As someone who has witnessed Parkinson’s Disease ravage two once-productive members of my family, I am somewhat relieved that this great man’s suffering has ended.

He is one of only a handful of athletes who transcended the sport he represented. He became a beacon for civil rights and a brave and vocal representative for the Parkinson’s-suffering community.

I am thankful that history was on his side in the end. He will always be The Champ, he will always be The Greatest.