• Latest
  • Trending
  • All
  • NFL
  • NHL
  • MLB
  • NBA
  • Pro Wrestling
  • MMA
Frank Ramsey, Hall of Fame “Original Sixth Man”, dies at age 86

Frank Ramsey, Hall of Fame “Original Sixth Man”, dies at age 86

July 10, 2018
Las Vegas Raiders

Raiders Opinion: Better Run/Pass Balance Needed

February 25, 2021
Brady Tkachuk The Ottawa Senators Next Captain?

Brady Tkachuk The Ottawa Senators Next Captain?

February 25, 2021
ADVERTISEMENT
AL Notes: Gardner Insurance for Yanks, German Apologizes, Bradley Still in Limbo, Clubs Make Final Adds

AL Notes: Gardner Insurance for Yanks, German Apologizes, Bradley Still in Limbo, Clubs Make Final Adds

February 25, 2021
Alabama cornerback Patrick Surtain II

2021 Draft Profile: CB Patrick Surtain II

February 24, 2021
49ers’ GM John Lynch: “No Doubt” Garoppolo Will Be 49ers’ Quarterback For 2021

49ers’ GM John Lynch: “No Doubt” Garoppolo Will Be 49ers’ Quarterback For 2021

February 24, 2021
AEW Signs “The Big Show” Paul Wight

AEW Signs “The Big Show” Paul Wight

February 24, 2021
A Gentleman and a Scholar: Neal Pionk Officially Receives Business Degree

A Gentleman and a Scholar: Neal Pionk Officially Receives Business Degree

February 24, 2021
Patriots 2021 NFL Draft Prospect: RB Jaret Patterson

Patriots 2021 NFL Draft Prospect: RB Jaret Patterson

February 24, 2021

2021 Chiefs Draft Prospect: Kadarius Toney

February 24, 2021
Las Vegas Raiders

Raiders Opinion: Two Hellish Years

February 24, 2021
NFL Free Agency: Are We Sure The Patriots Can Still Win Over Free Agents?

NFL Free Agency: Are We Sure The Patriots Can Still Win Over Free Agents?

February 23, 2021

This Or That: Eric Fisher Or Mitchell Schwartz?

February 23, 2021
  • Apply to Write
  • Contact Us
  • FullPressRadio.com
  • SHOP FPC
  • FullPressHockey.com
  • FullPressWrestling.com


Thursday, February 25, 2021
Full Press Coverage
  • Latest
    • Full Press Radio Network
    • Apply to Write
    • Feedback
    • Privacy Policy
  • NFL
    • AFC
      • Baltimore Ravens
      • Buffalo Bills
      • Cincinnati Bengals
      • Cleveland Browns
      • Denver Broncos
      • Houston Texans
      • Indianapolis Colts
      • Jacksonville Jaguars
      • Kansas City Chiefs
      • Las Vegas Raiders
      • Los Angeles Chargers
      • Miami Dolphins
      • New England Patriots
      • New York Jets
      • Pittsburgh Steelers
      • Tennessee Titans
    • NFC
      • Arizona Cardinals
      • Atlanta Falcons
      • Carolina Panthers
      • Chicago Bears
      • Dallas Cowboys
      • Detroit Lions
      • Green Bay Packers
      • Los Angeles Rams
      • Minnesota Vikings
      • New Orleans Saints
      • New York Giants
      • Philadelphia Eagles
      • San Francisco 49ers
      • Seattle Seahawks
      • Tampa Bay Buccaneers
      • Washington Football Club
  • NBA
  • MLB
  • NHL
  • Fantasy Sports
  • Pro Wrestling
  • Other Sports
    • College Sports
    • MMA
    • XFL
    • Futbol
    • AAF
  • Podcasts
    • FPC Radio LIVE
    • Dylan and Ross Save Sports
    • The Eye Test for Two
    • Big Bad Bruins Podcast
    • Black Tuesday
    • Get Off My Lawn
    • The Sap and Kat Show
    • Talkamania
    • Crossbody of Work
    • The Salvaggio and Cratty Sports Podcast
    • All Shows
No Result
View All Result
Full Press Coverage
No Result
View All Result
Home NBA Eastern Conference Atlantic Division Boston Celtics

Frank Ramsey, Hall of Fame “Original Sixth Man”, dies at age 86

Curtis Rawls by Curtis Rawls
July 10, 2018
in Boston Celtics, NBA, NBA Featured, News
Reading Time: 6min read
0
Frank Ramsey, Hall of Fame “Original Sixth Man”, dies at age 86
1.5k
SHARES
3.3k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Frank Ramsey, the Hall of Fame guard/forward who pioneered the sixth man role on seven Boston Celtics championship teams, died Sunday just five days before his 87th birthday.

Frank Vernon Ramsey Jr. was born July 13, 1931 in Corydon, Ky. His family moved to Madisonville when he was five years old. His parents, Frank and Sara, owned a farm and dry goods store.

More FromFPC

Remembering Marty Schottenheimer: “The Best Coach I Ever Worked For”

Remembering Marty Schottenheimer: “The Best Coach I Ever Worked For”

February 9, 2021

Two-Headed Monster: Miami Hires Studesville, Godsey as Co-Offensive Coordinators

February 4, 2021

Dolphins: Breaking Down Remaining Offensive Coordinator Candidates

January 27, 2021

Opinion: Fans Need Common Sense Approach

January 21, 2021

He played for legendary coach Adolph Rupp at the University of Kentucky alongside future Hall of Fame forward Cliff Hagan. He was a two-time Consensus All-American and a member of the Wildcats’ 1951 national championship team. Ramsey averaged 14.8 points and 11.4 rebounds in three seasons at Kentucky.

Ramsey was selected by the Celtics with the fifth overall pick in the 1953 NBA Draft. The Celtics also selected Hagan (21st overall) and forward Lou Tsioropoulos (57th overall). The three did not begin their professional careers until the 1954-55 season.

Kentucky’s 1952-53 season was cancelled after a point-shaving scandal. The lack of basketball games enabled Ramsey, Hagan, and Tsioropoulos to really focus on their studies and they graduated with a year of eligibility remaining. Instead of joining the Celtics, they elected to return to the Wildcats for the 1953-54 season.

Kentucky went 25-0 with a 27-point average margin of victory. The Wildcats beat LSU (led by future Hall of Famer Bob Petit) for the SEC Championship and automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament but it wasn’t meant to be. A little-known rule at the time prevented graduate students from playing in the postseason. Rupp didn’t want to take a chance on the team’s unblemished record without its three best players so the Wildcats didn’t participate in the NCAA Tournament.

In addition to being a star on the hardwood, Ramsey also played baseball at Kentucky. He once referred to his career with the Wildcats as “a doctorate athletically”.

Ramsey joined a Celtics team in 1954 featuring the Hall of Fame duo of Bob Cousy and Bill Sharman in the backcourt and Ed Macauley at center, averaging 11.2 points and 6.3 rebounds. After his rookie season, Ramsey spent one year in the Army before returning to the Celtics midway through the 1956-57 season. The team had recently acquired Bill Russell from the St. Louis Hawks in exchange for Hagan and Macauley.

The Celtics went on to win the 1957 NBA title. Beginning in 1959, they won eight consecutive championships. Red Auerbach used Ramsey at guard or small forward when the starters needed to rest. He was also called upon during the closing moments of tight games.

Ramsey played an average of 24.6 minutes (the equivalent of just over one half of a game) averaging 13.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in nine seasons with the Celtics. He was the first sixth man—a player who wasn’t in the starting lineup that is inserted into the game at critical junctures—in the NBA.

Ramsey paved the way for other Hall of Fame Celtics sixth men including John Havlicek, Kevin McHale, and Bill Walton.

“On a lot of teams, they make a big deal out of the ‘starting five’,” Auerbach said in his 1977 autobiography. “If you don’t start it implies you’re not as good or as valuable as the next guy. That’s not the way we looked at the men on our bench in Boston.

“Psychologically, as soon as you pull one of your starters out of the game, the other team is going to let down just a bit. That’s when I wanted a guy like Ramsey or Havlicek to get there and run them into the ground.”

Auerbach gave Ramsey the green light and he didn’t need much to get going.

“I never needed many shots in warm-ups to get loose; 10-15 would do it,” Ramsey said in the NBA oral history “Tall Tales”. “I sat on the bench with my warm-up jacket open so I could rip it off as I ran to the scorer’s table the second Red called my name. I went into the game looking for a shot. People said I had no conscience. Red told me: ‘When you’re open, shoot it. That’s why you’re here’.”

In 623 career games, he scored 8,370 points to go with 3,410 rebounds and 1,134 assists. Ramsey’s best statistical season was the 1957-58 campaign, where he averaged 16.5 points and 7.3 rebounds. The Celtics were defeated by the St. Louis Hawks (featuring Ramsey’s college teammate Hagan) for the 1958 NBA title. It was the only season of Ramsey’s career that the Celtics didn’t win the championship.

Ramsey was a pioneer in another arena: the art of drawing fouls. He explained his technique in a controversial 1963 Sports Illustrated article.

“Drawing fouls chiefly requires the ability to provide good, heartwarming drama and to direct it to the right audience,” he said. “I never forget where the referees are when I go into an act. The most reliable eye-catcher is still the pratfall. Particularly on defense, when everything else fails, I fall down.”

Ramsey wasn’t punished by the league for the article. He was verbally reprimanded by commissioner J. Walter Kennedy. He also noticed something from officiating crews in the aftermath of the article’s release.

“For a couple of months after that, the officials let people beat the hell out of me,” Ramsey said in a 2014 Sports Illustrated interview.

Ramsey retired after the 1963-64 season. His seven NBA championships tie him with his teammate Jim Loscutoff and Robert Horry for fourth all-time. Ramsey’s No. 23 jersey was retired by the Celtics in 1964. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1982. The NBA handed out the first Sixth Man of the Year award to the Philadelphia 76ers’ Bobby Jones the following year. Ramsey was inducted into the College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006.

Ramsey was Auerbach’s first choice to replace him on the Celtics’ sideline when he retired after the 1965-66 season. Instead, Ramsey moved back to Madisonville due to his father’s ill health. He would dabble in coaching with the ABA’s Kentucky Colonels. Ramsey was named head coach of the Colonels 17 games into the 1970-71 season. He went 32-35, leading the Colonels to the 1971 ABA Finals to face the Utah Stars (coached by Ramsey’s ex-teammate Sharman). The Colonels lost the series 4-3.

After his season of coaching, Ramsey returned to Madisonville. He settled into life as a president of a bank founded by his grandfather in nearby Dixon. In 2005, the family home was destroyed by a tornado. Ramsey, the only person home at the time of the storm, was unhurt but lost memorabilia. One of his plaques was found miles away. The family moved into the farmhouse but the family home was never rebuilt.

The Celtics released a statement on Ramsey’s passing.

“As a seven-time NBA Champion and the original ‘Sixth Man’, Frank Ramsey helped create a legacy of excellence and selflessness that carried through generations and remains part of the Boston Celtics ethos to this day. A true gentleman known for his elegance and thoughtfulness he remained a loyal and active member of the Celtics family throughout his days. We join those celebrating his life and mourning his passing.

Ramsey died at a hospital in Evansville, Ind., about 50 miles from Madisonville. No cause of death was released. He is survived by his wife, Jean; sons, Tripp and Clifford; daughter, Cynthia; six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

– Curtis Rawls is a Managing Editor for Full Press Coverage and covers the NFL, the New York Giants, and the NBA. Please like and follow on Facebook Twitter, and Twitter. Curtis can be followed on Twitter @CuRawls203.

Tags: Boston CelticsFrank RamseyNBA
Share603Tweet377
Previous Post

Redskins Notes: Who’s Returning Kicks and Punts in 2018

Next Post

Brother of Giants CB Janoris Jenkins charged with manslaughter

Curtis Rawls

Curtis Rawls

Next Post
Brother of Giants CB Janoris Jenkins charged with manslaughter

Brother of Giants CB Janoris Jenkins charged with manslaughter

Junior Galette Back to Washington? Maybe So

Junior Galette Back to Washington? Maybe So

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

A Twitter List by iglen31

FPC Podcasts

  • Ep. 191: The Cold Hand of Petty Truth
    by Full Press Coverage on February 25, 2021 at 5:35 pm

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://pdst.fm/e/chtbl.com/track/G481GD/traffic.megaphone.fm/ADV3347894364.mp3
  • Ep.67: Lightning Strikes
    by Full Press Coverage on February 25, 2021 at 3:12 am

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://pdst.fm/e/chtbl.com/track/G481GD/traffic.megaphone.fm/ADV9051375543.mp3
  • Ep.66: Back with the Atlanta Tigers
    by Full Press Coverage on February 24, 2021 at 6:06 pm

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://pdst.fm/e/chtbl.com/track/G481GD/traffic.megaphone.fm/ADV6056998385.mp3
  • Ep.56: Carr Extension, Honest Assessments
    by Full Press Coverage on February 24, 2021 at 4:23 pm

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://pdst.fm/e/chtbl.com/track/G481GD/traffic.megaphone.fm/ADV5122049759.mp3
  • Ep 30: Pro Football Hall of Famer John Lynch Joins
    by Full Press Coverage on February 24, 2021 at 3:52 pm

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://api.spreaker.com/download/episode/43617711/eyetest_ep30.mp3
  • Ep.65: The Darrell Crawford Interview
    by Full Press Coverage on February 24, 2021 at 3:46 pm

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://pdst.fm/e/chtbl.com/track/G481GD/traffic.megaphone.fm/ADV2561778107.mp3
  • Ep. 64: The Kelly Marsh Interview
    by Full Press Coverage on February 24, 2021 at 3:43 pm

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://pdst.fm/e/chtbl.com/track/G481GD/traffic.megaphone.fm/ADV5086812743.mp3
  • The Game Spring Training Edition
    by Full Press Coverage on February 24, 2021 at 2:00 am

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://api.spreaker.com/download/episode/43609359/the_game_223.mp3
  • Ep. 190: Knowledge, Power, and Responsibility
    by Full Press Coverage on February 24, 2021 at 12:47 am

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://pdst.fm/e/chtbl.com/track/G481GD/traffic.megaphone.fm/ADV9146904875.mp3
  • Full Press EP 6: Offseason Predictions, Free Agents, Draft Talk
    by Full Press Coverage on February 23, 2021 at 10:03 pm

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://api.spreaker.com/download/episode/43606334/full_press_ep_6_mon_1132_01.mp3

  • AEW Signs “The Big Show” Paul Wight
    by Evan Gomes on February 24, 2021 at 4:35 pm

    Well… AEW has announced the signing of wrestling legend Paul Wight, known in WWE as The Big Show, […]

  • WWE Raw Results, Grade & Opinion: February 22, 2021
    by Evan Gomes on February 23, 2021 at 5:04 am

    WWE Raw Results, Grades & Opinion: February 22, 2021 A.K.A. The One Where Bobby Lashley Makes […]

  • WWE Elimination Chamber 2021 Results, Grades & Opinion
    by Evan Gomes on February 22, 2021 at 3:33 am

    WWE Elimination Chamber 2021 Results, Grades & Opinion A.K.A. The One Without A Women’s […]

  • Crossbody of Work Episode 51: The Rock Part Three – Hollywood Star
    by Evan Gomes on February 20, 2021 at 3:05 pm

    Welcome to Crossbody of Work, a show where we break down a wrestler’s career through five of […]

  • AEW Dynamite Results, Grades & Opinion: February 17, 2021
    by Evan Gomes on February 18, 2021 at 4:18 am

    AEW Dynamite Results, Grades & Opinion: February 17, 2021 A.K.A. The One With A Gender Reveal […]

More Wrestling News

  • Canadian AHL Clubs See Unprecedentedly Inconsisent Schedule
    by Carter Brooks on February 25, 2021 at 7:19 pm

    The American Hockey League's 2020-21 season will certainly go down as one of the most memorable […]

  • Sabres Forward Jeff Skinner Is Struggling … Or Is He?
    by Daniel Love on February 25, 2021 at 7:07 pm

    Is Sabres forward Jack Eichel struggling? The post Sabres Forward Jeff Skinner Is Struggling … Or […]

  • NHL ProteauType: Despite Sunny Bumps, Lake Tahoe Outdoor Games Deserve Praise
    by Adam Proteau on February 25, 2021 at 7:03 pm

    There was a lot to like about the NHL Outdoor series hitting Lake Tahoe. The post NHL ProteauType: […]

  • The San Jose Sharks Facing Glum Future
    by Lyle Richardson on February 25, 2021 at 6:59 pm

    What does the future hold for the San Jose Sharks? The post The San Jose Sharks Facing Glum Future […]

  • Brady Tkachuk The Ottawa Senators Next Captain?
    by Murray Pam on February 25, 2021 at 6:02 am

    While there are no plans to name one this season, Brady Tkachuk should be the odds-on favourite to […]

More Hockey News

  • Ep 54: Boston Strong Through First Quarter; Bruins Ready For Tahoe; Trade Rumors
    by Full Press Coverage on February 19, 2021 at 1:42 pm

    Ian and Chris discuss the Bruins first quarter of the season, the upcoming […]

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://anchor.fm/s/cc094d0/podcast/play/26944781/sponsor/amsj67/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2021-02-19%2F9842e3b3bd832cd255d0058b2a68b0b5.m4a
  • Ep 53: Bruins On a Roll; Brad Marchand and Charlie McAvoy; Blackey Family History
    by Full Press Coverage on February 3, 2021 at 10:40 pm

    Ian and Chris are joined by Eric Blackey to talk Bruins' hot streak, […]

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://anchor.fm/s/cc094d0/podcast/play/26174126/sponsor/amsj67/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2021-02-03%2F66793c2461c1f0eaf37253a4e481f46b.m4a
  • Ep 52: Bruins Early Season Struggles
    by Full Press Coverage on January 21, 2021 at 10:51 pm

    Ian and Chris react to the first few games of the season and wonder what […]

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://anchor.fm/s/cc094d0/podcast/play/25536904/sponsor/amsj67/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2021-01-21%2F3056b20d5e95c23e9c23b40f379c9029.m4a
  • Ep 51: Bergeron Dons The "C", Picking Up the Chara/Krug Slack; Season Expectations
    by Full Press Coverage on January 13, 2021 at 10:20 pm

    Mike Cratty of the Sal and Cratty Show and BlackNGoldHockey.com joins Ian […]

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://anchor.fm/s/cc094d0/podcast/play/25157918/sponsor/amsj67/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2021-01-13%2F4542c465ec7a3234f146bea647ede57e.m4a
  • Ep 50: Mr. Chara Goes to Washinton
    by Full Press Coverage on December 31, 2020 at 9:14 pm

    Ian and Chris react to the Capitals signing of Bruins longtime captain, […]

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://anchor.fm/s/cc094d0/podcast/play/24623669/sponsor/amsj67/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2020-12-31%2F26d5b85c06ec2255c2f6cfc78b24cf94.m4a
  • Ep 49: Bruins New Division; Chara's Future in Boston
    by Full Press Coverage on December 23, 2020 at 7:21 pm

    Ian and Chris return to discuss the NHL's 56-game season, the Bruins new […]

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://anchor.fm/s/cc094d0/podcast/play/24356084/sponsor/amsj67/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2020-12-23%2F5755949a0115f50df8582cc32916323a.m4a
  • Ep 48: Jake DeBrusk Signs; Reverse Retro Jerseys; Thanksgiving Food Draft
    by Full Press Coverage on November 26, 2020 at 5:54 pm

    On this Thanksgiving episode of the Big Bad Bruins Podcast, Ian and Chris […]

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://anchor.fm/s/cc094d0/podcast/play/23142833/sponsor/amsj67/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2020-11-26%2F52d6fc857b1cd37d19b4fe24752398f6.m4a
Full Press Coverage

© 2020 Full Press Coverage

Navigate Site

  • Staff Portal
  • Apply to Write
  • Contact Us
  • Have a news tip?
  • Privacy Policy
  • FPC Radio Network
  • NFL
  • NBA
  • MLB
  • FullPressHockey.com

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • Latest
    • Full Press Radio Network
    • Apply to Write
    • Feedback
    • Privacy Policy
  • NFL
    • AFC
      • Baltimore Ravens
      • Buffalo Bills
      • Cincinnati Bengals
      • Cleveland Browns
      • Denver Broncos
      • Houston Texans
      • Indianapolis Colts
      • Jacksonville Jaguars
      • Kansas City Chiefs
      • Las Vegas Raiders
      • Los Angeles Chargers
      • Miami Dolphins
      • New England Patriots
      • New York Jets
      • Pittsburgh Steelers
      • Tennessee Titans
    • NFC
      • Arizona Cardinals
      • Atlanta Falcons
      • Carolina Panthers
      • Chicago Bears
      • Dallas Cowboys
      • Detroit Lions
      • Green Bay Packers
      • Los Angeles Rams
      • Minnesota Vikings
      • New Orleans Saints
      • New York Giants
      • Philadelphia Eagles
      • San Francisco 49ers
      • Seattle Seahawks
      • Tampa Bay Buccaneers
      • Washington Football Club
  • NBA
  • MLB
  • NHL
  • Fantasy Sports
  • Pro Wrestling
  • Other Sports
    • College Sports
    • MMA
    • XFL
    • Futbol
    • AAF
  • Podcasts
    • FPC Radio LIVE
    • Dylan and Ross Save Sports
    • The Eye Test for Two
    • Big Bad Bruins Podcast
    • Black Tuesday
    • Get Off My Lawn
    • The Sap and Kat Show
    • Talkamania
    • Crossbody of Work
    • The Salvaggio and Cratty Sports Podcast
    • All Shows

© 2020 Full Press Coverage