Muhammad Ali on life support

[StubbornPenny]

Amazing he hung on so long with his condition. I personally know 3 people who dropped dead in their 30s in last two weeks (two infection, one overdose), so to be 74 (I think) after having Parkinson's for so long is pretty amazing.

Definitely ahead of his time both in
Media presence and athleticism. Other athletes had to step their game up to compete with what he had naturally. Reminds me a lot of Jim Brown.

100% on his side with the army thing. Vietnam was a horrible mistake. And he backed up his talk when he went to jail.

 

[UKvisitor_rivals101449]

Then, there are the rich draft dodgers. Who where those guys and "how did they dodge the draft"?

One name george comes to mind.

 

[sambowieshin_rivals]

No way you can make that claim that he was a draft dodger. I mean the man could not eat downtown Louisville in 1966, he had no problem with no Viet Con. US Army, Generals all told him to go quietly and he would never get near a gun or combat, fight exhibitions for 2-3 months, and train for the last 4 like usual. He would not go for it, they broke him financially with lawyer fees, fines, and appeals. He could not even eat in a restaurant in Atlanta with white people, a guy like this a true man and a bigger man than just some casual guy saying draft dodger. He took a stand, I wish more guys would do that. It is the problem of our society.
Sandy Koufax not pitching on Yom Kippur etc.. Ali not going into Army so the US could pimp him to blacks across country. He was not going to be a pawn or someone the Army could recruit and point out.
I say that is a hero, when you get stripped of everything but choose the harder path, he would have never done anything so this is heroic.

I think you hit reply to the wrong poster. I never claimed he was a draft dodger and I do agree we need more sheep dogs and less sheep.

 

[UKvisitor_rivals101449]

I think you hit reply to the wrong poster.

I think he hit the 1st reply button he saw. That happens.

 

[UKvisitor_rivals101449]

That is accurate as it happened:

Ali not going into Army so the US could pimp him to blacks across country. He was not going to be a pawn or someone the Army could recruit and point out.

 

[Cawood86_rivals]

Calling him a draft dodger is one sided. People who ran off to Canada IMO are draft dodgers. (they left this country knowing they may never return.) Ali made a stand on being a "conscientious objector" which was legal for him to do. He was willing to go to jail for 5 years to make a stand for his beliefs. That's not dodging. I think that is virtue promoted in the USA.

I served in Vietnam in combat. 10 years military service overall.

So he had no problem beating people unconscious and getting paid for it. Or calling Frazier an Uncle Tom. An objector indeed. Seems he was principled when it was beneficial to him.
Sorry for his condition and for his family, but was never a fan of him or his antics.

 

[UKvisitor_rivals101449]

You do realize this guy let his brain get beat to a pulp so boxing fans could be amused and entertained?

So he had no problem beating people unconscious and getting paid for it.

It was boxing then. Not a pop sport now.

 

[bookerfan66]

You do realize this guy let his brain get beat to a pulp so boxing fans could be amused and entertained?
It was boxing then. Not a pop sport now.

I would imagine he did it for the money like every other sports star.I don't buy any of them doing it for the fans.

 

[UKvisitor_rivals101449]

I would imagine he did it for the money like every other sports star.I don't buy any of them doing it for the fans.

He was one of the earliest tv sports stars. He played it well. Cosell played off Ali. That guy Bergman and ESPN played off both Cosell and Ali.

 

[.S&C.]

People have family including myself that didn't want to go, didn't agree, but their country called and they went. Lots died.

Ali appeared to some as taking advantage of what this country made him all while rejecting it when it was beneficial. Sounds an awful lot like elites today.

It's a touchy subject to many because of the emotions. No opinion on earth will change hat.

 

[UKvisitor_rivals101449]

Maybe you have said this already: Did you go?

but their country called and they went.

 

[Panthur]

Very sad to hear. Will be praying for the champ.

 

[UKvisitor_rivals101449]

Prayers are what is needed here. This should be a prayer thread. It is not like the Rafters doesn't do prayers.

 

[.S&C.]

Maybe you have said this already: Did you go?

No. My father served in Vietnam and my grandfather was shot 9 times in WW2 then captured by the Germans while lying dying in a field in France. He was held and tortured until the end of WW2. Both said they served so I didn't have to. They wanted me to go to college.

Those are my heroes.

 

[andreIGUODOLLAsigns4UK]

It's a very understandable position of many.

I mean this is a whole different story and whole different discussion and not going to get too far into it. But why fight for something you don't believe in at the time? Also. Black males were treated much worse and had worse military jobs than white males in the military back then. I definitely understand.

 

[UKvisitor_rivals101449]

I forgot all about college deferments during the Vietnam War. Will your children have to go to war? Will they want want to? Will they die in war?

Edit: My son served 8 years recently. survived. Lest hope he can avoid these KY drivers.

 

[.S&C.]

I mean this is a whole different story and whole different discussion and not going to get too far into it. But why fight for something you don't believe in at the time? Also. Black males were treated much worse and had worse military jobs than white males in the military back then. I definitely understand.

Lots of black men served in that war and if you're ever around some of them they are unreal. I know one who wears his rank proudly to this day and doesn't complain. He lost his hand in Nam serving with my father and actually invented some sort extendtion to be able to weld. Smart guy.

People can think whichever way they like. I'm not going to have more respect for Ali than I would for men who actually served and/or died. If you want to you can.

But I wasn't really taking sides. It was long before my time. I was just suggesting it's a sensitive issue and no one is going to change their mind.

 

[UKvisitor_rivals101449]

We are the Home of the Brave. Brave has many angles.

 

[AlbanyWildCat]

Don't kill the messanger, but I am being told he already passed away...this is from folks that are closey aligned with the Ali Center.

Hoping this is 100% wrong.

 

[SilentsAreGolden]

Has the life support thing been confirmed? This is the only place I've read or heard this. Latest I heard was that he is in "fair condition" and expected to be released.

 

[ORCAT_rivals103867]

Has the life support thing been confirmed? This is the only place I've read or heard this. Latest I heard was that he is in "fair condition" and expected to be released.

Yeah, not seeing anything about him being on life support or having already passed like the other poster just put up. He is a major figure and you would think all the main media outlets would be reporting it by now if this is true. Just wondering why this is only being reported on here?

 

[TeoJ]

Yeah, not seeing anything about him being on life support or having already passed like the other poster just put up. He is a major figure and you would think all the main media outlets would be reporting it by now if this is true. Just wondering why this is only being reported on here?

AOL confirmed earlier today.

 

[TeoJ]

Got a pic with me and Ali about twenty years ago.I had on a UK shirt and he really couldn't talk but he could communicate,it was very funny.Their was a six year old kid there and he and Ali put their dukes against each other's nose that kid now has a classic pic.He couldn't talk but he had complete control of the room.

 

[FFWhite]

He is definitely one of the top 5 sports icons of all time

 

[UKvisitor_rivals101449]

Louisville Lip
"a nickname for the greatest heavyweight boxer of all time Muhammad Ali given to him because he's from Louisville, Kentucky and he had a big mouth which he always backed up.
The Louisville Lip always taunted "Smokin" Joe when they fought in a attempt to aggravate the hell out of him."

 

[UKvisitor_rivals101449]

Ali could not only throw a punch, he could dance around others punches:

 

[Aike]

Yeah, not seeing anything about him being on life support or having already passed like the other poster just put up. He is a major figure and you would think all the main media outlets would be reporting it by now if this is true. Just wondering why this is only being reported on here?

Life support part is being widely reported.

 

[UKvisitor_rivals101449]

What would justin timberlake do in a war draft? For now, he never volunteered for anything war related unless for USO show.

 

[UKvisitor_rivals101449]

Alot of these entertainers are all shadow supporters of the men/women dying for freedom for all. They want to complain about other things.

 

[KWilt43atbuzz]

Float like a butterfly and sting like a bee...
I have something in common with the greatest for I was born in Louisville also.

 

[.S&C.]

What would justin timberlake do in a war draft? For now, he never volunteered for anything war related unless for USO show.

All I do is account for my family and myself. If a draft were implemented again and I was called I'd go. I wouldn't disgrace my families last name and dodge.

I'm sorry it's one thing to accept a persons actions as noble in its own right. Claiming it adds up to the suffering families go through because they took some stand is ******** and wrong. Off topic of course not directed at anyone or Ali. It's my opinion.

 

[SilentsAreGolden]

According to NBC News, he is in grave condition. ESPN has basically nothing.

 

[UKvisitor_rivals101449]

If a draft were implemented again and I was called I'd go.

Salute. I'd be there with you.

 

[KWilt43atbuzz]

Ali's greatest moment IMO:

 

[UKvisitor_rivals101449]

Your neighbor is dying.

 

[anon_9qtxg60vqzy0y]

Yeah, not seeing anything about him being on life support or having already passed like the other poster just put up. He is a major figure and you would think all the main media outlets would be reporting it by now if this is true. Just wondering why this is only being reported on here?

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/muhamma...hospital/?ftag=CNM-00-10aab7e&linkId=25206533

 

[SilentsAreGolden]

The entire journalism community is scooping ESPN on the greatest heavyweight of all time being near death. Pathetic showing for the supposed authority on sports.

 

[Aike]

The entire journalism community is scooping ESPN on the greatest heavyweight of all time being near death. Pathetic showing for the supposed authority on sports.

They have made a lot of cuts.

 

[Blueaz]

ESPN is too busy trying to get staff and crew to hype Disney movies; but then don't let them offer any negative reviews after the movie is out.

 

[KWilt43atbuzz]

ESPN is too busy moving people's stuff out.