'Image' tribute to Muhammad Ali

Big fat marshmallow, that's your resident Gold Rusher, so frequently moved to tears by myriad forms of media -- weepies like "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," beautiful songs, those damn Pedigree shelter dog commercials -- that it's a running joke among the friends.

Glad to see that last night during the "40th NAACP Image Awards," we were not alone in reaching for the Kleenex. The cause: Muhammad Ali accepting the President's Award on the 100th anniversary of the iconic group.

Maybe it was the sight of the boxing legend, now racked with Parkinson's disease, sitting in a chair onstage, apparently unable to stand. His wife, Yolanda Williams, spoke for him, and he managed only a shaky wave to the crowd. 

Or maybe it was that scene juxtaposed with clips and images of his long-past dominance in the ring, the in-your-face proud African-American man demeanor of his youth, references to his and Gold Rusher's Kentucky hometown, his travels, his spiritual quest, his interaction with kids around the world, his impact.

So you know, plenty of folks were crying, not just us. Nearly every camera pan to the audience showed someone unable to hold back the waterworks.

And then Jennifer Hudson, recent Grammy winner and four-time Image Award winner last night, launched into a full-throated version of "Impossible Dream."

Watch the video and try to keep it together. We dast you.

Comments

[Fernando Galang jr]

Mr. Mohammad Ali, your the greatest i ever knew in the fild of Boxing... we love you Mr. Ali you are a LEGEND...jG