The Cleveland Summit of 1967 was a historic meeting where a group of prominent Black athletes and activists gathered to support Muhammad Ali after he refused to be drafted into the Vietnam War. These men stood in solidarity with Ali, defending his decision based on his religious beliefs and opposition to the war. The gathering remains a powerful symbol of Black unity and athlete activism.
Here are the key figures who supported Muhammad Ali at the Cleveland Summit:
- Jim Brown – Legendary NFL running back and activist, Jim Brown organized the summit and was a vocal supporter of Black empowerment. He used his influence to bring athletes together to defend Ali’s stance.
- Bill Russell – Boston Celtics legend and civil rights activist. Russell had long been outspoken on issues of race and justice and stood in solidarity with Ali during the summit.
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (then Lew Alcindor) – A star college basketball player at UCLA at the time, Abdul-Jabbar would go on to become an NBA icon. His presence at the summit signaled the younger generation’s support for Ali.
- Bobby Mitchell – A Hall of Fame NFL player and the first Black star for the Washington Football Team. He added his voice to the chorus of athletes supporting Ali’s right to stand up for his beliefs.
- Walter Beach – A former NFL player for the Cleveland Browns and civil rights activist, Beach was a key participant in the summit, known for his work advocating for Black equality.
- Carl Stokes – Although primarily known for becoming the first Black mayor of a major U.S. city (Cleveland), Stokes attended the summit in support of Ali, representing the political side of Black leadership.
- Willie Davis – A Hall of Fame NFL defensive end who played for the Green Bay Packers, Davis was another prominent figure who showed solidarity with Ali during this crucial moment.
- Curtis McClinton – A running back for the Kansas City Chiefs, McClinton was also at the summit, offering support as part of the athlete-activist movement.
- John Wooten – Another Cleveland Browns player, Wooten was a key supporter and a proponent of racial justice both in sports and society.