Michael Jordan, Obama, Billie Jean King… USA, mourning the death of Bill Russell

“Today we lost a giant. As tall as Bill Russell was, his legacy is much higherboth as a player and on a human level,” wrote Barack Obama on his Twitter account.

Russell, born in Monroe, Louisiana, in 1934, won eleven titles NBA in thirteen seasons in the Boston Celtics and was one of the American athletes who had the most weight in the fight for equality.

He was the first African-American coach in the history of the sport. American and received from Obama in 2011 the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Michael Jordan’s Farewell

“Bill Russell was a pioneer, as a player, as a championas the NBA’s first African-American coach, as an activist,” Michael Jordan, a six-time NBA champion with the Chicago Bulls, said in a message posted by the franchise he owns, the Charlotte Hornets.

“He set an example for every African-American player who came into the league after him., included me. The world lost a legend. My condolences to the family and may he rest in peace,” she added.

MJ joined Scottie Pippen, his partner in the legendary Bulls winning cycle, who ddefined Russell as “the epitome of a championin every sense of the word.”

“He was an innovator who broke barriers and was as extraordinary on the track as he was off it,” he added.

LeBron and Shaq fire a pioneer

“Today the basketball community must learn of the passing of NBA legend Bill Russell. We will never forget you,” LeBron James wrote on Instagram. after receiving the news of the death of the eleven-time NBA champion.

“Thank you for leading the way. You will be missed, legend”, was the message published by Shaquille O’Nealwho played in Boston in the 2010-2011 season.

Magic Johnson heartbroken

Jordan joined Magic Johnsonwhich had a strong bond of friendship with Bill Russell.

“My heart breaks to learn of the death of the greatest winner basketball history has ever seen, a legend, a Hall of Famer, a mentor and friend for over 30 years, Bill Russell”said Earvin Magic Johnson, who played for the Lakers from 1979 to 1991.

Gregg Popovich, coach of the San Antonio Spurs, was full of praise for Bill Russell and considered that, beyond his extraordinary sports results, his “greatest achievement” is represented by “Six decades spent fighting tirelessly for civil rights.”

An example for Billie Jean King

Messages of praise for Bill Russell also came from the world of tennis.

“Bill Russell was a unique athlete-activist who he improved everyone around him. he was a pioneer and paved the way for many. I admired him throughout my life and he had a huge influence on my career. He was a leader, a teammate and a born champion, “was the message published by former tennis player Billie Jean King.

Just as Bill Russell did during his career, with concrete gestures to protest against discrimination, Billie Jean King is one of the great figures of American sports in the Fight for gender equality.

The NBA, grateful

Particularly heartfelt was the message sent by the commissioner of the NBAAdam Silver.

“Bill Russell was the greatest champion in team sports. The countless accolades he received in his storied career with the Boston Celtics, including a record 11 titles and five MVP awards, only partially explain Bill’s immense impact on our league and society,” Adam Silver said in a statement. for the NBA.

“Bill fought for something much bigger than sports: the values ​​of equality, respect and inclusion that he wrote in the DNA of our league. At the height of his sports career, Bill fought vigorously for civil rights and social justice and created a legacy that reached the generations of NBA players who followed in his footsteps.”