Shams: NBA to retire Boston Celtics, civil rights legend Bill Russell’s No. 6 jersey across the league
Recently-passed Boston Celtics Hall of Fame big man and US civil rights legend Bill Russell will have his No. 6 jersey number worn with the Celtics for the entirety of his career retired on every team of the NBA, according to new reporting from The Athletic NBA insider Shams Charania.
Russell, who left us on July 31 at age 88, was known not only for his 11 championships, 13 All-Star appearances, 5 Most Valuable Player awards, and countless other accolades but also for his work fighting for social and racial justice, his mentorship, and other charitable works. His decision to speak out against injustice in his time as a player was unprecedented for those in professional sports of any kind or race, and he risked his career in order to use his platform for the greater good in ways still following the example he set in the 1960s today.
“Players who currently wear No. 6 – such as (Los Angeles) Lakers‘ LeBron James – will be grandfathered,” added Charania.
New episode of the Celtics Lab Podcast on YouTube ☘️📺@SopanDeb chats about Bill Russell and his legacy, including his statue at Boston City Hall
Via @betonline_ag X @CelticsCLNS https://t.co/ZydgBHZAQN
— Celtics Lab Podcast (@CelticsLab) August 4, 2022
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