Yes.
On July 14, 1979, Denver Broncos Defensive End Lyle Alzado fought Muhammad Ali in an exhibition match at the original Mile High Stadium.
Alzado, one of the NFL’s most boisterous characters, had been an accomplished amateur boxer and had always wanted to box his hero. Ali, widely known as “The Greatest of All Time,” was on the downside of his career and would briefly retire just two months later.
When Ali entered the ring, the half-filled stadium shouted “Ali, Ali, Ali,” and when Alzado, a two-time All Pro player, entered, the crowd of about 20,000 yelled “Dee-fense,” according to the New York Times, which covered the event.
Ali, coming off his last title bout against Leon Spinks, weighed 234 pounds to Alzado’s 243 pounds. The match was taped for NBC’s Sunday Sportsworld with Ali being guaranteed $250,000 to participate.
The match went eight rounds but was not scored.
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