Bill Russell

Bill Russell, an 11-time NBA champion as a player and coach with the Boston Celtics and one of the most important figures in NBA history, has died at the ...

He worked as a television broadcaster afterward before returning to coaching with the Seattle Supersonics. He went four games below .500 in four seasons in Seattle before getting fired. Plenty sought him out, because above everything else Russell was on the court, he was the sport's greatest winner. Despite his collegiate excellence, Russell was not the first pick in the 1956 NBA Draft. That honor went to Duquesne wing Si Green. That left Russell available at No. 2, where the St. Louis Hawks were drafting. In addition to basketball, Russell was a track star at San Francisco, notably competing in the high jump. Russell came up big when it mattered most, both on and off the court, and that is what he will always be remembered for. Bryant may have played for the rival Lakers, but Russell frequently made himself available to modern players looking for advice. Sadly, Russell faced racism throughout his early life in the South and his entire career in Boston, and he became one of the most socially conscious athletes in American history. He would do so several more times, but doing so for Bryant was particularly meaningful given the friendship they'd forged. But for all the winning, Bill's understanding of the struggle is what illuminated his life. His first scholarship offer came from the University of San Francisco, a school hardly known for its basketball prowess but one that Russell was able to carry to consecutive national championships in 1955 and 1956. Along the way, Bill earned a string of individual awards that stands unprecedented as it went unmentioned by him. 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.

Bill Russell, une légende de la NBA qui a guidé les Celtics de Boston vers 11 championnats en 13 ans — les deux derniers en tant que premier entraîneur noir ...

Avec les Celtics, Russell a fait sa marque en tant qu’athlète noir dans une ville — et un pays — où la race était la source de tension. Il demeure la personne la plus titrée de son sport et le modèle du joueur sans égo, qui gagnait grâce à sa défensive et les rebonds tout en laissant les autres joueurs marquer. Sa famille a annoncé la nouvelle sur les réseaux sociaux, disant que Russell a rendu l’âme avec son épouse, Jeannine, à son chevet.

Joueur le plus titré de l'histoire de la NBA, le basketteur Bill Russell, décédé dimanche à 88 ans, a révolutionné son sport en y imposant une nouvelle arme ...

Son grand rival fut le joueur de Philadelphie Wilt Chamberlain, un autre géant (2,16 m) de l'histoire du basket à la personnalité totalement différente, extravertie et individualiste, qui lui vola souvent la vedette dans les médias mais avec qui il s'entendit fort bien en dehors des matchs. Il mit à profit sa notoriété pour faire avancer la cause des droits civiques. "L'idée n'était pas de contrer tous leurs tirs, mais de les convaincre que chacun d'eux pouvait l'être", expliquait-il dans un documentaire produit par la NBA.

Bill Russell, the cornerstone of the Celtics dynasty that won eight straight titles and 11 overall during his career, died Sunday at age 88.

The team staggered to a 17-41 record, and Russell departed midseason. For a time he was paired with the equally blunt Rick Barry, and the duo provided brutally frank commentary on the game. He was overall by far the best, and that only helped bring out the best in me." It was hailed as a sociological advance, since Russell was the first Black coach of a major league team in any sport, let alone so distinguished a team. "I was the villain because I was so much bigger and stronger than anyone else out there," Chamberlain told the Boston Herald in 1995. "My team was losing and his was winning, so it would be natural that I would be jealous. Our thoughts are with his family as we mourn his passing and celebrate his enormous legacy in basketball, Boston, and beyond," the Celtics said in a statement. The first time I did that in a game, my coach called timeout and said, 'No good defensive player ever leaves his feet.'" He then led the U.S. basketball team to victory in the 1956 Olympics at Melbourne, Australia. "I cherished my friendship with Bill and was thrilled when he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom. I often called him basketball's Babe Ruth for how he transcended time. And he won a gold medal at the 1956 Olympics. At USF, he was a two-time All-American, won two straight NCAA championships and led the team to 55 consecutive wins.

Boston Celtics legend and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer Bill Russell died Sunday at the age of 88, his family announced.(Photo: Getty Images)

“I think Bill Russell was the greatest player that ever played," Pettit said. "The nation's most publicized basketball player — Bill Russell of San Francisco — was acquired by the Boston Celtics... but (they) may have to vie with... Cookie and I are praying for the Bill’s family and loved ones, our NBA family, and the entire basketball community. I will forever remember his cackling laugh, sense of humor and love for the game of basketball.— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) pic.twitter.com/tLaK2gjlGa July 31, 2022 Once called out of the blue because he thought I looked sad on TV…best pep talk of my life. •1h ago May God continue to use you to impact heaven and earth! •1h ago His Celtics teams won 11 NBA championships, including eight consecutive titles from 1959 to 1966. •1h ago •1h ago •1h ago

Russell, who was selected with the No. 2 overall pick in the 1956 NBA Draft, is one of the most decorated athletes in the history of team sports and a pioneer ...

Bill Russell was the greatest champion in all of team sports. - 2x NCAA champion (1955, 1956) In 1966, Russell transitioned into a player-coach role, becoming the first-ever Black coach in NBA history.

Il est parti rejoindre son rival Wilt Chamberlain dans les étoiles. Bill Russell, pionnier de la NBA dans les années 1950 et 1960, et premier coach Noir de la ...

Triste nouvelle en ce dimanche soir : Bill Russell, l’homme aux 11 bagues, légende éternelle des Celtics et de la ligue, s’est éteint. Il avait 88 ans. Le monde de la NBA pleure une de ses légendes les plus iconiques, à l’impact incommensurable sur le basket, la NBA et la culture qui les entourent. Il est parti rejoindre son rival Wilt Chamberlain dans les étoiles. Bill Russell, pionnier de la NBA dans les années 1950 et 1960, et premier coach Noir de la ligue, s’est éteint dans son sommeil, aux côtés de sa femme Jeannine.

Terrible nouvelle puisqu'on apprend le décès de Bill Russell, la légende de la NBA et des Celtics. Il avait 88 ans et c'est via un communiqué sur son ...

Il a œuvré toute sa vie contre l’injustice sociale et les discriminations, très impliqué dans le mouvement des droits civiques. « C’est avec un cœur très lourd que nous aimerions transmettre ce message à tous les amis, fans et fidèles de Bill : Bill Russell, le vainqueur le plus prolifique de l’histoire du sport américain, est décédé paisiblement aujourd’hui à l’âge de 88 ans, avec sa femme, Jeannine, à ses côtés. « Terrible nouvelle puisqu’on apprend le décès de Bill Russell, la légende de la NBA et des Celtics. Il avait 88 ans et c’est via un communiqué sur son compte Twitter que sa famille a annoncé l’info.

Le légendaire joueur des Celtics, gagnant de 11 titres dans la NBA, rend l'âme à 88 ans.

Outre ses exploits sur le terrain, Russell a également utilisé sa notoriété pour faire avancer la cause des Noirs. Entre autres gestes de revendication, il a notamment boycotté un match préparatoire en 1961. Il a été nommé cinq fois joueur par excellence de la NBA et 12 fois sur l’équipe d’étoiles. Considéré comme l’un des meilleurs joueurs défensifs de son sport, Russell a également été le premier Afro-Américain à diriger une équipe des principales ligues nord-américaines. Champion deux fois comme joueur-entraîneur avec les Celtics, il a été intronisé deux fois au Temple de la renommée, comme joueur et comme instructeur.

Russell a été champion onze fois avec les Celtics de Boston, un record qui tient toujours, dont huit d'affilée de 1959 à 1966, et les deux dernières fois en ...

Il a pris sa retraite après la finale de 1969. Bill était le vainqueur ultime et un coéquipier accompli, et son influence sur la NBA se fera sentir pour toujours. Pendant 10 saisons, il a inscrit en moyenne plus de 20 rebonds. «Des années plus tard, les gens m’ont demandé ce que j’ai traversé, a déclaré Russell en 2008. Russell et les Celtics ont triomphé lors des deux années suivantes. Il a (aussi) rendu possible le succès de tant de ceux qui suivraient.» Sa famille a annoncé la nouvelle sur les réseaux sociaux, disant que Russell a rendu l’âme avec son épouse, Jeannine, à son chevet. Red a dit, ‘c’est bien assez’.» Il m’a montré comment être un homme dans le sport professionnel.» Il a eu sa place dans l’équipe de tous les temps du 25e anniversaire de la NBA en 1970, l’équipe du 35e anniversaire en 1980 et l’équipe du 75e anniversaire. Membre du Panthéon, cinq fois joueur le plus utile du circuit et 12 fois invité au match des étoiles, Russell a été élu en 1980 plus grand joueur de l’histoire de la NBA, par les chroniqueurs de basketball. «Bill Russell a défendu les droits et la dignité de tous les hommes, a déclaré Obama lors de la cérémonie. Il a marché avec King ; il était aux côtés d’Ali. Lorsqu’un restaurant refusait de servir les joueurs noirs des Celtics, il refusait de jouer dans le match prévu.

Bill Russell was one of basketball's all-time greats. He won a record 11 NBA titles, all with the Boston Celtics. But his dominance didn't stop off the ...

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NBA legend Bill Russell, an 11-time NBA champion with the Boston Celtics and the first Black head coach in the league, passed away "peacefully" Sunday, ...

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. "The countless accolades that he earned for his storied career with the Boston Celtics -- including a record 11 championships and five MVP awards -- only begin to tell the story of Bill's immense impact on our league and broader society. As tall as Bill Russell stood, his legacy rises far higher -- both as a player and as a person. Our thoughts are with his family as we mourn his passing and celebrate his enormous legacy in basketball, Boston, and beyond." "Along the way, Bill earned a string of individual awards that stands unprecedented as it went unmentioned by him. "It is with a very heavy heart we would like to pass along to all of Bill's friends, fans, & followers," the statement reads.

Au sommet de sa carrière sportive, Bill a vigoureusement défendu les droits civiques et la justice sociale, un héritage qu'il a transmis aux générations de ...

» Earvin « Magic » Johnson, ancien meneur des Lakers de Los Angeles, dans les années 1980-1990: « Bill Russell était mon idole. En dehors du terrain, il était un pionnier des droits civiques, marchant avec le Dr (Martin Luther) King et se tenant aux côtés de Mohamed Ali. »

Joueur le plus titré de l'histoire de la NBA, le basketteur Bill Russell, décédé dimanche à 88 ans, a révolutionné son sport en y imposant une nouvelle arme ...

Son grand rival fut le joueur de Philadelphie Wilt Chamberlain, un autre géant (2,16 m) de l'histoire du basket à la personnalité totalement différente, extravertie et individualiste, qui lui vola souvent la vedette dans les médias mais avec qui il s'entendit fort bien en dehors des matchs. Il mit à profit sa notoriété pour faire avancer la cause des droits civiques. "L'idée n'était pas de contrer tous leurs tirs, mais de les convaincre que chacun d'eux pouvait l'être", expliquait-il dans un documentaire produit par la NBA.

The former president cited the basketball great as a leader on and off the court. President Barack Obama presents Basketball Hall of Fame member and human ...

“More than any athlete of his era, Bill Russell came to define the word ‘winner,’” Obama said at the time. But, as Obama noted, he was also an activist, part of a coterie of 1960s greats — including boxer Muhammad Ali and football’s Jim Brown — that was known for its deep devotion to civil rights and social justice. “Today we lost a giant,” Obama tweeted shortly after Russell’s family announced that he had died on Sunday at 88.

Joueur le plus titré de l'histoire de la NBA, le basketteur Bill Russell, décédé dimanche à 88 ans, a révolutionné son sport en y imposant une nouvelle arme ...

Il a pris sa retraite après la finale de 1969. Bill était le vainqueur ultime et un coéquipier accompli, et son influence sur la NBA se fera sentir pour toujours. Pendant 10 saisons, il a inscrit en moyenne plus de 20 rebonds. «Des années plus tard, les gens m’ont demandé ce que j’ai traversé, a déclaré Russell en 2008. Russell et les Celtics ont triomphé lors des deux années suivantes. Il a (aussi) rendu possible le succès de tant de ceux qui suivraient.» Sa famille a annoncé la nouvelle sur les réseaux sociaux, disant que Russell a rendu l’âme avec son épouse, Jeannine, à son chevet. Red a dit, ‘c’est bien assez’.» Il m’a montré comment être un homme dans le sport professionnel.» Il a eu sa place dans l’équipe de tous les temps du 25e anniversaire de la NBA en 1970, l’équipe du 35e anniversaire en 1980 et l’équipe du 75e anniversaire. Membre du Panthéon, cinq fois joueur le plus utile du circuit et 12 fois invité au match des étoiles, Russell a été élu en 1980 plus grand joueur de l’histoire de la NBA, par les chroniqueurs de basketball. «Bill Russell a défendu les droits et la dignité de tous les hommes, a déclaré Obama lors de la cérémonie. Il a marché avec King ; il était aux côtés d’Ali. Lorsqu’un restaurant refusait de servir les joueurs noirs des Celtics, il refusait de jouer dans le match prévu.

Russell's death was confirmed in a statement posted on his Twitter account that said the 12-time NBA All-Star passed away with his wife by his side.

In 2009, the MVP trophy of the NBA Finals was named in his honor. Bill was the ultimate winner and consummate teammate, and his influence on the NBA will be felt forever. In 2013, a statue was unveiled on Boston’s City Hall Plaza of Russell surrounded by blocks of granite with quotes on leadership and character. Celtics coach and general manager Red Auerbach so coveted Russell that he worked out a trade with the St. Louis Hawks for the second pick in the draft. From my first moment of being alive was the notion that my mother and father loved me.” It was Russell’s mother who would tell him to disregard comments from those who might see him playing in the yard. The Celtics also picked up Tommy Heinsohn and K.C. Jones, Russell’s college teammate, in the same draft. 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. 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.” He was at the March on Washington in 1963, when Martin Luther King Jr. gave his “I Have a Dream” speech, and he backed Muhammad Ali when the boxer was pilloried for refusing induction into the military draft. But it was Jackie Robinson who gave Russell a road map for dealing with racism in his sport: “Jackie was a hero to us. Often, that meant Wilt Chamberlain, the only player of the era who was a worthy rival for Russell. 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.

Il était pour sa famille "le gagnant le plus prolifique de l'histoire du sport américain" et pour l'ancien président Barack Obama "un géant": Bill Russell, ...

"Pendant des décennies, Bill a enduré les insultes et le harcèlement, mais cela ne l'a jamais empêché de défendre ce qui était juste. En dehors du terrain, il était un pionnier des droits civiques, marchant avec le Dr (Martin Luther) King et se tenant aux côtés de Mohamed Ali." "Bill défendait quelque chose de bien plus grand que le sport: les valeurs d'égalité, de respect et d'inclusion qu'il a inscrites dans l'ADN de notre ligue", a indiqué le patron de la NBA Adam Silver dans un communiqué. J'ai tellement appris de sa façon de jouer, de sa façon d'entraîner et de sa façon de vivre sa vie", a ajouté Barack Obama. "Aujourd'hui, nous avons perdu un géant", a réagi à l'annonce de son décès l'ancien président américain. "Sur le terrain, il était le plus grand champion de l'histoire du basket-ball. Il était pour sa famille "le gagnant le plus prolifique de l'histoire du sport américain" et pour l'ancien président Barack Obama "un géant": Bill Russell, sacré onze fois champion NBA avec les Celtics et défenseur des droits civiques, est décédé dimanche.

Bill 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 ...

"Bill was the ultimate winner and consummate teammate, and his influence on the NBA will be felt forever," Silver added. In 2009, the MVP trophy of the NBA Finals was named in his honour — even though Russell never won himself, because it wasn't awarded for the first time until 1969. Celtics coach and general manager Red Auerbach so coveted Russell that he worked out a trade with the St. Louis Hawks for the second pick in the draft. In 2013, a statue was unveiled on Boston's City Hall Plaza of Russell surrounded by blocks of granite with quotes on leadership and character. But it was Jackie Robinson who gave Russell a road map for dealing with racism in his sport: "Jackie was a hero to us. "She hung the phone up and I asked myself, `How do you get to be a hero to Jackie Robinson?"' Russell said. 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." 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. The native of Louisiana also left a lasting mark as a Black athlete in a city — and country — where race is often a flash point. It was Russell's mother who would tell him to disregard comments from those who might see him playing in the yard. Often, that meant Wilt Chamberlain, the only player of the era who was a worthy rival for Russell. "Bill stood for something much bigger than sports: the values of equality, respect and inclusion that he stamped into the DNA of our league.

Russell a été champion onze fois avec les Celtics de Boston, un record qui tient toujours, dont huit d'affilée de 1959 à 1966, et les deux dernières fois en ...

Il a pris sa retraite après la finale de 1969. Bill était le vainqueur ultime et un coéquipier accompli, et son influence sur la NBA se fera sentir pour toujours. Pendant 10 saisons, il a inscrit en moyenne plus de 20 rebonds. «Des années plus tard, les gens m’ont demandé ce que j’ai traversé, a déclaré Russell en 2008. Russell et les Celtics ont triomphé lors des deux années suivantes. Il a (aussi) rendu possible le succès de tant de ceux qui suivraient.» Sa famille a annoncé la nouvelle sur les réseaux sociaux, disant que Russell a rendu l’âme avec son épouse, Jeannine, à son chevet. Red a dit, ‘c’est bien assez’.» Il m’a montré comment être un homme dans le sport professionnel.» Il a eu sa place dans l’équipe de tous les temps du 25e anniversaire de la NBA en 1970, l’équipe du 35e anniversaire en 1980 et l’équipe du 75e anniversaire. Membre du Panthéon, cinq fois joueur le plus utile du circuit et 12 fois invité au match des étoiles, Russell a été élu en 1980 plus grand joueur de l’histoire de la NBA, par les chroniqueurs de basketball. «Bill Russell a défendu les droits et la dignité de tous les hommes, a déclaré Obama lors de la cérémonie. Il a marché avec King ; il était aux côtés d’Ali. Lorsqu’un restaurant refusait de servir les joueurs noirs des Celtics, il refusait de jouer dans le match prévu.

NBA superstar Bill Russell, who won 11 championships with the Boston Celtics and became the first black head coach of any North American sports team, ...

"Bill Russell‘s DNA is woven through every element of the Celtics organization, from the relentless pursuit of excellence, to the celebration of team rewards over individual glory, to a commitment to social justice and civil rights off the court. The statement thanked fans for their love and support and encouraged them to keep his spirit and message alive. The statement went on to share that he was "twice an NCAA champion; captain of a gold-medal-winning US Olympic team; 11 times an NBA champion; and at the helm for two NBA championships as the first black head coach of any North American sports team."

The Celtics icon and 11-time NBA champion leaves a profound impact, on and off the court.

In 2012 the NBA released a documentary about the night in 1962 when Wilt scored 100 points in a single game, and Russell did the narration. He remained wary and held the media at arm’s length, but he was approachable and often brightened a room with his distinctive high-pitched cackle that seemed to come out of nowhere. Game 7 of the Finals at the Forum in Los Angeles, Russell in his final season with the Celtics, Wilt in his first season with the Lakers. And remembering the slights of a league in which a de facto segregation existed, he refused to attend his 1975 Hall of Fame induction ceremony. But encouraged by NBA commissioner David Stern, he gradually returned to the fold and became more and more of a fixture during All-Star Weekends, the Finals and other NBA events. He was 34, beaten down by so many trips up and down the floor and also the mental burden of serving as the team’s player-coach, an honor that Auerbach had bestowed on him in 1966. Though Russell often felt that his talents weren’t recognized by the media and the fans, he was voted MVP of the league five times, one more, he was sure to have noted, than Wilt earned. Russell had spent the summer of 1968 living with Jim Brown in Hollywood as news from the chaotic Democratic convention washed over them like a tidal wave. They hung in netting on the Forum ceiling, a silent, inflated taunt that Russell and the Celtics noticed when they took the court. But Russell also frequently got the rebound and joined the break, finishing it with a dunk at the other end. That was William Felton Russell, who learned his basketball chops on the Oakland playgrounds, refined them at the University of San Francisco and perfected them with the Boston Celtics. Russell wasn’t the first great defensive center, but he was the first around whom an offense could be constructed from his defensive talents.

Boston (AP) -- Bill Russell redefined how basketball is played, and then he changed the way sports are viewed in a racially divided country.

Boston (AP) -- Bill Russell redefined how basketball is played, and then he changed the way sports are viewed in a racially divided country.

Celtics legend and 11-time NBA Champion Bill Russell died 'peacefully' at the age of 88, his family confirmed Sunday.

“To me, one of the most beautiful things to see is a group of men coordinating their efforts toward a common goal, alternately subordinating and asserting themselves to achieve real teamwork in action,” Russell once wrote. The Celtics exacted revenge on the 76ers the following season, winning the division finals 4-3 before defeating the Lakers 4-2 for Russell’s first championship as a player-coach. Those qualities would serve Russell in 1966 when Auerbach retired to focus on responsibilities as a general manager. I got to succeed or fail on this job not as a Black man or a white man or a green man, but as a coach. But there’s another type who makes the players around him look better than they are, and that’s the type Russell was.” He averaged at least 23 rebounds per game for seven straight seasons with a team-first acumen, all while helping to revolutionize the game on the defensive end. Boston took full advantage, often funneling opponents toward Russell. That, in turn, allowed the Celtics to play more aggressively on the perimeter. A dominant shot blocker, Russell was named the NBA’s Most Valuable Player five times, in addition to earning All-Star recognition on 12 occasions in his 13-year career. Russell attended McClymonds High School in Oakland, where he was awkward and struggled to find playing time until his senior year. There, he paired up with future Celtics teammate K.C. Jones to lead San Francisco to 56 consecutive wins and NCAA championships in 1955 and 1956. Russell racked up 21,620 career rebounds (22.5 per game), which ranks second only to Chamberlain’s career mark, and was a four-time season rebounding leader. “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.

Known as the winningest NBA player of all time, Bill Russell also blazed trails as a civil rights advocate.

Regarded as a recluse for much of his post-retirement years, Russell did occasionally take to social media in the final stages of his life, posting about basketball and his travels. In 2009, the NBA renamed the Finals Most Valuable Player award the “Bill Russell Award,” a fitting honor for a man who went 21-0 in winner-take-all games between his collegiate, Olympic and professional careers. Russell boycotted an exhibition game in 1961 in Lexington, Kentucky after two of his teammates were denied service in a coffee shop and was a highly visible member of the Black Power movement. Even as the Vietnam War and other off-court issues compromised his attention during his last season, Russell went out on top in his final campaign, combining with John Havlicek to lead the Celtics to a seven-game NBA Finals victory over the Lakers. Russell had 26 rebounds in his last professional game, a 108-106 road victory that cemented Boston as the first team to win the NBA Finals after losing the first two games. Bitter feelings over his treatment in Boston led Russell to forgo attending his own jersey retirement in 1972 and Hall of Fame induction in 1975. The 1966 series, also against the Lakers, required seven games, and he willed the Celtics to a 95-93 victory with 25 points and a game-high 32 rebounds.

NBA icon Bill Russell has died aged 88. The Boston Celtics veteran racked up 11 titles with the team from 1956 and 1969 and won an Olympic gold medal in ...

“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. Russell averaged 15.1 points and 22.5 rebounds over 13 seasons with the Celtics and was first inducted to the Basketball Hall of Fame as a player in 1975, and again as a coach in 2021. Arrangements for his memorial service will be announced soon.”

Bill Russell hated autographs. Saw no point to them. If he was out dining and got approached by someone asking for his signature, Russell's usual response ...

Le légendaire joueur des Celtics, gagnant de 11 titres dans la NBA, rend l'âme à 88 ans.

Tout au long de sa vie, il nous a forcés à affronter de dures vérités», a souligné Joe Biden. «Pendant des décennies, Bill a enduré les insultes et le harcèlement, mais cela ne l’a jamais empêché de défendre ce qui était juste. Nous n’avons jamais pleinement tenu cette promesse, mais Bill Russell a fait en sorte que nous ne l’abandonnions jamais» a également salué l’actuel président Joe Biden, dans un communiqué. En dehors du terrain, il était un pionnier des droits civiques, marchant avec le Dr (Martin Luther) King et se tenant aux côtés de Mohamed Ali.» «Bill défendait quelque chose de bien plus grand que le sport : les valeurs d’égalité, de respect et d’inclusion qu’il a inscrites dans l’ADN de notre ligue», a indiqué le patron de la NBA Adam Silver dans un communiqué. Il était pour sa famille «le gagnant le plus prolifique de l’histoire du sport américain» et pour l’ancien président Barack Obama «un géant» : Bill Russell, sacré onze fois champion NBA avec les Celtics et défenseur des droits civiques, est décédé dimanche.

The basketball legend was a champion not just on the court but off it—through his groundbreaking activism for racial justice.

But when you’re making $5,000 a year, and living in the America that he was at the time, that’s what makes him a hero.” As a homage to Colin Kaepernick’s protest, Russell posted a photo of himself taking a knee while wearing the presidential medal of freedom that he’d received from President Barack Obama in 2011. I cannot say the same about the fans or the city.” Russell endured their calling him “baboon,” “coon,” and “nigger” during games. Russell had been the NBA’s first Black head coach, while he was still a player—and he had experienced painful and humiliating racist abuse, even as he built the Celtics into a powerhouse. One of the ways the American Negro has attempted to show he is a human being is to demonstrate our race to the people through entertainment, and thus become accepted. Negroes are in a fight for their rights—a fight for survival—in a changing world. The experience only seemed to make Russell more determined to use his voice to bring awareness to this country’s deep-seated racial problems. Russell went ahead with the initiative despite death threats. I felt like the best thing I could do was use that as fuel, as opposed to simply having an emotional outburst at them. You went to public school, and I bet the police came to your neighborhood when somebody called the cops.’ I said, ‘Yes, Mr. Russell.’ He said, ‘Somebody was paying those people and you didn’t have any money. I decided to use that as energy to enhance my performance.” More than that, though, his fierce dedication to speaking out against racial injustice, his deep sense of integrity and righteousness, have long been considered the gold standard for athlete activism.

The game of basketball suffered a significant loss on Sunday morning, when it was announced that NBA legend and pioneer Bill Russell had passed away at the ...

Sharing a picture with Bill Russell that came after his first championship in 2015, Steph Curry was able to reflect on what the trailblazer and icon meant to him and the game of basketball. Acknowledging Russell's impact on both basketball ad the world around it, Steph shared his appreciation for an unparalleled legacy. The game of basketball suffered a significant loss on Sunday morning, when it was announced that NBA legend and pioneer Bill Russell had passed away at the age of 88.

Bill 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 ...

Thank you for all you did for us and this game. This is a teary-eyed Sunday knowing that we lost a legendary human being@RealBillRussellHis dedication to civil-rights, human-rights and the sport of basketball puts him beyond legendary status. Thank you for everything you have given to the game and all of us. My condolences and prayers to his family.pic.twitter.com/v2aHm5x4yt Was an absolute honor to spend time with#BillRussell. He was a walking encyclopedia. The ultimate leader and just happened to be one of the best hoopers ever! Thank you, Bill, for leading the way and giving us such a high bar to shoot at. My friend. My hero. RIP to an all-time winner, teammate and person. May he Rest in Power. Bill Russell was an inspiration to me in so many ways.

Boston Celtics legend Bill Russell was a civil rights trailblazer, before, during and after his basketball career. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of ...

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Bill Russell, une légende de la NBA qui a guidé les Celtics vers 11 championnats en 13 ans (les deux derniers comme premier entraîneur noir dans le sport ...

Il a pris sa retraite après la finale de 1969. Bill était le vainqueur ultime et un coéquipier accompli, et son influence sur la NBA se fera sentir pour toujours. Pendant 10 saisons, il a inscrit en moyenne plus de 20 rebonds. «Des années plus tard, les gens m’ont demandé ce que j’ai traversé, a déclaré Russell en 2008. Russell et les Celtics ont triomphé lors des deux années suivantes. Il a (aussi) rendu possible le succès de tant de ceux qui suivraient.» Sa famille a annoncé la nouvelle sur les réseaux sociaux, disant que Russell a rendu l’âme avec son épouse, Jeannine, à son chevet. Red a dit, ‘c’est bien assez’.» Il m’a montré comment être un homme dans le sport professionnel.» Il a eu sa place dans l’équipe de tous les temps du 25e anniversaire de la NBA en 1970, l’équipe du 35e anniversaire en 1980 et l’équipe du 75e anniversaire. Membre du Panthéon, cinq fois joueur le plus utile du circuit et 12 fois invité au match des étoiles, Russell a été élu en 1980 plus grand joueur de l’histoire de la NBA, par les chroniqueurs de basketball. «Bill Russell a défendu les droits et la dignité de tous les hommes, a déclaré Obama lors de la cérémonie. Il a marché avec King ; il était aux côtés d’Ali. Lorsqu’un restaurant refusait de servir les joueurs noirs des Celtics, il refusait de jouer dans le match prévu.

Le légendaire joueur de basketball a disputé 13 saisons dans l'uniforme des Celtics de Boston de 1956 à 1969, remportant 11 championnats.

« Je l'ai souvent appelé le Babe Ruth du basket pour la façon dont il a transcendé le temps. Il a pris sa retraite après la finale de 1969. Bill était le vainqueur ultime et un coéquipier accompli, et son influence sur la NBA se fera sentir pour toujours. Pendant DIX saisons, il a inscrit en moyenne plus de 20 rebonds. Russell et les Celtics ont triomphé lors des deux années suivantes. « Des années plus tard, les gens m'ont demandé ce que j'ai traversé, a déclaré Russell en 2008. « Il a enduré des insultes et du vandalisme, mais il est resté concentré à faire de ses coéquipiers de meilleurs joueurs. Red a dit, 'c'est bien assez'.» Il a (aussi) rendu possible le succès de tant de ceux qui suivraient. Sa famille a annoncé la nouvelle sur les réseaux sociaux, disant que Russell a rendu l'âme avec son épouse, Jeannine, à son chevet. « Jackie était un héros pour nous, a dit Russell. Il s'est toujours comporté comme un homme. Le légendaire Bill Russell meurt à l'âge de 88 ansNBA dimanche, 31 juil.