In a year of losing so many greats today we lost “The Greatest”. Mohammad Ali was more than a boxer, more a sportsman, more than a campaigner, more than an entertainer, more than a legend, more than a civil rights activists, more than a humanitarian, more than an icon and a legend.
As I consumed the wall-to-wall coverage it struck me that I cannot think of anyone during my entire lifetime who is as universally loved, respected and inspired….in any field. How remarkable is that. Nobody in sport, entertainment, politics, business – nobody. No surprise that he became the most famous man in the world.
So I could not but record my short, simple tribute above. Personally, like so many – as a young kid – I’d go around the playground aged 6 or 7 quoting his ‘floats like a butterfly and stings like a bee’ quote. Though he was no longer the champion – to all of us he was. But this guy was not just a champion in the ring. The was a champion of his sport, for sport and a champion of civil, black and human rights. He stood up for his belief and what he believed in. He challenged what he was led to believe by society.
Perhaps the most remarkable of all is how, as his physical body became more fail his powers of compassion, humanity and connectivity increased. This is the power of the heart. So this man moved from mastering the mind and body to the realm of the spirit. This is the power of the heart.
As a coach and speaker this guy’s power to inspire, motivate, touch the heart and to reach so many people is remarkably rare.
Thank you for raising the bar, awakening so many minds and touching many millions of hearts and lives.
Recent Comments