Muhammed Ali's reach went well beyond the boxing ring

The world lost another icon last weekend.

I had just gotten home from the Cheney High School commencement ceremony when I heard that former three-time heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali, born Cassius Clay, passed away at 74 years old. According to reports, his death was attributed to septic shock. Ali’s daughter, Hana Ali, said his heart continued to beat for 30 minutes after his brain stopped functioning. I guess that gives new meaning to the phrase “heart of a champion.”

People across the world mourned Ali’s passing, including a who’s who of celebrities, athletes and politicians. The U...