse. Although you danced lightly in the ring, out of the ring you have stood firmly on principle, displaying unwavering devotion to the ideals of peace and justice, crying out against the cruelty of war ...and imploring our children to search for purpose in the lives.

"Whether standing your ground against a close-minded nation during the tempestuous 1960s or matching physical skills with young, strong challengers to your boxing supremacy, you have countered all opposition with inexhaustible talent, courage and independence....

"In recognition of your commitment to the unity and equality of all people and because of your tireless work to improve the lives of the children and the poor of the world, Northeastern University is privileged to confer on you the honorary degree, Doctor of Public Service."

Before President Curry could move toward Ali's table, Ali literally burst to the stage to receive the degree. The 650 people in the audience were again on their feet, happily cheering. He leaned into the microphone, "Now you can call me Doctor." Ali is not a one in a million figure but a once in a lifetime person. "The Greatest" is just that: a magic man, who was, and still is, the champion. There are no pretenders and no challengers.