Remembering The Greatest – Muhammad Ali

Back in the late 1980’s when I had Red Wing’s season tickets at Joe Louis Arena and sat in a section in the Wing’s home end between the blue line and the net. This was a section frequented by visiting dignitaries, guests of the Wings. Occasionally I sat near stars such as Huey Lewis, Steve Perry, Pete Rose and other rock, sports and entertainment legends. I can still recall a special game when play on the ice came to a complete stop because of a visiting dignitary, Muhammad Ali.

In town for a board of directors meeting with the K-mart Corp – (he was a shareholder with them) – Ali and his entourage proceeded down the aisle to the right of my seats, while a slowly growing chant “Ali, Ali, Ali” grew into a thunderous cheer as patrons stood and applauded the man.

So strong was this reception that the players on the ice – confused as they were by the sound coming from the crowd – stopped play and looked up in our direction.

Both teams gave Ali the customary salute of banging their sticks on the ice and then raising them in salute to him. Ali responded with a big smile, waved to the crowd and the players and engaged in some rope-a-dope boxing gestures with an imaginary opponent.

This was just a few years after his 1984 diagnosis of Parkinsons Disease, and already the neurological tremors in his hands and arms were noticeable. He also walked with a slow and deliberate gait.

I was so close to him that I got his autograph on a tract he carried with him, promoting the Islamic faith. I have it buried away somewhere in my memorabilia and will always treasure that autograph, that moment at Joe Louis, and the man himself – THE GREATEST!

Joe McParland is a regular contributor with Biz X magazine