-
Is drafted to the St. Louis Hawks and is later traded to the Celtics. -
Russell's team was scheduled to play in an exhibition game in Lexington, Kentucky, when Russell and his black teammates were refused service at a local restaurant. -
After Medgar Evers was murdered in 1963, Russell traveled to Mississippi to work with Evers' brother to open an integrated basketball camp. -
In 1966, Russell was promoted to head coach of the Celtics. -
Bill Russell was among the African-American athletes and the one political leader who came together at the 1967 Cleveland Summit to support Muhammad Ali and his decision to refuse to be drafted. -
"Starting this year, the Finals MVP will receive the Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award." commissioner David Stern announced Saturday. -
In 2011, President Barack Obama presented the Medal of Freedom to Russell in recognition of his fight for civil rights and his successful career in the NBA. -
In 2017, Russell received the NBA’s first-ever Lifetime Achievement Award. He won 11 NBA championships in 13 years playing for the Boston Celtics, more than any other player in history. He was a 12-time All-Star and won five NBA MVP awards. -
On September 26, 2017, Russell posted a photograph of himself to a previously unused Twitter account in which he was taking the knee in solidarity with the U.S. national anthem kneeling protests. Russell wore his Presidential Medal of Freedom and the image was captioned: "Proud to take a knee, and to stand tall against social injustice." -
On July 31 2022 Bill Russell died.