Cassius Clay who later became known as Muhammad Ali followed
the reserve gentleman boxer Floyd Patterson and the brutal
stalking
slugger Sonny Liston as the heavyweight champion of the boxing
world. Clay/Ali became the embodiment of the modern,
trash-talking
professional athlete.
Sadly he has left us, which once more underscores the
essential
importance of every single life.
In a peculiar way, it made me think of my own brother who was also a trash talker, Gene (as in
Gene Tunney who twice defeated the immortal Jack Dempsey).
Gene told me,” Hundreds of people told him that their lives were
saved by my helping them get rid of their addictions”.
Muhammad Ali and my brother Gene are no longer with us but I am proud
to say they are both in my thoughts.
I thank them both for the inspiration each has been to...
yours truly,
Dr. John (Jumpin' Johnny) Kline, Ph.D.
