In fight against Parkinson's, Muhammad Ali became the face of the debilitating disease

June 4, 2016

Muhammad Ali became the face of the struggle against Parkinson's disease in the later part of his life. Above, the heavyweight before a House committee on research for the illness.

(JOE MARQUETTE/AP)

Muhammad Ali fought bloody wars against a slew of boxing greats. But his toughest fight took place outside the ring against an opponent that couldn’t be knocked out.

For three decades, Ali waged a public battle against Parkinson’s disease — making brave appearances long after the degenerative disorder withered his body and stole his speech.

“Selflessness and bravery — those are the two things he epitomized,” said Leslie Chambers, president and CEO of the American Parkinson Disease Association.

In facing the cameras again and again, Ali played a crucial role in raising awareness of the incurable neurological disease.

Muhammad Ali was the greatest, even in later years of decline

“He brought the average American’s attention to this disease,” Chambers said. “We’re so grateful for him. In the long run, he’s helped our community in a tremendous way.”

Ali was just 42 years old when he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 1984, three years after the last fight of his legendary career. The disease ravages the body over time in a slow, savage march.People close to Ali noticed that his speech was already starting to slur and his body already starting to slow before his last bout in 1981.

Ten years later, he appeared a shell of his former self in an interview with Bryant Gumbel on NBC’s “Today Show.”Gone was the mega-watt smile — Ali’s face appeared frozen.

Ali walks through the Phoenix Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center in 2012.  (DAVID KADLUBOWSKI/AP) 

Ali was responsible for one of the most indelible moments in sports history five years later.

One of the most closely guarded secrets leading up to the 1996 Summer Games in Atlanta was who would receive the honor of lighting the Olympic cauldron.

The world learned the answer when Ali appeared under the cauldron before American swimmer Janet Evans handed him the torch.

The stunned crowd roared as Ali, his left arm shaking and his entire body trembling, managed to light the wire that carried the flame to the cauldron.

Ali was responsible for one of the most indelible moments in sports history five years later.

One of the most closely guarded secrets leading up to the 1996 Summer Games in Atlanta was who would receive the honor of lighting the Olympic cauldron.

The world learned the answer when Ali appeared under the cauldron before American swimmer Janet Evans handed him the torch.

The stunned crowd roared as Ali, his left arm shaking and his entire body trembling, managed to light the wire that carried the flame to the cauldron.

Muhammad Ali watches as the flame climbs up to the Olympic torch during the opening ceremonies of the 1996 Summer Olympics.

 (DOUG MILLS/AP)

 “It was the rarest of Olympic moments, a moment of infinite sadness, yet supreme majesty,” wrote Baltimore Sun columnist Ken Rosenthal.

“You didn't know whether to cheer or to cry. All you could do was watch and root once more for Muhammad Ali.”

Chambers said she still has vivid memories of that moment.

“It was all about courage,” she said. “It was written all around his body that he was not going to let [it] do him in. He was still the greatest.”

n subsequent years, Ali grew more frail, his public appearances more infrequent.

But he surfaced again just two months ago at Celebrity Fight Night, the Phoenix-based gala that raises money for the treatment of Parkinson’s.

He wore sunglasses. His upper body was stooped over. He didn’t say a word.

But Ali, fittingly, received a standing ovation.

REST IN PEACE ALI !

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