South Florida athletes, franchises honor the passing of Muhammad Ali

By Adam H. Beasley

Updated June 4, 2016 1:20 PM

Boxing great Mohammad Ali greets Orange Bowl fans as he and Miami Heat's Dwyane Wade head to midfield for the coin toss at the Orange Bowl football game between Wake Forest and Louisville Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2007, in Miami. LYNNE SLADKY ASSOCIATED PRESS

Muhammad Ali died Friday at the age of 74.

“The Greatest” was an inspiration to millions, including several Miami sports figures who took to social media to digitally send their condolences after hearing the news.

Here are a few of their messages:

Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade

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

Miami Heat forward Chris Bosh

"It isn't the mountains ahead to climb that wear you out; it's the pebble in your shoe"

-Muhammad Ali #RIPMuhammadAli
— Chris Bosh (@chrisbosh) June 4, 2016

Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh

"I know where I'm going and I know the truth, and I don't have to be what you want me to be. I'm free to be what I want." #RIP Mr. Ali

A photo posted by Ndamukong Suh (@ndamukong_suh) on Jun 4, 2016 at 4:53am PDT

Miami Heat owner Micky Arison

He was the greatest Muhammad Ali R.I.P.
— Micky Arison (@MickyArison) June 4, 2016

Miami Dolphins CEO Tom Garfinkel

The great man is he who in the midst of the crowd keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude.

Emerson pic.twitter.com/exgDEsj0ne
— Tom Garfinkel (@TomGarfinkel) June 4, 2016

Miami Marlins

The Greatest's words, as are posted in our clubhouse. pic.twitter.com/QQAtB05zxQ
— #VoteMarlins (@Marlins) June 4, 2016

Miami Dolphins

#TheGreatest pic.twitter.com/XFfJ1Lu6DJ
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) June 4, 2016

Miami Heat

#RIPMuhammadAli pic.twitter.com/jR7YLAB8vx
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) June 4, 2016

Miami boxing trainer Matt Baiamonte

"It's not what Ali did inside the ring that made him "The Greatest". It was his fight outside… https://t.co/JCVn2QQzla
— Matt Baiamonte MBBC (@Matt_MBBC) June 4, 2016

Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside

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

Miami Dolphins lineman Jermon Bushrod

RIP Muhammed Ali
— Jermon Bushrod (@j_bushrod7475) June 4, 2016

Miami Heat forward Luol Deng

"I know where I'm going and I know the truth, and I don't have to be what you want me to be. I'm free to be what I want to be." - Muhammad Ali #RestInPower

A photo posted by @luoldeng9 on Jun 3, 2016 at 9:40pm PDT

Miami Dolphins safety Michael Thomas

Float like a butterfly... Sting like a bee. You have forever influenced me! #RIPgoat
— Michael Thomas (@Michael31Thomas) June 4, 2016

Miami Heat guard Goran Dragic

"He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life." RIP #GOAT

A photo posted by Goran Dragic (@the_1_dragon) on Jun 3, 2016 at 11:01pm PDT

This story was originally published June 4, 2016 at 11:25 AM with the headline "South Florida athletes, franchises honor the passing of Muhammad Ali."