Tributes To The Late Bill Russell Should Expand

The NBA recently announced that heading into the upcoming season, Bill Russell’s uniform number 6 will be retired league-wide. Russell passed away on July 31st. Sadly, he was not alive to see this great honor bestowed upon him.

The league should have done this years ago.

Going forward, players currently wearing No. 6 may continue to wear No. 6 until they retire. But no new players will be issued the number.

The league is not only retiring Russell’s number but will honor the five-time MVP by having a commemorative patch worn on the right shoulder of every team’s jerseys. In addition, all courts will display a clover-shaped logo with the No. 6 on the sideline near the official scorer’s table.

Now it’s time for the city of Boston to step up. Russell spent 13 painful seasons in Boston leading the Celtics to 11 championships. Painful because of the unthinkable hostility and racism hurled at Russell.

At present, there is a statue honoring Russell which is located next to Boston’s City Hall. It’s not prominently displayed in City Hall Plaza or Government Center. Instead, sits alongside City Hall near the former Wax Museum and a current Staples Store. This is an embarrassment. The statue should be in a more visible location.

That location should be in front of TD Garden where Celtics’ fans entering the building to cheer on their team can pay their respects to Russell. I realize that the Celtics don’t own the TD Garden, but I would assume they could work out the details to move the statue to this better locale.

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In a city where the Ted Williams Tunnel, David Ortiz Bridge, and David Ortiz Drive exist, it befuddles me that we don’t have a Bill Russell Way.

Very easily, Causeway Street, where TD Garden is located, could be renamed in honor of Bill Russell.

But for a true legend who valued what he did off the court as a social justice warrior as much, if not more, than what he accomplished on the court, naming a street, bridge or tunnel in his honor is not enough.

In addition, let’s rename a public school in the city of Boston after Bill Russell. This would have a greater impact, especially on the youth in the city. Those students who attend that school could learn of the history of Boston’s tempestuous relationship with Russell. Part of teaching history is not just chronicling and sugarcoating past events but also teaching the bad, embarrassing and unexplainable.

Also, I’m sure players in the league would be more than happy to contribute to a fund to provide college scholarships for students in Russell’s name.

With these measures, the three R’s would add a fourth R. And that ‘R’ would be for Russell.

John Sapochetti is co-host of the Pick & Roll NBA Podcast with JET & SAP, which is heard here on Full Press Coverage. Follow him on Twitter @JohnSap25