As a 12x All-Star, 5x MVP, and 11x NBA Champion, it’s hard to call Bill Russell’s NBA career anything other than a success. But as nationwide protests for social justice and racial equality continue, Russell’s focus is on changing the status quo.
Things cannot continue as they were and, as he told the Boston Globe, this country still has to fulfill the promise that founded this nation.
Bill Russell wants change. pic.twitter.com/NCjhbZdUyV
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 17, 2020
Russell knows more on racial injustice than anyone in the NBA today. He played in Boston during the segregation era and, despite his career success, was hardly appreciated or celebrated like he should have been.
In fact, one time, fans broke into Russell’s home to spread a hate-filled racist message.
(via The Jump)
“One year, fans broke into Bill Russell’s home, spray painted racist words in the living room, smashed up his trophy case & defecated in his bed. People told Russell time and time again that he didn’t belong. Russell responded that he did belong & that they couldn’t do anything about it.”
Today, Russell has got to be both proud of the progress we’ve made and disappointed at how much racism is still around today. Either way, he’s going to speak up for himself and his people.
