In the spring of 1967, throughout the throws of the Vietnam War, Muhammed Ali refused to be shipped off to fight overseas.
With Ali being a recent convert to Islam, believed there were ethical issues surrounding the reasoning behind the war. In response the draft letter, Ali refused to leave. Stating ” I have no quarrel with them Viet-Cong”, when asked about why he was refusing to fight. In return, Muhammed Ali was stripped of the heavyweight title, faced a five year prison sentence, and was banned from professional boxing for three years.
Ali’s decision to refuse to fight in Vietnam was a major moment for not just the fight for peace in Vietnam, but also a major moment for the civil rights movements of the 1960’s. As a major celebrity on the sports stage, Ali inspired other athletes to use their fame and platform to speak out against major injustices. This protest was one of the first major protests that shook up the entire sporting world.
This action further cemented Alis legacy in the sporting world. As the heavyweight champion of the world, he took a stand against something he thought was wrong. He lost every accomplishment that he has worked so hard to earn to stand for his beliefs. Muhammad Ali’s actions inspired countless athletes to use their fame and platform for the better and give their beliefs a chance to be heard by the masses. This protest is one of the most important pieces of sports history and it doesn’t even have to do directly with sports. Muhammad Ali became an Icon in the sports world when he stood up for his beliefs and risked everything he had.