How Bill Russell Shaped the Future: A Legacy Timeline

How the contributions of Bill Russell continue to shape the world today.

Bill Russell was a dominant American professional basketball player, primarily a center for the Boston Celtics (1956-1969). He anchored the Celtics dynasty, leading them to an unprecedented 11 NBA championships in 13 years. Renowned for his exceptional defense, rebounding, and shot-blocking skills, Russell is regarded as one of the greatest basketball players ever.

Sections (7)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

1966: The New York Times describes Russell's characteristics

In 1966, The New York Times wrote about Bill Russell's main characteristics, including pride, intelligence, humor, and dignity.

1970: Russell makes NBA 25th Anniversary Team

In 1970, Bill Russell was named to the NBA 25th Anniversary Team.

1970: Russell named "Athlete of the Decade"

In 1970, The Sporting News named Bill Russell the "Athlete of the Decade".

1971: Selection into the NBA 25th Anniversary Team

In 1971, Bill Russell was selected into the NBA 25th Anniversary Team.

1980: Russell declared "Greatest Player in the History of the NBA"

In 1980, Bill Russell was declared "Greatest Player in the History of the NBA" by the Professional Basketball Writers Association of America.

1980: Russell makes NBA 35th Anniversary Team

In 1980, Bill Russell was named to the NBA 35th Anniversary Team.

1980: Selection into the NBA 35th Anniversary Team

In 1980, Bill Russell was selected into the NBA 35th Anniversary Team.

1996: Named One of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History

In 1996, Bill Russell was named as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History.

1996: Russell makes NBA 50th Anniversary Team

In 1996, Bill Russell was named to the NBA 50th Anniversary Team.

May 6, 1999: Jersey re-retirement ceremony

On May 6, 1999, the Celtics re-retired Bill Russell's jersey in a ceremony at the FleetCenter, attended by notable figures like Wilt Chamberlain, Larry Bird, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, where Russell received a standing ovation.

1999: Russell Ranked No. 18 on ESPN's "50 Greatest Athletes of the 20th Century" List

In 1999, Bill Russell was ranked No. 18 on ESPN's "50 Greatest Athletes of the 20th Century" list.

1999: Russell Delivers Eulogy for Chamberlain

In 1999, following years of reconciliation, Bill Russell delivered a eulogy for Wilt Chamberlain, emphasizing their competition rather than rivalry and their enduring friendship.

2000: Heinsohn comments on Russell's stature

In 2000, Tom Heinsohn described Bill Russell's stature and his uneasy relationship with Boston.

2001: Publication of 'Russell Rules'

In 2001, Bill Russell, along with David Falkner, published "Russell Rules: 11 Lessons on Leadership from the Twentieth Century's Greatest Winner", sharing insights on leadership.

Russell Rules: 11 Lessons on Leadership from the Twentieth Century's Greatest Winner

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January 2006: Mediates Shaq-Kobe Feud

In January 2006, Bill Russell successfully convinced Miami Heat's Shaquille O'Neal to reconcile with Kobe Bryant, ending the Shaq-Kobe feud.

2006: Induction into National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame

In 2006, Bill Russell was one of the founding inductees into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame.

2007: Enshrinement in FIBA Hall of Fame

In 2007, Bill Russell was enshrined in the FIBA Hall of Fame.

2007: Russell voted third best center of all time by ESPN

In 2007, Bill Russell was voted the third best center of all time by ESPN behind Abdul-Jabbar and Chamberlain.

December 2008: We Are Boston Leadership Award

In December 2008, Bill Russell was honored with the We Are Boston Leadership Award, recognizing his contributions and impact.

2008: Golden Plate Award

In 2008, Bill Russell received the Golden Plate Award of the Academy of Achievement, recognizing his significant contributions.

February 14, 2009: NBA Finals MVP Award Renamed

On February 14, 2009, NBA Commissioner David Stern announced that the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award would be renamed the Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award in his honor.

2009: NBA Finals MVP award named after Russell

During the NBA All-Star Weekend on February 14, 2009, NBA Commissioner David Stern announced that the NBA Finals MVP award would be named after Bill Russell.

2009: Russell praised as smartest player

In 2009, Bill Bradley wrote in The New York Times Book Review that Bill Russell "was the smartest player ever to play the game [of basketball]".

2009: Russell shares his paternal grandfather's motto

In 2009, Bill Russell wrote about his paternal grandfather's motto, "A man has to draw a line inside himself that he won't allow any man to cross," and how it influenced him.

2009: Russell named third best player of all-time by Slam

In 2009, Slam named Bill Russell the third best player of all-time behind Jordan and Chamberlain.

2009: NBA Finals MVP Award Renamed in His Honor

In 2009, the NBA renamed the NBA Finals MVP Award in honor of Bill Russell.

2010: Russell named a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom

In 2010, Bill Russell was named as a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

2011: Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom

In 2011, Barack Obama awarded Bill Russell the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his achievements in basketball and contributions to the civil rights movement.

November 1, 2013: Statue of Russell unveiled on City Hall Plaza

On November 1, 2013, a statue of Bill Russell was unveiled on City Hall Plaza in Boston, with Russell in attendance, depicting him in-game, surrounded by 11 plinths representing his 11 championships.

2015: Statues of children added to Russell statue

In 2015, two statues of children were added to the Bill Russell statue, honoring Russell's commitment to working with children.

June 15, 2017: Russell announced as inaugural recipient of NBA Lifetime Achievement Award

On June 15, 2017, Bill Russell was announced as the inaugural recipient of the NBA Lifetime Achievement Award.

September 26, 2017: Takes a Knee in Solidarity

On September 26, 2017, Bill Russell showed his support for NFL players protesting social injustice by taking a knee in a photograph posted to Twitter, wearing his Presidential Medal of Freedom.

August 2, 2020: WCC adopts the Russell Rule

On August 2, 2020, the West Coast Conference (WCC) became the first NCAA Division I conference to adopt a conference-wide diversity hiring commitment, announcing the Russell Rule, named after Bill Russell.

2020: Russell Ranked No. 4 in ESPN's List of Top 74 NBA Players

In 2020, Bill Russell was ranked No. 4 in ESPN's list of the top 74 NBA players of all time.

October 2021: Russell honored as one of the league's 75 greatest players of all time

In October 2021, Bill Russell was honored as one of the league's 75 greatest players of all time.

2021: Russell makes NBA 75th Anniversary Team

In 2021, Bill Russell was named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team.

2021: Selection to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team and Second Hall of Fame Induction

In 2021, Bill Russell was selected to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame a second time for his coaching career.

July 31, 2022: Bill Russell's Death

On July 31, 2022, William Felton Russell passed away. He was a celebrated figure in basketball history.

August 11, 2022: Russell's No. 6 jersey retired throughout the NBA

On August 11, 2022, it was announced that Bill Russell's No. 6 jersey would be retired throughout the National Basketball Association, the first time a jersey had been retired league-wide in NBA history.

2022: Russell Ranked No. 6 in ESPN's NBA 75th Anniversary Team List

In 2022, Bill Russell was ranked No. 6 in ESPN's NBA 75th Anniversary Team list, and No. 4 in a similar list by The Athletic.

2022: NBA Retired Russell's #6 Jersey League-Wide

Shortly after his death in 2022, the NBA retired Bill Russell's #6 jersey league-wide, an honor only given to a select few.

October 2024: Boston to rename bridge in Russell's honor

In October 2024, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and other officials announced that the city would rename the new North Washington Street Bridge in honor of Bill Russell. The bridge was under construction as the replacement of a bridge known locally as the Charlestown Bridge.