The sports activities world misplaced a pioneering icon Sunday when 11-time NBA champion and Basketball Corridor of Famer Invoice Russell died on the age of 88.
Universally acknowledged as one of many best and most essential gamers within the historical past of sports activities, Russell created an indelible legacy throughout his 13-year NBA profession, taking part in for the Celtics from 1956 to 1969. Gained 11 titles and 5 MVPs. Amongst Russell’s myriad achievements on and off the ground, he was twice inducted into the Naismith Corridor of Fame, acquired the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011, and in 1966 Russell grew to become the primary black head coach of North American sports activities. It modified the course of sports activities historical past without end. He captained Boston in his remaining three seasons, profitable two extra titles.
Tributes poured in from athletes and celebrities world wide in honor of the basketball legend and civil rights pioneer after Russell’s dying broke Sunday morning.
Diana Taurasi (via SI’s Ben Pickman):
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“Invoice was one of many first to attend many WNBA video games earlier than WNBA video games grew to become in style – earlier than Instagram was obtainable for watching WNBA video games. used to return to video games, and apparently with Annie [Meyers Drysdale] As for Invoice’s relationship, I bought to speak with him very often when he got here to the sport.
“It is such unhappy information while you lose somebody like Invoice, as a result of he is the bridge by way of all of the struggles that this technology has been by way of to get so far.
“…should you lose that kind. Life is treasured. You might be right here at some point and gone the subsequent. Everybody can take a little bit little bit of what Invoice Russell did in his life. If we might, we’d be a greater world.
“…I believe that’s what we had been speaking about. They did it first when it meant giving up one thing… to surrender among the issues they wished to do to make this nation higher.”
Different Invoice Russell protection: