Is Muhammad Ali an American Hero?

[Mars_ax]

There's not any doubt that Ali was one of boxing's greatest HW champions, one of the most recognized/idolized people in the world, and made an impact on society, but is he an American hero?

[rjj tszyu]

I cannot really comment as I am not American but he is certainly a universal hero!

[marbleheadmaui]

He's certainly one of mine. Not for being a boxing immortal but for showing how civil disobedience is properly done. I disagreed with his action refusing to step forward and enter the service and being associated with slugs like the Black Muslims doesn't speak well of him. But he didn't run to Canada and he didn't sit there and say "woe is me." Instead he accepted his punishment as the cost of sticking to his principles. Ali acted like a man does.

Heros needn't be perfect.

[Mars_ax]

He's certainly one of mine. Not for being a boxing immortal but for showing how civil disobedience is properly done. I disagreed with his action refusing to step forward and enter the service and being associated with slugs like the Black Muslims doesn't speak well of him. But he didn't run to Canada and he didn't sit there and say "woe is me." Instead he accepted his punishment as the cost of sticking to his principles. Ali acted like a man does.

Heros needn't be perfect.

Good points, nobody is perfect, especially when we're young. Being the HW champion at the age of 22 must be an intoxicating experience. One thing you can say about Ali, like him or not, he did stick to his principals and he was a man. (anyone who doesn't believe this needs to watch "the thrilla")

There's never been anyone quite like Ali in or out of the ring, so yeah, i'd say he was an American hero.

[Dark Lord Al]

Cassius Clay was a top boxer who took bad advice from some questionable people.
He is no hero of mine , but I am not American.

[Mark TKO]

someone could come up with a list of a thousand reasons why Ali shouldn't be a hero to anyone

but it wouldn't matter he would continue to be so



so in answer to your question - yes

[Shamrock]

He's my idol. Although I found some of the remarks he made about Smokin Joe needlessly offensive and not always tounge in cheek.

He stood by his principles and risked losing everything (whether you agree for what he was standing up for or not is irrelevant) - very few people do that who have far less to lose.

The problem with giving someone hero status is that you expect them to be perfect and the simple fact is we are all human and none of us are perfect.

I'm English so can't really answer the original question but yep in my eyes the guy is a legend and a hero.