Courage Muhammad Ali
"It isn't the mountains ahead to climb that wear you out; it's the pebble in your shoe."

—Muhammad Ali


Muhammad Ali was raised Cassius Clay in a small home in Louisville, Kentucky. From those humble beginnings neither he nor any observer at that time could have fathomed the path he would carve through life. He was a Golden Gloves champion at age 17, an Olympic gold medalist at age 18, and an undefeated heavyweight champion at age 22.

His fighting career began when, spurred by the theft of his prized new bicycle, he was out to get the person responsible. Ali was venting his anger at the local gym, when the perceptive policeman Joe Martin admonished, “You better learn to box first.” And box he did. Within a week he had his first match and first win. This feisty, 89-pound young man was ready to take on the world. And before his career in the ring ended, the world would know his name as the man crowned heavyweight champion three times—the greatest.

Outside of athletics, too, Ali never shirked at standing up for what he believed in. A prominent civil rights activist beginning in the 1960s, he took his conviction for draft evasion as a conscientious objector all the way to the Supreme Court, which overturned his conviction in 1971. He used his words as well as his fists, recording two spoken-word albums and an R&B song and earning two Grammy nominations; writing two autobiographies; and acting in several films and a Broadway musical.

Ultimately, his greatest fight was not in the ring. After beating the world’s toughest human opponents, it was Parkinson’s disease that would prove to be his final foe. In true Ali style, he met this challenge head on. Instead of shrinking from this difficulty, he stepped onto the world stage once more as a champion. His tireless work raising money to fight this debilitating disease inspired thousands and endeared him to a new generation of admirers around the world even beyond his death in 2016. As he was in the ring, he remains in our eyes—the greatest.

Courage
Pass It On®

This billboard about Courage features Muhammad Ali.

Pass It On®

YOUR COMMENT

Note: All comments are reviewed before posting.

We can do this no matter what punch life throws at you

Camden from Portage Indiana, January 10, 2024

<3

Fortnite from Floridia, November 13, 2023

Ali the G.O.A.T

Anonymous, November 13, 2023

Very Physically and mentally strong balance

Anonymous, January 23, 2023

I love your work

Acha Mercy from Nigeria, March 21, 2022

it is cool how he was 17 when he was boxing then 18 when he was an Olympics then 22 when undrafted champion

Riley from river fall, October 12, 2021

I love your billboards and quotes!

Maggie from Walpole,MA, June 5, 2020

Ali. Truly the greatest. We ll continue to remember him

Rotimi Ogunwemimo from Abeokuta. Nigeria, July 5, 2019

Muhammad Ali was such a great man. He will be missed, and he will never be forgotten. R.I.P Ali

Anonymous, November 30, 2018

Very insperational

Anonymous, January 29, 2018

THIS IS GOOD

Anonymous, October 6, 2017

hi

walon, August 31, 2017

good

waylon, August 31, 2017

what a great man athlete and friend R.I.P Ali

someone on earth from somewhere on earth, June 4, 2017

Never give up your dreams

Kelsey Soper from St. James Middle School, November 3, 2016

R.I.P.

Anonymous, October 31, 2016

R.I.P Ali

Davian, October 18, 2016

never give up on your dreams

Dylan from Rines , September 27, 2016

encouraging

Anonymous, September 20, 2016

ho accomplished life.

unkown from johto reigon, September 19, 2016

This man was a good man, a great man. Strong, yet gentle. Fierce yet soft.

KAR from Not gonna say, September 13, 2016

great story

spencer from platteville, September 8, 2016

this is a good story

no name from unknown school, September 8, 2016

he was good

LMS from SCHOOL, September 6, 2016

Ali was the world's greatest boxer and he was from the same city

Sunny from Peace of mind, July 21, 2016

This is pretty good because muhammed ali is a total g

Juan lopez from chinatown toronto, on, July 20, 2016

When we call him "The Greatest" we're not just referencing boxing. We speak of his courage in & outside the ring, especially outside.

A Fan from Laurel, MD, July 17, 2016

The Fighter Is Still Fighting. He Win Until The End!

Delilah from MI, April 16, 2016

Such courage

Matthew from Green, April 4, 2016

Great man.

Fred from 43830, March 2, 2016

cool

Anonymous, January 14, 2016

He is the boxer of all time! He still is a fighter!

Sam, November 22, 2015

awesome story

alex from fenton, November 3, 2015

He is the best in the world. That is all there is to say. Better that Mayweather.

NULL from NULL, July 6, 2015

You are a role model you will be in history nothing will ever stop you no matter what.

Elijah from Junction City, April 28, 2014

your a hero to everybody

eliajh from JC,KS, April 28, 2014

The best boxer in the world!

Michael from Miami, January 29, 2014

He was awesome

Unknown from school, January 29, 2014

DA BEST

SANIC from GREN HILL ZON, January 28, 2014

greatest fighter ever !!!!!!

Jeovanni from Ocean Academy, September 3, 2013

this is really good keep it up

chuckles from scranton , May 30, 2013

This website should do a profile on Neil Armstrong.

guick from australia, May 7, 2013

He's awesome and religious plus this website rocks!

guick from school, May 7, 2013

Truly amazing!

guick from school, May 7, 2013

This man was drafted during the Vietnam War. He did not believe in killing and refused to enter the Army. He did not flee the the US, he gave up his championship and served time in jail for what he believed in. I did not believe as he believed, I served 4 years but I have complete admiration for him standing up for what he believed in and paid the price while others fled. He is a true hero.

David from Florida, March 10, 2013

He's such an inspiratinal man. He promotes motivation, courage, determination, strength, etc. :)

Dana F. from America, March 22, 2012

well i naver knew that much about him but now i do it was very interresting and know i know a little bit.

tiana carr from school, January 9, 2012

Very inspiring!

Max Wickershamer from Florida, May 3, 2011

A model to follow... The greatest fighter is the greatest man.

Ron Rigal from Ontario, March 28, 2011

I love this website.

Renae.T from Colonie, January 10, 2011

I say the same thing as Tyler, cool.

Carl S. from Lexington, SC, May 21, 2010

This dude is the best BOXER in the world, I want to be him one day!!!!

Tyler F. from Lexington, SC, May 20, 2010

You rock man!!!!!

Ashley, B from Texas, May 17, 2010

This site is really doing a great job, keep it up. I wish this site's work will go on forever.

Kirthishri M. V. from Bangalore, India, November 3, 2009

He floats like a butterfly and stings like a bee!!!

Doanldo O. Pena from BHHS, May 19, 2009

This billboard is very correct. Discrimination and racism was a huge problem in a lot of African Americans lives and I'm very proud of him for sucking it up and doing what he loves even with all of the problems he faces.

Christy B. from Your Mom, April 6, 2009

I am glad that the people of the United States are starting to recognizing it's citizens as to what they truly are, color and beliefs aside - 'Americans'! No longer am I separated from others by race or creed or ethnicity. Pride only touches the surface of an emotion I have for knowing that this beautiful person is my 'brother.'

Eric A. from Colorado Springs, Colorado, February 24, 2009

Only the greatest could inspire and encourage as he has done from a humble beginning to overcoming everything that has gotten in his way- not backing down but going forward taking all that he experienced in life to make him what he has become. Truly and inspiration to the world.

Mark M. from Fort Payne, AL, December 30, 2008

I grew up in a prejudice household which could not, and chose not to understand Ali. Now that I have witnessed the type of man he is, I am ashamed. He is a great man that deserves nothing but respect.

Terry from Arizona, December 9, 2008

I also remember when Ali was the one who received the Olympic torch last and lit the flame at a recent Olympics. He indeed symbolizes greatness and is one among many great examples worth following presented here. Ordinary human beings who did extraordinary things.

Robert R. from Los Angeles, CA, May 9, 2008

Ali's life as taught me that all things are possible, and not everyone will believe me; so I just continue to believe in myself.

Deborah A. from Fort Worth, TX, April 24, 2008

This site is so inspirational.

William L. from Burnt Hills, New York USA, March 11, 2008

Over six billion people are on this planet but individual paths guide us all.

George S. from Kansas City, MO, December 14, 2007

Can I just say, this site is ABSOLUTELY AWESOME!!!

Anonymous, December 11, 2007

He showed incredible courage opposing the unjust war in Vietnam. A true American hero.

David K. from New York, December 7, 2007

His biggest fight is his battle with Parkinson's disease. The greatest fight he will have to endure in his lifetime!

Mel M. from Philippines, November 18, 2007

Truly encouraging; someone to emulate.

Christopher A. from Dublin, Ireland, September 14, 2007

Courage is everything.

Manasa M. from Nigeria, August 23, 2007

Beautifully and intelligently done, with heart. Inspiring. Thank you!

Ellen K. from Massachusetts, USA, August 9, 2007

He is a very good example for more generations to come. His story comply with the story of the ant, never tired of trying and re-trying to be on TOP scale.

Mdowsar from Syria, July 21, 2007

It tells me why I should have confidence and courage in life despite the challenges I encounter.

Muthama S from Kikima, Kenya, July 9, 2007

Ali is The Greatest - more because of life outside the ring than in - we may never know the many acts of kindness he performed

Tom E from Sacramento, California USA, June 15, 2007

I like it

Sara from Bahrain, May 29, 2007

Perfect! Very Very nice work!

Dimitris V from Greece, May 23, 2007

amazing...

Tugay Tunaboylu, May 2, 2007

The greatest of them all...

YF from London, April 28, 2007

really inspiring....these little stories charge u up when u r at the ebb of life!!!

Anonymous, March 21, 2007

Here are some other billboards you might like.