the courage, and the sublime boxing skills all of which made him "the Greatest". But it was his wisdom, and what he did outside of the ring is what made him into one of the most inspiring leaders. His fearlessness in speaking out as a young, black man at a time when young, black men did not have much of a voice in our society. As a Muslim, his courage on his convictions, refusing to be inducted into the armed services as a conscientious objector during the Vietnam War, a decision that was met by ridicule and condemnation by many. It cost him nearly four years -- between 1967 and 1970 -- of what should have been the prime of his glorious career.