Legendary.
The National Basketball Association (NBA) and National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) will honor Bill Russell’s life and legacy by permanently retiring his jersey number (#6) league-wide! The announcement comes just days after the iconic player’s passing. Bill Russell, a Celtics & worldwide sports icon, is the first player to have his number retired across the NBA!
Adam Silver shared a few words as the news was publicly announced. “Bill Russell’s unparalleled success on the court and pioneering civil rights activism deserves to be honored in a unique and historic way. Permanently retiring his No. 6 across every NBA team ensures that Bill’s transcendent career will always be recognized.”
This is truly a momentous honor! Whether you’re a hardcore Celtics fan, or just a lover of all things basketball, you understand the magnitude of Russell’s impact on and off the court.
“..one of the greatest champions to ever play the game,” said NBPA Executive Director, Tamika Tremaglio. She continued, “Bill’s actions on and off the court throughout the course of his life helped to shape generations of players for the better and for that, we are forever grateful.”
The sentiment doesn’t stop here.
Additionally, the NBA will continue to pay tribute to the Boston Celtics legend throughout the upcoming 2022-23 season. A commemorative patch will be added on the right shoulder of all jerseys and every team’s home court will display a clover-shaped logo with No.6 on the sidelines. The Celtics, of course, will have their own way of recognizing the icon on their team uniforms – which will be revealed soon!
For his thirteen-season long storied career, Bill Russell wore his No. 6 jersey proudly. The ultimate winner, teammate, and activist, Russell’s impact will be felt for years and generations to come.
The NBA and NBPA announced today that they will honor the life and legacy of 11-time NBA champion and civil rights pioneer Bill Russell by permanently retiring his uniform number, 6, throughout the league.
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) August 11, 2022
Full release: https://t.co/jFjZwKtiB2 pic.twitter.com/LdXT4Mf8W7
