“RIP Champ”: Brett Favre, Russell Wilson & NFL Community Mourns Legendary Heavyweight Boxer’s Death Who Built a $300M Empire

Greatest boxer? Many of us would instantly name Muhammad Ali. But George Foreman, being one himself, never really got onto that bandwagon. Sure, he did say, “There are no two people who better define sports in America than ‘Smokin’ Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali. They both took our sport to another level and are most responsible for the high-paid salaries that all of us athletes receive today.”

However, for George, only one name stood above the rest. Joe Louis.

“Joe Louis, and to be honest with you, there is no one in second place.”

That was Foreman, never going with the masses for the sake of it. A boxer. An Olympian. Comeback king. Preacher. Millionaire entrepreneur. He wasn’t just part of sports history—he helped write it. But now, he sups with Joe Louis, Joe Frazier, and Muhammad Ali. I am pretty sure they won’t be arguing about who was the greatest. They’d be celebrating each other’s wins.

Foreman passed away on March 21, 2025, at the age of 76. His family confirmed the news through his Instagram, writing, “Our hearts are broken… he lived a life marked by unwavering faith, humility, and purpose.” A fighter to the very end. It speaks a lot about his aura.

Now, the NFL stars, past and present, made sure to pay their due respect to such a legend. Brett Favre paid tribute, calling him “one of the greatest to ever get in the ring,” while Russell Wilson kept it simple, sharing the news with the words, “Forever Legend.”

One of the greatest to ever get in the ring and unforgettable fight, Rumble in the Jungle vs Muhammad Ali

Prayers go out to his family https://t.co/M9TeMD8L2y

— Brett Favre (@BrettFavre) March 22, 2025

You see, that’s the thing about Foreman—he wasn’t just respected in his own sport. One of those who left the mark on the sporting community as a whole. And why not? After all, his story was like that… proving people wrong.

In 1974, he stepped into the ring for the “Rumble in the Jungle” against Muhammad Ali. Younger, stronger, undefeated. Everything pointed to Foreman steamrolling Ali. Instead, he got rope-a-doped, gassed out, and watched Ali steal the show. It was a loss that could’ve defined his career. Instead, it became a chapter in a much bigger story.

Foreman walked away from boxing in 1977. But retirement? It never really fit him. A decade later, he made an impossible return. The skeptics rolled their eyes. A 38-year-old trying to fight again? And not just fight—but win? No chance. Until there was. Until 1994, when Foreman, at 45, knocked out Michael Moorer and reclaimed the heavyweight title. Oldest champ ever! 

Okay, surely, he rode into the sunset with that win… Catching fishes. Drinking his favorite beverage. Amongst his favorite people.

But that would have been too cliche for his liking. He swapped gloves for grills, turning the George Foreman Grill into a $300 million empire. The man who once threw knockout punches was now selling kitchen appliances with the same dominance. He didn’t just win in boxing—he won in life. Now, he passed away cooking…

So, here we are. Sports fans are left with memories. The thunderous knockouts. The toothy grin. And the unmistakable voice calling fights on TV. It will take time to get over this loss.

Not just Brett Favre, but the whole NFL community is paying homage

As news of George Foreman’s passing spread, tributes flooded in from players, reporters, and fans alike. All of us have taken a moment to recognize what he meant, not just to the ring but to life itself.

ESPN’s Mike Green put it simply: “George Foreman was one of the most engaging, endearing, and entertaining figures in sports in my lifetime.” And he wasn’t wrong. Foreman wasn’t just about knockout power—he had personality, charisma, and a comeback story that made even the most dramatic Super Bowl comebacks look tame. The man fought his way back to the top of the heavyweight division at 45. That’s Tom Brady coming back from retirement and winning a Lombardi levels of ridiculous.

One fan wrote: “Great fighter and a great man.” Hard to argue with that. Foreman’s career was the stuff of legend—an Olympic gold medalist, a two-time heavyweight champion, and a man who reinvented himself more times than an NFL franchise in quarterback purgatory. And through it all, he stayed true to himself. No trash talk, no gimmicks—just Foreman being Foreman.

He even joked about getting beaten by Ali as he told CBN.com, “I tell people, ‘If you’re going to get hit as many times as I’ve been hit by Mohammad Ali, Joe Frazier, Ken Norton, Evander Holyfield, you’re not going to remember many names.'” So, you see, he embraced the defeat. No grudges at all.

Meanwhile, another fan dropped this: “Don’t forget the Foreman Grill. I think that was his greatest achievement ever!” Fair take. After all, how many athletes turn their name into a kitchen staple? That grill wasn’t just a side hustle—it was a cultural phenomenon. You didn’t need to know a thing about boxing to know the “Lean Mean Grilling Machine.”

The Ring magazine, often called the Bible of Boxing, summed it up best: “[He] will be remembered as an icon of the sport forever.” And it’s true—Foreman wasn’t just a champion; he was a pioneer. So, it is just good to see the world coming together, respecting a trailblazer of boxing, nonetheless a sporting legend. It’s not a goodbye, but wishing him good luck on his journey in the afterlife. Rip George, you ring master… Chef!

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