Boston Celtics great Bill Russell, 11-time NBA champion, dies at 88
Source: ESPN
Bill Russell, the cornerstone of the Boston Celtics' dynasty that won eight straight titles and 11 overall during his career, died Sunday. The Hall of Famer was 88.
Russell died "peacefully" with his wife, Jeannine, at his side, a statement posted on social media said. Arrangements for his memorial service will be announced soon, the statement said.
"But for all the winning, Bill's understanding of the struggle is what illuminated his life. 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 ... 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," the statement read.
"Bill's wife, Jeannine, and his many friends and family thank you for keeping Bill in your prayers. Perhaps you'll relive one or two of the golden moments he gave us, or recall his trademark laugh as he delighted in explaining the real story behind how those moments unfolded. And we hope each of us can find a new way to act or speak up with Bill's uncompromising, dignified and always constructive commitment to principle. That would be one last, and lasting, win for our beloved #6."
Read more: https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/34323568/boston-celtics-great-bill-russell-11-nba-champion-dies-88
Botany
(70,291 posts)You can have your LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Kobe, Bird, and now Curry but was the man.
patphil
(6,029 posts)G2theD
(593 posts)Basketball was his fame, but he was much greater at being a human being. RIP Bill.
KPN
(15,587 posts)watching you play and lead the Celtics to all those wins those many years. You will be missed sir.
bottomofthehill
(8,261 posts)He knew how to make his teams better. A life well lived, a good man. Peace to you Bill Russell
TheRickles
(1,999 posts)twodogsbarking
(9,298 posts)Smooth on the court and off.
gademocrat7
(10,623 posts)An accomplished basketball player, extraordinary human being.
Tommymac
(7,263 posts)The World has lost a light.
BMW2020RT
(139 posts)iluvtennis
(19,757 posts)Basketball LEGEND and a G.O.A.T, activist, and humanitarian.
BHDem53
(1,059 posts)since watching them on our little black and white television in the mid Sixties. He's still my all time favorite player. His battles with Wilt were epic. Thank you and rest in peace, Mr. Russell.
MaryMagdaline
(6,849 posts)I remember watching an interview of Bill Russell when I was about 10. He said that he always threw up before games. This made me feel a lot better about pre-game and pre-test anxiety. I no longer felt that anxiety was a sign of being a loser - that winners could feel just as anxious.
Years later I learned that Bill Russell and his daughter both suffered from sarcoidosis, a disease that took down my husband. I know how hard it was for him to breath every day of his life.
jalan48
(13,797 posts)sinkingfeeling
(51,276 posts)turbinetree
(24,632 posts)-snip-
For all he accomplished, he is best known for this: On the court or off, Bill Russell never backed down.
Rhiannon12866
(202,970 posts)I still remember my Dad laughing over his colorful comments! Truly one of a kind and arguably the greatest!
exboyfil
(17,857 posts)Lakers fan here. Bill Russell was simply a winner with so much grace. RIP and thanks for the memories.
mahatmakanejeeves
(56,890 posts)Link to tweet
IngridsLittleAngel
(1,962 posts)Last edited Wed Aug 3, 2022, 10:31 AM - Edit history (1)
That was the take of both myself and my dad when the heartbreaking news broke. Both of us are lifelong Lakers fans. Nothing makes us grind our teeth like green and white...
And yet, both of us have always had pure admiration and respect and love for Bill Russell.
Whether it was his tenacity, his will to win, his doing whatever it took to make his team better... There was only one Bill Russell, and holy hell, was he special on the court. When you can dominate a game without scoring a single point... There are few in history that could do so. "Any knucklehead can score...." I heard that once. But when you take over the game without scoring? Now that's amazing.
Even more impressive was his life, his heart, his soul, what he did off the court. A constant voice for justice and human rights. So many people thought it was just "black rights"... But I'll never forget him a number of years ago, being asked "Would a gay player have been welcome on your Celtics?" As he said, as he said Red Auerbach would've said... "Can he play? Then yes, he belongs here."
He inspired me on the court... He inspired me 10,000 times more off the court. I know I am not alone there.
He truly was a big man at 6'10"... Even bigger was his heart and spirit.
When fans of your rival team salute you, you know you're special.
Rest in power, Russ... And know you were loved, even by us Lakers fans. Thank you for being you.