President Barack ObamaandFirst Lady Michelle Obamareleased a statement on the death of legendary boxerMuhammad Ali.
Muhammad Ali was The Greatest.
Period, it begins.
Credit: Sam Upshaw Jr./The Courier-Journal
If you just asked him, hed tell you.
Hed tell you he was the double greatest; that hed handcuffed lightning, thrown thunder into jail.
POTUS continues, Like everyone else on the planet, Michelle and I mourn his passing.
I am the part you wont recognize.
Get used to me.
A man who fought for us.
He stood with King and Mandela; stood up when it was hard; spoke out when others wouldnt.
His fight outside the ring would cost him his title and his public standing, he continues.
But Ali stood his ground.
And his victory helped us get used to the America we recognize today.
Born Cassius Clay, AlidiedFriday evening after he wasearlier hospitalizedfor reported respiratory issues.
Muhammad Ali shook up the world.
And the world is better for it, the Obamas statement concludes.
We are all better for it.
Read the full statement from the White Househere.
