‘He Was Starting With the Parkinson’s’: Stunned NMB HoFer Details How He Was Left Speechless When He Met Legend Muhammad Ali for the First Time
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Muhammad Ali sits in a wheelchair as he is taken to a photo session with attendees of the 50th Convention of the World Boxing Council in Cancun, December 2012. REUTERS/Victor Ruiz Garcia
Michigan State University’s basketball coach, Tom Izzo, has had a myriad of intriguing experiences throughout his illustrious career. However, there is one particular experience that he holds very close to his heart. The time when he met boxing’s very own demigod, Muhammad Ali. Izzo recently opened up about being left speechless after meeting Ali.
Izzo has been MSU’s coach since 1995 and is one most respected figures in college basketball. Moreover, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball – Hall of Fame in the year 2016.
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He was recently in an interview with Emmy-winning journalist, Graham Bensinger.
Tom Izzo details meeting Muhammad Ali
In conversation, Benzinger asked him about his experience meeting ‘The Greatest‘. Tom Izzo started his story by revealing that he had first met Ali at the parking lot of a football game in 1999. He mentioned that a white van was parked in front of him. And a man who got out of the van recognized him and asked him if he wanted to meet Ali. Izzo, on the other hand, nodded in agreement, thinking that the man was trying to fool him.
via Getty
BERLIN – DECEMBER 17: Muhammad Ali and his wife, Lonnie Ali sit ringside uring the Super Middleweight fight between Laila Ali and Asa Maria Sandell at the Max-Schmeling Hall on December 17, 2005 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Martin Rose/Bongarts/Getty Images)
However, it turned out to be the opposite. Izzo continued his story, “He goes no, come here. And I’m starting to say, wait a second here, this guy’s serious. Doors open and out pops Muhammad Ali. He was good, he was starting with the Parkinsons then. But, he came out, his wife Lonnie was with him. And I couldn’t even speak.”
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Moreover, he added, “I mean you know, Vince Lombardi was a hero when I was a little kid and some other great players. But Muhammad Ali to me was Muhammad Ali. And I think I was just staring at him you know.”
Izzo also mentioned that Ali realized that he was pretty awestruck to speak. And even nudged him to talk to him.
Ali later came to one of Michigan State University’s games
It should be mentioned that Ali was impressed with Izzo after he met him. And Ali wished to attend one of Michigan State University’s games.
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Talking about Ali coming to his game, Izzo said, “So fast forward a few months and we were going to play UConn and we get a call from her. And she said Muhammad would like to come to the game because he lived in Berrien Springs part of the time. Which is an hour and a half from us.”
Ali went on to attend the game where MSU clashed against UConn in February 2000.
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How influential was Ali? Do let us know in the comments below.
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