TO THE CHAPTER INVISIBLE
“That’s what I do, that’s not what I am. I’m not a basketball player, I’m a man who plays basketball.”
L oved by his family, beloved by his teammates, respected by his opponents, worshipped by gen- erations of National Basketball Association (NBA) stars that followed him, and frequently misunderstood by sports media and fans, Bill Russell was one of the most iconic and important sports figures of the 20 th century. For numerous basketball fans and histori- ans, Russell is considered the ultimate winner in team sports with his 11 NBA championships. In 30 elimination games in college, the Olympics, and the NBA, Russell-led teams were 28-2. He was known as a selfless player whose play made his teammates better and his team win. A legendary center for the Boston Celtics, Russell’s play dictated a game’s pace and whose play on the defensive end of the court led to win- ning basketball. When Russell entered the NBA in 1956, the sport was forever changed. Russell was a trailblazer in his style of play and part of the wave of trailblazing star African American ath- letes (Jim Brown, Willie Mays, Henry Aaron, Frank Robinson…) that entered professional sports leagues in the 1950s. Russell blazed another trail in profes- sional sports when he was hired as head coach of the Boston Celtics, the first time an African American was named as head coach of a team in a major profes- sional sports league. In addition to his illustrious stature in basketball, Russell was involved in vital issues off the court, including civil rights and addressing injustice. Inspired “Jackie Robinson was a hero to all of us. But my attitude was Jackie took us from point A to point B, but I was not going to revisit point A. I was going to start at point B.”
by his idol Jackie Robinson, Russell was one of the first African American athletes to utilize his prominence in sports to lend his voice and presence to support the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s. Russell was articulate, opinionated, well-spoken, wise, and uncompromis- ing on the rights of all people, dignity, and citizenship. “I was born with full citizenship... My citizenship is my birthright. That’s the way I’ve always conducted myself — I’m a citizen and I demand everything that goes along with being a citizen.” He spoke and wrote truthfully and movingly about race, sports, and soci- ety. He was beloved because Russell believed in the dignity of man no matter race, religion, or economic circumstance, and he walked the talk. One of basketball’s most signifigant figures and greatest champions, Bill Russell (Gamma Alpha 1955), peace- fully entered the Chapter Invisible at his home in Mercer Island, WA, on July 31, 2022, at 88. Tributes throughout the basketball world and beyond populated mainstream news and social media in the days following his passing. U.S. President Joe Biden: “Bill Russell is one of the greatest athletes in our history - an all-time champion of champions, and a good man and great American who did everything he could to deliver the promise of America for all Americans.” Former U.S. President Barack Obama: “Today, we lost a giant. As tall as Bill Russell stood, his legacy rises far higher—both as a player and as a person. 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. Off of it, he was a civil rights trailblazer — marching with Dr. King and stand- ing with Muhammad Ali. For decades, Bill endured insults and vandalism, but never let it stop him from speaking up for what’s right. I learned so much from the way he played, the way he coached, and the way he lived his life.” Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Michael Jordan : “Bill Russell was a pioneer – as a player, as a champion, as the NBA’s first Black head coach, and as an activist.” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver : “Bill Russell was a once-in-a-generation activist athlete who made all around him better. He had a career of firsts & led the way for many. I admired him my entire life & he had a huge influence on my career. He was the ultimate leader, ultimate team player & ultimate cham- pion.” Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson (Beta Eta 1960) : “Bill was a tremendous guy to be around, to talk to about things in life and basketball, about he was doing. He would ask me about my family as well. It’s a different situation when you knew a person and you can call them a friend. I was so happy and honored to call Bill Russell, my friend.” NBA Boston Celtics franchise: “Rest in peace Bill Russell you were every- thing we all aspired to be, your winning spirit will live forever my friend. Thank you for your words of wisdom.” On August 12, 2022, the NBA an- nounced it would permanently retire Russell’s #6 jersey number for all NBA teams. In addition, Russell became the first player in NBA history to have his jersey retired leaguewide. Furthermore, all NBA players will wear a commemora- tive patch on the right shoulder of their jerseys during the 2022-23 season, and
THE JOURNAL ♦ SPRING 2022
PUBLISHING ACHIEVEMENT IN EVERY FIELD OF HUMAN ENDEAVOR
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