Reports of Muhammed Ali’s Imminent Death Turn Out to Be Hoax

Apparently some wires got crossed somewhere as the Big Game got underway yesterday.  Reports surfaced that boxing legend Muhammad Ali was 'very sick,' and his family feared 'The Greatest' may soon 'pass away.'  The reports allegedly came from Ali's brother Rahman Ali. Rahman told a newspaper that the former heavyweight champion is gravely ill and can no longer speak.  And then his family said it wasn't true.  What?

Rahman Ali allegedly said, "He's in a bad way. He's very sick. It could be months, it could be days. I don't know if he'll last the summer. He's in God's hands. We hope he gently passes away."

Ali, 71, has suffered with Parkinson's disease since 1984. His heath has declined as he has aged, but Rahman Ali said his brother's health got progressively worse in recent months. Ali no longer recognizes him, Rahman said.

But by the later half of Sunday evening, the Ali family released a statement that said the boxing legend was actually fine, watching the Super Bowl and rooting for the Ravens.  And then, Rahman himself surfaced and told FOX News said he hadn't seen his brother since last summer and had no contact with the family.

Uh, what?  Where did these reports come from?  It's not entirely clear -- the remarks may have been taken out of context from an old interview given around the time of the Olympics last year, according to USA Today.  Muhammed Ali's wife said these types of reports surface every year at this time.

A three-time world heavyweight champion, Ali last fought in 1981, losing to Trevor Berbick. He finished with a career record of 56-5.