Lebron James has been known as an admirer of boxing legend Muhammad Ali, and showed that today as he donated $2.5 million to Ali’s exhibit. The “Muhammad Ali: A Force for Change.” is at the new Smithsonian National Museum of African-American History and Culture. James talked about how Ali was a cornerstone for African-Americans and how he influences him today.
“Muhammad Ali is such a cornerstone of me as an athlete because of what he represented not only in the ring as a champion but more outside the ring — what he stood for, what he spoke for, his demeanor,” James told USA TODAY Sports in an exclusive interview about the exhibit.
“I think of him every day. Without his passion and goals and morals, I don’t know if I’d be sitting here today talking to you about it.”
Lebron isn’t the only one who has donated to the exhibit as NBA legends also pitched in as well. Michael Jordan donated $5 Million and Magic Johnson and his wife cookie donated $1 million. James got in contact with Ali’s Widow Lonnie Ali to help contribute to the exhibit and they became friends ever since.
“When it was presented to me later in the summer, I wanted to make sure I got Lonnie’s blessing,” James said. “Once I got her blessing, I told the museum it was a go. Full throttle. Let’s get it going.”
This is one of the few things LeBron has done when it comes to contributing to young African-Americans and youth in general. So it’s no surprise that the 3 time champions did such an awesome deed.