HOUSTON — George Foreman is a name synonymous with boxing greatness, but in Houston’s Fifth Ward, he was something even bigger: family.
Foreman died on Friday, March 21 at the age of 76. His family announced his death on social media.
“You can’t explain the kind of person he is that, was so great and good to everybody,” his cousin, Faye Hampton said.
Despite Foreman’s global success, he never forgot where he came from.
“He never forgot about his family,” Peggy London said.
“Nah, he took his family with him. His family was like his right-hand people,” Thi Perez said.
Foreman ensured his family stayed in the community that raised him. He didn’t just visit but he built a foundation for those he loved.
“He made sure all of us had a house to stay in,” London said.
When asked how many homes he bought for his family, she laughed, saying, “I can’t tell you. So many.”
Dozens of relatives now live in homes Foreman provided and drive cars he bought for them. But that’s not what his cousin will miss the most.
“Conversations with him, being with him. You know, I would be with him at church on Sunday and I miss him. I miss him, I miss everything , everything. I miss him, I miss him, so much. I do,” Hampton said.
The last time she saw him was at church just one week ago.
“I told him, I said ‘Cousin, we’ll see you tomorrow,’ and then he said, ‘I love you, Miss Faye.’ And I said, ‘I love you too, George,’” Hampton said with tears in her eyes.
Longtime friend and Texas State Representative Harold Dutton Jr. remembers a different George Foreman — one who was once on the brink of prison.
“If we were betting on somebody most likely not to succeed, it probably would have been George,” Dutton said.
That all changed when Foreman discovered boxing.
“Their eyes all got as big as donuts when they watched me hit the speed bag,” Dutton recalled. “I remember George saying, ‘Ah, Dudley Do-Right is a boxer.’”
It was the start of a journey that would lead Foreman to two world heavyweight titles, an Olympic gold medal and a successful business empire.
From the corner of Gano and Eule streets to the local community center and the schools he once attended, Foreman’s impact remains.
He wasn’t just a fighter in the ring, he was a champion for his community and his family.
“In this area? Fifty or sixty [family members],” Hampton said. “He’ll be greatly missed by all of us. I know I miss him, I miss him so, I do, I do.”
Former principal of Asherton Elementary, Dr. Albert Lemons, called Foreman the “champion” of his school.
“Every year and whatever we needed, whatever the kids needed whatever I wanted, all I had to do was call him and I got it,” Lemons said. “He came, he spoke to the kids on graduation. We had a boys’ day and for every father that came to the boys’ day, he gave them a George Foreman grill.”