The country had yet to see a black professional athlete show attitude reflected by statements such as, "No Viet Cong ever called me a nigger" (Gorsevski). Black professional athletes were supposed do their job and entertain, not take a stance against the U.S. government and question its foreign and domestic policies. Ali gave black Americans something to be proud of and someone to emulate. He was willing to go to jail, lose millions of dollars, and his heavyweight champion boxing title to stand by his beliefs. Ali explained his stance by stating boldly, "I will not disgrace my religion, my people or myself by becoming a tool to enslave those who are fighting for their own justice, freedom and equality" (Thibault). This quote reveals how Ali became a symbol of black defiance and influenced black Americans to fight for their rights. Ali's resolute confidence in himself and his beliefs helped show black Americans that their cause was entirely worth fighting for.

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             Ali's persona and bold comments about the Vietnam War and rights of black Americans added an inspiring element to Martin Luther King's approach of nonviolent protest for social change. As a pastor, Martin Luther King inspired black Americans through his passionate words and peaceful manner. Ali, however, was capable of stimulating and motivating people in ways that Martin Luther King could not. Ali was cocky, confident in both his abilities and beliefs. For example, Ali once claimed, "I'm not the greatest; I'm the double greatest "(Pettinger). In addition, Ali's success as a heavyweight boxer drew people to him and enabled him to inspire feelings other black leaders were incapable of. His confidence, power, and grace in the ring stirred people's emotions, and made black Americans want to stand up and fight for their rights. Because of sports' prominence in American culture, Ali was able to act as "a powerful megaphone for civil rights and racial justice"(Zirin).