Muhammad Ali Receives Liberty Medal For Humanitarian Work For Civil Rights, Religious Freedom

By KATHY MATHESON 09/14/12 07:18 AM ET

Retired boxing champion Muhammad Ali waves after receiving the Liberty Medal at the National Constitution Center, Thursday, Sept. 13, 2012, in Philadelphia.

PHILADELPHIA — Retired boxing champ Muhammad Ali was known as "The Greatest" inside the ring. But some say the moniker has been even more fitting in the years since he hung up his gloves.

Ali came to Philadelphia on Thursday to receive the Liberty Medal for his longtime role as a heavyweight for humanitarian causes, civil rights and religious freedom. Among those celebrating his latest honor at the National Constitution Center were former NBA star Dikembe Mutombo and Joe Louis Barrow II, the son of boxer Joe Louis.

"Knowing you since I was a little boy has given me a ringside seat to history," an emotional Barrow said. "But it's your character outside the ring that speaks to the hope of the least and lost among us."

The 70-year-old Ali, hobbled by a 30-year battle with Parkinson's disease, did not speak. But he stood with assistance to receive the medal from his daughter Laila Ali.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/14/muhammad-ali-liberty-medal-philadelphia_n_1882866.html

http://constitutioncenter.org/libertymedal/recipient_2012.html

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20120914_Boxing_great_Muhammad_Ali_receives_Liberty_Medal.html

Ali! Ali! Ali!