“The world has lost a legend” Michael Jordan’s heartwarming tribute to Bill Russell breaks the internet
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Michael Jordan sad over Bil Russell Demise
The NBA world went into a deep shock hearing the news of Bill Russell passing away on Sunday. It was not only NBA stars and icons sending their condolences to his family, but the whole sporting world offered an outpouring of support and tributes following the news of NBA legend Bill Russell’s death on Sunday. Among those paying tribute to Russell was a fellow Hall of Famer, Charlotte Hornets owner Michael Jordan. MJ issued a statement honoring Russell and lauding the 11-time NBA champion for being a trailblazer for the league’s Black players.
Michel Jordan shared a long post remembering Bill Russell and his work for the players other than being one of the great. He wrote, “Bill Russell was a pioneer—as a player, as a champion, as the NBA’s first Black head coach and as an activist, He paved the way and set an example for every Black player who came into the league after him, including me. The world has lost a legend. My condolences to his family and may he rest in peace.”
Jordan’s words were just a glimpse of Russell’s career and importance in the league. It echoed sentiments shared throughout the NBA, as current and former players issued statements honoring Russell. Michael Jordan calling the Boston Celtics and civil rights icon a “pioneer” and “legend” who “paved the way and set an example for every Black player who came into the league after him, including me was a perfect fitting memory of the iconic star.
Unparalleled legacy of Bill Russell and fan’s reactions to the saddening news
Bill Russell passed away on Sunday morning. In a statement announcing the death of “the most prolific winner in American sports history,” his family called for mourners to “find a new way to act or speak up with Bill’s uncompromising, dignified and always constructive commitment to principle.”
Russell was selected as the No. 2 overall pick of the 1956 NBA draft. The Celtics got him in a draft-night trade with the St. Louis Hawks. He led Boston to their most dominant period in the league winning 11 titles in the next 13 seasons. The team even won eight straight from 1959 to 1966. Bill won 2 more titles as a player coach in 1968 and 1969, asserting his command over the game.
A five-time MVP is universally regarded as the greatest athlete ever to set foot n the hard wood and the best defender ever. League’s current commissioner Adam Silver also released a statement applauding the longtime Celtics icon for his impact on the game. Russell is one of five people to be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a player and coach.
Adam Silver wrote, “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 followed in his footsteps. Through the taunts, threats and unthinkable adversity, Bill rose above it all and remained true to his belief that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity.”
While Michael Jordan wrote about Russell’s work toward black athletes’ rights and his lasting influence on the NBA and the world at large will keep him on the top forever. Here are some of the fans’ reactions to the disheartening news,
Also Read: BREAKING: NBA World reacts to Boston Celtics Legend Bill Russell’s demise at the age of 88
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Kunal Chawda
(600 Articles Published)