Beyond the Boxer: Ali and the Humanitarian Within
1997
The Arthur Ashe Award for Courage was presented to Muhammad Ali on February 10, 1997 for "reflect[ing] the spirit of Arthur Ashe, possessing strength in the face of adversity, courage in the face of peril, and the willingness to stand up for [his] beliefs no matter what the cost."
According to articles from the time, Ali received a standing ovation when he was presented with the award.
The Arthur Ashe Award for Courage is presented as a part of the Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly Awards hosted by ABC, previously by ESPN, and is considered one of the most prestigious awards in sports. The award is named for the legendary American tennis player Arthur Ashe (1943-1993) and is sometimes referred to as the Arthur Ashe Courage and Humanitarian Award.
