Toronto Pays Tribute To The Greatest!

By Ed Ludwig

20.10 - The CFL football game between the Toronto Argonauts and the Ottawa Renegades brought out the fans and celebrities. The halftime show was the big attraction as there was a special tribute for the legendary Muhammad Ali and most importantly raising money for the fight against Parkinson's disease. Prior to the festivities Canadian rock singer Tom Cochrane performed his latest single "Just Like Ali" in front of thousands of enthusiastic fans.

Broadcaster, Brian Williams was the emcee and he started off with a speech and then introduced the all-star line-up. Once the guests took their seats on stage former US president Bill Clinton paid tribute via video. The star of the show Muhammad Ali was then introduced. This brought the SkyDome crowd to there feet and chants of "Ali" could be heard echoing throughout the stadium.

A choir was performing as Ali was being led to the stage. Once he took his seat each of the athletes shared their thoughts and stories of the Greatest. Toronto Maple Leafs hockey player Mats Sundin was the first to speak then he presented Ali with a Maple Leafs hockey jersey. Olympic wrestling champion Daniel Igali followed making a very touching speech.

Warren Moon, Evander Holyfield and Lennox Lewis spoke very eloquently. They said how much Ali was an inspiration to them. After Lewis' spoke he shook hands with his idol and Ali then leaned over to his friend Howard Bingham and said "Don't worry, I wasn't going to hurt him". It was a very funny moment. It was great to see these legends talk openly about the man who has influenced so many people from all walks of life.

Larry Holmes said one of the greatest things to happen to him was when Muhammad Ali gave him a black eye in sparring years before they met in the ring. Holmes went on to say he showed off his black eye to all his friends and family. Toronto's native son George Chuvalo was the final guest to speak. He would present his friend with a Toronto Argonauts football jersey. They shook hands and embraced each other.

Muhammad Ali came to the podium to speak and he was his usual comical self. The chants of "Ali" would once again roar through the stadium. Ali joked that he might make a comeback and the guests on stage smiled. He spoke about his life in the ring as he had a glowing smile on his face. Ali thanked everyone and said he wished he could come into the crowd and shake everyone's hand.

As the tribute drew to a close a banner was raised in the stadium in honour of Muhammad Ali. As the banner was raised, the football players came out of their locker rooms and the choir began to sing. The Banner read "Ali In Person, For The Greatest Good, Oct. 20, '02". When the ceremony came to an end and the guests returned to the backstage area, Lennox Lewis walked through the crowd to meet and shake hands with the fans in attendance.

It was a very special halftime show and I salute the guests, fans and the Canadian Football League for putting on a forty-minute tribute for Muhammad Ali and raising awareness for Parkinson's disease. Ten dollars from every ticket sold was donated to the fight against Parkinson's disease. The final score in the game was Toronto 29, Ottawa 12.