Now that he is a drooling old fool, we're supposed to get all misty about his "contributions" to mankind. But nothing he can do will ever make up for the destruction of humility for which he was personally responsible.
Now he's got plenty to be humble about. And the previous poster was right: this man deserves our universal disgust, not a presidential award.
"Suffice it to say that before Muhammed Ali, sports stars were role models for children -- at least on the surface. Ali's bragging self-promotion put an end to that. After him, the more vain, the better."
I disagree. I thought the same as you until I saw Ali once in the LAX airport spend 45 minutes dealing with the public. His limo was waiting outside the luggage return while Ali took the time to do every autograph requested. He must have held 10 kids up on his shoulder to have pictures taken. I've seen a lot of athletes do far worse. I was impressed with his quiet and humble approach to all who approached him.