From Deion Sanders to Sachin Tendulkar, sports stars pay tribute to Muhammad Ali

Muhammad Ali’s popularity extended well beyond the confines of the boxing ring and fight fans. Arguably, the most popular athlete in history, his passing elicited an outpouring of tributes from across the sporting spectrum.

Known as “The Greatest,” Ali helped inspire countless other athletes to rise to the top of their respective sports. From the NFL’s Deion Sanders, the NBA’s Shaquille O’Neal and MLB’s Justin Verlander to cricket’s Sachin Tendulkar and tennis’ Boris Becker, those influenced by Ali spanned the globe.

"Muhammad Ali transcended sports with his outsized personality and dedication to civil rights and social justice. He was an inspirational presence at several major NBA events and was deeply admired by so many throughout the league. While we are deeply saddened by his loss, Muhammad Ali's legacy lives on in every athlete who takes a stand for what he or she believes." – @adamsilvernba

A photo posted by NBA (@nba) on Jun 4, 2016 at 12:14am PDT

Reppin the GOAT SHIRTS with @realgranthill THIS FOR U CHAMP, THE WORLD WILL NEVER FORGET #muhammadali

A photo posted by DR. SHAQUILLE O'NEAL Ed.D. (@shaq) on Jun 5, 2016 at 3:37pm PDT

"The man who views the world at 50 the same as he did at 20 has wasted 30 years of his life!" -Ali #TheGreatest

A photo posted by Chris Paul (@cp3) on Jun 3, 2016 at 9:58pm PDT

Muhammad Ali and I share the same birthday and that alone made me feel I had purpose. Yes, he was a great boxer, the greatest of all but as a courageous humanitarian, that is where his brilliance spoke loudest to me. He made me believe I could become HIM. I could be my own man, use my own voice, stand up for my beliefs AND be respected for what I do on my battle field which is the court. He was strong, proud and vocal… a black man who lead by words and action. Misunderstood and unappreciated for most of his life. Thanks for standing for all but especially your own. It was always my honor to be in his presence and I am a better man for it. #RIPALI

A photo posted by dwyanewade (@dwyanewade) on Jun 4, 2016 at 8:46am PDT

R.I.P to the Greatest thanks for all you done for the WORLD ..Way more then a boxer #Muhammadali #Champ

A video posted by Hassan whiteside (@hassanwhiteside) on Jun 3, 2016 at 10:20pm PDT

🙏🏾 Legend Ali … God Bless … You home now

A video posted by Nick Young (@swaggyp1) on Jun 3, 2016 at 10:39pm PDT

My thoughts & prayers go out to Muhammad Ali's family. My long statement is posted onhttps://t.co/3E8awvpT08 pic.twitter.com/aEVzMacHg0

— Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (@kaj33) June 4, 2016

"If my mind can conceive it & my heart can believe it—then I can achieve it." Muhammad Ali taught us all to dream. pic.twitter.com/my6Cdw2p12

— Scottie Pippen (@ScottiePippen) June 4, 2016

Forever the greatest!! #RIPALI

— Kenny Smith (@TheJetOnTNT) June 4, 2016

🙏🏽 4 the Fam! Will never be another! Thank u Champ! Not only 4 ur fights in the ring, but more so out of it!!#Ali pic.twitter.com/6PapMdygyN

— Mark Jackson (@MarkJackson13) June 4, 2016

Muhammad Ali was the reason I fell in love with boxing. He was a champion, a showman, he was charismatic…

— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) June 4, 2016

#RIP @muhammadali the Greatest athlete to EVER live! He was 1 of my childhood heroes because of his brashness,articulation,style and CONFIDENCE. There was only 1 athlete that I placed his picture in my weightroom at home. The Picture was of The champ saying "ALL I DID WAS STAND FOR WHAT I BELIEVED". I respected ALI in and out of the ring because he was so much more than a boxer. 1 of the greatest days of my life was when I attended his charity event in Arizona and spent true quality time with the Champ in his suite talking about my faith and his. I stood for what I believed & he did too. Wow it was such a beautiful thing that 2 brothers with different thoughts and convictions but expressing love & respect for one another with Peace & Joy. There will NEVER be another like my HERO MUHAMMAD ALI!!!!!! I'm truly saddened we've lost a REAL MAN that was so much bigger than boxing and was willing to fight the multitudes as well for you and i. #hestood #Hefought #Hesmiled #Hewasreal #Hewastimeless #Truth

A photo posted by Deion Sanders (@deionsanders) on Jun 4, 2016 at 3:18pm PDT

Legends. Jim Brown + Muhammad Ali. 1966. 📷: AP

A photo posted by @nfl on Jun 4, 2016 at 4:55pm PDT

"The world has lost a great Champion. Muhammad Ali, lover of human beings, a warrior for the fight against discrimination…a great friend."

— Jim Brown (@JimBrownNFL32) June 4, 2016

Rip Champ you will always be the Goat ❤️😔 pic.twitter.com/kKegCW9Wnf

— Emmitt Smith (@EmmittSmith22) June 4, 2016

The World Lost an incredible man today…#RIP

— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) June 4, 2016

Ali speaking straight truth. #GOAT pic.twitter.com/9riIaPuf4F

— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) June 4, 2016

I met #Ali once. He was a great role model and a great man. Sending my thoughts and prayers to his family tonight.

— Barry Sanders (@BarrySanders) June 4, 2016

Forever a legend. 📷: September 1976, Ali overcomes Norton in their 3rd match, which took place in Yankee Stadium. #YankeesArchives

A photo posted by New York Yankees (@yankees) on Jun 4, 2016 at 7:11am PDT

Muhammad Ali. The Greatest. Rest in Peace. pic.twitter.com/Rji6KryXeN

— San Francisco Giants (@SFGiants) June 4, 2016

The Greatest.https://t.co/G4PecqwXHz

— #VoteCubs (@Cubs) June 4, 2016

Legends never die, they live for eternity pic.twitter.com/jL78JLP6mx

— Noah Syndergaard (@Noahsyndergaard) June 4, 2016

RIP, champ. pic.twitter.com/8itlSvxMTI

— Jason Grilli (@GrillCheese49) June 4, 2016

RIP Muhammad Ali. An inspiration for all! #GOAT 🐐

— Justin Verlander (@JustinVerlander) June 4, 2016

The world of sports – and the world at large – lost a courageous champion of sports and peace. #RIPMuhammadAli

A photo posted by NHL (@nhl) on Jun 4, 2016 at 5:25pm PDT

"The man who has no imagination has no wings" || R.I.P. to the greatest ever

A photo posted by Auston Matthews (@auston_matthews) on Jun 4, 2016 at 10:26am PDT

The Greatest…. RIP pic.twitter.com/Ya1pgTpDIe

— Wayne Gretzky (@OfficialGretzky) June 5, 2016

Muhammad Ali, Titan of Boxing and the 20th Century, Dies at 74 https://t.co/TurLrOgxiV

— P.K. Subban (@PKSubban1) June 4, 2016

Sad day. This man was iconic changed so many people's lives @MuhammadAli. The legacy will never die. Rest in peace champ

— Nazem Kadri (@43_Kadri) June 4, 2016

Sad to hear about the passing of Muhammad Ali. Greatest boxer of all time and always fighting to help others.

— Daniel Winnik (@Danwinnik34) June 4, 2016

Float like a butterfly and sting like a bee. RIP @MuhammadAli.

— Claude Giroux (@28CGiroux) June 4, 2016

"Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they’ve been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It’s an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It’s a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.”

A photo posted by David Beckham (@davidbeckham) on Jun 4, 2016 at 12:37am PDT

"He who is not courageous enough to take risks will achieve nothing in life" #Ali #TheGreatest 🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/bhXiBJATrp

— Chris Smalling (@ChrisSmalling) June 4, 2016

"I hope on a day when we mourn the loss of a champ — the 'greatest of all time' — we can reflect and appreciate his many contributions past and present, and ensure that generations going forward will admire and be inspired by all that Muhammad Ali accomplished." — Jack Nicklaus

A photo posted by PGA TOUR (@pgatour) on Jun 4, 2016 at 8:44am PDT

You'll always be The Greatest for more than just what you did in the ring. A champion to so many people in so many ways.

— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) June 4, 2016

It is an understatement to say that today the hearts of the sports world are heavy with the loss of Muhammad Ali.… https://t.co/p3BdM1Pzf3

— Jack Nicklaus (@jacknicklaus) June 4, 2016

The true GOAT. What a sad day for everyone to loose someone so great and kind and someone who really stood up for what they believed in. He was my hero. He always will be. #muhammadali #cassiusclay

A photo posted by Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) on Jun 4, 2016 at 9:41am PDT

An inspiration. A legend. Forever a champion. RIP Muhammad Ali. 😢

A photo posted by Caroline Wozniacki (@carowozniacki) on Jun 4, 2016 at 12:24am PDT

I know where I'm going and I know the truth, and I don't have to be what you want me to be. Forever a game changer. #RIPMuhammadAli

— Björn Borg (@bjornborg) June 4, 2016

RIP Champ– you will always "float like a butterfly"!

— Jimmy Connors (@JimmyConnors) June 4, 2016

"Float like a butterfly/sting like a bee "
A GIANT among men #RIPALI

— Boris Becker (@TheBorisBecker) June 4, 2016

In Muhammad Ali, an Example of a Truer Kind of Bravery in Sports, – a truer bravery indeed, a Champ in many ways. https://t.co/JugWqQ3ZOw

— Martina Navratilova (@Martina) June 5, 2016

My hero since childhood. I always had a wish to meet you some day but now it will never happen. RIP "The Greatest” pic.twitter.com/Yj6za7GwUe

— sachin tendulkar (@sachin_rt) June 4, 2016

Who threw it better?
Inspirational men who fought for many, legends! Let's not disappoint them! #inspire
RIP pic.twitter.com/7vsupvPQSa

— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) June 4, 2016

The man. The legend, not just for his fighting ability but his general attitude in life. #RIPMuhammadAli pic.twitter.com/Bf2roHktMM

— Rohit Sharma (@ImRo45) June 4, 2016

Rest in peace Muhammad Ali, The Greatest! #RIPMuhammadAli pic.twitter.com/qVTIZ8AIY8

— Jos Buttler (@josbuttler) June 4, 2016

Shocked to hear about Muhammad Ali's death ! One of the greatest sportsman of all time a legendary boxer , may his soul rest in peace

— yuvraj singh (@YUVSTRONG12) June 4, 2016

You inspired many including me. #RIPMuhammadAli pic.twitter.com/gbxHEFyUGz

— Shikhar Dhawan (@SDhawan25) June 4, 2016

People want to change the world. @MuhammadAli did just that. He transcended boxing and sports. I am forever grateful. #RIPChamp #GOAT

— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) June 4, 2016

He brought so much skill, charisma and love to sports. RIP Ali 🙏🏻

A photo posted by Paul Rabil (@paulrabil) on Jun 3, 2016 at 9:37pm PDT

We lost the "greatest" today… Such an inspiration to many… Me included!!! #ripchamp #wewillmissyou

A photo posted by Michael Phelps (@m_phelps00) on Jun 4, 2016 at 6:54am PDT

He will always be an inspiration. He will always be my idol. He will always be the greatest.

A photo posted by Arnold Schwarzenegger (@schwarzenegger) on Jun 4, 2016 at 8:58am PDT