I fully agree with letter writer Bitsy Ionta (May 29) in remembering Muhammad Ali more for his brashness than anything else.

Before Ali’s emergence in the early 1960s, there had been countless wonderful athletes over the decades, from Hornsby to Louis to Mikan to Matson. They and other equally heralded stars showed class when engaging with the press.

The media became enamored with Ali, who was tall, handsome, quick-talking and poetic. Significant also that, as the very visible world heavyweight champion, his capers gave a face and voice to the burgeoning “me first” generation of the 1960s. The media and he became a mutual admiration society, something Sonny Liston, the previous champ, could not possibly accomplish.

Yes, Ali was the first of this strain, and following him certain, other notable athletes have exhibited behavior patterns whose origins could possibly be traced to him. Varying displays of arrogance, challenges, demonstrations, provocations and cockiness have attended the likes of Joe Namath, Reggie Jackson, Billy “White Shoes” Johnson, Jimmy Connors, John McEnroe, Dennis Rodman and Randy Moss. There are others, but these few should nicely deliver the message.

It is ironic Ali’s essential boxing style, one of avoidance, retreating footwork and covering up either his or his opponent’s head with his gloves, belied his in-your-face style in front of the mic.

Norm Gellatly, Auburn

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