Celtics legend Bill Russell, on the Mount Rushmore of Boston sports activities with a whopping 11 titles as a participant and two championships as the primary Black head coach in North American professional sports activities, died on Sunday. He was 88.
His Twitter account on Sunday tweeted out “An announcement…” with the information.
“Bill Russell, the most prolific winner in American sports history, passed away peacefully today at age 88, with his wife, Jeannine, by his side,” the message said.
His iconic accolades embrace a document 11 NBA championships and 5 MVP awards.
In addition to all his successful on the courtroom, Russell was being remembered for his many years of social justice activism.
“… Bill’s understanding of the struggle is what illuminated his life,” the Twitter message said.
“From boycotting a 1961 exhibition game to unmask too-long-tolerated discrimination, to leading Mississippi’s first integrated basketball camp in the combustible wake of Medgar Evans’ assassination, to decades of activism ultimately recognized by his receipt of the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2010,” the message continued. “Bill called out injustice with an unforgiving candor that he intended would disrupt the status quo, and with a powerful example that, though never his humble intention, will forever inspire teamwork, selflessness, and thoughtful change.”
Celtics gamers on Sunday had been remembering the legend.
Jayson Tatum tweeted, “Thank you for everything! R.I.P Legend.”
Jaylen Brown tweeted, “Rest In Peace thank you for paving the way and inspiring so many. Today is a sad day but also great day to celebrate his legacy and what he stood for.”
Grant Williams tweeted, “R.I.P Bill Russell. You allowed me to be in the position I am in today and you changed not only the league but the world. Forever 6.”
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver in a press release known as Russell “the greatest champion in all of team sports.”
“Bill stood for something much bigger than sports: the values of equality, respect and inclusion that he stamped into the DNA of our league,” Silver mentioned. “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. Through the taunts, threats and unthinkable adversity, Bill rose above it all and remained true to his belief that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity.”
Source: www.bostonherald.com”