CFL players pay tribute to the late Muhammad Ali

It was with great sadness that the world learned of the passing of Muhammad Ali late Friday night. Tributes to the former world heavyweight champion came in once news broke that “The Greatest” had passed.

Athletes of all stripes looked to Ali as a role model and CFL players are no exception. Players from across the league took to social media in the hours after his passing to share their feelings on Ali.

Some used Ali’s own words to express their grief.

“Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.” #MuhammedAli

— Simoni Lawrence (@Simoni_Lawrence) June 4, 2016

It’s the repetition of affirmations that leads to belief&once that belief becomes a deep conviction, things begin to happen. – Muhammad Ali

— Zach Collaros (@ZCollaros7) June 4, 2016

“Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee!” RIP to Mohammed Ali

— Matt Black (@MattBlack39) June 4, 2016

Some just kept it simple.

😔😔😔 RIP Champ https://t.co/vYmAkEy0xZ

— Tank Reed (@Tank_Reed1911) June 4, 2016

RIP to the greatest

— Can’t Be Denied (@TToliver80) June 4, 2016

Rip Ali GOAT !

— brandon banks (@speedybanks87) June 4, 2016

#RIP to the 🐐 Muhammad Ali #Legend

— Shawn Lemon (@SLemonator) June 4, 2016

Others shared their personal stories about Ali.

Rest in peace to the GOAT Muhammad Ali. It was an honor to have met you during my rookie campaign in 09′.

— Rico Murray (@Mr513RicoMurray) June 4, 2016

Rest in Peace to the greatest! Me being a kid from KY you were an inspiration! Thank you for the legacy you left! pic.twitter.com/8dbW7D0C37

— Bryan Hall (@BryanHall95) June 4, 2016

And a few wrote about what the GOAT meant to them.

RIP Muhammad Ali. I know my boy Arlan is greeting him right now.Finally get to meet Ur hero.Thank u Ali for paving a way for me and others

— Nik Lewis (@nikel18) June 4, 2016

We are sent here to make a difference and Muhammad Ali made that difference in so many lives.dont let it go to waste. Be encouraged, Be Next

— Nik Lewis (@nikel18) June 4, 2016

#RIH to the GREATEST OF ALL TIME! G.O.A.T. You inspired all of us to be great! Even when times wasn’t in your favor you still made history and for that we thank you! Thank you for all you meant to the world! You will truly be missed and forever we will be greatful to have had someone impact is all the way you did! THANK YOU REST IN PEACE! #DreamBig #Respek #WarReady #RIH #ALI #Goat

A photo posted by Jovon Johnson (@therealdeuce_2) on Jun 4, 2016 at 4:24am PDT

Today we lost a legendary MAN, not just an athlete. A man who was never afraid of greatness, never afraid to stand up & live his life for what he believed in…A man who’s character & passion will live on for ever. THE GOAT… RIP Mr. Ali, forever rumble young man rumble. #beyourgreatest #Blessed #argos #cfl #trainingcamp #gameday #inspiration #passion #impossibleisnothing

A photo posted by Foley (@foley4real) on Jun 4, 2016 at 7:20am PDT

Muhammad Ali was The Greatest. Period. If you just asked him, he’d tell you. He’d tell you he was the double greatest; that he’d ‘handcuffed lightning, thrown thunder into jail. #thegreat #rip🙏 #youwillbemissed #ali #boxing #new #agnb #allgasnobreaks

A photo posted by CJ Monster Gable™ (@cjgable2real) on Jun 4, 2016 at 10:25am PDT

This is just a small sampling of what some CFL players wrote about Ali. It is clear that Ali touched many and will long be remembered for both what he did inside and outside the ring.

The tributes will continue to pour in as the days and weeks go by, but simply put we lost a legend. A man who was larger than life. A true icon.

And sadly, the world is a little less great now that “The Greatest” is no longer walking amongst us.