Louisville’s huge ACC home opener is also the city’s first major sporting event since the passing of its favorite son.
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On Saturday, more than three months after Ali’s death, the 10th-ranked Louisville football team hosts No. 2 Florida State in what could be one of the biggest games in program history, and the Cardinals will honor the Greatest in a number of ways.
A legendary boxer, activist and philanthropist, Ali died June 3 at the age of 74 after a 32-year battle with Parkinson’s disease. In an ESPN segment this week, Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson was wearing an Ali shirt.
Louisville’s shiny red chrome helmets featured a white butterfly sticker on the back with the “Ali” in the middle, and a 30-foot painting with the same design was displayed in the northwest corner of Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium end zone.
“Muhammad Ali’s presence and generosity to our department will never be forgotten”, said Tom Jurich, the school’s athletic director.
The UofL student section will pay homage to “The Champ” as more than 3,000 specially-designed Ali T-shirts will be distributed for students to wear during the game.
Lonnie Ali will be honored on the field during the first quarter for her charitable works and video tributes of Ali will play in the stadium throughout the game.
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Louisville and Florida State will kick off at noon ET on Saturday.
