Colin Kaepernick has drawn comparisons to Muhammad Ali for the stand he is taking by protesting the national anthem, but Ali’s ex-wife does not believe that chatter is warranted.
Khalilah Camacho Ali, who was married to Muhammad from 1967 to 1976, told TMZ over the weekend that Kaepernick should not be proud of refusing to stand for the national anthem.
“What he’s doing right now is not heroic,” Khalilah says. “I would love to meet with him or talk to him on the phone to help share his message in a better way.”
Khalilah was married to the former heavyweight champion when he refused to fight in the Vietnam War, and she says she advised him on that decision.
“I helped Muhammad decide whether he was going to the army or going to jail,” Khalilah said. “He listened to my every word. You see the impact that had on our nation? Colin could absolutely have the same impact if he made the right decisions to really make a difference.”
If Khalilah was advising Kaepernick, she says she would first tell him to apologize for disrespecting the American flag. Like many others before her, she does not believe the act itself accomplishes anything.
“I will help him meet the groups that will fight with him, donate to charities of all people — not just minorities — because we cannot single anyone out,” said Khalilah. “If he wants isolation to end, he needs to prove that he cares about all people, and not just his people.
“If he is willing to get off his high horse and humble himself, we could do a lot of good together.”
Unfortunately, Ali is not around to share his opinion on Kaepernick. We have no way of knowing if he agrees with his ex-wife, but some have argued that Muhammad made far more sacrifices by having to give up his boxing license for three years and almost facing jail time. Although, there have been reports that Kaepernick has considered a major lifestyle change.
