Goodnight George

George, I heard the news a little while ago.

I am shocked and surprised.

I didn’t know you were ill.

I do know you have received your reward.

You have been given the pearl of great price in its fullness.

You lived your life well.

You served Christ well.

You were His faithful servant.

But it was not always so.

You grew up rough in Houston.

A street kid, a hoodlum.

Then you found boxing.

You won an Olympic Gold medal in 1968.

You fought Joe Frazier for the title.

You knocked him down six times and won the championship.

You were respected, but not popular.

You were called aloof and unfriendly.

You defended your title.

Then came Ali.

For the first time, he used the “Rope a Dope,” and unfortunately, you were the dope.

You punched and punched until you punched yourself out.

He knocked you out – the only time you were ever stopped in your career.

After another fight, you felt close to death, and asked God to come into your life.

You stepped away from boxing and became a minister.

After ten years, you went back into the ring to raise money for your church.

You were no longer gruff and unfriendly.

You were warm, talkative, and personable.

You became so popular that you were asked to do commercials for the George Foreman Grill.

You became the world heavyweight champion again at 45 years old.

You fought for a while, then retired again.

Selling that grill paid off.

You made much more money as a pitchman than you did as a boxer.

You became a boxing commentator and a cultural icon.

You had a sense of humor and carried yourself with dignity.

You didn’t take yourself too seriously, but you were serious about your faith and loving people.

Now you’re with Jesus.

We grieve with your family.

You will be missed by those who love boxing and by many more who don’t.

Rest well and thanks for everything.

Goodnight, George.

Goodnight.