Sports World Honors 11-Time NBA Champion Bill Russell

The basketball legend and civil rights pioneer died Sunday at the age of 88.

The sports world lost a trailblazing icon Sunday with the death of 11-time NBA champion and basketball Hall of Famer Bill Russell at the age of 88.

Universally regarded as one of the greatest and most important players in the sport’s history, Russell forged an indelible legacy during his 13-year NBA career, winning 11 titles and five MVPs with the Celtics from 1956 to ’69. Among Russell’s countless achievements both on and off the floor, the two-time Naismith Hall of Fame inductee and 2011 Presidential Medal of Freedom winner forever altered the course of sports history in 1966 by becoming the first black head coach in North American sports—a role he served in while captaining Boston to two more titles in his final three seasons.

After news of Russell’s death broke Sunday morning, tributes poured in from athletes and personalities across the globe in honor of the basketball legend and civil rights pioneer:

Bill Russell, an 11-time NBA champion and one of the greatest players of all-time, has died at 88 years old pic.twitter.com/vIcokEVBKH

— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) July 31, 2022

A statement from Hornets Chairman Michael Jordan on the passing of NBA legend Bill Russell. pic.twitter.com/RdYcnuCrmb

— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) July 31, 2022

Today, we lost a giant.

As tall as Bill Russell stood, his legacy rises far higher—both as a player and as a person.

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) July 31, 2022

The basketball community has lost a Legend. Our hearts are with the family, friends and fans of Bill Russell.#LegendsForever pic.twitter.com/tSt4HuCjBA

— NBA Alumni 🏀 (@NBAalumni) July 31, 2022

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

— Paul Pierce (@paulpierce34) July 31, 2022

Thank you for everything! R.I.P Legend 🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/tn2iGsArav

— Jayson Tatum (@jaytatum0) July 31, 2022

Rest In Peace 🕊thank you for paving the way and inspiring so many Today is a sad day but also great day to celebrate his legacy and what he stood for 💚 pic.twitter.com/kvDaIsjpGG

— Jaylen Brown (@FCHWPO) July 31, 2022

Bill Russell was my idol. I looked up to him on the court and off. His success on the court was undeniable; he was dominate and great, winning 11 NBA championships. Off the court, Bill Russell paved the way for guys like me. pic.twitter.com/ZMIrEx8Tne

— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) July 31, 2022

Diana Taurasi (via Sports Illustrated’s Ben Pickman):

“Bill was one of the first guys that came to a lot of WNBA games before it was popular, before you got to be on Instagram if you’re coming to a WNBA game. He was coming to the games a lot. And obviously with Annie [Meyers Drysdale] and Bill’s relationship, we got to chat with him pretty often when he would come to the games. He would stay afterwards so, that news is really really sad.

“When you lose people like Bill he’s a bridge to all of the struggle that that generation went through to get to this point so, it's very sad news.

“… When you lose a figure like that. Life’s precious. You’re here one day and you’re gone the next. If everyone could take a little bit of what Bill Russell did for his entire life, we'd be a better world.

“… I think that’s what we were talking about. The things that he did with Kareem, Jim Brown and pushing everything forward with equality. They were the first to do it when it actually meant giving something up, along with Muhammad Ali. Giving up part of the things that they loved to do for the betterment of this country.”

So sad to lose a friend broadcasting partner and one of the greatest players in the history of the NBA. RIP Bill Russell @ESPNNBA @NBA @NBAonTNT @NBAOfficial @NBATV @celtics @NBAcom @NBAalumni @TheNBPA

— Rick Barry (@Rick24Barry) July 31, 2022

Man… Bill Russell.

One of the most important athletes who ever lived. And one of the greatest. RIP.

— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) July 31, 2022

My deepest condolences to the family, loved ones and the @NBA community on the loss of the greatest champion we’ve ever known: BILL RUSSELL. An activist, a pioneer, a humanitarian. He made the world better for us all.#RIPCHAMPION

— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) July 31, 2022

This is terrible news. I had the pleasure of meeting Bill Russell once when I was a young reporter. What a gracious, funny and inspiring person. Truly a class act in every way. A humanitarian, leader and champion. https://t.co/Htnr8ePxyF

— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) July 31, 2022

R.I.P to the legend Bill Russell. 🤴🏿💫

— Rudy Gobert (@rudygobert27) July 31, 2022

Bill Russell was a treasure as a player, coach and especially as a human being. @Lakers and @celtics fans can agree on this today. 😔💜💚😔 https://t.co/TTDfp9w8Zq

— Jeanie Buss (@JeanieBuss) July 31, 2022

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. pic.twitter.com/rBjFS6nhzW

— Isiah Thomas (@IsiahThomas) July 31, 2022

The world lost a legend with the passing of Bill Russell. His impact on basketball and society will not be forgotten. 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 (@CoachEwing33) July 31, 2022

A legend who was bigger than the game of basketball. Who amplified what it means to be #MoreThanAnAthlete every day.

Thanks for everything, Bill Russell. Rest in peace. 🕊 https://t.co/GoPdxgI7rD

— UNINTERRUPTED (@uninterrupted) July 31, 2022

The NBA - and the world at large - lost a legend. The greatest winner in team sports, Bill Russell. Rest easy. pic.twitter.com/zekOhgsmkb

— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) July 31, 2022

Not only was Bill Russell one of the greatest winners of all-time, but he left an unparalleled impact on the NBA and society. The word giant is thrown around a lot, but it couldn’t be more fitting to be used to describe him. https://t.co/LwUR3GRp0A

— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) July 31, 2022

Forever a fixture in the GOAT conversation and the greatest winner #thisleague has ever seen … RIP to the incomparable Bill Russell.

— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 31, 2022

The words “titan,” “icon” and “legend” get thrown around far too much these days. But Bill Russell checked off those boxes long before I was even born. R.I.P. to a Black superhero in every sense of the word. https://t.co/DxhfNK8KnL

— Justin Tinsley (@JustinTinsley) July 31, 2022

Bill Russell. An icon, doing it all in chucks. pic.twitter.com/tz3Tnj5SP4

— Jasmine (@JasmineLWatkins) July 31, 2022

Bill Russell was one of the best & greatest people to ever walk the earth *and also* was one of the greatest basketball players ever.

Just an unparalleled legacy he leaves behind.

— Nekias (Nuh-KY-us) Duncan (@NekiasNBA) July 31, 2022

Bill Russell won:
* 11 NBA Championships as a player
* 2 NBA Championships as a coach
* 2 NCAA Championships
* 5 NBA MVPs
* 11-time All NBA player

An immeasurable impact off the court and the greatest winner in basketball history. RIP. pic.twitter.com/ukmxmQoYgy

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) July 31, 2022

The greatest. RIP.

— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) July 31, 2022

RIP Bill Russell.

11 NBA titles. 2 national championships.

The ultimate winner in basketball history.

— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) July 31, 2022

You can argue all you want about the best, the most skilled, and the most dominant — but Bill Russell is without a doubt the Greatest basketball player of all time.

— Jalen & Jacoby (@JalenandJacoby) July 31, 2022