Convenience Big Store: Remembering Houstonian and boxing legend George Foreman

March 22, 2025

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George Foreman, former heavyweight boxing champion, who is now a minister, talks about his life and his road to the Christian ministry during an interview at the George Foreman Youth and Community Center on Wednesday, July 22, 2015, in Houston. ( Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle )

Photo by: Brett Coomer (Staff)

Reactions pour in following death of boxing legend George Foreman

As word spread Friday night following the passing of Houstonian and boxing icon George Foreman, many celebrities and athletes offered their sympathies.

"Condolences to George Foreman's family," former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson wrote. "His contribution to boxing and beyond will never be forgotten."

Foreman grew up in Houston's Fifth Ward and went on to become an Olympic gold medalist and a two-time heavweight champion. He also was a preacher and a successful businessman, particularly as the pitchman for the George Foreman Grill.

Foreman's death was announced by his family in a post on Instagram.

"With profound sorrow, we announce the passing of our beloved George Edward Foreman Sr., who peacefully departed on March 21, 2025 surrounded by loved ones."

📰 Need to Know

BIG HOMES, BIG BUCKS: A gated estate with a private tennis court. A sleek, glass-walled mansion overlooking Taylor Lake. In February, a mix of newly built estates and historic residences changed hands on Houston's ultra-luxury market, with sale prices reaching eight-figures. These were the most expensive Houston-area homes sold in February.
IMMIGRATION WOES: A Salvadoran immigrant with a visa to work in the United States spent nearly a month in a Conroe ICE detention center before a local advocate and social media influencer put up his $3,000 bond. Also, a French researcher was denied entry into Houston. Experts warn border searches are getting personal.
HOUSTON BRIDGES AT RISK OF COLLAPSE: Some Houston area bridges, including the Houston Ship Channel Bridge, are among those that a new report says should be evaluated to determine whether they're at risk of collapsing if hit by a vessel.
MORE MEASLES: The number of measles cases in Texas swelled past 300 as the outbreak continues affecting the state's South Plains and Panhandle regions.
MASS DAY OF ABSENCE: Nearly one-quarter of Houston ISD students were absent during the nationwide "A Day Without Immigrants" protests on Feb. 3, a rate over 2.5 times higher than the average absence rate on that same date for the past four years.
WHO'S UP AND WHO'S DOWN IN TEXAS POLITICS? Each day in the Texas Take newsletter, reporter Jeremy Wallace offers his insider analysis of who is trending up and who is trending down in Texas politics. Think of it as a stock market style report on the state's political winds. Each week, we'll publish those reports here.

🐎 Rodeo Roundup

Newsletter link: For more of the latest Houston Rodeo news, sign up for our Rodeo Roundup newsletter.
GRAND CHAMPION: Kareem, a black crossbred steer exhibited by Jacob Schickedanz of Perryton, was named 2025 Grand Champion Junior Market Steer at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo on Friday.
TONIGHT'S CONCERT: Brooks & Dunn was a young country act with just one album under its belt buckle when the duo made its RodeoHouston debut in 1992. Now, they're returning to the rodeo stage for the 22nd time.
FINAL RODEO WEEKEND WEATHER: The final weekend of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is upon us and with it comes a forecast that's sure to keep you on your toes, from a warm and breezy Saturday to the prospect of severe storms Sunday.
30 YEARS AFTER SELENA'S 'DISCO MEDLEY': Selena Quintanilla Perez's "Disco Medley" during her iconic 1995 RodeoHouston performance at the Astrodome was a look into the future she never got to see for herself.

🛶 Things to do this Weekend

WATCH TEXAS' BIGGEST KAYAK AND CANOE RACE: Hundreds of paddlers will take to Houston's waterways for the 53rd annual Buffalo Bayou Partnership Regatta, the largest canoe and kayak race in Texas, today.
ATTEND THE HOUSTON JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL: Now in its 21st year, the Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center of Houston's Houston Jewish Film Festival is an annual series of diverse films where Jewish people are both in front and behind the camera.
SWING BY A LOCAL EVENT: Our top weekend event picks include the final weekend of RodeoHouston, Cirque du Soleil's "Echo," Empty Bowls Houston, Jazzy Sundays in the Parks, Moon 2 Mars Festival and more.
SEE A LIVE SHOW: The top live events taking place this weekend in the Houston area include Trombone Shorty, "The Voice of Brubeck" and Bob Schneider.
CATCH A NEW MOVIE: The major movies being released in the Houston area this weekend include "Snow White," "Magazine Dreams," "Ash," "Artiste" and "The Assessment."

Events at the Chronicle

Katy Mayor Pro Tem Chris Harris and Mayor Dusty Thiele.

Photo by: Houston Chronicle Staff

EVENT: Meet Katy Mayor Dusty Thiele and Mayor Pro Tem Chris Harris

Join the Chronicle's private Zoom with Katy Mayor William "Dusty" Thiele and Mayor Pro-Tem Chris Harris on Thursday, April 3 at 12 p.m. to discuss the city's growth and exciting new developments.

☝️ One More Thing

We're in the full swing of March Madness.

And tonight, the University of Houston will play a second-round game against Gonzaga University. If UH wins, they'll advance to their sixth straight trip to the Sweet 16.

Find out when and where to watch the game here. Happy watching!

— Yasmeen Khalifa