While celebrated boxing legend Muhammad Ali died nearly a decade ago in June 2016, the United States Postal Service (USPS) is keeping the athlete’s legacy with Forever stamps, unveiled on Jan. 15 — two days before what would have been the boxer’s 84th birthday.
The quick-witted boxer once said, “I should be a postage stamp, because that’s the only way I’ll ever get licked,” and with the dedicated work of USPS, Ali’s idea, though uttered in jest, has become a reality.
Officials, politicians, and members of the Ali family gathered Thursday afternoon in Louisville, Kentucky — the birthplace of the three-time heavyweight boxing champion and civil rights activist — to bear witness to two new stamps created to honor the athlete known as “The Greatest.”
“Beyond sports, [Ali’s] life was marked by extraordinary humanitarianism. As a global goodwill ambassador, he dedicated himself to service. He promoted peace and understanding across racial, religious and national lines,” said Ronald A. Stroman, a member of the USPS Board of Governors, during the unveiling ceremony. “As we dedicate these stamps, we remember Muhammad as a great boxer and a man who dared to be bold and used his fame to improve humanity.”
For USPS and the Ali family alike, the stamp was a long time coming.
“The whole process, from the assignment to the release date, took eight years,” said Antonio Alcalá, USPS art director. “Of course, the design process did not take the whole time. Like most stamp assignments, there are periods of intense activity followed by long periods for review.”
For Alcalá, paying homage to Ali, born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. in January 1942, included a lot of critical details to ensure USPS did justice to the icon’s life and legacy.
“The first step is to do research to make sure I understand the person and their important contributions to American culture. Depending on the assignment, I may look for an iconic photo (like with the Ali stamp) or an artist to create an image of the individual. Many additional design considerations then affect the process: physical aspects such as the size or format of the stamp, determining appropriate typography, which colors to use, and then listening to the observations of the people who have a role in the review process,” Alcalá told The Informer about the process of creating Forever stamps. “Hopefully, these will all lead us to a successful solution.”
For the stamp of the champ, people close to the boxer, such as his widow Lonnie Ali, who was present in Louisville for the unveiling, played a role in the final design.
“We listen to [family members’] comments and try to accommodate suggested changes so that everyone has confidence in the stamp,” he said. “The final Muhammad Ali pane does reflect some of their suggestions.”
After seeing the completed products, the boxer’s widow, who also co-founded the Muhammad Ali Center, said she and her family were “deeply honored.”
“This historic recognition celebrates not only his extraordinary achievements,” she said, “but the values that defined his life of courage, compassion, conviction, and an unwavering commitment to human dignity and respect.”
For Imam Talib Shareef of Masjid Muhammad, also known as Nation’s Mosque, who traveled from D.C. to Louisville for the unveiling ceremony, the stamp stands as a significant symbol for the late Ali’s overall contributions to the nation and world.
“Muhammad Ali was far more than a boxing champion,” Shareef told The Informer in a statement. “He was a man of faith, conscience, and courage, whose life expanded the meaning of American greatness. This Forever stamp symbolizes that his legacy, rooted in justice, dignity, and service, will continue to inspire generations.”