Reaction to the death of Bill Russell from sports world and beyond

Reaction from the basketball world and beyond on the death of NBA great and 11-time champion Bill Russell:

"What [the Celtics] accomplished in the ‘50s and ‘60s. It’s something that will never be done again in American team sports. It’s spectacular and singular. Eleven championships in 13 years. Given what teams go through to win a Stanley Cup or a World Series or Super Bowl, they do it twice and they burn down cities and celebrate all week. We did it 11 times in 13 years and Russ is the center point of that."

— Bob Cousy,

Celtics teammate 1956-63

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"He had no problem with helping. The player that helps other players needs to be talked about. He had everyone’s back, and that’s what made him special.”

Tom "Satch'' Sanders,

Celtics teammate 1960-69

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"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."

— Patrick Ewing

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A champion who revolutionized the game for all of us. Bill Russell was an inspiration to me in so many ways. May he Rest in Power.

— Carmelo Anthony

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Bill Russell was one of the kindest, most thoughtful people I’ve ever met. Once called out of the blue because he thought I looked sad on TV…best pep talk of my life. RIP

— Jon Stewart

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

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“Today, we lost a giant. As tall as Bill Russell stood, his legacy rises far higher — both as a player and as a person.” — President Barack Obama said on Twitter.

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“To be the greatest champion in your sport, to revolutionize the way the game is played, and to be a societal leader all at once seems unthinkable, but that is who Bill Russell was. Bill was a champion unlike any other in the history of team sports — an 11-time NBA champion, including winning eight consecutive titles, a five-time MVP, an Olympic Gold Medalist and the NBA’s first Black head coach.” — the Boston Celtics said in a statement.

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“Rest in peace Bill Russell you were everything we all aspired to be, your winning spirit will live forever my friend. Thank you for your words of wisdom.” — Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas said on Twitter.

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“He was one of the first athletes on the front line fighting for social justice, equity, equality, and civil rights. That’s why I admired and loved him so much. Over the course of our friendship, he always reminded me about making things better in the Black community.” — Hall of Famer Magic Johnson tweeted.

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“Thanku for being a trailblazer, pioneer Thanku for setting the bar, for ur kind words of wisdom, Thanku for that great laugh u had. I can go on all day about what u meant to me. Today is a sad day for the NBA family u will be forever missed #6” — Celtics great Paul Pierce said on Twitter.

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“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 ... may he rest in peace.” — Hall of Famer and Charlotte Hornets majority owner Michael Jordan said in a statement.

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“Bill Russell was bigger than basketball, even though he was one of the greatest players of all times. He stood for Civil and human rights before it was trendy, in fact when he did it, it was risky! A true giant on and off the court, May he Rest In Peace and Power!” — Reverend Al Sharpton said on Twitter.

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"R.I.P Bill Russell. You allowed me to be in the position I am in today and you changed not only the league but the world. Forever 6." — Celtics player Grant Williams said on Twitter.

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“People like Bill, he’s a bridge to all the struggle that generation went through to get to that point. If everyone could take a little bit of what Bill Russell did for his entire life, we’d be a better world. The things he did with Kareem and Jim Brown and pushing everything forward with equality. They were the first to do it when it meant giving something up along with Muhammad Ali. Giving up things they loved to do for the betterment of this country.”

— Phoenix Mercury guard Diana Taurasi.

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“RIP Bill Russell, a giant in every sense of the word - athletic, civil rights, altruistic - the whole lot RIP champ!” — Tennis great Martina Navratilova said on Twitter.

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“Bill Russell was a once in a generation activist athlete who made all of those around him better on and off the court. He had a career of firsts and led the way for so many. I admired him my entire life and he had a huge influence on my career and my life. He was the ultimate leader, ultimate team player and the ultimate champion.” — Tennis great Billie Jean King

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"The promise of America is that we are all created equal and deserve to be treated equally throughout our lives. We’ve never fully lived up to that promise, but Bill Russell made sure we never walked away from it."

— President Joe Biden