A look back at Muhammad Ali’s visits to Seattle

Boxing legend Muhammad Ali, who died Friday night at age 74, made several stops in Seattle including a memorable visit during the Vietnam War, and another in 1990 when it was proclaimed Muhammad Ali Day in Washington.

On May 30, 1968, Ali came to the University of Washington as part of the Memorial Day Vietnam Convocation.

Ali said that “the American Negro must be given an education that will give him knowledge about him and his race,’” but said little about the war in Vietnam,” historian Alan J. Stein wrote on Historylink.org. He discussed racial problems in the U.S., Islam, love, hate, and a variety of other topics.

Ali visited the UW as part of a tour of U.S. college campuses.

Born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr., he was the world heavyweight boxing champion until 1967 when he was convicted of refusing induction into the Armed Forces of the United States and stripped of his boxing license and title. Ali claimed that he was a minister of Islam and objected to military service on religious grounds. He resumed his boxing career after the U.S. Supreme Court dismissed his conviction in April 1969.

His first mention in The Seattle Times came April 5, 1959, after the 17-year-old from Louisville, Kentucky, took the light-heavyweight championship by beating Johnny Powell, 20, of Baltimore.

Ali also came to Seattle in 1984 for a ceremony to honor a local boxer. Grant Haller, who photographed Ali’s airport arrival, recalled that day in a Facebook post Saturday morning.

“He came along and stopped to talk with 6-year-old Dan Whitford,” Haller wrote. “They had a a nice conversation and I was surprised that someone so famous would spend the time with this little guy. There were no ‘fake’ punches thrown or selfies made. Just a connection.”

It also was on that Seattle trip when Ali stopped by the sports desk of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, creating moments often retold by those who met him.
“He snuck up behind desk man Paul Rossi, snapping his fingers behind Paul’s ear to make a cricket sound, and Paul couldn’t believe it when he turned around,” longtime P-I reporter Dan Raley recalled Friday night.

“Columnist John Owen told Ali that he had been in Zaire with him and he nodded accordingly.”

On July 17, 1990, Ali was honored by Gov. Booth Gardner and Seattle Mayor Norm Rice when both declared it Muhammad Ali Day in the state and city.

“People have ranked me as the best fighter in the history of the whole world,” Ali, then 48, told The Times. “I’m the most recognized, the most known man in the entire world. I have seven grown daughters and one grown boy. I can travel all around the world with the people I love.

“I’m living a good life.”

KIRO 7’s Jesse Jones recalled meeting him years ago at the Sheraton Hotel in Seattle.

“He sat at the grand piano that was in its foyer. He was tired and resting. People noticed and began asking him for autographs.

“The champ signed one, then another. In about 15 minutes, a line snaked from that Steinway through the hotel. He signed small cards promoting peace and Islam for more than an hour.

“He smiled and took pictures with people of every age and shade.

“I’m still not sure what was more memorable: His act of kindness while suffering a debilitating medical condition, or witnessing the radiant and beaming faces of those who received autographs from Ali.

“His gift is what are left with at this moment. There’s no doubt the man was flawed. But he was courageous and gifted. No athlete will ever compare to Muhammad Ali.

“I miss him terribly already.”