Red Auerbach, Ted Williams, Bobby Orr and Doug Flutie (!) will live forever in statue form in Boston.
And finally, so will the greatest team player in sports history, Bill Russell.
Russell not only deserves a statue for his accomplishments as a basketball player and coach, but as a civil rights pioneer. As a humanitarian. As a leader.
The Boston Globe produced a video that’s worth watching. If you have an extra 8 minutes or so, you won’t find it a waste of time.
The Brooks File 
A great way to honor a man who is a winner in all aspects of life.
Nice piece, a terrific athlete and person a well deserved honor for Mr. Russell.
Way overdue…thanks Ger, excellent piece.
I’d watch PRO basketball again if he was playing.
He might be too cerebral for today’s game. Even the way he blocked shots had a purpose. Instead of swatting a shot into the stands for show, he’d try to direct a block to a teammate to start a fast break.
He owned Wilt.
He couldn’t get over Wilt’s head, so he got in it.
No one can deny the great talent of Bill Russell and the Olympian dimension of the Russell-Chamberlain rivalry, but uh . . .
Wilt and Russell played against each other 142 times in 10 years. Russell won 88, Wilt won 74. Wilt averaged 28.7 points and 28.7 rebounds vs. Russell. Russell averaged 14.5 and 23.7 vs. Wilt.
Wilt’s high game vs. Russell was 62, and he had six other 50 point games againts Russell . Russell’s high game against Wilt was 37, and he had only two other 30 points games.
Wilt’s record 55 rebound game was against Russell, and he had six other 40 rebound games vs. Bill.
Russell also had a 40 rebound night against Wilt.
Wilt’s teams lost all 4 seventh games against Russell… (Russell was 10-0 in game 7s during his career).
So, while Bill’s teams had the clear edge, Wilt was clearly the superior player.
AND, while they were both fine gentlemen and exemplary role models, Wilt got about 19,925 more girls than Bill.
Wilt’s numbers were staggering, and there is no denying his singular greatness. That’s why Russ is referred to as the greatest “team” player.
And I’m sure if Wilt has one great regret from beyond, it’s that he didn’t go while riding high in the saddle.
I disdain the celebrity culture. But he is on a very short list of well-known people I admire enough to want to spend some time with and absorb any shred of knowledge I could.
That goes double for me.