Besides being "The Greatest" and the Heavyweight Champ of the World, Muhammad Ali was a devout Muslim. His religious beliefs guided his life. In fact, he followed his religious bent when he declined enlisting in the U.S. Army in 1967 (at the height of the Vietnam War). His refusal to join the U.S. Military after being drafted was highly irregular at the time, and he faced prison (not to mention having his World Heavyweight Boxing title rescinded - and all of the earning potential that went along with it). Still, Muhammad Ali stuck with his beliefs, and took the conviction for draft-evasion. He was no draft-dodger, like many American males who fled to Canada and/or burned their draft cards. No, not Muhammad Ali. He believed that his status as a conscientious objector should be accepted, and he appealed his conviction all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. In 1971, after four years not being able to play his sport, he resumed the fight towards earning the heavyweight title when the Supreme Court overturned his conviction. Of course "The Greatest" lived up to his dub as he beat George Foreman in 1974 to once again win the Heavyweight boxing title. In February 1978, Ali lost to Leon Spinks, but later that year, regained the Heavyweight Boxing Title for the 3rd and final time beating Spinks on September 15th in New Orleans. In addition to being a gold medal winner for boxing (representing the USA in the 1960 Olympics in Rome) and being the WBA Heavyweight Champ, Ali was honored in 1999 as he was named "Sportsman of the Century" by Sports Ilustrated magazine. Besides being a great boxer, Muhammad Ali influenced public politicies towards civil rights for all Americans with his many speaking engagements and his outlandish celebrity personality. He surely advanced social integrity making him a HOSS indeed! The Eagle Hoss & Hound podcast is a platform for respect. Respect for the Eagle - the individual with a service background (including spouses). Respect for the Hoss - the Social Integrity Hero from our American past. Plus, respect for the Hound - the common #AmericanMutt - you and me. Follow @EagleIMBUED - J.D. Collier
https://linktr.ee/eagleIMBUED