Source: Ethan Miller / Getty
The sports world has lost a giant. 11-time NBA champion Bill Russell passed away at the age of 88.
Sunday (Jul.31), the official Twitter account for NBA Hall-of-Famer Bill Russell broke the sad news that the legendary hooper died.
“Bill Russell, the most prolific winner in American sports history, passed away peacefully at age 88, with his wife, Jeannine, by his side,” the statement announced, accompanied by a photo of Russell and Jeannine. “Arrangements for his memorial service will be announced soon.”
The statement goes on to relive all of the spectacular moments the towering 6’10” big man pushed the game of basketball to new heights, including the promising dominance he exhibited as a teenager and winning eight straight NBA championships.
An announcement… pic.twitter.com/KMJ7pG4R5Z
— TheBillRussell (@RealBillRussell) July 31, 2022
“Bill’s two state championships in high school offered a glimmer of the incomparable run of pure team accomplishment to come: 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 professional sports team,” the statement continues.
He played in the league from 1956 until 1969 solely with the Celtics but would later spread his wings as a coach in not only Boston but the Seattle Supersonics and Sacramento Kings.
But the obituary doesn’t just include what he brought to the court, but how he used his star power to fight for Black equality throughout the country. It began with boycotting games back in the 1960s, directing Mississippi’s first integrated basketball camp, and decades more work –like eventually kneeling in solidarity with Colin Kaepernick — that led to him receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2010 from President Barack Obama.
“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,” the loving obituary concludes.
We may have lost a trailblazer today, but social media is paying its respects to the barrier-breaking star. See how the sports world is reacting below.
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1.
NBA legend Bill Russell has passed away peacefully at the age of 88. RIP.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 31, 2022
2.
Bill Russell, the cornerstone of the Boston Celtics dynasty that won eight straight titles and 11 overall during his career, died Sunday.
He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011, the nation’s highest civilian honor. Russell was 88.
More: https://t.co/7bYfbNLIUZ pic.twitter.com/QIaUcdeMo9
— ESPN (@espn) July 31, 2022
3.
4.
Man… Bill Russell.
One of the most important athletes who ever lived. And one of the greatest. RIP.
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) July 31, 2022
5.
Rest in peace, Bill Russell.
pic.twitter.com/53MmShEk8p
— The Players’ Tribune (@PlayersTribune) July 31, 2022
6.
Rest in Peace to the legend Bill Russell. A true champion and one of the best to ever do it
Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/PWuk0sF9Jd
— Foot Locker (@footlocker) July 31, 2022
7.
bill russell was a one-of-one. a Black man who saw the worst of jim crow in Louisiana, endured racism beyond belief in a city where he WON more than ANYONE and became one of the most outspoken heroes of his day.
— Brandon Caldwell (@_brandoc) July 31, 2022
8.
One of my favorite Bill Russell moments… RIP Legend
pic.twitter.com/A7VBRpjUZ0
— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) July 31, 2022
9.
RIP Bill Russell pic.twitter.com/xOBXBrmQyM
— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) July 31, 2022
10.
Bill Russell won:
* 11 NBA Championships as a player
* 2 NBA Championships as a coach
* 2 NCAA Championships
* 5 NBA MVPs
* 11-time All NBA playerAn immeasurable impact off the court and the greatest winner in basketball history. RIP. pic.twitter.com/ukmxmQoYgy
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) July 31, 2022
11.
that one time Bill Russell flipped off Charles Barkley just because pic.twitter.com/JO7iCm4og2
— Rob Lopez (@r0bato) July 31, 2022
12.
Bill Russell, the greatest Celtic, the definition of the black athlete heritage, at 88. RIP
pic.twitter.com/cKbJYl8iFx
— Full Dissident (@hbryant42) July 31, 2022
13.
RIP Bill Russell
11 Time NBA Champion and an Ultimate Winner in every way. pic.twitter.com/SBBk4wTP0m
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) July 31, 2022
14.
RIP Bill Russell. Legends are forever.
pic.twitter.com/5ADklOjKRy
— Kobe Highlights & Motivation (@kobehighlight) July 31, 2022
15.
Bill Russell ruled for a lot of reasons. He was one of the greatest defenders ever. Most prolific champion ever. One of the great fighters for racial equality of his time.
Oh, and dude also LOVED flipping people off. pic.twitter.com/PPcbk6taHi
— Tyler Conway (@jtylerconway) July 31, 2022
16.
Fenway Park honors Bill Russell with a moment of silence. pic.twitter.com/QtlvdIt70m
— WEEI Red Sox Network (@SoxBooth) July 31, 2022
17.
Kobe on the late, great Bill Russell
— Lakers Global
(@LakersGlobal) July 31, 2022
18.
RIP Bill Russell, the greatest Russell in league’s history
— hoopsdontstop
(@hoopsdontstop) July 31, 2022
19.
Legends are forever.
RIP Bill Russell, truly a titan of our game. pic.twitter.com/EKpLABwzmT
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) July 31, 2022
20.
Bill Russell statue in Boston’s Government Center, dedicated in 2013. Government Center is in walking distance of the former site of Boston Garden, now TD Garden. pic.twitter.com/JhKEEIFKcu
— Dart_Adams (@Dart_Adams) July 31, 2022
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