He was the most famous athlete, and one of the most famous people in the world, but he was also a Kentuckian. Muhammad Ali, far right, in Toronto, 1966 George Clooney: “I grew up in Kentucky, so Muhammad Ali was a very big figure - not just in the world. He was simply magical.ĭustin Hoffman is a renowned film and television actor. I watched his face very carefully for his reaction- to see if he was a surprised as everyone else was- but he contained his expression, like it was an everyday event for him. He signaled for them to pass him the ball, and Muhammad, at mid-court, swept the ball over his shoulder and it swished into the basket. That night before the fight, Muhammad recognized me and called me over and started announcing to everybody, 'Midnight Cowboy! Midnight Cowboy!' He took me with him as we walked into the arena, and he spotted some college kids practicing basketball. No Viet Cong ever called me a nigger.' It would have been sacrificing years of his career at a pivotal time- atheletes have such a short shelf life and it would have put his body in compromise. I remember in an interview with Muhammad Ali, in 1969, after he refused to fight in the Vietnam War, Ali said, 'I ain't got no quarrel with them Viet Cong. I think it was pretty soon after he was allowed to fight again after being suspended for not going into service- which, I think was a huge statement. Muhammad Ali vs Oscar Bonavena at Madison Square Garden, New York City, 1970 Dustin Hoffman: "In December 1970, I met him before his fight with Oscar Bonavena at Madison Square Garden.
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