Muhammad Ali and the top 5 culturally significant athletes ever

1. Muhammad Ali

No athlete can match Muhammad Ali when it comes to cultural significance. Ali was in a position of power because of his stature as the best boxer in the world. He used that power to stand up against inequality and against war. Ali was willing to sacrifice everything that he fought for in order to protest against the Vietnam War.

Muhammad Ali is still a symbol and role model for African-Americans and for Muslims. Ali was one of the first African-American athletes ever to take pride in his race. He took pride in his heritage and wasn’t afraid to challenge anyone who refused to respect that. Ali brought injustices to the public eye, transcending the sport of boxing to be an even better human being than he was a boxer.

Ali remained an ambassador to both the world and to boxing after his retirement. Even after his diagnosis with Parkinson’s disease, he used his fame to help fight for others. Muhammad Ali was a person who the world is clearly better for having. That’s all that any athlete can hope for. Ali created change and was more culturally significant than any athlete ever. The world of professional sports might never see another individual who equals his accomplishments.

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