Reactions to the death of Muhammad Ali came floated in like a butterfly late Friday on social media, so swiftly it would have surely pleased the legendary boxer.
Twitter lit up with several hashtags each pushing anywhere from 500,000 to nearly a million tweets, including “#MuhammadAli,” “#CassiusClay,” “#DamnAli” and “#RIPGOAT” — the GOAT a shorthand for one of Ali’s nicknames, Greatest of All Time.
“Ali, you were generous every time I met you. Thank you for all you did for so many. Your memory will live on forever,” wrote fellow Olympian Caitlyn Jenner.
Also Read: Muhammad Ali, Legendary Boxer, Dies at 74
Ali contemporary George Foreman weighed in to say “A part of me slipped away.” Younger boxers expressed their grief as well, including Manny Pacquiao (“We lost a giant today”) and Oscar de la Hoya (“a legend who transcended sport and was a true champion for all”).
GOP presidential candidate tweeted his condolences: “A truly great champion and a wonderful guy. He will be missed by all!”
Some celebrities noted the political ramifications of Ali’s life and career. “Now’s a great time to preemptively remind everyone who is gonna be celebrating Muhammad Ali tomorrow to also remember that he was a Muslim,” comedian W. Kamau Bell tweeted.
“Muhammad Ali, pacifist, Muslim. Convicted as a felon simply because he refused to go to Vietnam,” Oscar-winning documentarian Michael Moore wrote.
Also Read: Muhammad Ali's 11 Most Memorable TV Appearances (Videos)
The boxer died Friday at age 74 after being hospitalized in Arizona for respiratory issues, his family confirmed.
Ali also suffered from Parkinson’s disease, which was diagnosed in 1984. The family is expected to hold a funeral in Louisville, Kentucky.
Read the latest tributes:
Ali, you were generous every time I met you. Thank you for all you did for so many. Your memory will live on forever #Olympicgold #GOAT
— Caitlyn Jenner (@Caitlyn_Jenner) June 4, 2016
https://twitter.com/GeorgeForeman/status/738952710364352512
RIP @muhammadali, a legend who transcended sport and was a true champion for all. #thegreatest #MuhammadAli pic.twitter.com/vjmXlXaHip
— Oscar De La Hoya (@OscarDeLaHoya) June 4, 2016
Manny Pacquiao releases a statement on the passing of Muhammad Ali. pic.twitter.com/hRa2kM3CLr
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 4, 2016
Also Read: Muhammad Ali: 13 Jaw-Dropping Moments From His Incredible Boxing Career (Photos)
I met #Ali once. He was a great role model and a great man. Sending my thoughts and prayers to his family tonight.
— Barry Sanders (@BarrySanders) June 4, 2016
"If my mind can conceive it & my heart can believe it—then I can achieve it." Muhammad Ali taught us all to dream. pic.twitter.com/my6Cdw2p12
— Scottie Pippen (@ScottiePippen) June 4, 2016
Prince and Ali. 💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔 pic.twitter.com/TwZIwQ0qgI
— Holly Robinson Peete 💃🏾♍️ (@hollyrpeete) June 4, 2016
https://twitter.com/ginacarano/status/738967177810739201
Muhammad Ali, pacifist, Muslim. Convicted as a felon simply because he refused to go to Vietnam: "No Vietnamese ever called me n*****." -Ali
— Michael Moore (@MMFlint) June 4, 2016
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/738950669927886848
Now's a great time to preemptively remind everyone who is gonna be celebrating Muhammad Ali tomorrow to also remember that he was a Muslim.
— W. Kamau Bell (@wkamaubell) June 4, 2016
Muhammad Ali was kind , gentle funny and always a gentleman to me and my family!!
— David Hasselhoff (@DavidHasselhoff) June 4, 2016
Float like a butterfly, Ali. May your wings take you to even greater heights #RIPMuhammadAli pic.twitter.com/XogZQHWNFZ
— Foster The People (@fosterthepeople) June 4, 2016
His may be the Greatest of 20th century American stories. Muhammad Ali, rest In peace 1942-2016
— Neil deGrasse Tyson (@neiltyson) June 4, 2016
Thank God for Muhammad Ali. 😭😭😭❤️❤️❤️ the greatest fighter there ever has been. All of us who fight for civil rights owe him a great debt.
— Wondaland (@wondaland) June 4, 2016
i join in the chorus of those lamenting the passing of Muhammad Ali tonight. A gr8 champion & historic figure.
— Al Bernstein (@AlBernstein) June 4, 2016
R.I.P Muhammad Ali…so saddening #WorldsGreatest #Legendary
— Jay Pharoah (@JayPharoah) June 4, 2016
Let us pray for @MuhammadAli; good for America,world boxing champion,social transformer&anti-war hero. #TheGreatest pic.twitter.com/JaVDMEwAcl
— Rev Jesse Jackson Sr (@RevJJackson) June 3, 2016
"I'm so fast, I can turn off the light and hop in the bed before the room gets dark." RIP Muhammad Ali #GOAT
— Larry Wilmore (@larrywilmore) June 4, 2016
