[RickeyD]

Originally Posted by spuds51

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.

WWII was a war where every able bodied man & woman was needed to destroy the axis. Vietnam was no threat to our national security. Thus, Ali definitely would have been used for a PR campaign to never see combat.
Honestly, if I were a black man of draft age in the sixties I wouldn't serve either. Knowing myself, I would have shed my slave name as well. He was a product of the time. A time when inequality was considered fairness by the majority.

[redwitch]

My mistake. I honestly thought he had gone to prison. Regardless, he lost millions by refusing the draft. His title was taken from him and he was banned from boxing for three years. he really did stand behind his convictions.

[Chi-Town]

Billy Crystal at Ali's funeral service injected some humor into his eulogy. Quite a who's who among speakers, eulogists, and pall bearers. What a legacy.

Billy Crystal Evokes Laughter at Ali Funeral - YouTube