American Apotheosis

The influence that modern sports have had on society within the past few centuries is profound. Billions of individual’s worldwide tune in through various forms of media in order to support their most revered establishment. Throughout the hardships and adversities that humanity has overcame, and will continue to overcome, one can turn to the world of sports to escape from these destitutions. The athletic activities provide and fuel the competitive spirit found deep within, and permits supporters to have the greatest amount of encouragement and backing of an organization possible. As society has progressed through a multitude of circumstances, the world of sports has adjusted its standing in society in order to stay relevant and withhold

Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. later known as Muhammad Ali, was a black boxer, and was proud of it. Many African Americans were ashamed of their color, but Ali was different. He was the first boxer to win the Heavyweight Championship 3 different times. He had a great personality and was liked by the people. During his life, he made big decisions that changed the course of his life completely. Muhammad Ali's journey through life was a great inspiration for African American people, but Ali himself deserves the admiration of everyone.

In Chapter 10 of Religion and Popular Culture in America, Joseph L. Price attempts to show sports as an example of popular culture as religion, because of its ability to shape the engagement of their fans and the fan’s environments. Although the majority of fans do not see sports as coming close to being a religion, Price gives several compelling reasons as to why sports are religion.

Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. or commonly known as Muhammad Ali, Was one of the greatest boxers who ever lived. Ali thrived in a world that was run by whites. Ali figured out at a young age that he is going to face a lot of problems in his life. Ali inspired people of all races to keep persevering through life and to help others. Not only was Muhammad Ali a revolutionary fighter he was also a revolutionary political figure. Ali was an enormous influence on the way America is today, by fighting battles inside and outside of the ring.

Muhammad Ali was a professional boxer during the 1960’s and 70’s, and was the heavyweight champion for many years. Muhammad Ali was born with the name Cassius Clay Jr. on January 17th, 1942, but changed his name to Muhammad Ali when he converted to Islam. He was the son of Cassius Clay Sr. and Odessa Clay. He was 6’3” tall and fought at the weight of 210 pounds, in the heavyweight division. He started boxing when he was only 12 years old, and won his first fight by split decision, and won the Golden Gloves Tournament for amateurs when he was 14. Ali also competed in the 1960 Rome Olympics and won a gold medal for boxing at only 18 years old. He became the heavyweight champion of the world in 1963 when he beat Sonny Liston who held a record

Sport is a global phenomenon, it is a common between all the nations of the world there is not one culture that has not engaged in a way or another in some type of sporting activity; such activities are not only often physically challenging and mentally stimulating – they also provide a sense of belonging and personal meaning to people’s lives. In American culture like many other cultures worldwide winning is highly prized and cherished by fame and money from audiences and sponsors.

Early in muhammad ali's life he was born with the name Cassius Clay but later changed it to Muhammad ali. When he was about 12 his dad bought him a bike and a few days later he was riding and a gang of kids jumped him and stole his bike. A month later his dad signed him up for boxing lessons so he could defend himself if anything bad ever happened. (17)

The relationship between sport and society is often complex in nature, sometime emotional, and deeply personal. Part of the complexity can be explained as we explore our attachment to early American Baseball, Babe Ruth and evolving relationship within America’s immigrant communities. “Sports represents a window into the soul of the culture of it’s’ participants”. (Prettyman). Self-described as America pastime, it is a reflection of society. Baseball "reflected broader changes in society and maintained a special place in American culture and to that end, as Americans struggled, during the transitional period from an agrarian to an industrial environment, to find components for a national identity (Tygiel)”. Baseball continued to operate as a work in progress as it reflected the business of sports, society and economic growth occurred during a tumultuous time period. Full of social inequalities, baseball exploded in popularity during the 1920’s with an unlikely hero situated for the uprising. Babe Ruth, baseball’s most popular player of the time was the beneficiary of society's fascination with celebrity. As a star, Babe Ruth was a central link that helped to cement sports, society and its racial culture together.

In the Article, “Professional Athletes Should Not Engage in Excessive Religious Expression,” author Jonathan Zimmerman believes that religious expression should not be involved in sports. When most players express Christian faith, it alienates other religions. Schools banned religious acts, so should sports. Zimmerman thinks that if other faiths practiced their religion on the field, the news announcers wouldn’t celebrate them as men of faith. He believes there is favoritism to one religion over the others. Zimmerman says the problem isn’t their religion but assuming that everyone follows the Christian belief.

She is currently a professor of Religious Studies. The audience for this article is exploring religion in sports. They are particularly interested in the history of religion in sport within the United States.

“[...]the fight went to a split decision. Predictably, the winner was Cassius Clay(Lipsyte pg 15).” After that the crude bad crowd-pleasing slugger, Cassius soon became a regular on Tomorrow's Champions, and a neighborhood celebrity. With his neighborhood and fans, he went out to get the heavyweight crown. “And so the callout for the handsome young fighter to rescue the heavyweight crown, to snatch it away from the monster and bring it back to the light(Lipsyte pg 36).” Clay now set his course for a championship with the new heavyweight king, Sonny Liston. Ali, wit over confidents, said,”If listen beats me, the next day I'll be on the sidewalk hollering”No man beats me twice,” I’ll be screaming for a rematch.” Listen was convinced clay wa crazy, and a local boxing commission doctor reported that his pulse was an abnormally high, 120 because clay was “scared to death.” clays never quit attitude brought him the victory.” [...] as the referee raised Clay’s hand in triumph.”(Lipsyte pg 46) Ali’s rude and over confident attitude made him a mean and undefeatable champion. On a bouth he said,”I’m through talking,” said the new heavyweight champion of the world,” all I have to do is be a nice, clean,

Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr was born in Louisville, Kentucky on January 14, 1942. He was named after his father, Cassius Marcellus Clay, Sr. After twenty two years, he replaced his name to Muhammad Ali after converting to Islam in 1964. It is said, “Cassius Clay is a slave name. I didn’t choose it and I don’t want it. I am Muhammad Ali, a free name – it means beloved of God – and I insist people use it when people speak to me and of me.” (Muhammad Ali’s biography page 1). The whole situation about his name lead to banning him from

Cassius Clay, the great, Muhammad Ali, all the names given to one of the most influential African American people in the history of the world. The impact and decisions that occurred in Muhammad Ali’s life even today have affected the way African Americans life is. Most people know Ali as being one of the greatest boxers of all time. He was also nicknamed by many as the champ. All that is true and yes he was one of the greatest boxers of all time and that is a fact. Those are the most common facts about Ali, the facts that the average common person knows but many don’t know much about the other side of Ali. The side that stood of for his rights and what he believed in even though many people in the country scrutinize him and his decisions.

Christians need teachings that can help them be aware of the popular culture on religion. Christians should be aware of how strongly they feel about sports that it begins to verge on being a form of religion for them.

Muhammad Ali is one of the most recognized faces on planet Earth; known not just for being one of the best fighters in the history of boxing, but for being one of the most knowledgeable persons of the twentieth century. Ali wasn't always known by that name though, he was born Cassius Marcellus Clay on January 17, 1942 in Louisville, Kentucky, him and his younger brother Rudolph had many small conflicts like any brothers would have, but they were, and still are blessed with having a very close relationship (Hauser, 2).