Imagine 19 miles of no hate. It came to be, if only for an hour, as Muhammad Ali’s funeral motorcade wound its way through the streets of Louisville, Ky.
People began lining streets at dawn, some waiting for up to five hours for their chance to say goodbye to the international icon that was Ali.
Many times, the procession route narrowed to the width of 17-vehicle motorcade as people wanted to touch the hearse that carried Ali to Cave Hill Cemetery where he was laid to rest.
As the procession reached Broadway in downtown Louisville thousands of people yelled “Ali, Ali!” or dabbed tears from their eyes. Some were dressed for a funeral. Some were dressed in boxing regalia.
Louisville is blessed with many major healthcare facilities and hundreds of workers from nearby hospitals, clinics and offices – doctors, nursed, custodians and staff – stood together as the city’s favorite son made one last trip through the city in which he was born.
Jason Anderson of ESPN 680 AM, a Louisville native, said “I’ve never said anything like this. I guess there has never been anything like this.”
Throughout the route, Laila Ali and others had their car windows open. People shook hands of family members and gave high fives to others, including actor Will Smith and former heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis.
While Louisville did not shut down for the day, the entire city was captivated by the procession and memorial service that began at 2 p.m. CDT., an hour after its scheduled start time
As the KFC YUM Center filled to its 15,000 capacity and hundreds more stood outside in 90-degree heat, members of Ali’s family, former President Bill Clinton and pallbearers Smith and Lewis arrived.
The mood was solemn as the service began, not as celebratory as the procession.
But as ESPN broadcaster Bob Valvano, who resides in Louisville, said during the morning hours, “You know who would have loved this? Muhammad Ali. I know that he is smiling right now.”
