Muhammad Ali's grandson Biaggio Ali Walsh dedicates upcoming senior season to his grandfather

Video: Beyond the X profile on Biaggio Ali Walsh
The Bishop Gorman running back, the grandson of Muhammad Ali, is mourning the passing of his grandfather

Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) star running back Biaggio Ali Walsh said he didn't know the magnitude of his grandfather's fame and influence until a gathering of more than 80,000 at the Orange Bowl in Miami in 2007.

But that night as an 8-year-old he was enlightened to the big, bright, powerful world of Muhammad Ali, "The Greatest," when all chanted his name.

"Ali! Ali! Ali!"

"It really got to me," Ali Walsh said. "I felt proud and honored. They were chanting 'Ali.' I remember thinking, ‘That's my name.'"

Ali Walsh told us that story in the fall of 2013 when we featured him and his family in a Beyond The X piece. He was a promising freshman then, and as predicted by his coaches, he's now one of the nation's top running backs heading into his senior season.

See Beyond the X feature on Biaggio Ali Walsh

He rushed for 2,451 yards and 33 touchdowns last season for one of the nation's top programs. With blinding speed and a strong 5-foot-10, 186-pound frame, he's regarded as the nation's No. 13 all-purpose back by 247Sports with nine college offers, including Cal, Arizona, Colorado and Louisville.

But college recruiting is far from his mind Friday, though he is in Louisville, honoring his granddad at a funeral and processional that will be watched worldwide.

Thousands along Louisville city streets Friday were are still chanting "Ali! Ali! Ali!"

Last week, the day after the passing of Ali, 74, Ali Walsh was honored at a large banquet as the Las Vegas Review-Journal's Male Athlete of the Year. It was a somber, bittersweet occasion for the Ali Walsh family.

Ali Walsh told reporter Ed Graney: "(Ali) would have been very proud and would have loved to have been here. I do my best to take after him in many ways, mostly his hard work and dedication. I want to build my own legacy, and I feel like he passed the torch down to all of us.

"There will never be another Muhammad Ali. Ever. But in making a name for myself, I want to make him proud. I think he would be."

On Twitter this week, Ali Walsh wrote this: "Thank you everyone for your prayers and condolences. My senior football season is dedicated to my grandfather.. RIP to my Poppy."

Earlier in the week, he tweeted this: "You taught us family is everything. You are in a better place now.. Rest in peace Poppy... Greatest to ever live."

Ali Walsh's mother Rasheda Walsh said her son shares many of her father's traits.

"I see the same mannerisms, the same twinkle in their eye," she said. "If either of them are in an elevator with lots of people and there's that awkward silence, they'll do something silly to make everyone laugh. They're just both built that way."

Ali Walsh, very close with his grandfather, exchanged FaceTime messages after every one of his games. Ali made a surprise visit to Gorman's 2014 state championship game in Reno, Nev., a game in which his grandson rushed four times for 137 yards and touchdowns of 34 and 71 yards in a 70-28 win.

"I didn't know he was coming," Ali Walsh told us that day. "It was a complete surprise. I looked back in the stands and just saw a big cluster of people. It was awesome. He made me want to play harder. I did it for my team and seniors, but I really wanted it badly for him."

Now he'll play his senior season for him. He'll heed the advice Ali himself gave him.

"My name can take me only so far," Ali Walsh said. "I have to carry it the rest of the way."