“Bill’s two state championships in high school offered a glimpse of the unmatched string of pure team accomplishments to come: two-time NCAA champion, captain of a gold medal-winning U.S. Olympic team, 11-time NBA champion and at the helm for two NBA championships as the first black coach of any North American professional sports team. “Along the way, Bill won a number of individual awards that are unprecedented in that they were not mentioned by him. In 2009, the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player award was renamed after the two-time Hall of Famer to the “Bill Russell Finals NBA”. Most Valuable Player Award”. “Bill’s wife, Jeannine, and his many friends and family thank you for keeping Bill in your prayers. Perhaps you will 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 hopefully each of us will find a new way to act or speak with Bill’s uncompromising, dignified and always constructive commitment to principles. That would be a final and lasting victory for our favorite #6.” Russell won 11 championships with the Celtics, including eight straight from 1959 to 1966. He was a five-time NBA MVP and a 12-time All-Star. As coach of the Celtics, he led Boston to two titles, becoming the first black head coach to win an NBA championship. The Celtics released a statement praising Russell and his contribution to both the team and the sport as a whole. “Being the greatest champion in your sport, revolutionizing the way the game is played and being a social leader all at the same time seems unthinkable, but that was Bill Russell,” the statement said. “Bill Russell’s DNA is woven through every element of the Celtics organization, from the relentless pursuit of excellence, the celebration of the team’s rewards for individual glory, the commitment to social justice and civil rights off the court. Our thoughts are with his family as we mourn his passing and celebrate his tremendous legacy in basketball, Boston and beyond.” Fellow NBA legend Michael Jordan — widely considered the greatest basketball player of all time — said, “Bill Russell was a pioneer — as a player, as a champion, as the NBA’s first black head coach and as an activist. He paved the way and set an example for every black player who came into the league after him, including me. The world has lost a legend. My condolences to his family and may he rest in peace.” Former US President Barack Obama took to social media to praise Russell’s contribution to basketball and society: “Today, we lost a giant. As tall as Bill Russell was, his legacy rises much higher — both as a player as well as a man. Perhaps more than anyone else, Bill knew what it took to win and what it took to lead. On the court, he was the greatest champion in basketball history. Besides, he was a civil rights pioneer — who marched with Dr. King and standing with Muhammad Ali. “For decades, Bill endured insults and vandalism, but he never let it speak for what was right. I learned so much from the way he played, the way he coached and the way he lived his life. Michelle and I send our love to Bill’s family and all who admired him.” NBA commissioner Adam Silver also shared his condolences. “Bill Russell was the greatest champion in all of team sports,” Silver said in a statement. “The countless accolades he earned over his storied career with the Boston Celtics — including 11 championships and five MVP awards — begin to tell the story of Bill’s tremendous impact on the league and our larger society. “Bill stood for something much bigger than sports: the values of equality, respect and inclusion that he built into the DNA of our league. At the height of his athletic career, Bill strongly supported civil rights and social justice, a legacy that left generations of NBA players following in his footsteps. Through taunts, threats and unimaginable adversity, Bill rose above it all and remained true to his belief that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity.” Homer of CNN’s Fountain contributed to this report.
