SEGMENT: MUAMMAD ALI AND FLIGHT FROM NY TO LAX

I was on a flight from back East to Los Angeles in the 70's. I was flying First Class. I went on the plane early and found a seat by the window in first class. A while later a man sat beside me and introduced himself.

His name was Muhammad Ali, the famous Boxer. We chatted about our past and I told him my Father's cousin was Rocky Marciano, among the famous Boxer's in the world. He became world champion. Ali said, he was champ in 1964 and "Still Is". He was fun chatting with. He gave me a picture of him and his wife at that time. I asked him to sign it.

He asked if I had a pen and I pulled one out. He said he would sign the picture but wanted me to write it, so he told me to write "To Gene". I did and he asked for my pen. He put it in his pocket and I asked for it when we departed. He put up his fists and said "Try And Take It From Me", I laughed and told him to keep it.

I was invited to Muhammad's Sugar Camp in Florida. I spent a day there and met his family. He showed me a dresser draw full of pens he collected from whoever he met at the time. I had a bite to eat and I left, will never forget that day! When he wasn't joking around he was a very serious person.