The world is mourning the loss of the legendary Muhammad Ali, who passed away at age 74 on Friday night. Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban is one of the many prominent sports figure in today’s world that has honored the boxing great following his death.
Saban appeared on ESPN Radio Saturday morning and reflected on the life of the man who inspired so many.
It’s clear that Saban, like many others, has the utmost respect for a man who literally earned the right to be called “The Greatest.”
“When I was a kid, I remember working in my dad’s service station in West Virginia. When he’d have a fight, we’d all listen to the car radio. All the doors were open and people were standing around. We didn’t have anywhere it was televised then,” Saban said, as transcribed by AL.com.
“It’s not in the human condition to be a champion, to be as good as you can be. You have to have special characteristics, special traits, which Muhammad Ali certainly did. … Champions don’t belong on the ground. When he got knocked down in one of the (Joe) Frazier fights, he got up and finished the fight because (with) his pride, he didn’t belong there. That’s not who he is. That’s not how he wants to be thought of. He got up and finished the fight. There’s also a quote ‘I never win the fight inside the lights. I always win it somewhere far, far away.’ Doing road work, working hard to prepare for the fight. … A lot of analogies of philosophical things or things that people said about him, I think really reflect what being a champion is all about.
“Without being specific to the issues, he believed and had a lot of compassion for other people in his beliefs. Because of his religious beliefs, he didn’t believe in war or fighting. So he refused to do that. I think that it was the beginning of people who think a little different, think outside the box, represented their rights in a really positive way, he was one of the first that ever stood up for that. To give up three years of his prime because of it certainly shows his conviction to it. He had to have great strength as a leader to do those kinds of things, and there are very few people who are willing to do that. … Great boxer — but all the other things is what made him unique as a person, as a leader. I don’t know of any other athlete that’s had a greater impact on society than he has.
“I think it was his charisma, and how he said what he believed, which is what I think sometimes people relate to. Even if they disagree, they can relate to the leadership. I was an Ali fan in every fight he ever fought. I thought he was the greatest champion ever, probably the greatest boxer ever. Whether it was his style, and the combination of his style and his persona or personality, it’s just unmatched almost by anyone. That’s why so many people could relate to him, and so many people loved him.”
The full audio of the interview can be heard here.
It’s been great to see all of the people in sports and in the world today honoring Muhammad Ali for everything that he accomplished throughout his life. He is a legend, for always doing what he believed in and sharing a message of peace and love, and he will greatly be missed.
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*Featured Photo (above) credit to USA TODAY Sports
