When people think of Muhammad Ali, they think of a cocky, brash athlete when he was in his prime. Now he is seen as the poster child for someone who stayed in the game too long. What people today fail to realize is, Ali was a man of character and conviction who should hold a spot as a national treasure. Why do I feel this way? Well, at the height of his career, a time when most would do anything, say anything, act any way to preserve their spot on top, he stood up for what he believed in. He refused to go to Vietnam, stating "I ain't got no quarrel with them Viet Cong, they never called me nigger." Not only was he striped of his title for his refusal to go to war, he was stripped of his license to box, and given a 10,000 dollar fine. He would not be swayed. A man in his prime, when many would allow their hubris and pride take over and do whatever it takes to maintain their legacy, stayed true to his beliefs. He was not going to be bullied into a war that he felt was unjust. It would be three years before he would fight again. During those years, Ali spoke out against the unjust war he felt was being fought in Vietnam, and went all over the country speaking wherever his voice would be heard. So when I think of Ali, I don't think of the man who won 56 professional fights, or the man who knocked people out at will, I think of a man with conviction. And that should be praised.
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