He grew up in a world without social media, yet Muhammad Ali became the most famous person in the world.

His passing has brought back a lot of fond memories for me. Memories of watching his historic fights with Joe Frazier, George Foreman and others on television.

It also brought back memories of actually meeting “The Champ” on more than one occasion and years later, covering his son Asaad Ali as he played for Niles.

Many loved Cassius Clay, his given name, and many hated Muhammad Ali, for his stance on political views.

But for those who were fortunate enough to meet Ali knew him as a humanitarian and a person who loved to be with people, even when Parkinson’s had ravaged his body.

I can remember going to Louisville, Kentucky to cover Dowagiac in a Babe Ruth Regional and seeing his humble beginnings.

I once had to cover something at his estate in Berrien Springs. Ali had come a long way from being a brash young man to America’s “greatest” athlete.

Forget Michael Jordan, Gale Sayers, Babe Ruth or Richard Petty.

No one compares to Ali. And I am willing to bet no one ever will.

I had the honor of attending his 51st birthday, which was held in the McDonald’s in Berrien Springs. Ali loved McDonalds and he enjoyed meeting all the people who had come to wish him well.

I remember being too close to his “lightning-fast” hands. Seeing those fists coming at you can stop your heart.

Over the years he did many things for the people of southwest Michigan.

He donated an old boxing ring to the now defunct Dowagiac Boxing Club.

He built Champs Field in Niles so that area youth had a nice place to play baseball.

He helped get the current field at Niles High School built.

As much as he drew attention to himself during his boxing years, Ali did not want to take away from his son’s games. He and his wife Lonnie would sit in the car and watch the games as to not make a commotion and disrupt the contests.

Asaad loved baseball and he was pretty good at it too. He was drafted by the Angels in 2009, but decided to attend the University of Louisville on a baseball scholarship.

He is now an assistant baseball coach at Ellsworth Community College where he is also the recruiting coordinator. He spent 2014 as an area scout for the Chicago White Sox.

I got to know Asaad a bit through covering his days as a Viking and when I did the story about him being drafted.

He was a humble young man who I can see being a very successful baseball coach.

After hearing the news of Ali’s passing Saturday morning, I thought about how I wish I would have had one last chance to meet him.

But then again, I am one of the fortunate ones who did have that opportunity.

And believe me, I will never forget it.

 

Scott Novak is sports editor for Leader Publications. He can be reached at scott.novak@leaderpub.com.