Muhammad Ali

In the 1950s, a young African American boy named Cassius Clay was told he couldn't enter restaurants, swim in pools, or even have a drink of water—all because of his skin color. A burning anger grew in the heart of the boy and then in the soul of the young man who would come to be known as Muhammad Ali. Ali would find his release and his future in the sport of boxing. In turn, the fame boxing brought him allowed him to express his beliefs to the world. And Ali was as fearless with his voice as he was with his opponennts in the ring. Though Ali was often criticized and even punished for speaking his mind, he refused to let anyone tell him who he could or could not be—uncommon bravery during this time in the United States. It was this bravery that would earn Ali worldwide respect, three heavyweight championships, and the title "The Greatest."