“Influence other black kids,” REAL reason behind US Army wanting Muhammad Ali for Vietnam War revealed
Years after the 1967 Vietnam War, basketball legend Oscar Robertson reveals why the US Army sought to draft Muhammad Ali.
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When Muhammad Ali declined to be drafted in the US Army for the 1967 Vietnam War (Image via Instagram)
Boxing legend Muhammad Ali was a trailblazer in the world of boxing. His immense influence inspired many individuals, including basketball legend Oscar Robertson. Interestingly, in 1967, Muhammad Ali was asked to join the US Army for the Vietnam War. Robertson, who was a close friend of Ali at the time, recently shared some fascinating insights about the boxing legend’s historic battle against the Army.
Oscar Robertson and Muhammad Ali shared a great camaraderie. As such, they often attended each other’s events. Robertson, also known as Big O, always heaped praises on Ali’s accomplishments in the world of boxing. Moreover, he also often spoke about Ali’s humanitarian work for African Americans. Robertson even discussed Ali’s famous battle against the US Army and why the Army wanted to draft Ali.
They (US Army) didn’t (Muhammad) Ali in military. Ali never even finished high school. They wanted Ali because they wanted him to influence other black kids… They didn’t really want him (Muhammad Ali) in the Army. He had been a disruption in the Army…
Oscar Robertson via ALL THE SMOKE
The United States of America has a very dark history with Racism. During the 1960s, it was at its peak. Muhammad Ali being an African American was an advocate against such discriminatory elements. His refusal to induct himself into the US Army was one such example. Ali stood firm on his decision to reject the draft, for which he even faced several consequences.
Following that, the Houston jury convicted Ali of violating the Universal Military Training and Service Act. Judge Joe E. Ingraham sentenced the boxing legend to five years in prison and fined him $10,000. Despite the verdict, Ali did not go to prison right away. He and his attorneys spent the next four years appealing the conviction. Meanwhile, as the Vietnam War grew increasingly unpopular, Ali made speeches on university campuses. Later, he became an antiwar and civil rights hero, and a popular activist as well.
Joe Rogan talks about the inactive period of Muhammad Ali’s career following the Vietnam War defiance
The UFC commentator Joe Rogan hosts the most popular podcast in the US, called the Joe Rogan Experience. Over the years, several prominent individuals have been guests on his podcast episodes. One of the highlights of the podcast is the high quality of the topics discussed.
The popular podcaster delves into various buzzing topics happening around the world. Moreover, Rogan even recalls some historical events, as he recently did when he talked about Muhammad Ali’s defiance to go to the Vietnam War.
Interestingly, when Judge Ingraham sentenced the boxing legend to prison, he also revoked Ali’s boxing license. During one of the recent episodes of the Joe Rogan Experience, Rogan recalled how Ali didn’t fight between 1967 and 1971.
Those three years where he (Muhammad Ali) protested the Vietnam War, in many ways that cemented Ali's legacy because he was such a cultural icon... They just removed him from boxing, wouldn't let him box for years and by the time he boxed again, people were so happy to see him again because they knew he was right...Joe Rogan via JRE #1961
Following that, Ali returned and continued his pro-boxing career until his retirement in 1981. His career record ended in an impressive number of 56 wins and 5 losses. Muhammad Ali’s extravagant journey as a professional boxer and an activist has inspired several individuals. As such, even though he is no more in this world, everyone remembers him.
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Nilaav Gogoi
(526 Articles Published)