Boston Celtics Bill Russell dies at 88 years old

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I'm old enough that I remember watching Russell play with the Celtics on a black-and-white TV back in the mid-60's.

incredible defensive player and rebounder. for his career avg 15 pts, 22.5 reb and 4.3 assists. averaged over 20 reb/gm for 10 consecutive years. had 51 rebounds in a single game in 1960 vs the Syracuse Nationals.

his battles with Wilt Chamberlain were legendary.

I know the game has changed a lot since then, but those Celtics teams were true 'teams.'

Later on, Russell did some TV work as a color man and he was funny. great sense of humor with this high-pitched laugh.

and a civil rights pioneer who marched with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
 




legend of legends. 88 years not long enough.
 





Greatest winner in all of sports, too sad to see him go.

Here's an article from SI in 2014 that I enjoyed. Hope you do as well:

www.si.com

Bill Russell helped the Celtics rule their sport as no team ever has

In this SI 60 feature, Frank Deford examines the life and legacy of Bill Russell, who helped the Celtics dominate their sport the way no team ever has.
www.si.com www.si.com
 

fan of Ray Williams said:
Also on Russell’s high school basketball team was Frank Robinson of baseball fame.
Click to expand...
Curt Flood also was a HS classmate.


I was in Boston last weekend and spent Friday afternoon checking out the sites along the Freedom Trail. Wound up having lunch with my mother at Faneuil Hall. Got her in a cab back to the hotel, while I made my way to Fenway Park for my 2nd Red Sox game of the trip.

Boston City Hall is where I picked up the subway, and I happened upon the Bill Russell statue and did gaze upon it. I did wonder how he was doing, last interview I saw him on was the Golf Channel Feherty show a few years ago.

Interesting story on the statue:

www.wgbh.org

The story behind Bill Russell's Boston statue, a monument to mentorship

Public artist Ann Hirsch says the statue represents Russell as an athlete, player-coach, and human rights and civil rights activist.
www.wgbh.org www.wgbh.org

By Sunday afternoon I was on the Cape for a family reunion. I took a break from the beach and turned on NESN for Sox game when the news of his passing broke. Pretty emotional to see the crowd reaction and moment of silence. For several innings the game was sort of an afterthought as they were showing highlight clips and interviews. They also brought Bob Ryan into the booth for historical perspective. Very moving.
 
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Bill Russell is getting the Jackie Robinson #42/MLB and Wayne Gretzky #99/NHL treatment. His #6 is going to be retired throughout the entire NBA.

www.nba.com

Bill Russell's No. 6 jersey to be retired throughout NBA

The iconic Hall of Famer will be the first player to have his number retired across the NBA.
www.nba.com www.nba.com

Well deserved.
 



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