Muhammed Ali was honored by presidents and kings as the most famous athlete in the world. He was an Olympic gold medalist and three-time heavyweight world champion. His ancestors were slaves in the pre-Civil War South with some Irish and English in their heritage. His mother, Odessa O’Grady Clay, was a domestic and his father was a sign painter. As a child, he suffered all of the indignities of segregation in the South and he told reporters, “I started boxing because I thought this was the fastest way for a black person to make it in this country.”<\/p>\n
His behavior in and out of the ring was often outrageous, but he ended up being recognized as one of the most courageous people of the 20th century. He stood up for his convictions and became a role model for the black pride movement.
\n\u2022 He converted to Islam and joined the Nation of Islam, a radical group that many people saw as a threat to America’s social order.
\n\u2022 In 1964, he got rid of his \u201cslave name”, Cassius Clay, and became Muhammed Ali, a “free name” that reflected his new religion.
\n\u2022 In 1966, he gave up his world boxing championship and millions of dollars when he refused to be drafted, citing his religious beliefs and opposition to the Vietnam War.
\n\u2022 He rejected integration at the height of the civil rights movement,
\n\u2022 He was one of the strongest voices against the prevailing racial, religious and political beliefs. However, while he had joined an organization that emphasized strong family values, he had five marriages and two children outside of marriage.<\/p>\n