EXCLUSIVE

Muhammad Ali's ex-wife says Colin Kaepernick needs to apologize for his National Anthem protest ... saying it's "not heroic."

TMZ Sports spoke with Khalilah Camacho Ali -- who was married to the boxer from 1967 to 1976 -- and says she was his adviser for his biggest protest ... refusing to fight in the Vietnam war.

"What he’s doing right now is not heroic," Khalilah says ... "I would love to meet with him or talk to him on the phone to help share his message in a better way."

"I helped Muhammad decide whether he was going to the army or going to jail. He listened to my every word. You see the impact that had on our nation? Colin could absolutely have the same impact if he made the right decisions to really make a difference."

So, what's her plan?

"The first thing I would do is ask him about his stance on humanity ... what exactly is he trying to improve and how is he going to make that happen? Next, I’d have him make a retraction for his actions against the American flag. He needs to apologize."

"I will help him meet the groups that will fight with him, donate to charities of all people -- not just minorities -- because we cannot single anyone out. If he wants isolation to end, he needs to prove that he cares about all people, and not just his people."

“If he is willing to get off his high horse and humble himself, we could do a lot of good together."

1:40 PM PT -- Khalilah says she misspoke when she used the phrase "get off his high horse" -- insisting that's not what she meant.