"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.
Someone need to find the seventies Playboy interview with
him and read about what, he says, Allah will do to America
for its treatment of blacks.