Ultimate Champion: Celtics Legend Bill Russell Dies At 88

BOSTON — Boston Celtics legend Bill Russell — a civil rights leader often recognized as the winningest player in the history of professional sports — has died. He was 88.

Russell was a two-time NCAA champion at the University of San Francisco and won 11 NBA titles as a player and coach with the Boston Celtics. He was also a vocal leader in the civil rights movement in the 1960s and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

A message posted on the family's social media accounts Sunday afternoon said that Russell died peacefully with his wife, Jeannine, by his side.

"Bill's wife, Jeannine, and his many friends and family thank you for keeping Bill in your prayers," the family posted. "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 #6."

Tributes began pouring in for Russell early Sunday from within the Celtics organization, across the NBA and throughout sports.

The Celtics issued a team statement crediting Russell with helping create the standard of excellence within the franchise that exists to this day through his relentless pursuit of excellence, to the celebration of team rewards over individual glory, to a commitment to social justice and civil rights off the court.

"Bill embodied character and commitment and he was truly one of the finest people to ever live," Wyc Grousbeck and Steven Pagliuca said on behalf of the Celtics ownership group. "He will be remembered forever and deservedly so."

While Russell's impact on the court came during Boston's unprecedented championship run, his efforts off the court reverberated throughout the NBA.

"Bill was the greatest champion in all of team sports," NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said. "The countless accolades that he earned for the Boston Celtics — including a record 11 championships and five MVP awards — only begin to tell the story of Bill's impact on our league and broader society.

"Bill stood for something much bigger than sports: the values of equality, respect, and inclusion that he stamped into the DNA of our league. At the height of his athletic career, Bill advocated vigorously for civil rights and social justice, a legacy he passed down to generations of NBA players who follow in his footsteps. Through the taunts, threats and unthinkable adversity, Bill rose about it all and remained true to his belief that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity."

One of the current players who has followed in Russell's footsteps as an outspoken social advocate is Celtics guard Jaylen Brown.

"Thank you for paving the way and inspiring so many," Brown said in a series of Twitter posts on Sunday. "Today is a sad day but also a great day to celebrate his legacy and what he stood for. ... I'm honored to have spent time with you, Bill Russell. Thank you for everything you stood for.

"RIP to one of the greatest athletes ever."

Fellow Celtics legend and Hall of Famer Paul Pierce posted: "Thank you for being a trailblazer, pioneer. Thank you for setting the bar, for your kind words of wisdom. Thank you for that great laugh you had.

"I can go on all day about what u meant to me. Today is a sad day for the NBA family. You will be forever missed #6."

President Barack Obama awarded Russell the Presential Medal of Honor in 2011.

"Today, we lost a giant," Obama said in a statement. "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. (Martin Luther) King and standing 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."

Russell was a two-time All-American at the University of San Francisco who led his team to 55 straight wins and won a gold medal in the 1956 Olympics.

He won nine titles in 10 years as a player with the Celtics as the NBA's dominant defensive force at 6-foot-9. In 1966, he was named the first Black coach in the NBA — and North American professional sports — history when he took over the team as player-coach following Red Auerbach's retirement from the bench.

He went on to win two more titles as a player and coach over the next three years.

He retired in 1969 with 21,620 career rebounds. He averaged 15.1 points and 22.5 rebounds per game for his career.

"The world lost a legend with the passing of Bill Russell," NBA Hall of Famer and Cambridge Rindge & Latin graduate Patrick Ewing said. "His impact on basketball and society will not be forgotten. He handled every adversity with dignity and grace, and walked away a champion. My condolences to his family and those blessed enough to call him a friend."

The NBA recognized Russell with its Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017. The NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award was renamed in his honor in 2009.

"So very sad to hear about Bill Russell today," Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens said. "He set the standard - on and off the court. RIP to an all-time winner, teammate and person."

The family said that arrangements for Russell's memorial service will be announced soon.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)