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The Final Bell

The Life and Legacy of George Foreman, 1949-2025

I have always been a huge George Foreman fan.

George Foreman’s life is a testament to resilience, reinvention, and the enduring power of the human spirit. From the hardscrabble streets of Marshall, Texas, to the pinnacle of boxing glory and entrepreneurial success, Foreman’s story is a reminder that while life moves quickly, the final bell inevitably tolls for us all. For Foreman, each round of his life brought new challenges and triumphs, proving that the fight is never truly over until the last bell sounds. He will forever remain a hero and an inspiration.

Rising from the Canvas

Born into poverty, Foreman’s early life was marked by struggle. He found himself on a path toward trouble, but a government-sponsored Job Corps program offered him a second chance. It was there that Foreman first laced up a pair of boxing gloves. With grit and determination, he transformed from a troubled teen into an Olympic gold medalist at the 1968 Games.

Foreman’s professional career soon skyrocketed. His ferocious power and relentless style made him a force to be reckoned with. In 1973, he captured the heavyweight title by dismantling the legendary Joe Frazier. Yet, like any fighter in the ring, Foreman learned that life doesn’t always go according to plan.

The Comeback Round

After a devastating loss to Muhammad Ali in the famed “Rumble in the Jungle,” Foreman faced his own demons. He stepped away from boxing, underwent a spiritual transformation, and dedicated his life to ministry. But the call of the ring proved irresistible. In one of the greatest comebacks in sports history, Foreman returned at age 45 to reclaim the heavyweight championship, shocking the world and etching his name into the annals of boxing lore.

Just as a fighter adjusts their stance in response to an opponent, Foreman adapted to life outside the ring. He became a cultural icon, known as much for his megawatt smile and infectious personality as his thunderous punches. Foreman’s foray into entrepreneurship saw the creation of the George Foreman Grill, a household staple that further solidified his legacy.

Facing the Final Bell

Life moves with the speed of a prizefight. The early rounds may offer moments of triumph, while the later ones test our resolve. Foreman’s journey reminds us that, regardless of the setbacks we face, it’s our ability to stand back up that defines us.

John Donne’s words echo as a reminder of life’s impermanence. “Ask not for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for thee.” For Foreman, each toll of the bell marked not an end, but a new beginning—a chance to learn, grow, and emerge stronger.

As we navigate our own bouts with adversity, we might remember Foreman’s unwavering spirit. Though the final bell may come, it is how we fight our rounds that will be remembered. And when that bell tolls, may we stand tall, knowing we gave it our all—just as George Foreman did, every step of the way.

In His Own Words

• “I don’t even think about a retirement program because I’m working for the Lord, for the Almighty. And even though the Lord’s pay isn’t very high, his retirement program is, you might say, out of this world.”
• “The world is full of people who want to play it safe, people who have tremendous potential but never use it.”
• “I want to keep fighting because it is the only thing that keeps me out of the hamburger joints. If I don’t fight, I’ll eat this planet.”
• “As a child I was sometimes so hungry that I used to dream that one day I’d get locked in a grocery store.”
• “I never did anything for personal gain. When I was a boxer, I wanted to be champion of the world, not the richest man in the world.”
• “My mother used to tell me, ‘You live and learn. Then you die and forget it all.'”
• “I thought he was just one more knockout victim until, about the seventh round, I hit him hard to the jaw and he held me and whispered in my ear: ‘That all you got, George?’ I realized that this ain’t what I thought it was.”

Rest In Peace, Champ.

Copyright 2025, Paul Fioravanti, MBA, MPA, CTP