On a day when Boston Celtics fans are grieving the loss of yet another player due to injury, let’s take a moment to celebrate the birthday of a living legend. NBA Hall of Famer and Boston Celtic great Bill Russell turns 79 today. Russell embodies what it means to be a Boston Celtic. He always put the wants, needs & feelings of himself aside for the betterment of the team. That attitude helped Russell lead the Celtics to 11 championships and pick-up countless individual records & accolades. Off the court, Bill Russell was an outspoken member of the fight against racism. He refused to play in a preseason game before the 1961-62 season in Kentucky as he and his fellow black teammates were denied service in a local restaurant. That’s just one example of how Bill and his teammates were targets of racism throughout his high-school, college & NBA career.
Such treatment however only made Russell stronger, and more selfless as his career went on:
http://youtu.be/NH1TWGuTgB4
It was announced last month that a local sculptor has begun work on the much anticipated statue of Russell to be erected in Boston. It will be a fitting tribute to one of the best players the NBA has ever seen, and an amazing human being. So from all of us at Red’sArmy, Happy Birthday Bill-and many, many more!
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