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| Muhammad Ali |
Why? Because even though nearly 30-years have passed since the last time he competed as a boxer, he is still considered by many, if not most as "The Greatest of All-Time".
Sure, we all understand that he is not what he was, but at age 70, who is? The battle with Parkinson's disease has left him a shell of what he was, but he still is who he is.
He's the man who began his life as Louisville boxer Cassius Clay and was an Olympic Hero. He's also the man who became Muhammad Ali and refused to participate in the Vietnam War. And from there, the legend just grew.
His legend was made after his fights with Joe Frazier and those were in the early 1970's. His legend was sealed after fights with George Foreman and Larry Holmes. He became perhaps the most revered athlete of all time.
It's because he was so good with people.
It's because he knew how to make people smile. He knew how to make them laugh. And he still does. Albeit slowly. And sometimes not-so-clearly. But he is loved. He's now loved pretty much universally. He's done what nobody thought could be done. He's changed perceptions. He's changed beliefs and most importantly he's become a celebrated man.
Happy 70th birthday champ, celebrate well and we look forward to saying this again...next year.
If you have some time, check out "The Thrilla in Manila" from 1975:
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