Boxing great, social icon Muhammad Ali dies at 74

No he didn't SHM, he damn sure didn't. But Clinton used "I'm in school", to get out, and Bush used connections to get him assigned to the NG when his number came up.

REAL TALK!!!

SSG Warren Swan - that's what it is!

MCPO Roger Collins - Elvis would never had been sent to the front lines of Nam had he served. I know this will sound wrong, but he had a winning complexion for the time period. Ali did not. Champ or no champ. Yes being he didn't go someone else might've paid the price, but the fact that he was openly stating what was really going on at the time shows his integrity. Knowing he did his time and maintained what he was in there for, shows it wasn't a "passing" thought or fad. Looking at some of the more notable dodgers, one who couldn't fight and stayed home in the NG, would wind up being the one who took us into the worst war in the history of America. Another refused to support MLK day in his state before he became president. Another who swears he's what America needs and he'll "make America great again" played the game using his so called "medical conditions". Ali could be considered a CO when you look at it. He wasn't anti-America, he was against the fact that he cannot go eat with the same folks who he had to fight for. He couldn't use the same facilities or maybe had to use a side or back door since colored folks were looked down on so bad. Hero? Depends on how you look at it. I truly admire his determination and his stance in regards to civil rights. What is weird about this is even today, we deploy willingly (or not), but the argument today is the same as then "I'm here to give you what I cannot have in my own country". Ali was a great man in the ring, but it was his work with the kids that will endear him to many. He really did serve his nation, just in a very unorthodox manner.

First for the ill informed. Ali first draft exam he tested 4F. For those who don't know what 4F is. It means not eligible for military service. He was a product of a Jim Crowe education and couldn't read or wright past a second grade level. So when they realized who he was. He was asked to retest which he did. He went from 4F to A1. Still unable to read or wright. So faced with this he decided to protest. He never dodged anything he disagreed. And also for the horribly wrong the SCOTUS upheld his side in an 8 to 0 ruling. So before you judge him. I want you to imagine winning a gold medal for your country then coming home and be told to sit in the back of the bus

SSG Warren Swan - All, I can say is thank you.

You are aware he tested 4F correct. The champ was functionally illiterate.