Typically, I do not take the time when I write for Odyssey to discuss sports. While I am indeed a huge sports fan (Yankees, Giants, Rangers), I do not see it to be necessary to give regular updates of the sports world that we all see on our own time anyway. Simply opening up the web browsers on our phones and computers, or watching the daily news, we see score updates for a variety of different sports. However, in the past few weeks, we have lost two of the greatest athletes of the 20th century: Muhammed Ali and Gordie Howe.
To begin, Muhammed Ali was born in Louisville, Kentucky, on January 17, 1942, as Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr. He would later convert to Islam, and change his name to the name we know today, Muhammed Ali. As a boxer, Ali accumulated a record of 61 total fights, with 56 wins, 37 of those wins being by knockout, and 5 losses. He won gold at the 1960 Olympics in Rome for men’s amateur boxing, and would go on to be a 3 time heavyweight champion. When he was drafted to serve in the United States military during the Vietnam War, Ali refused, stating that the war goes against his Muslim teachings. He became a symbol of the antiwar movement, and would overturn the conviction against him for refusing to fight. In his later life, Ali would truly live the life that he had chosen in Islam, living a life of peace, of charity and philanthropy, and overall goodwill towards others. Ali once said that “service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth,” and those who met and were inspired by Ali are testaments to that statement.
Gordie Howe was born in Floral, Saskatchewan, Canada, on March 31, 1928. Howe would play on numerous different hockey teams throughout a career that spanned over four decades, and he would play in the National Hockey League for the Detroit Red Wings and the Hartford Whalers. Howe would later help the Detroit Red Wings win four Stanley Cups, would finish top five in scoring in 20 seasons, and would score 801 goals in his NHL career, notching 1049 assists as well, as well as numerous other accomplishments, awards, and records throughout other portions of his career. Later known as “Mr. Hockey,” Howe would inspire hockey players for generations, including “The Great One,” Wayne Gretzky, with whom he became great friends. The term “Gordie Howe Hat Trick” was also named after Howe, which is a goal, an assist, and a fight all in the same game. Howe himself was known for his physical play, his scoring prowess, and his longevity, finally retiring from the game of hockey at the age of 52, although he was still a skilled player even in his later career. Howe delivered great words of wisdom to all of us, athletes and non-athletes alike, when he once said “You’ve got to love what you’re doing. If you love it, you can overcome any handicap or the soreness or all the aches and pains, and continue to play for a long, long time.” Howe’s words resonate as a shining example of personal perseverance and passion in all aspects of life, and his life and accomplishments have inspired many over the years.
Truly, the world is saddened by the loss of these two legends. Their stories, careers, and personal contributions to their respective sports and the world as a whole will be remembered for years and years to come, and the inspiration that they gave us all, both athletes and non-athletes, will resonate with us for generations to come. To The Greatest and Mr. Hockey, thank you, and may you rest in peace.
