I remember the Thrilla in Manila which was the epic bout between Muhammand Ali and Joe Frazier held at the Araneta Coliseum in October 1, 1975 in the Philippines.
Before the bout, there was huge brouhaha among the students and faculty of Ortanez University ( a small university based in Manila ) when they awarded Muhammad Ali an honorary doctorate ( Doctor of Humanities Honoris Causa ).
Many people felt that Ortanez was lowering its standards by awarding a doctorate to a practically unschooled boxer whose only claim to fame was being a world famous sports personality. Huge protests and written denunciations followed that decision 30 years ago. The university ignored the protests.
Well, well, well it looks like that small Manila University was 30 years ahead of its time.
Doctor Cassius Clay. How Sweet.
He is no role model. He is/was arrogant. Why do they continue to celebrate fools. So what you can beat another person bloody....it’s no sport.
For what, poetry?
He is The Greatest.
Pretty much devalues a Princeton degree, IMHO....
Does anyone remember the scarecrow’s wish and song from The Wizard of Oz? Instead of his wish The Wizard gave him a piece of paper.
Interesting.
Here’s a coincidental sports/ivy tidbit; Willie Mays also got an honorary degree from Dartmouth a couple of weeks ago.
Wonder who will be next?
It must be for his contribution as the originator of “trash-talking” and bragadoccio which plague all sports today.
What did he get his degree in? Math? He’s black, has a disease and changed his name to Muhammed. That’s why he gets all the attention.
What a crock of BS!!! This guy refused to serve his country during the Viet Nam conflict. Now because he’s old and sick people bow before him. Not denying he was a great fighter...great American? I think not.
I actually like Ali, but I have never understood how people are selected for honorary degrees and this one is really mystifying. A sportswriter who knew Ali well said that he could barely read.
The word hero is thrown around a bit much, especially with sports figures. Hero means...”a man of distinguished courage, admired for brave deeds and noble qualities”.
Cassius (Mohammed the Muslim) Clay AIN’T no hero!
My question is would Princeton have given him the honorary PhD if he had served in Vietnam proudly.
I hated Ali at the time but some 30-40 years later he looks somehow dignified by comparison to many of the big mouths today.
I *know* that there’ll be an ice skating rink in a certain very warm place before this happens but...
I always thought wouldn’t it be cool if in a moment of clarity and lucidity, Clay renounced his faith in the moon god and announced embraced Christianity? And in so doing, made a statement about how the TROP is no such thing?
OK, I know it ain’t gonna happen, but just what if?
It’s true that the media for years papered over his sins, but I think he’s fundamentally decent.
I’ll never forget when Allen Funt’s long-running “Candid Camera” series in the 70’s did a sketch wherein grade-school kiddies were asked on camera what they personally thought of “The Champ.” They would let the kids talk for a few minutes when out would pop the man himself in full kit. It was hilarious and adorable.
I also remember the night Leon Spinks pulled the upset of upsets in 1977. Ali refused to say he wuz’ robbed, he declared Spinks beat him fair and square and set to work to regain his title. Call him what you will, just don’t call him a whiner.
Love him or hate him.
You got to admit that he put his money where his mouth was.
He gave up a lot of immediate wealth and fame for what he believed (whether you agree or not agree with his politics or religion). I remember a lecture he gave at my college (Earlham) for pennies when the guy could have been making millions. He could have gone the Joe Louis route and would never have had to go on the front lines.
Okay, keyboard heroes how many of you have given up your job for your beliefs (right or wrong).