Muhammad Ali would have turned 84 on Jan. 17, and his life remains the definitive blueprint for the socially conscious athlete. While his unmatched footwork and lightning-fast jab made him a three-time world heavyweight champion, it was his willingness to sacrifice his livelihood for his principles that elevated him from a sports star to a global symbol of liberation.

Born Cassius Clay in Louisville, Kentucky in 1942, the young fighter rose to national prominence after winning a gold medal at the 1960 Olympics. His professional ascent reached its peak in 1964 when he upset Sonny Liston to claim the heavyweight crown. However, his most significant transformation occurred outside the ring shortly after the bout, when he joined the Nation of Islam and adopted the name Muhammad Ali, rejecting what he termed his "slave name."

In 1967, Ali faced a crossroads that would define his legacy. Citing his religious convictions, he refused induction into the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. His famous assertion that he had no quarrel with the Viet Cong challenged the American establishment and highlighted the hypocrisy of sending Black men to fight for freedom abroad while they were denied basic rights at home. The stance resulted in a three-year ban from boxing during his physical prime, a period from age 25 to 28 that most athletes never recover from.

Despite the loss of his title and license, Ali became a pivotal voice for the anti-war movement and civil rights, speaking at universities across the country. His legal battle eventually reached the U.S. Supreme Court, which overturned his conviction in 1971. This victory vindicated his stance and paved the way for his return to the ring, where he participated in legendary fights like  the "Rumble in the Jungle" against George Foreman and the "Thrilla in Manila" against Joe Frazier.

Later in life, Ali faced a different kind of opponent in Parkinson’s disease, a diagnosis he received in 1984. Even as his physical movements slowed, his voice remained a tool for change. He spent his final decades as a humanitarian, often using his platform to clarify the peaceful nature of Islam and to advocate for global understanding.

When Ali passed away on June 3, 2016, at age 74, he left behind a world forever changed by his courage. On his birthday, he is remembered not just for how he fought in the ring, but for how he used his fame to fight for the dignity of humanity.