G.O.A.T.

“What is all this GOAT business about?”

Every now and again some social media chat features arguments about who is the greatest soccer player, cricketer, basketballer, baseball player … the whole rundown. Trust Mack to jump on it in the middle of my sleep.

“Mack! Yuh doh sleep? Is that why you disturbing mine?!!”

“Am I getting your goat, Sir?”

“Goats have a good kick! Pity I don’t have one!”

“Okay, okay, cool it, Old Man! I just want to know about the GOAT business you were reading about.”

“(Heavy sigh) It’s an abbreviation. It stands for “Greatest Of All Time.”

“Well, now! And here was I thinking about the critters which Jesus put on his left side and told them to go to hell! And which – thankfully – you don’t have!”

(SMH) “It relates to people who have had larger-than-life achievements in various areas of life; particularly sports.”

“Oho! Like Pele, and Usain Bolt, and Don Bradman, and Michael Jordan?”

“Right. And the abbreviation actually came about through a self-described GOAT himself.”

“Who’s that?”

“Muhammed Ali.”

“Ah! The former Cassius Clay! The “Louisville Lip!”

“Well! You do seem to know something about that GOAT.”

“I’ve heard a thing or two about him.”

“Including the fact that he set up his own company back in the 60s and called it GOAT?”

“He did??”

“Indeed. That’s how the whole GOAT thing came about.”

“Well, I’ll be!”

“And, to be fair, he did back up that boast quite substantially.”

“Hmm. Okay. Ah gone!”

“Hello???”

“Surprised? I’ve got some business to do.”

“Exactly what business are you talking about?”

“I’m going to set up a tribute company to the great Muhammed Ali.”

“Eh??”

“Yes. I’m going to collect everything he ever said.”

“Eh???”

 “And I’m going to call it GLOAT.”

“Eh???”

“Yeah. ‘Greatest Loudmouth Of All Time!’”