07/31/2022 at 23:59
IT IS
Obama, Michael Jordan and Billie Jean King bid farewell to ‘Lord of the Rings’
“As great as Bill Russell was, his legacy is much higher, both as a player and on a human level,” said the former chairman.
Former United States President Barack Obama, former NBA players Michael Jordan and Earvin Magic Johnson and former tennis player Billie Jean King expressed their condolences on Sunday for the passingat 88, of Boston Celtics legend Bill Russell.
“Today we lost a giant. As great as Bill Russell is, his legacy is much higher, both as a player and on a human level.wrote Barack Obama on his Twitter account.
Russell, born in Monroe, Louisiana in 1934, won eleven NBA titles in thirteen seasons with the Boston Celtics and was one of America’s most influential athletes in the fight for equality.
He was the first African-American coach in American sports history and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Obama in 2011.
MICHAEL JORDAN’S FAREWELL
“Bill Russell was a trailblazer, as a player, as a champion, as the NBA’s first African-American coach, as an activist“Michael Jordan, six-time NBA champion with the Chicago Bulls, said in a message posted by the franchise he owns, the Charlotte Hornets.
“He set an example for every African-American player who came into the league after him, myself included. The world has lost a legend. My condolences to the family and may he rest in peace.”
MAGIC JOHNSON, THE BROKEN HEART
Jordan was joined by Magic Johnson, who had a strong bond of friendship with Bill Russell.
“My heart breaks upon learning of the death of the greatest winner basketball history has ever seen, a legend, a Hall of Famer, mentor and friend for over 30 yearsBill Russell,” said Earvin Magic Johnson, who played for the Lakers from 1979 to 1991.
Messages of praise for Bill Russell also came from the tennis world.
AN EXAMPLE FOR BILLIE JEAN KING
“Bill Russell he was a unique athlete-activist who improved everyone around him. He was a pioneer and paved the way for many. I admired him all my life and he had a huge influence on my career. He was a born leader, teammate and champion,” was the message posted by former tennis player Billie Jean King.
Just as Bill Russell did during his career, with concrete gestures to protest against discrimination, Billie Jean King is one of the great figures of American sport in the fight for gender equality.