Capitol Report
By State Representative, Leon D. Young
Leon D. Young
Make no mistake about, Muhammad Ali was clearly the most polarizing a superstar as the sports world has ever produced – both admired and vilified in the 1960s and ‘70s for his religious, political and social stances.
His refusal to be drafted during the Vietnam War, his rejection of racial integration at the height of the civil rights movement, his conversion from Christianity to Islam and the changing of his “slave” name, Classius Clay, to one bestowed by the separatist Black sect he joined, the Lost-Found Nation of Islam, were perceived as serious threats by the conservative establishment and noble acts of defiance by the liberal opposition.
With that being said, the enormity of Muhammad Ali’s life is difficult, if not impossible, to encapsulate. What he was able to accomplish in his lifetime was beyond remarkable. Ali once said and believed: Impossible is just a word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they’ve been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It’s an opinion. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing. In fact, he led his entire life with this same vim, valor and vitality.
They said it was impossible for him to beat Sonny Liston, however Ali defeated him not once, but twice to capture and retain the heavyweight championship. They said it was impossible for him to get off the canvas after being knocked down by a thunderous right hook from Joe Frazier in the 15th round of their championship bout in 1971, but Ali summoned the will and fortitude to get up and finish the fight — suffering his first career loss by unanimous decision.
They said it was impossible for Ali to beat the once-invincible George Foreman, but Ali found the strength to knock Foreman out in the 8th round of their historic Rumble in the Jungle encounter. They said it was it impossible for Ali to dispatch his arch-nemesis, Joe Frazier, in the ring, but again Ali proved up to the task in destroying Frazier in their epic, near death battle: The Thrilla in Manila. However, the venue of perhaps Muhammad Ali’s greatest triumph happened not in a boxing ring, but rather, in a court of law.
In 1967, he was banned from his livelihood and stripped of his heavyweight belt for refusing Army induction because of his religious beliefs. This cost him three-and-a-half-years away from his sport during the prime of his boxing career.
He lost millions of dollars in prize money for standing up for what he believed.
Finally, in 1971, the Supreme Court reversed his earlier conviction with a unanimous, 8-0, decision that legally vindicated Muhammad Ali. After retiring in 1981, Ali soon learned that he had Parkinson’s syndrome, a condition that he endured for 32 years until his death.
Several doctors have speculated that it was brought on by too many punches to the head. The diagnosis was later changed to Parkinson’s disease, according to his wife, Lonnie.
She said it had been brought on by Ali’s exposure to pesticides and other toxic chemicals at his training camp in Deer Lake, Pennsylvania.
But, just like so many things in his life, this health setback would not stop Muhammad Ali. Ali spent the latter part of his life making appearances that emphasized spirituality, peace and tolerance.
He was truly a world ambassador. Much has been said and much will be written about Muhammad Ali and rightfully so.
He was clearly one of the most compelling figures of the 20th Century. He led an extraordinary life that that seemed to span several lifespans.
And yet, in doing so, he taught the world many life lessons. If there was a supertitle to Ali’s operatic life, it was this: I don’t have to be who you want me to be, I’m free to be who I want.” This is sage advice that we all should remember — and cherish.