. >> let's bring in john ramsey, a man who has been friends with muhammad ali for more than three decades. >> he was with him in his final hours in arizona. john, we do thank you for joining us this morning. >> thank you for having me. good morning to both of you. >> good morning to you. first and foremost, can you tell us what it's been like there at the hospital over the last few days with friends and family? >> you know, it was a mixture of emotions. there were a lot of hugs, there were a lot of tears. a lot of old stories. i think the family and his wife, lonnie, find a lot of comfort in their spirituality. but it was a tough night, no question about it. hearts are heavy and i know that doesn't just include myself and the family. hearts are heavy around the world. >> that is right. john, did he try to communicate anything in these last days? >> you know, muhammad was able to communicate the way muhammad communicates, which is via his eyes, via his actions, via his smile. he still had the charisma. there's nothing like the muhammad ali magic. that always existed all the way to the very

john ramsey is a longtime friend, known him over 30 years, moe most of his life. sat down with him minutes ago, talked about his relationship with muhammad ali. he got a call from muhammad ali's wife, that he might want to come by and say his final words to the champ. you'll see some of this coming up on "nbc nightly news." john ramsey said ali was everything you thought he was and lived as you believe he should. he was well taken care of in the past 30, 32 years as he fought this awful disease, parkinson's. an emotional week in louisville and big, big farewell send off. >> the crowd continues to grow outside the center. ron motte live in louisville. "nbc nightly news with lester ho holt" much more with the passing of muhammad ali including lester's face to face meeting with the champ in 2002 and see photos that might have been the last photos taken in his life. >>> i'm tracking a chance for showers tonight and tomorrow and then a midweek cool down. that's next in my first alert forecast. >>> and still ahead at 6:00, an infant kidnapped from the king of prussia ma

police pulled over this not so inn conspicuous pick up for crack in the windshield the driver, john ramsey, posted this to his face book page. going to a hotel to extract a 16 year-old girl, adding her friend died of her heroin overdose, i'm bringing her out of new york today and anybody else in that hotel that wants to go home too. >> shooting, training, instruction. >> reporter: he is owner of the gun range near allentown and two others with him never complete that had mission. port third police arrested the trio moment before they entered the holland tunnel and found the weapons inside their truck, including multiple handguns, one assault rifle, body arm or, knives, night vision goggles and multiple round of ammunition. >> large majority of these weapons were loaded. >> i was surprised that he crossed state lines with firearms. yes, that i was surprised with. >> reporter: his good friend, chris says he isn't surprised that he was trying to save someone addicted to heroin. >> recently he lost his daughter and rededicated his life to stopping the heroin problem in the lehigh valley. >> re

john ramsey and dean smith. police stopped their truck on tuesday when they saw a cracked windshield. they found a number of rifles, handguns, and knives. investigators say they said they were on a mission to rescue a kidnapped teenager on heroin in new york. defense attorneys say police unfairly targeted their client. >> they were stopped for what was on the vehicle. there's no doubt in my mind they saw all these people expounding second amendment rights and stopped them because they figured they had guns. >> a judge ordered the three held on $75,000 bail each. >>> the owners of pulse nightclub will hold a fundraising event today to remember the victims of the june 12th shooting massacre. the event at an orlando park will be latin themed just like the night was of the mass shooting that left 49 dead and more than 50 wounded. money raised will benefit pulse nightclub employees. meantime locally, nbc 10 at franky bradley's in center city last night for the love is love fundraiser. all the money raised here will g

prosecutors charged them with weapons violations but friends say john ramsey merely forgot to unload truck that day and that he's no vigilante. >> every time he's gone on one of these rescues there was never any firearms. they were going there to help. they were going there to rescue. they had their hearts into it. nothing else. >> friends are now organizing a fund-raiser to pay for the group's legal bills. >>> from our delaware bureau the state senate passed a bill today aimed at allowing first defenders to escape conviction for misdemeanor marijuana offenses. the if a first offender pleads guilty or no contest to an offense and complies with the terms and conditions of probation. the probation bill awaits the governor's signature. >>> there's a coming together of cultures tonight tonight in center city. >> joining members of the muslim community for the iftar dinner. it's the communal meal that breaks the ramadan fast each day at sunset. this year's dinner also raised money for three local charities. >>> let's check in with sheena parveen for a look at our weather tonight and tomor

. >> reporter: john ramsey, a broadcaster who became a close friend and flew to arizona to be with the family in ali's final hours, said the champ was selfless away from the ring, playful, mischievous, giving attention to those most in need. >> i feel very fortunate that i'm friends with my hero. >> reporter: muhammad ali is back home. >> i came back on the plane with muhammad, and lonnie said -- she said mama gets off first. >> reporter: for a final round of good-byes to a man who pulled no punches. ron mott, nbc news, louisville. >>> we've got a lot more to tell you about tonight as we continue here tonight. growing outrage after a judge sentencing a former stanford university athlete to just months in jail for a sexual assault. despite an impassioned plea from the victim. >>> the most famous tomb in history getting its first renovation in hundreds of years. 80% of women say a healthy lifestyle is a priority. but up to 90% fall short in getting key nutrients from food alone. let's do more. add one a day women's 50+ complete multivitamin. with vitamin d and calcium to help support bon

his close friend john ramsey was also at the hospital. >> like their father, these kids were spiritual, they had great stories, stories, there were tears, hugs, laughs, it was great to see them all in one room. >> at that point he was in the event - - on a value - - ventilator. >> by friday night, his family had to make a decision. >> mohammed was meticulous in expressing how he wanted to live, and how he wanted to die, they were united. that is not how their father wanted to live his life. they'd known how he wanted it. >> they made that decision yesterday to take him off of life support. >> they did. and it was hard. >> we all try to stay strong, and whispered in his ear you can go now, it will be okay. his organs all failed but his heart would not stop beating for 30 minutes. >> it is so sudden and you think about the things he would have liked to have done or liked to have said. did that cross your mind? >> he may not have been as eloquent as he used to be but his speech was limited at times. his eyes and his motions spoke volumes. his actions spoke volumes. that is probably what i

it turns out the driver john ramsey just lost his 20-year-old daughter to a suspected heroin overdoseng to a medical examiner. cr cramsey alluded to his plans to rescue the 16-year-old on facebook telling his friends how about a road trip to new york to do an extraction? saving a 16-year-old girl is priceless. and now cramsey and two other passengers have been charged with illegal gun possession and in another bizarre twist police say they found the girl cramsey waske looking for and told them i don't need to be rescued. police are still investigating. gio benitez, abc news, new york. >>> and just south of san diego a woman has been arrested accused of taking a car from a gas station with two young children inside. the kids' father left them in the car with the engine still running when he went inside to buy an energy drink. car for a few minutes then just got in and pulled away as the father tried to chase her down. police caught up with her within minutes. the children were unharmed. >> reporter: a u.s. congressman has been convicted of racketeering, fraud as well as money launderin

longtime friend john ramsey in an adjoining room giving comfort. >> i think it was daddy, we're okay. you know, daddy. it's okay. so they didn't want him to fight anymore. >> reporter: tributes and condolences from around the world. george foreman, ali's victim in zaire's "rumble in the jungle" fight. >> zaire's "rumble in the jungle" fight. >> i got beat up in the jungle. >> reporter: ali won his second heavyweight championship that night. >> too late! it's over. muhammad ali with an 8th round knockout! >> reporter: the upset victim on bbc radio. >> what a night. i was in the ring with one of the greatest human beings i've ever known in my life. >> reporter: michael jordan, "muhammad ali was bigger than sports and larger than life. reverend jesse jackson, "when heros win, people ride on their shoulders. we rode on muhammad ali's shoulders." and from michael j. fox who suffers from and fought parkinson's by ali's side. >> even when it was difficult for him, he showed up. >> reporter: ali was diagnosed with parkinson's in 1984, just a small tremble in his right arm. in his last years h

his close friend john ramsey was also at the hospital. >> a lot of emotion last night. un, these kids, like their father, they're spurl. they had a lot of good stories. there were tears, there were hugs, there were laughs. it was good to see, you know, everybody in one room. >> reporter: at that point ali was on a ventilator and his organs were shutting down. >> it took a bad turn. it hit him hard, and muhammad's got off the mat a lot of times. he just couldn't do it this time. >> reporter: his family had to make a decision. >> muhammad was meticulous in expressing not only how he wanted to live but how he wanted to die. they were united in their front that that is not how their father wanted to live his life. >> reporter: they knew what he wanted. >> they've known how he wanted. >> reporter: so they made that decision yesterday to take him off life support. >> they did. it was hard. his daughter hana said inize tweet: it's so sudden, and you think about all the things you would have liked to have done or said. has that crossed your mind? >> even though muhammad didn't

attorney for john ramsey and dean smith asked the judge yesterday, to let them post 10 0 bail but the judge said no, and police also arrested kimberly arden, she was not at yesterday's hearing but she did hire a new lawyer. ramsey said he was on line to rescue a 16 year-old girl whose friend had overdosed on heroin. >>> classrooms in philadelphia schools empty for now, of course, for summer break but come this fall officials say they will be filled with offers for teachers. philadelphia school district says it is on track to fill all available teaching positions by the start of the new school year. william hite says district has filled all of the current vacancies and by end of the week they should only have about 45 openings left. >> i'm extremely important because it is important that students begin the year understanding and forming relationships with the individuals will be with them throughout the year. and the way you start, generally the way you will see how the year will go and you will finish. >> so far, district has hired 531 new teachers, for all of our students. >>> 4:20.

now a good friend of muhammad ali's, john ramsey. >> -- on behalf of theiyz ali we offer our condolencesand heartfelt prayers and for lonnie, ali -- >> announcer: first alert traffic sponsored by -- >>> we've been watching the funeral service of muhammad ali, honoring the boxer. everyday people plus politicians and celebrities are gathered together to pay tribute to the greatest of all-time. we're going to continue to watch this as we do expect some d dignitaries to address the crowd including bill clinton, expected to speak later on. when that happens we'll bring that to you live. now to the news. nbc 10 they're investigating nelson aguilar. >> nbc's randy gyllenhaal looking into this all day and joins us with more on the allegations. randy? >> reporter: philadelphia police say special victims detectives are interviewing an exotic member of the philadelphia eagles of assaulting her yesterday about 3:00 p.m. >> currently investigating an allegation of a sexual assault. >> reporter: philadelphia police say the aled assault happened inside the cheerleader's gentlemen's club the 27-year-old

. >>> ladies and gentlemen, john ramsey. >> first of all on behalf of my fellow louisvilleian, we offer our condolences and our felt private memes and for lonnie ali. we thank you so much. i got to tell you louisville when i was in the procession today and i saw the tens and thousands of people and all of the warmth and the love and respect that was shown for muhammad. i got to tell you my heart swelled with pride and i know he was watching from above and he absolutely loved it. i don't think you would be surprised. i think muhammad would say louisville, kentucky is the greatest city of all times. i'm feeling good, man. i will tell you what, how can we lose with the stuff we use. i'm feeling so good i am going to make a come-back and change my name to walnut street. that's how good i feel. for me. i always felt connected to louisville boy and maybe it was because i love the louisville cardinals like muhammad. but as our relationship evolved, i found that a lot of people fell this personal connection with muhammad and that's part of the ali magic. initially for a lot of men my age and ce

i had a chance to speak to a close friend of his, john ramsey, a tell investigatievisi personality saying got a call from lonnie, his wife, saying it wasn't good and he should probably come see him. >> the kids were all together. it was their time with their father. so they were in the room. there was a small little lounge area that i was with with a few other close friends and the kids would come in and out and visit with their father, as they should. it was a lot of tears, hugs, laughters, a lot of memories. fortunately the kids are good, they have the spirituality of their father so they took comfort there. >> you traveled the world with him, to a lot of different countries. what was it like to be with him? >> he truly is a world champion. he is beloved all around the world. i've been to australia with him, england, ireland, all around the world. the love transcends religion, it transcends countries, muhammad was loved. >> what's something people doesn't know about him? >> people say is he still the ali of old? is he charming and quick witted? >> yes, yes and yes. he still had his swag

thank you. [ applause ] >> ladies and gentlemen, john ramsey. >> first of all, on behalf of my fellow louisvillians, to the ali family, we offer our condolences, our heart felt prayers, and for lonnie ali, a very special prayer. we know that muhammad was blessed with many gifts, but none more precious than lonnie ali, and we thank you so much. you know, i've got to tell you, louisville, when i was in the procession today and i saw the tens of thousands of people and all the warmth and the love and the respect that was shown for muhammad, i gotta tell you, my heart swelled with pride. i know he was watching from above and i know he absolutely loved it. but i don't think he'd be surprised. i think muhammad would say, louisville, kentucky, the greatest city of all times, i'm feeling good, man! how can we lose with the stuff we use? [ laughter ] i'm feeling so good, i think i'mma make a comeback and change my name back to walnut street. that's how good i feel. you know, for me, i always felt connected to muhammad, even before i'd met him. maybe it was the fact that i was a louisville boy.

next up is a friend of muhammed ali, john ramsey. thereafter billy crystal, comedian and actor, being bryant gumbel. president william j. clinton. >> first of all on behalf of my fellow louisvillians to the ali family, we offer our condolences, our heartfelt prayers. and for lonnie ali, a very special prayer. we know that muhammed was blessed with many gifts, but none more precious than lonnie ali and we thank you so much. i've got to tell you, louisville, when i was in the procession today, and i saw the tens of thousands of people and all the warmth and the love, and the respect that was shown for muhammed, i got to tell you my heart swelled with pride. i know he was watching from above and i know he absolutely loved it. yeah. i don't think he would be surprised. i think muhammed would say louisville, kentucky, the greatest city of all times. i'm feeling good. man! i tell you what, how can we lose with the stuff we use? i'm feeling so good i think i'm going to make a comeback and change my name back t street. that's how good i feel

police arrested 50 year old john ramsey of sigh ons ville, and two other people yesterday, police uncoveredles, five handguns, knives, inside their neon van. police say ramsey had lost his daughter to a heroin overdose and said he was head too long new york city to rescue someone involved in drugs. officers also found a large amount of ammunition, and box, with the phrase: shoot your local heroin dealer in the van. the state house is giving its approval to now restrictions on elective abortions in pennsylvania's government nor threatening a veto if that proposal get out of the senate. state representatives voted 132 to six a yesterday for the bill to ban the procedure after 20 weeks, compared to 24 weeks in current law. bill also would criminalize procedures that caused the death of fetuses by removing their body part. democratic governor tom wolf calls it a step back for the state and for women. >> uber says it is supporting allowing new jersey's attorney general to decide what type of background checks its drivers should have to go through. company spokesman says the company supports amou

friend and radio personality john ramsey. will smith and boxers mike tyson. >> he had a big mouth and a huge career. and a big heart. he was a soft man inom >> what do you take from that? >> he loved people and wanted to bring people together. he looked at himself as a person really doing god's work. >> celebrities like lewis had a front row seat, but the fans filled the sports arena in downtown louisville and honored the man who once said service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth. >> it has been a wonderful ce t celebrate his home going. >> this fresh young man thrilled us, angered us and challenged us and ultimately became a silent messenger of peace who told us that life is best when you build bridges between people, not walls. >> how the story of ali's career and the passion for boxing he was a young boy, cassius clay when his bike was stolen. he went to a police officer and that officer told him if you want revenge, son, you better learn how to box. that's part of why his wife said when a young bl

[applause] [applause] >> ladies and gentlemen john ramsey. [applause] >> first of all and a half of my fellow -- to the ali family we offer our condolences, our heartfelt prayers and four lonnie alia special prayer. we know that bomaco is blessed with many gifts but none more precious than lobby ali and -- lonnie ali and we thank you very much. [applause] when i was in the procession did and i saw the tens of thousands of people and all the warmth and the love and respect that was shown for my mom and that it got to tell you my heart swelled with pride. i know he was watching from above and i know he absolutely loved it. [applause] but i don't think he would be surprised. i think muhammad would save louisville kentucky the greatest city of all time. i'm feeling good, man. i will tell you what how can we lose with the stuff we use? i am feeling so good i think i'm going to make a come back and change my name back to walnut street. that's a good i feel. [applause] you know for me i always felt connected to muhammad even though -- even for them

thank you. [ applause ] >> ladies and gentlemen, john ramsey. >> first of all, on behalf of my fell fellow louisville residents, we know that muhammad was blessed with many gifts but none more than lonnie ali and we thank you so much. you know, i've got to tell you, louisville, when i was in the procession today and saw the tens and thousands of people and all of the warmth and love and respect shown for muhammad, i've got to tell you, my heart swelled with pride. i know he was watching from above and i know he absolutely loved it. but i don't think he'd be surprised. i think muhammad would say, louisville, kentucky, the greatest city of all times. i'm feeling good. man. i tell you what, how can we lose with the stuff we use? i'm feeling so good, i think i'm going to make a comeback and change my name back to walnut street. that's how good i feel. you know, for me, i always felt connected to muhammad even before i had met him. you know, maybe it was the fact that i was a louisville boy. maybe it's the fact that i loved the louisville cardinals like muhammad. you know, but as our relationsh

. >> reporter: yeah, you know, i want to bring in john ramsey because he knows the situation better thanwith muhammad ali and his wife, john is a personality television radio personality in louisville, kentucky. john, you got the call on thursday and she said that he wasn't doing so well? >> well, you know, i think at the time when he initially was admitted to the hospital, you know, we thought it was just a minor medical issue. she's so good at taking care of him i did not think a lot of it that muhammad gets off the mat again and again. the doctor probably knows this one hit him hard and things escalated from there. >> so it's the second floor of the hospital. you're there with family. explain the situation. what's it like up there? >> you know, it really was all about the family. my role was very minor. i was there for support, you know, the kids were all together and it was their time with their father, so they were in the room, there was a small little lounge area that i was with with a few other close friends and the kids would come in and out and visit with their father as they sh

dierdre bolton and john bolton we have the current warden of the north, ramsey bolton.nd michael bolton. >> and i am told this guy is the evil figure and i just want to say i recent having this. >> we are not related. >> i never watched game "game of thrones." >> you have to check it out! >> the world has lost a tiny, tiny creature. no, not greg. he is still on saturday night at 10:00 p.m. i am talking of course of the bramble-k. they are the first mammal to go extinct. they say extinction has gone hand in hand throughout the history of the world. yes, we killed this wonderful creature. it is amazing. here is video of the final moments. >> i don't think climate change was the problem. that was a hamster. >> climate change killed dinosaurs. >> i don't know if it was -- >> it was definitely climate change. there was climate activity. it worked out well for us. if it is up to me, turn up the heat if it will kill the rodents. i don't like rodents. if it takes out the small cats, not the tigers, they are cool. if it takes out the cats, i'm cool with that. >> i think schulz m