Muhammad Ali once joked that he should be turned into a postage stamp because that’s the only way he would ever get licked, and now almost 10 years after his death, the legendary boxer’s humorous prediction is finally becoming reality on what would have been his 84th birthday. The U.S. Postal Service honored The Greatest with a Forever Stamp on January 15 featuring a stunning 1974 Associated Press photograph that captures Ali in his iconic boxing stance with gloves raised and eyes staring directly into the camera with unmistakable confidence. Each sheet of 20 stamps also includes a background photo of Ali posing in a pinstripe suit, recognizing not just his dominance in the ring but his powerful work as an activist and humanitarian who spoke loud and clear about race, religion, and war when many Black Americans were still fighting to be heard. Ali’s widow Lonnie revealed that a board member at the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville asked why the champion didn’t have a stamp yet, leading to a grassroots campaign with the rallying cry “get the champ a stamp” that involved local mayors, congressmen, and community leaders.
Twenty two million stamps have been printed and once they sell out, the U.S. Postal Service confirmed they will never be reprinted, making these Forever Stamps a permanent tribute that collectors and fans alike will treasure for generations. Lonnie Ali explained that the Forever Stamp designation is particularly meaningful because just like her late husband’s legacy, it never changes and is always giving back regardless of what happens in the world or how postal rates increase over time. The commemorative stamp comes at a time of political division, and Lonnie believes Muhammad would encourage everyone to block out negativity and instead mobilize his life’s example by engaging in the same acts of kindness and compassion he practiced every single day. The honor arrives just two days before what would have been Ali’s 84th birthday and nearly a decade after his passing in June 2016, proving that The Greatest’s impact on sports, culture, and humanity will truly last forever.
