My Heroes – Muhammad Ali
Probably the greatest champion in boxing, Muhammad Ali was very controversial. He converted the the Nation of Islam. In 1967 he refused to be conscripted in the Military on religious grounds. He was arrested and convicted and lost his title and license to box.
His case went all the way to the Supreme Court where the lower courts decision was reversed.
He won the heavy weight championship three times.
Little known though is his philanthropy. He always gave to orphanages and causes like Boy’s Town. His giving was never based on race but on need.
I sure agree with you on Mr. Ali.. He was and will always be a hero. While many people at the time did not undferstand hi position on the war, he stood his ground. Nobody should be forced to fight in a war on foreign soil that they do not agree with. The Draft was wrong…Mr. Ali was right. Jesse Owens is another of my favorite Heroes.
I know next to nothing about Ali besides that he was a boxer. I remember what he used to say about float like a butterfly, sting like a bee though. In the end he is paying dearly for all that boxing.
I remember the Pro-War people saying he was a coward for refusing to be drafted, and not patriotic.
They didn’t think that if he had gone along with the draft, he would have kept his Heavyweight Title, and the military would never have put him in combat. Instead, they would have let him train, and do Exposition matches.
In refusing the draft, and going to prison, he showed his dedication to principles and real courage
I remember my daddy getting all worked up when he was on news or in the ring. My daddy loved that man. I learned a lot about him when a documentary was done about him. Yes a true great man!
You can watch it on Youtube…
Ali is an A+ classy man indeed!
Louisville’s own.
a friendly and personable man. And a giant.
Remember THIS song?: