I've always had a warm spot in my heart for EK. He was a brilliant showman with an unwavering message and that can not be understated. As much of a nutcase as he was, he was never busted for drugs or rape or any of the other popular activities of modern pop icons. His ultra-patriotic message always played well to me -- because it seemed real. I always found EK entertaining and endearing.
As a side note George Hamilton's biographical film on EK was brilliant. I was never a GH fan but his unbridled egotism is almost a perfect match for that of EK's. I highly recommend the GH movie for any EK fans.
As dopey as EK's story may seem today his story is still a breath of fresh air when compared to the rapist, drug addled, whacko culture that today's sports heros inhabit.
RIP EK.