What the Boston public did not recognize about Bill Russell in his time with the Celtics

Love connection between Boston Celtics organization and center of the Celtics Hall of Fame Bill Russell was very real and based on mutual respect. But Russell’s connection to the city of Boston is far more complex due to the open racism and misunderstanding he has faced from fans and local media.

His refusal to be seen as just an athlete and lack of interest in making white fans feel comfortable signing autographs or compromising his views or activism in the community. United States civil rights movement In the 1960s, Russell left the area after his retirement. Boston stepped in to show they really appreciated him in the last two decades or so of his life, but ignoring this part of his history would do us all a disservice.

Moreover, Russell is one of the most important figures of the last century for exactly his stance drew the ire of white Bostonians of the era.

After he passed away last weekend, the hosts of CLNS Media’s “Celtics Lab” podcast came together with The New York Times’ Sopan Deb to memorialize Russell’s activism and personality.

Check Celtics Lab podcast on the:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

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The story originally appeared on the Celtics Wire channel.