◆ SpookStack

B Exploitation of Negro Athletes Noted Negro athletes, with many admirers among members of all races, are exploited by the NOI to gain publicity for the cult. The NOI has been most successful in this regard with heavyweight boxing champion Cassius Clay. Clay was known prior to his title fight with Sonny Liston on February 25, 1964, as the "great mouth” and "the impish chatterbox who dabbled in verse." Clay's "I-am-the-greatest" antics brought him con- siderable news coverage. On many occasions, he had been asked by the press about his reputed Muslim connections. During interviews at that time, he gave the impression that he was not a Muslim member, although he admitted his respect for the religion. Then, the day after Clay's defeat of Liston, which greatly surprised the sports world, Elijah Muhammad announced to the annual Muslim convention in Chicago that Cassius Clay was a follower of the Muslims and had accepted him as the "Messenger of Allah." Elijah claimed that the reason Clay had not been defeated was that "Allah and myself said no." Clay then told the press that he had been a member of the Muslims e jee 4 “ 2 A A oe iy ee PH Pat ek HOP g4V Yeacn. reas ade GYOCHLS .GO Uy Lo al Wi laa dead See os Clay's own father, speaking earlier to the press about his son, said that the Muslims had been "hammering at him and brainwashing him" ever since he had won the Olympic light-heavyweight title at Rome in 1960. - 10 -