Several celebrities, fighters and politicians paid tribute to the life and achievements of Muhammad Ali this morning:
Excerpt from President Barack Obama's statement on Ali's death:
"Muhammad Ali was The Greatest. Period. If you just asked him, he'd tell you. He'd tell you he was the double greatest; that he'd "handcuffed lightning, thrown thunder into jail."
But what made The Champ the greatest - what truly separated him from everyone else - is that everyone else would tell you pretty much the same thing.
Like everyone else on the planet, Michelle and I mourn his passing. But we're also grateful to God for how fortunate we are to have known him, if just for a while; for how fortunate we all are that The Greatest chose to grace our time."
Excerpt from President George W. Bush's statement. He awarded Ali the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005:
Laura and I are saddened by the death of Muhammad Ali, The Greatest of All Time. I gave Ali the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005 and wondered aloud how he stayed so pretty throughout so many fights. "It probably had to do with his beautiful soul. He was a fierce fighter and he's a man of peace, just like Odessa and Cassius Clay, Sr., believed their son could be. Muhammad Ali was an iconic and historic figure who thrilled, entertained, influenced, and inspired millions. Americans will always be proud to have been in his corner and called him one of our own."
Statement from presidential candidate Bernie Sander's on Ali's death:
"Muhammad Ali was the greatest, not only an extraordinary athlete but a man of great courage and humanity."
Excerpt from statement from CAIR National Board Chair Roula Allouch:
"Muhammad Ali, a man who stood by his principles despite criticism and hardship, exemplified a true patriot and a true Muslim. His strength, courage and love of humanity has been, and will continue to be, an inspiration to people of all faiths and backgrounds in America and worldwide."
Excerpt of a statement from the director of the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center, Holly Shill, MD, director of the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center:
"I first met Muhammad Ali in the late 1990s when he had been dealing with Parkinson's for many years. I have watched him face the disease with grace and humor, and he has inspired countless patients to do the same. We have lost a great warrior in the battle of Parkinson's, but hope continues for a better tomorrow. We will continue with the Center's mission to improve the quality of life for those affected by Parkinson's."
