[Greg Nelson]

Clay did what a lot of us thought about doing during Vietnam. Elvis was a different era. I got drafted by the USMC in 1969 fresh out of college. I hated that so called war..but I went..2 tours actually..

[stadalberts]

Originally Posted by golf view

a big part of his legacy that isn't politically correct to talk about is how he took advantage of everything this country had to offer but was awol when his country asked him to serve in the military, i'm sure he wasn't a coward but it would have cost him a lot of lost revenue if he couldn't prize fight.
Think about the lost world
war ii years for real heroes like ted williams, hank greenberg, clark gable, jimmy stewart, etc. They answered the call. Not like this egotistical bigmouth. Another thing, he wasn't the greatest, just the loudest.

Exactly!!

[manaboutown]

Bill O'Reilly gave a poignant oral history of Clay/Ali last night. I learned Malcolm X took advantage of Clay and his earnings when he was young and naive and counseled him to evade the draft.

[parthree]

I'll not speak ill of the departed.

[RickeyD]

Originally Posted by parthree

I'll not speak ill of the departed.

Why not ? I'm sure he wouldn't care if he were still alive.

[Chi-Town]

Originally Posted by manaboutown

Bill O'Reilly gave a poignant oral history of Clay/Ali last night. I learned Malcolm X took advantage of Clay and his earnings when he was young and naive and counseled him to evade the draft.

I feel a book coming.......

[spk7951]

My wife & I met Ali and his family while we were vacationing on St Thomas in 1991. Short and pleasant conversation and then they sat at a table next to us for dinner that evening. Sad to see him struggle so to eat but through it all the number of folks who came over asking for autographs or pictures were all rewarded. He turned nobody down and even made like he was punching some young boy while posing for a picture.

[chuckinca]

RIP Muhammad Ali, you were a great boxer and very pretty.

.

[waynet]

exactly what did he take advantage of? He was a poor kid who had a talent and used it to make himself better. and to compare WW2 to Viet Nam? He didn't serve because of religious beliefs and it cost him fans and lots of money but unlike others he stuck to his beliefs. He was a true champion.

[redwitch]

Originally Posted by waynet

exactly what did he take advantage of? He was a poor kid who had a talent and used it to make himself better. and to compare WW2 to Viet Nam? He didn't serve because of religious beliefs and it cost him fans and lots of money but unlike others he stuck to his beliefs. He was a true champion.

Totally agree. Ali didn't run to Canada. He went to prison for three years, while in his prime. Do you really think he would have been sent to Nam? He would have been used for recruiting. he truly stuck to his beliefs. A lot more honor in his actions than those who ran to Canada or got deferments.

To me, he was a hero. A great champion in the ring. A man of conviction outside of it. One who has showed great courage in his battle with Parkinson's.

RIP Muhammad Ali. Thanks for sharing your life and talents with us.

[spuds51]

Originally Posted by redwitch

Totally agree. Ali didn't run to Canada. He went to prison for three years, while in his prime. Do you really think he would have been sent to Nam? He would have been used for recruiting. he truly stuck to his beliefs. A lot more honor in his actions than those who ran to Canada or got deferments.

To me, he was a hero. A great champion in the ring. A man of conviction outside of it. One who has showed great courage in his battle with Parkinson's.

RIP Muhammad Ali. Thanks for sharing your life and talents with us.

Ali went to prison for three years? Did not know that.

[manaboutown]

Originally Posted by spuds51

Ali went to prison for three years? Did not know that.

Although convicted of draft evasion he successfully appealed the conviction. He never went to prison, never even spent a night in jail for refusing induction into the military.

He was barred from boxing for three years.

[spuds51]

Originally Posted by manaboutown

Although convicted of draft evasion he successfully appealed the conviction. He never went to prison, never even spent a night in jail for refusing induction into the military.

He was barred from boxing for three years.

To be honest I thought that was the case. In 1964 Cassius Clay jr. joined the Black Muslims and changed his name from (in his words) his slave name. He claimed to the draft board he was a minister but they saw through that and classified him 1-A.

[Taltarzac725]

Muhammad Ali refuses Army induction - Apr 28, 1967 - HISTORY.com

I do agree that Muhammad Ali probably would have been made a public relations mouthpiece for the war and not seen any combat.

[spuds51]

Originally Posted by Taltarzac725

Muhammad Ali refuses Army induction - Apr 28, 1967 - HISTORY.com

I do agree that Muhammad Ali probably would have been made a public relations mouthpiece for the war and not seen any combat.

Maybe, how knows? Ted Williams was a star baseball player and served three years during WWII and was called back to active duty during the Korea war/police action. He flew in 39 combat missions. He didn't want to go either, nor did most that were drafted.