Muhammad Ali was one of the most prominent athletes in the 20th Century. He spent most of his life under the spotlight, and many people might describe him as a hero due to his career and philanthropic work. Ironically, one of his most outstanding moments outside the ring is still little known.

In 1990, Iraq invaded Kuwait, and thousands of foreigners became hostages. The tension increased when the United Nations demanded Saddam Hussein stop the invasion, and he feared the United States could bomb the country. He decided to use 15 American hostages as human shields and placed them in locations that the U.S. government could bomb, Politico reported. There were few hopes it would end well.

Diplomatic efforts weren’t enough to free the hostages, and Ali decided to interfere. Surprisingly, George H.W. Bush allowed the legendary boxer to fly to Iraq and help in the negotiations. The media and diplomats overtly criticized the decision. “I basically believe these people are playing into the propaganda game that Iraq is holding here. “These people traveling to Iraq are making a serious mistake,” said Joseph Wilson, a senior American diplomat in Baghdad back then (via New York Post).

Wilson was utterly wrong.

Muhammad Ali was a celebrity in Iraq

Evening Standard/Getty Images