NBA Celtics great at civil rights activist na si Bill Russell, pumanaw na
(FILES) In this file photo taken on February 14, 2011, US President Barack Obama awards the 2010 Medal of Freedom to NBA basketball hall of famer and human rights advocate Bill Russell during a ceremony at the White House in Washington, DC. - NBA great Bill Russell, the cornerstone of a Boston Celtics dynasty that won 11 titles and a powerful voice for social justice, has died at the age of 88, a statement posted on social media said July 31, 2022. (Photo by Jim WATSON / AFP)
Pumanaw na nitong Linggo sa edad na 88-anyos, ang pundasyon ng Boston Celtics dynasty na nanalo ng 11 NBA titles at isang malakas na tinig para sa social justice na si Bill Russell, ayon sa kaniyang pamilya.
Sa isang statement na ipinost sa Twitter page ni Russell ay nakasaad . . . “Bill Russell, the most prolific winner in American sports history, passed away peacefully today at age 88, with his wife, Jeannine, by his side.”
Sina US President Joe Biden at dating President Barack Obama – na nagkaloob kay Russell ng Presidential Medal of Freedom noong 2011 – ay kabilang sa mga nagbigay ng tribute sa naging kontribusyon nito “on and off the court.”
Ayon sa pahayag ni Biden . . . “The promise of America is that we are all created equal and deserve to be treated equally throughout our lives. We’ve never fully lived up to that promise, but Bill Russell made sure we never walked away from it.”
Ang 11 titulo ni Russell kasama ng Celtics ay kinabibilangan ng walong sunod-sunod mula 1959-1966. Ang NBA Finals MVP award sa araw na ito ay ipangangalan para sa kaniya.
Si Russell ay may average na 15.1 points at 22.5 rebounds per game sa kaniyang career, at naging sikat siyang katunggali ni Wilt Chamberlain noong 1960s.
Siya rin ang unang naging Black coach sa NBA nang magsilbi siya bilang player-coach ng Celtics noong 1966, at una ring Black player na napasama sa Basketball Hall of Fame noong 1975.
Binago ng kanyang mga kasanayan ang laro sa NBA, ngunit binanggit ni Biden na sa kabuuan ng kanyang career . . . “Russell faced the hostility and hate of racism embedded in every part of American life. Yet, he never gave up. Throughout his life, he forced us to confront hard truths. And on this day, there are generations of Americans who are reflecting on what he meant to them as someone who played for the essential truth that every person is entitled to be treated with dignity and respect.”
Sinabi naman ng pamilya ni Russell . . . “His understanding of the struggle is what illuminated his life. Bill called out injustice with an unforgiving candor that he intended would disrupt the status quo, and with a powerful example that, though never his humble intention, will forever inspire teamwork, selflessness and thoughtful change.”
Pahayag ni Obama sa kaniyang Twitter post . . . “The world had “lost a giant.” As tall as Bill Russell stood, his legacy rises far higher — both as a player and as a person. Perhaps more than anyone else, Bill knew what it took to win and what it took to lead. On the court, he was the greatest champion in basketball history. Off of it, he was a civil rights trailblazer, marching with Dr. King and standing with Muhammad Ali. For decades, Bill endured insults and vandalism, but never let it stop him from speaking up for what’s right. I learned so much from the way he played, the way he coached, and the way he lived his life.”
Tinawag ni NBA Commissioner Adam Silver si Russell na ” pinakadakilang kampeon sa lahat ng team sports,” ngunit idinagdag na ang kanyang mga papuri ay “panimula lamang ng kuwento ng napakalaking epekto ni Bill sa liga at sa mas malawak na lipunan.”
Aniya . . . “Bill stood for something much bigger than sports: the values of equality, respect and inclusion that he stamped into the DNA of our league.”
Ang mga paniniwalang iyon, higit pa sa kanyang husay sa court, ang nagbigay inspirasyon sa pagmamahal ni Magic Johnson kay Russell
Ayon kay Johnson . . . “He was one of the first athletes on the front line fighting for social justice, equity, equality, and civil rights. Over the course of our friendship, he always reminded me about making things better in the Black community.”
Ginunita ng kasalukuyang stars ng Celtics na sina Jayson Tatum at Jaylen Brown ang franchise legend, kung saan sa isang statement ay sinabi ng Celtics . . . “Bill Russell’s DNA is woven through every element of the Celtics organization.”
Wika naman ni Michael Jordan . . . “Russell paved the way and set an example for every Black player who came into the league after him, including me.’
Aniya . . . “The world has lost a legend.” Isang pahayag na sinang-ayunan ng dating New York Knicks great na si Patrick Ewing.
@Agence France-Presse
