Bethesda, MD – June 4, 2016 – Athletes for Hope, the nonprofit organization co-founded by Muhammad Ali in 2007 to educate and inspire professional, Olympic and collegiate athletes’ involvement in humanitarian and charitable causes, today released the following statement on his passing:
“Muhammad Ali set the standard for fighting for what he believed in and lending a meaningful hand to his fellow man. While the world remembers Muhammad Ali as the outstanding athlete and the great man that he was, we honor a side of him that was devoted to giving back to the people and the world around him,” said Ivan Blumberg, CEO of Athletes for Hope.
“Muhammad was a tireless advocate for philanthropic and public service, regardless of the challenges his health presented. Muhammad and his wife Lonnie worked quietly behind the scenes to encourage others to serve and he inspired countless athletes when he participated in Athletes for Hope workshops. Muhammad’s presence never failed to strike reverence and awe in the hearts of the young athletes he connected with and his message to them was a powerful one: ‘You, too, can find a way to improve the world around you.’
“The Athletes for Hope family sends its sincere condolences to Lonnie and everyone who loved Muhammad. We are deeply grateful for his service and leadership at Athletes for Hope, and for the legacy of giving back he has left us. The Athletes for Hope family, including fellow Founders Andre Agassi, Mia Hamm, Lance Armstrong, Warrick Dunn, Jeff Gordon, Tony Hawk, Andrea Jaeger, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Mario Lemieux, Alonzo Mourning, and Cal Ripken, Jr., will remain proud to have been his partner on this noble mission and we will continue to carry the torch on his behalf.”
About Athletes for Hope
Athletes for Hope (www.athletesforhope.org) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization founded in 2007 by philanthropically-minded athletes such as Andre Agassi, Muhammad Ali, Mia Hamm, Jeff Gordon, Warrick Dunn, Alonzo Mourning, and Jackie Joyner-Kersee. As athletes who share a deep commitment to giving back, our founders joined forces to create an organization that brings athletes together, to educate, inspire, and empower them to channel their energy for a common goal: to make a difference in the world. AFH now works with over 3,000 athletes across 20 different sports and has conducted philanthropic education workshops for numerous leagues, teams, and associations, including the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, MLS, NWSL, Olympic Teams and ATP, WTA, and LPGA Tours. Follow Athletes for Hope on Twitter @Ath4Hope.