Russell, the NBA great who anchored a Boston Celtics dynasty that won 11 championships in 13 years and marched for civil rights with Martin Luther King Jr.,…
His family posted the news on social media, saying Russell died with his wife, Jeannine, by his side. The statement did not give the cause of death.
“Bill stood for something much bigger than sports: the values of equality, respect and inclusion that he stamped into the DNA of our league. At the height of his athletic career, Bill advocated vigorously for civil rights and social justice, a legacy he passed down to generations of NBA players who followed in his footsteps,” Silver said.
“Bill Russell, the man, is someone who stood up for the rights and dignity of all men,” Obama said at the ceremony. “He marched with King; he stood by Ali. When a restaurant refused to serve the Black Celtics, he refused to play in the scheduled game. He endured insults and vandalism, but he kept on focusing on making the teammates who he loved better players and made possible the success of so many who would follow.
“Whatever they say, good or bad, they don’t know you,” he recalled her saying. “They’re wrestling with their own demons.” “She hung the phone up and I asked myself, ‘How do you get to be a hero to Jackie Robinson?”’ Russell said. “I was so flattered.”
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Bill Russell: What you need to know about the NBA, Celtics and USF Dons legendHere’s a look at the life of Bill Russell, Hall of Fame center who played with the Boston Celtics after starring for the University of San Francisco Dons.
Read more »
NBA great, Celtics legend Bill Russell dies at 88His family posted the news on social media, saying Bill Russell died with his wife, Jeannine, by his side.
Read more »
Boston Celtics and NBA Legend Bill Russell Dies at 88Boston Celtics legend Bill Russell, who won 11 championships in 13 seasons with the team, has died, his family announced Sunday. He was 88. His family posted a message celebrating the life of one of the NBA’s greatest-ever players. “Bill’s wife, Jeannine, and his many friends and family thank you for keeping Bill in your prayers. Perhaps you’ll relive one…
Read more »
Bill Russell, NBA great and Celtics legend, dies at 88Bill Russell, the NBA great who anchored a Boston Celtics dynasty that won 11 championships in 13 years — the last two as the first Black head coach in any major U.S. sport — and marched for civil rights with Martin Luther King Jr., died Sunday. A Hall of Famer, five-time Most Valuable Player and 12-time All-Star, Russell in 1980 was voted the greatest player in the NBA history by basketball writers.
Read more »
Bill Russell, NBA great and Celtics legend, dies at 88Bill Russell, the NBA great who anchored a Boston Celtics dynasty that won 11 championships in 13 years — the last two as the first Black head coach in any major U.S. sport — and marche…
Read more »
Bill Russell, NBA great, Celtics legend and University of San Francisco star, dies at 88The NBA legend went to high school in Oakland and led the University of San Francisco Dons to NCAA championships in 1955 and 1956.
Read more »