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The Greatest Gets Licked: Muhammad Ali Honored with Commemorative US Postage Stamp
Louisville, KY – Remember how Muhammad Ali famously quipped that the only way he’d ever get “licked” was by becoming a postage stamp? Well, get ready for some serious tongue action, because the legendary boxer’s playful jab is now a reality! The three-time heavyweight champion, renowned for his dazzling athletic prowess, unwavering political conviction, and captivating showmanship, is finally being honored with his very own commemorative U.S. postage stamp.
“As sort of the guardian of his legacy, I’m thrilled. I’m excited.
I’m ecstatic,” shared Lonnie Ali, the champ’s wife of nearly three decades, with The Associated Press. “Because people, every time they look at that stamp, they will remember him.
And he will be in the forefront of their consciousness. And, for me, that’s a thrill.”
A Fighter in the Ring and a Compassionate Soul in Life
Muhammad Ali, who passed away in 2016 at the age of 74 after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease, was a man of countless accolades. From his 1960 Olympic gold medal to the United Nations Messenger of Peace award in 1998 and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005, “The Greatest” collected honors both during his lifetime and posthumously.
But for Lonnie Ali, seeing his face on a stamp holds a unique significance. It’s an opportunity to highlight his lifelong mission of spreading compassion and his remarkable ability to connect with individuals.
“He did it one person at a time,” she explained. “And that’s such a lovely way to connect with people, to send them a letter and to use this stamp to reinforce the messaging in that life of connection.”
Stamp to Be Publicly Unveiled
The much-anticipated first-day-of-issue ceremony for the Muhammad Ali Forever Stamp is scheduled for Thursday in Louisville, Kentucky. It’s a fitting location, being the birthplace of the iconic boxer and home to the Muhammad Ali Center, a testament to his enduring life and legacy. Attendees will have the chance to purchase the Muhammad Ali Forever Stamps, which feature a striking black-and-white Associated Press photo from 1974, capturing Ali in his classic boxing stance.
Each sheet of 20 stamps also includes a second image of Ali, this time posing in a pinstripe suit, a nod to his significant work as an activist and humanitarian. A staggering 22 million stamps have been printed, but once they’re gone, they’re gone for good, according to U.S.
Postal Service officials. This limited availability is expected to generate considerable interest from both seasoned collectors and the general public.
As Forever Stamps, their First-Class Mail postage will always remain valid, a detail Lonnie Ali considers the “ultimate” tribute. “This is going to be a Forever Stamp from the post office,” she said. “It’s just one of those things that will be part of his legacy, and it will be one of the shining stars of his legacy, getting this stamp.”
Crafting a Historic Stamp
Lisa Bobb-Semple, the USPS director of stamp services, revealed that the idea for a Muhammad Ali stamp emerged shortly after his death nearly a decade ago. However, the stamp development process is a meticulous one. USPS policy generally requires individuals to be deceased for at least three years before appearing on a stamp, with the exception of presidents.
While the USPS diligently worked behind the scenes, a friend of Ali’s launched the #GetTheChampAStamp campaign, fueling public enthusiasm for the concept. “We are really excited that the stars were able to align that allowed us to bring the stamp to fruition,” said Bobb-Semple, who initially had to keep the planned Ali stamp under wraps. “It’s one that we’ve always wanted to bring to the market.”
The Citizen Stamps Advisory Committee, appointed by the postmaster general, holds the crucial responsibility of selecting who and what graces stamps. They meet quarterly with Bobb-Semple and her team to review public suggestions, typically resulting in 20 to 25 commemorative stamp issues each year.
Once an idea is greenlit, Bobb-Semple’s team collaborates with various art directors to design the postage. The design then undergoes an extensive final approval process, including a rigorous review by the USPS legal staff, before its public issuance.
Antonio Alcalá, the art director and designer of the Muhammad Ali stamp, shared that hundreds of images were considered before the final selection was made. Ultimately, the powerful AP image, taken by an unnamed photographer, was chosen. It perfectly captures Ali in his prime, gloved and looking directly into the camera.
Alcalá emphasized that every USPS stamp tells a story. “Postage stamps are miniature works of art designed to reflect the American experience, highlight heroes, history, milestones, achievements and natural wonders of America,” he explained. “The Muhammad Ali stamps are a great example of that.”
A Candid Figure on War, Civil Rights, and Religion
Beyond his boxing prowess, Ali was an outspoken advocate for his beliefs during a time when many Black Americans were still fighting for their voices to be heard. Born Cassius Clay Jr., he embraced Islam in the 1960s and openly discussed race, religion, and war.
In 1967, citing his religious convictions and opposition to the Vietnam War, he famously refused induction into the U.S. Army.
This principled stand cost Ali his heavyweight championship title and led to a ban from boxing for over three years. He was convicted of draft evasion and sentenced to five years in prison, though he remained free while appealing his case.
The U.S. Supreme Court overturned his conviction in 1971, solidifying his status as a global icon.
Later in life, even as Parkinson’s disease affected his speech and movement, Ali dedicated himself to humanitarian causes, using his fame to promote peace, religious understanding, and charitable initiatives worldwide.
Ali’s Message in a Time of Strife
This commemorative postage stamp arrives at a moment of significant political division both in the U.S. and globally. Lonnie Ali believes that if her husband were alive today, he would likely “block a lot of this out” and continue to be a compassionate individual who connects with people daily.
She stressed that this approach is particularly vital now. “We have to mobilize Muhammad’s life and sort of engage in the same kinds of acts of kindness and compassion that he did every day,” she urged.