Ali receives award in hometown of Louisville

Boxing great Muhammad Ali, center, holds the Grawemeyer Medal as his wife Lonnie Ali, second left, University of Louisville President Dr. James Ramsey, left, and his sister in law Marilyn Williams look on, at The Louisville Palace Theater in Louisville, Ky., Thursday, Sept. 17, 2015. AP

LOUISVILLE, Kentucky—Basking in the limelight again, Muhammad Ali heard a crowd chanting his name and had a medal draped around his shoulders

The former heavyweight boxing champion was in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky, on Thursday to receive an award from the University of Louisville. School President James Ramsey presented Ali the medal as the first-ever Grawemeyer Spirit Award winner for his role in inspiring others.

The 73-year-old Ali, who is battling Parkinson’s disease, appeared on stage during the event.

Ali stayed seated but raised his right hand briefly to acknowledge the crowd, which chanted his name.

Ali’s humanitarian message has included promoting racial and religious harmony since retiring from boxing.

The event came a day after anti-Islamic messages were found spray-painted on the outside of the Louisville Islamic Center.