Bob Costas: Muhammad Ali was no saint, but he was a hell of a man

World-class broadcaster Bob Costas beautifully recounts the juxtaposition of Muhammad Ali standing boldly as the final torch bearer at the opening ceremony of the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. Costas himself chokes up when describing Ali’s decency surrounding his decision to refrain from entering the military draft due to religious beliefs and an ethical opposition to the Vietnam War.
#MuhammadAli #Olympics #Vietnam
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[@sstone01]

"a life of many chapters". hell of a line. if we could all just realize that is all of us and be gracious.

[@Ms.Laterholmes5253]

The reputation is what people think of you…. your character who you really are…. Persevere

[@erictalbert4633]

We’ll said Bob Costas!! That’s why you’re one of the best ever do it, in my opinion.

[@drphot6050]

In everyone's opinion!

[@bill2953]

@@drphot6050 Hear hear!

[@ellenchavez2043]

Mohammed Ali was a man who greeted what Allah had given to him, good and bad, with gratitude and joy. As he stepped into light, trembling but resolute, courageously showing himself in his prime and at the end, with challenges. I can't see that clipbor even talk about it without tears. May I live as courageously, with joy and gratitude as he did.

[@robduncan2816]

i had that same gasp watching it from the couch. man, what a moment. ill never forget it

[@stuartdryer1352]

Bob Costas is the greatest sports announcer of my lifetime (I was born in the 1950s).

[@HarrisonHollers]

Wish he got to do more games. I feel like he lost out since after NBA on NBC. Growing up in the 90s, when he called a game they truly felt special and were “big games!”

[@eac1235]

Al Michaels.

[@stuartdryer1352]

@@eac1235 definitely also on Mt Mt Rushmore.

[@jjfattz]

I remember clearly seeing Ali holding up that torch trembling as the crowd went wild and the announcer acknowledging the raw power of the moment “Oh WOW!”. Chills.

[@cliffwidener7700]

Costas says it like no other. BC the GOAT.

[@salvadorarturovelazquezcro8759]

He is the second person in this show to speak so GREATLY and HIGHLY about Muhammad Ali, if for me just to watch it in videos is overwlming i dont know how I be able to stand, beyond a Leyend.

[@G_xx_]

I watched that Ken Burns documentary. It was absolutely phenomenal. Ali lived such a crazy life.🙏

[@HonorGuard117]

Love the ending. He wasn't perfect, he wasn't a Saint, he was a man... But a hell of a man. Word. Ali, like all of us, have flaws, but it's what we do in our lives that define whether we are remembered for our flaws or more than that. Ali to me is the GOAT of all sports stars, even higher than Michael Jordan.

[@uncletony6210]

I'm not sure why there's ever a need to preface a compliment with "he was flawed/imperfect" when it's universally understood that EVERYONE is flawed/imperfect. I always consider such compliments to be backhanded.

[@sw5401]

@@uncletony6210 Exactly, when one makes a comment like that explain why he was flawed. As you stated we are all flawed but I repeat you don't make a comment like that unless you state why!

[@itannoysme3348]

@@sw5401 Some are more flawed than others, for one. Not saying Ali was. But when a man is so exalted the world over, pointing out that he is flawed is more necessary than when describing ordinary people.

[@edwardklintworth2004]

@@uncletony6210 Because Ali is so often portrayed as without flaw or blemish. In some circles, he has been deified.

[@uncletony6210]

@@edwardklintworth2004 I don't think he's ever been portrayed as that. I think he's been portrayed as great. And he was - in AND out of the ring.

[@12345682900]

You'd be hard-pressed to hear (or find) a better synopsis of Muhammad Ali's life than that; thank you Bob Costas.

[@emramirez7846]

Yes, I agree; being an American and especially back in those days, it was your duty to stand up for this country and for this man to believe he was above reprehension to go about and dodge the draft, I wholeheartedly never liked nor respected him. I never appreciated his narcissistic demeanor nor his inability to be humble. BUT, when he appeared from the shadows at the Olympics, all of that went out the window as I saw a shell of a man who clearly had been humbled. There stood a man steadfast in who he was and I respected him for doing so. Long live the great Ali.

[@buckfan1969]

Wish YT would put the full clip back up. Brought me to tears the first time I saw it and it would probably still do it to me today.

[@jeannietarantola8173]

His pure truth when he refused to be drafted. He didn't care about what other people said. And he spoke about it every chance he got. Because he knew something most of us didn't. Standing up for your

[@richardclegg5853]

Still gives me chills... great man, Greater American

[@stanmanmedia]

Graham, you did an outstanding job with the interviews with Bob. Bob's the real deal. Thanks!!

[@BigstickNick]

Ali is my favorite historical figure. Him and Mark Twain.

[@pat1589]

Ali a famous name. An arrogant prick too. Look at the horrible way he tormented the humble Joe Frazier. RIP Smokn Joe.

[@ryanomahony2060]

YOUR LOVELY COMPLIMENT S TO MOHAMMED - BUT NO ONE IS PERFERCT IN THIS LIFE ! THANK YOU BOB FROM THE EMERALD ISLE I

[@nikiedmonds6236]

I remember watching that moment live on tv...it was amazing!

[@nickn.3953]

Wow, you can see Bob get a little choked up.

[@t206kid]

I live in Louisville (since 2014, originally from NJ) and it is interesting to see what the locals opinion of Ali is. It is favorable for the most part. The under 45-50 crowd love him. The over 70 crowd will say he was a great athlete and boxer, but will reference him as a draft dodger and pay him back handed compliments. When he died it was a spectacle here back in 2016. He has his museum here and they recently named the airport after him. His childhood home is still standing, but its on the bad side of the city. A few investors tried to turn it into a museum a few years back, but it closed down because people didnt want to go to that side of the city and the investors wanted the city to help with the project and that didnt happen. No man is perfect, and Ali had a lot of questionable issues with his character and how he carried himself. In my opinion I think the people that love him praise him too much and the people that hate him hate him too much.

[@TheTimmerall33]

I was there and I get goose bumps also everytime I think about it.

[@markbataitis4851]

These are good segments, but I wish the episode was contained all in one file, rather than broken up.

[@ryanomahony2060]

BRILLANT BOB - SO ARTICULATE AND TRUTHFUL !!! WATCHING VIDEO FROM IRELAND & 2AM

[@DavidConstantin-d1d]

Muhammad Ali was one of my childhood heroes. I’m from St. Louis and the only time I rooted against Ali was when he fought Leon Spinks, a St. Louis native. When Ali won the rematch, it was sort of a win-win situation. The original GOAT. RIP champ

[@denisplante2193]

What an articulate man.Brillant.Brilliant.

[@therealwilfreddierkes9980]

I love stuff like that. Not a big Ali fan, let alone a sports fan of any kind, I know Ali was the GOAT.

[@fredwright5954]

rocky marciano

[@MoejiiOsmanTV]

@@fredwright5954 half the man Ali was

[@reginaldcortez8763]

Ali, Ali, Ali...............................

[@garyboyce8867]

Muhammed Ali was a human being with all of our faults but he was a gifted special human the same way Elvis was a different special human. Ali at his prime was a beautiful looking incredible fighter. Awesome to watch in his prime. A legion of a Boxer. A honor to have lived during 60s and 70s to witness his greatness. I hope he is in Gods eternity because he was Gods special creation.

[@digitall2848]

I've always noticed when people get in their twilight years, they seem to give their honest opinions/ innermost thoughts on different people or situations earlier in their lives.

[@CryptoKernels]

Yeah because you’ve had time to process events that have happened throughly. It’s where the saying “Hindsight is 20/20” came from.

[@clayoreilly4553]

Muhammad Ali was one of the greatest men of my generation. A true American and World Wide hero. Would that we had a lot more such "Draft Dodgers" in this country. Name one person in today's U.S. government who could even carry his shoes. Just one. There is nobody. Nelson Mandela is his peer.

[@916Smoke]

POS was still a draft dodger! Still a criminal

[@stealthbomber2127]

Mandela was a communist. I suggest you look on the web what he did to his own people when he came into power. It shocked me to no end and it's not pretty.

[@skipklauber1162]

Like his friend Howard Cosell, Ali was CONSEQUENTIAL.

[@daviclar867]

First of all, the heavy weight boxing champion should never be drafted in a war. That boxer needs to be allowed to continue to entertain our country through his boxing skills!

[@clydeb7713]

Muhammad was LARGER than life and an AMAZING Humanitarian!

[@richardgreen7811]

Costas has this right but doesn't go far enough. I met Muhammad in 1965 when I lived in Chicago. My experience with him exemplified his belief in "human rights" (not just black rights). To make it short, he had American Values and lived them. True, he had almost as many flaws as I do, but the asset side of his balance sheet by far outweighed any liabilities. Also, Muhammad was a Capitalist, not a socialist. By far, he was the greatest ticket salesman the world has ever known. Every fiber of him was devoted to promoting the fight game in a good light, elevating humanity, and making money by earning it. His legacy should always garner respect from anyone who ever met him or watched his interviews.

[@terrancethomas9792]

The Greatest athlete of my life.

[@twooldfartsinanrv7137]

Saints were never perfect, the lead man to a better life to do good. Mr. Ali did just that. He may very well be a Saint.

[@ARIZJOE]

Also, remember Ali then received a duplicate of his Rome Gold Medal which he had discarded in protest. At home watching, I was shocked and elated. Dick Ebersol did a heck of a lot for NBC and the Olympics. Also somethings which were overrated. I had no idea he was integral to Ali's appearance. it might be the pinnacle for Ebersol.

[@jshepard152]

Muhammad Ali was a consequential figure. Now imagine what he could have achieved if he'd obtained the rights to a double-sided electric grill.

[@thyslop1737]

The effects of Parkinson's was there, says Costas. I was on a flight with Ali in circa 1988 sitting no more than two feet away from him. He had two or three of his handlers with him. Back then he was a vegetable. Never spoke a word. A blank stare. I was shocked how unresponsive he was. All these years the media ran cover as to his real condition.

[@elvicare35]

...

[@CryptoKernels]

Well I met him in 1992. He signed a card for me. He had his security team and his wife with him. Thank you for taking a few minutes out of your day to do that for me Champ! ✊🏾

[@bricklawson9745]

God Bless America

[@September2004]

If the 2016 Olympics had gone to Chicago, Jordan would've been the torch bearer.

[@RubenMartinez-tu8ge]

DOWN GOES FRAZIER. DOWN GOES FRAZIER. DOWN GOES FRAZIER.

[@EyeTunz]

The greatest. The GOAT. Not in spite of his not going to fight a war, but because of it.

[@stevestewart240]

Yes he was a hell of a man..

[@LANorm]

Costas is extremely articulate.

[@danc3693]

No shit.

[@Johnnyrocks34]

Anyone know where i can listen to or watch graham benzingers full episodes?

[@GrahamBensinger]

Our full episodes are available to our channel members on KZbin. The full interview is also on our In Depth podcast. - DF

[@InvestBetter.]

I think Mike Tyson is working towards Ali's legacy, if possible While he was fighting, Ali was a polarizing figure, far from universally loved His legend grew at the end, and after his career was over Tyson is not that far off that cultural arc. He is getting better and more esteemed with age.

[@KD400_]

Because both were similar to each other many people thought that Tyson was the successor of ali both very unusual heavyweights both had speed and timing and reflexes both were ppv attractions

[@InvestBetter.]

@@KD400_ And Ali and Tyson do have something of a relationship. Ali called Tyson before Tyson's fight against Larry Holmes, and asked him to beat him "for me." And Tyson took that fight, and that request, personally.

[@KD400_]

@@InvestBetter. he never called him he said it to him his ear in the ring

[@InvestBetter.]

@@KD400_ Thanks for the ignorance, but Tyson said it was a phone call

[@KD400_]

@@InvestBetter. bro what world r u living in holmes vs Tyson ali whispered into his ear get him for me go watch the fight even Tyson confirmed it

[@arame29]

If Ali was inducted, how long would his service had been?

[@DarkOblideration]

Making such a big decision like that that goes against the grain in a time and making a political statement like that is a big deal as a man and someone famous with an influence and things to lose.

[@Frip36]

2:59 interviewer. i.e. "say it all again bob."

[@Elemental_Entity]

I remember watching this, and for whatever reason, it wasn't a shock to me. It was meh, good choice, but never OMG WOW. Not once. Alot of folks over reacted to it imo.

[@normancarter5419]

I remember as a kid also thinking he was a draft dodger, etc., and then later when the USSC ruling came out in his favor and the reasoning and wording in their ruling I realized that he was actually a very wise, principled, ethical, moral person for what he did at that moment of time in history. I may not have agreed with his Islam, Muslim, Elijah Muhammad, how he mistreated Malcolm X, and other matters of hypocrisy regarding women and wives, but I did respect that he always came from a place of knowledge and reason.

[@eleanormedina6703]

Jim Thorpe was a hell of a man.

[@Rustles]

In a world of non politicians becoming President, Bob Costas would be my first choice.

[@jshepard152]

The media have made that office a living hell. No one with a good life would have it.

[@brianmcghee3597]

I know I’m gonna be laughed at and mocked by this comment but Ali was a man with flaws but how he did Joe Frazier in the media is shameful. Yes you was only giving the public what they wanted and selling tickets but to do tht to a brother in front of others. Nah ain’t nothing cool about tht. Especially with Frazier being a common man who reached down in his pocket and give you cash when you stood on your beliefs and dodged the draft.

[@hadihassan372]

Why sacrifice your life fighting in Vietnam when you can fight the people killing blacks in USA.... Ali had common sense and audacity

[@brianmcghee3597]

@@hadihassan372 Ali was a pawn. Ridiculing another Black man for the enjoyment of whites. Words like Monkey, Gorilla, and Tom for whites to laugh with their feet up at home. GTFOH.

[@gordonsypolt9519]

Late in his life, he apologized to Frazier.

[@brandontravis5896]

He didn't dodge the draft. Draft dodgers went to Canada. Ali was a conscientious objector. He lost one of his titles after converting to Islam. He actually failed the entry exam for the military and was deemed unfit. As soon as he became a Muslim without having a new physical he was 1A and eligible for military service. Basically the system screwed him.

[@djquinn11]

@@brandontravis5896 : We never should have been in Vietnam. MA was right, sending poor people to kill other poor people. All due respect to those that did go and serve but your own government sold you out.

[@gregorylashley4985]

For me, the racist, horrible things Ali said about Joe Frazier makes him anything but a "hell of a man".

[@gordonsypolt9519]

Late in his life, Ali apologized to Frazier.

[@gregorylashley4985]

@@gordonsypolt9519 Way to late, way to late.

[@mookie449]

"He should have jumped in the fire" - Joe Frazier

[@cps7962]

bob reach out to me. love to sit down and talk to you youre unreal. plese reach out thank you for posting this

[@eleanormedina6703]

He had no foreign countries paying him

[@michaelbarlow6610]

Considering Muhammad Ali's deplorable, indefensible, racist treatment of Joe Frazier, they should have had Joe Frazier light the Olympic flame at the opening ceremonies of the Atlanta Summer Olympic Games. It was disgusting that the organizers of that Olympic Games chose to have Ali light the Olympic flame! For Costas to say that All was a "flawed" man is the grossest of understatements!

[@SHINOBIMMA]

Shut up.

[@gordonsypolt9519]

Late in his life, Ali apologized to Frazier.

[@michaelbarlow6610]

@@gordonsypolt9519 . Ali's apology to Frazier came way too late (even if it was heartfelt which I seriously doubt)! And his late-coming apology does not in any way excuse his reprehensible treatment of Frazier all those years!

[@simondaughtry4619]

Human beings are flawed....

[@discernment8963]

For the record I grew up in boxing/martial arts. So besides actually having experienced some of the length's physically required of Ali, it's also very evident what an incredible genetic marvel he was. Physically he was from "Planet Superiority", although not conventionally very educated he was able to converse/debate holding his own with some of the scholars, intellectuals of the day. That said, Costas remains in contention for the World Heavyweight Championship of Leftist Virtue Signaling. Imagine if Muhammad didn't have such a nice tan......

[@charliekennedy7540]

For the record, you threw up a pretty big virtue signal.

[@discernment8963]

@@charliekennedy7540 Sounds cute, now only if it made sense.....

[@charliekennedy7540]

Everything after "That said," was a virtue signal. Makes perfect sense.

[@discernment8963]

@@charliekennedy7540 Not in terms of the "Leftist Virtue Signaling" is For the record written in my 1st comment it doesn't. Written like a true internet heavyweight though. Where a virtual munchkin CAN be a(with a deepened voice) "Keyboard Warrior"!

[@charliekennedy7540]

@@discernment8963 Sounds cute, now only if it made sense....

[@comment5398]

Who said or thinks any man is a saint? I don't see the need to do that.

[@milesmayhem5440]

Then don’t do it and keep your mouth shut.

[@comment5398]

@@milesmayhem5440 Words is talking to you?

[@dani15sports]

You are right, everyone needs to realise and anyone smart should be able to read between his words he dislikes Ali and to me is coming across bitter and maybe racist but just phrasing his words diplomatically, why would you even highlight a dead legend had flaws that’s stating the obvious in all humans? Maybe you just didn’t like how he spoke against the racists in his time lol

[@comment5398]

@@dani15sports Thank you my brother. I agree with you also. Also, these types of "journalist/commentators" always seem to feel like their opinions about sports/athletes is the end all be all. They have inflated egos, when they are merely reporters of other lives, for a living.

[@jeronimo9941]

The Catholic Church tbh

[@tonywellington7854]

wonder how many times costas got shoved into s locker in high school

[@TheBillOrtiz]

how many times did you shove people into lockers??

[@swerne01]

Muhammad Ali, if he had been in the NFL, would have set the all-time record for unsportsmanlike conduct penalties.

[@RK-um9tu]

This is all you need to know about Bob Costas. He calls Ali flawed, but says Mickey Mantle had demons...lol

[@davidramirez4810]

Ali is responsible for all the trash talk that has been pervasive in sports for the past 40 years; the only thing I don’t like about him.

[@runner5197]

What does the south care about a draft dodger.

[@abcall-timesboxingchanneln7076]

Costas almost gets Ali right missing by a couple letters. Bob said Flawed but correctly should have said fraud.

[@jaredcoons1237]

Ali was a great boxer, maybe the greatest, but I still put Joe Louis ahead of him as a boxer and a man. He didn't garner the attention that Ali did but unlike Ali, Joe Louis didn't dodge the draft.

[@jaredcoons1237]

@@rubytuesday4379 I agree with your thoughts on the Vietnam war, but I disagree that dodging the draft was the right thing to do. Anyone who does should leave the US never to return. Elvis was drafted at the height of his fame and I don't think a celebrity will ever have his status again. No one is too important to not be willing to serve their country if they're willing to remain in it and reap the benefits. It was democrats who got America involved in the Vietnam War along with being the party of slavery, Jim Crow laws, segregation, and oppression. Republicans ended slavery, Jim Crow Laws, Segregation, and got us out of the Vietnam War.

[@parnellbroome9392]

Why should Ali go and died for a country that never love Black people in the first place. Who would go and died for a country that doesn’t love them.

[@jaredcoons1237]

@@parnellbroome9392 Not true. Over 600,000 men were killed in the Civil War to end slavery. I guess that's not good enough for you. Don't forget that it was Democrats who caused the Civil War, Segregation, Jim Crow Laws, and modern day oppression.

[@parnellbroome9392]

@Jared Coons I was referring to Black People fighting in America’s Wars. Every time we come back from fighting Amerikkka’s wars we were lynch and treated like crap. It was Ali right to be a conscientious objector and the Supreme Court rule on that. Like Ali said “No Vietnamese every called me a nigger.” Orange Julius Ceaser 45 aka trump was a draft dodger hiding behind daddy’s money.

[@jlobiafra]

@@jaredcoons1237 yet only Republicans led rallies have Confederate flags at them to this day 🙄

[@kenshiloh]

Towards the end, Ali said, "I hope that my good deeds outweigh the bad ones." Yet, that is not how heaven works. Heaven is a place where no one will ever lie to you or steal from you. Do you see the problem? If you have lied or stolen, you are a lying thief and not worthy of it. Instead, all liars will be tossed outside, along with the sadist and the lunatic. Jesus said that hell is torment forever. Yet, Christ so loves you that He died on a Cross so that you could be made clean from every sin. You cannot earn your way to heaven! Jesus Christ is the light of the world.

[@OhJaniceWhyOhWhy]

What about foregiveness? I thought Jesus was about that.

[@kenshiloh]

@@OhJaniceWhyOhWhy Great question: how does someone get forgiveness? May I ask, what do you believe happens after this life? Do you believe in heaven or hell, reincarnation, or nothing? Thanks!

[@OhJaniceWhyOhWhy]

@@kenshiloh 1) Foregiveness is GIVEN to those who hurt us. You cannot "get" it....the other person(s) must do the foregiving, since JC has already foregiven me. 2) When a human dies, the physical body withers away into dust (given the time). The human SOUL continues it's journey and goes on to "Heaven" or "Hell", as directed by YOUR life on earth. 3) There is no "reincarnation" for your soul, it never dies and will torture your afterlife IF you were a jerk while alive. Does that help?

[@kenshiloh]

@@OhJaniceWhyOhWhy Hi Glenn. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I consider the topic of the afterlife to be the most important. Funny how people will plan retirement or a vacation, but will be so casual about eternity. You said, "The human SOUL continues it's journey and goes on to "Heaven" or "Hell", as directed by YOUR life on earth." What is the dividing line between the two? Hope you are ok with the questions; I do this quite a bit. Thanks! Jesus Christ is the light of the world.

[@CleanWithConfidence]

@@OhJaniceWhyOhWhy Mr Glenn it's pretty simple, you and I broke God's moral law the 10 Commandments and Jesus paid the fine on the Cross. What you must do to make it to Heaven is to repent of all your sins and put all your trust in the Lord Jesus Christ and what He did for you through his death and resurrection. It's that simple! Repentance is confessing your sins to God one on one and forsaking them. It's not saying I'm a Christian but I lie, steal, fornicate, love pornography, etc. that's a hypocrite and hypocrites go to Hell. Hypocrisy is like having a parachute full of holes, so your repentance has to be genuine. But if you will forsake your sins and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ He will save you and do a supernatural miracle in your heart where you start to love what He loves and hate what He hates. It's one of the evidences God has truly saved you.

[@righteousone1]

Mentioning Bob Costas and Muhammad Ali in the same sentence is clear-cut the epitome of absurdity.

[@mikelacett]

Yea sure because Ali played a sport and Costas covers sports. Makes no sense whatsoever. Great take

[@righteousone1]

@@mikelacett Your precious bob costas is a nobody!

[@labenbrittenum6934]

I'm not even sure what that means?

[@mikewhite4560]

W H Y? For God's sake?

[@keefriff99]

@@righteousone1 Let me guess: MAGA lunatic?

[@lars277]

Bob Costas should make it a goal never to appear on video again, for the rest of his life.

[@mitchelll3879]

He wasn't a saint nor a hell of a man.. neither one

[@nicknam8478]

To me he's still a draft dodger and l never like him one bit. Every time he lost l cheered the other guy.

[@demetriushill9725]

so is trump bone spurs yeah right

[@BryanHalo123]

Costas does it again. Bob tries too hard to make sports figures to be more than they are. Ali was a racist. But he's not reported as such because he's black. It would be better to just appreciate Ali was the greatest boxer of all time and a shitty person. I'll still watch his matches and not care he didn't want the races to mix, it won't come into my mind because it the boxing is more interesting than the sideshow Bob, and his elk, try to push on us, which in this case is bs.