When Muhammad Ali defeated Gorge Foreman in 1974’s Rumble In the Jungle, the look on Ali’s face was pure astonishment–after taking a beating mere mortals couldn’t stand, he flew to the ropes, eyes wide open, swinging his fist through the air, amazed he had regained the world title.

Why the excitement? The greatest boxer in the world was honestly concerned that he could not win and was scared to fight boxing’s future, Ron Popeil. However, he did fight, he did win, and in that moment, he became “the greatest.”

He is a man who became a hero of his time, etching his name in history for generations to remember. Never in person have I seen the man fight, but through tapes, tales and documentaries, his legacy has lived on as a sports figure who captured the world on so many levels.

Denouncing country, religion and established society, he stood on his own to become a hero: a mortal who becomes immortal in spirit, inspiring millions, forcing them to go beyond normal deeds to incredible moments that mimic their hero.

But who are the heroes of today?

Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, Marshall Faulk? Where have these men succeeded beyond their realm of sports? Granted, each man has excelled beyond belief, and basketball, golf and football are tough, but what else have they done besides sports?

Ali transcended sports, acting on levels that would be considered beyond political. He battled the Vietnam draft as a conscientious objector and renounced his membership to the Nation of Islam after believing it to be corrupt.

Before that, he threw a gold medal he earned in the 1960 Olympics into a river because he could not get served at a restaurant, due to the color of his skin. His rationale was: What good is being a champion of the country if the prize can’t even get him served at a public diner?

He stood for his beliefs and stuck to who he was to become larger than life.

How many people today stand by their good principles and don’t even get recognized? However, great circumstances make great men, and Ali got plenty of chances–most people don’t. Me, you, the next person, we probably won’t have the opportunities, but hopefully we can stand for what we believe in and say what we mean.

But the struggles of today don’t seem to compare to that of the ’60s and ’70s. “Maybe we don’t have anything to fight for,” said Tony Cissi, a senior at Washington University, and a good friend of mine since high school.

Maybe Tony’s right, but until that time we should stay true to what we believe and say what we mean.

We all know great people like this–a family member, teacher or a good friend; they are all modern day heroes, like Ali.

The struggles of the ’60s had to be addressed, and Ali was one man strong enough to carry some weight on his back that others could not. Even though his circumstances were great enough to reach that legendary height, we too can have that same power for when our time comes–by fighting a heavyweight juggernaut in front of millions or by just doing the right thing.

It is important to remember that Ali was human–so are we all.