Happy Birthday Muhammad Ali...

Happy Birthday Muhammad Ali: In my opinion, the preeminent sports icon in American and perhaps world history has turned 65 today. Seen as a boxer who revolutionized and transcended the sport, he won the heavyweight title three times & was known for his outspokenness and flamboyance.

However, he may be remembered for his stance against the Vietnam War in 1967, when he refused to enlist in the Army because of his religious beliefs. Hated and reviled at that time, he missed more than 3 years of potential earning power via boxing, as he had his license stripped by the U.S. Boxing Association.

Ali returned to boxing in 1970 and regained his form that made him great. Wins over peer and fellow legends, Joe Frazier and George Foreman have only helped to cement his legend amongst all sports fans.

In the end, Parkinson’s disease my have robbed Ali of his voice and much control of his motor movements, but not of his soul and his spirit.

For man who proclaimed himself “The Greatest”, the way he lived his life, boxed with his heart, and stood up for his ideals make him so.

* The video above is a retrospective of him I found on Youtube.