Colin Kaepernick Named Muhammad Ali Humanitarian of the Year
Listen to the story
Ten years ago, the world remembered a famous quote from boxing legend Muhammad Ali. He once said: "If my mind can conceive it, and my heart can believe it, then I can achieve it." The quote is about motivation and belief in yourself.
Ali, often called "The Greatest," was one of the most successful boxers in history. But he was also known as a humanitarian, someone who spent time helping others and supporting good causes around the world.
To honour his legacy, an award was created called the Muhammad Ali Humanitarian of the Year. This year, the award went to Colin Kaepernick, a former American football player.
Kaepernick became well known not only for his football career but also for his activism. He has worked on issues related to social justice and equal treatment for all people.
By giving Kaepernick this award, organisers connected his work to the same spirit that Muhammad Ali showed during his life. Both men used their fame to support causes bigger than sport.
The story highlights an important idea: believing in a dream can be the first step to making it real. This message continues to inspire people ten years after Ali's quote became widely known.
Vocabulary10 words
- motivation
- a strong reason to do something
- humanitarian
- a person who helps others
- legacy
- what a person leaves behind
- activism
- working for social change
- social justice
- fair treatment for everyone
- inspire
- to make someone want to try hard
- achieve
- to reach a goal
- conceive
- to form an idea
- legend
- a very famous, respected person
- cause
- an idea people support and work for
Quiz
Answer key
1. Believing in your dreams to achieve them 2. For his activism and work on social justice 3. False
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Ten years ago, the world remembered a famous quote from boxing legend Muhammad Ali. He once said: "If my mind can conceive it, and my heart can believe it, then I can achieve it." The quote is about _____ and belief in yourself.
Ali, often called "The Greatest," was one of the most successful boxers in history. But he was also known as a _____, someone who spent time helping others and supporting good causes around the world.
To honour his _____, an award was created called the Muhammad Ali Humanitarian of the Year. This year, the award went to Colin Kaepernick, a former American football player.
Kaepernick became well known not only for his football career but also for his _____. He has worked on issues related to _____ and equal treatment for all people.
By giving Kaepernick this award, organisers connected his work to the same spirit that Muhammad Ali showed during his life. Both men used their fame to support _____ bigger than sport.
The story highlights an important idea: believing in a dream can be the first step to making it real. This message continues to _____ people ten years after Ali's quote became widely known.
Discussion questions
- Do you agree that believing in a dream is the first step to achieving it? Why or why not?
- What are some examples of famous people using their fame to support important causes?
- Why do you think Muhammad Ali is still remembered as an inspiring figure today?
- What qualities do you think a 'humanitarian of the year' should have?