LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Louisville City FC defender Sean Reynolds got into his first fight at 13. By 14, he made sure to wear gloves when the neighborhood kids came to his Florida house to box.
They all knew the name Muhammad Ali, though it wasn’t until he wrote a paper about The Greatest that Reynolds “found out Ali had bigger opponents outside the ring than in.”
“When you see somebody like that who fights for something more than something than a sport, it plays a major influence on your life,” Reynolds said.
“…I started watching things on YouTube, and he was amazing — his feet, his balance, his mouth. I think some of the best parts about him was, he talked so much but could back it up.”
Reynolds will join his LouCity teammates Saturday in saluting the Louisville native Ali a day after his burial. Players will during a 7:30 p.m. home match against the Wilmington Hammerheads don armbands with “Ali” stitched into them.
Before the match kicks off, the club has planned a video tribute to The Greatest on the Louisville Slugger Field video board. Afterward, LouCity will ask for a moment of silence in Ali’s honor.
“Obviously, he’s a legend,” said LouCity coach James O’Connor, an Irishman. “He’s world-renowned. Condolences to the family. It’s very sad to see such a fantastic sort of role model over the years pass away. I think his legacy — I don’t know if words can describe what he achieved.
“He achieved so much in a lifetime. It’s just enormous respect from all of us. We pass on our best wishes and condolences to his family. I’m sure it’s a very sad person for not just him but so many people around the world because he was such an iconic figure.”
Tickets remain on sale for Saturday’s match featuring first-place United Soccer League club Louisville City. Wilmington enters having won two of its last three matches, and last time out, Kyle Parker netted the winner in stoppage time before voted USL Player of the Week.
