Bill Russell Passed Away!

Bill Russell, the iconic player of the Boston Celtics and civil rights activist passed away.

An iconic basketball star and activist passed at the age of 88.

Russell's wife, Jeannine, was by his side at the time of his death, the statement said. His family thanked fans for "keeping Bill in your prayers."

"Perhaps you'll relive one or two of the golden moments he gave us, or recall his trademark laugh as he delighted in explaining the real story behind how those moments unfolded," the statement said. "And we hope each of us can find a new way to act or speak up in Bill's uncompromising, dignified, and always constructive commitment to principle."

Russell was married four times, to Rose Swisher, 1968 Miss USA Dorothy “Didi” Anstett, Marilyn Nault and Jeannine Russell.

Nault died in 2009, and Swisher died in 2014.

Russell and Swisher had three children, daughter Karen and sons William Jr. and Jacob. William Felton Russell Jr. was 58 when he died from cancer in 2016.

Bill Russell passed away. The tributes are pouring in from celebrities, politicians and the NBA. The 44th President of the United States had remarked on the passing.

Former president Barack Obama tweets that "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."

An announcement… pic.twitter.com/KMJ7pG4R5Z

— TheBillRussell (@RealBillRussell) July 31, 2022

Today, we lost a giant.

As tall as Bill Russell stood, his legacy rises far higher—both as a player and as a person.

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) July 31, 2022

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.

Michelle and I send our love to Bill’s family, and everyone who admired him.

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) July 31, 2022

Bill Russell was my idol. I looked up to him on the court and off. His success on the court was undeniable; he was dominate and great, winning 11 NBA championships. Off the court, Bill Russell paved the way for guys like me. pic.twitter.com/ZMIrEx8Tne

— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) July 31, 2022

My deepest condolences to the family, loved ones and the @NBA community on the loss of the greatest champion we’ve ever known: BILL RUSSELL. An activist, a pioneer, a humanitarian. He made the world better for us all.#RIPCHAMPION

— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) July 31, 2022

Bill was born William Felton Russell in 1934. He was an American basketball player, activist and motivational speaker. He played as a center for the Boston Celtics. He played from 1956 to 1969.

He was a five time NBA Most Valuable Player and a 12-time NBA All-Star. He has helped the Celtics win 11 NBA Championships during his 13 year career.

He also had a coaching gig at the University of San Francisco. He played for the Men's basketball team the Dons and helped them win championships in 1955 and 1956.

Bill with Kobe Bryant during his final game as a Los Angeles Laker.

He was a Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient in 2011. His jersey No. 6 is officially retired by the Celtics. He was coach for the Celtics from 1966 until 1969, the Seattle Supersonics from 1973 until 1977 and the Sacramento Kings from 1987 until 1988.

Russell was regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. He was a towering man standing at 6'10'' with a 7'4'' arm span. He was best for shot blocking and man-to-man defense. 

He is rivaled by Henri “Pocket Rocket” Richard, who hoisted the Stanley Cup 11 times with the Montreal Canadiens, and Yogi Berra, a member of 10 World Series-winning New York Yankees teams.

No modern players hold a candle to Russell’s accomplishments. The award for the most valuable player of the NBA Finals is named after him.

Bill played with the pioneers like Sweetwater Clifton, Earl Lloyd and Chuck Cooper.

Former president Barack Obama honored Bill with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver called Russell the "greatest champion in all of team sports" in a tribute recounting the player's career. Silver said that he cherished his personal friendship with Russell while offering condolences.

"Bill stood for something much bigger than sports: the values of equality, respect and inclusion that he stamped into the DNA of our league," Silver said. "At the height of his athletic career, Bill advocated vigorously for civil rights and social justice, a legacy he passed down to generations of NBA players who followed in his footsteps.

ESPN's Stephen A. Smith tweeted a tribute to Russell Sunday, saying that the center made the world "better for us all."

"My deepest condolences to the family, loved ones and the @NBA community on the loss of the greatest champion we’ve ever known: BILL RUSSELL," Smith wrote. "An activist, a pioneer, a humanitarian."

Retired player "Magic" Johnson, whose legal name is Earvin Johnson Jr., called Russell his idol.

"I looked up to him on the court and off," Johnson said. "His success on the court was undeniable; he was dominate and great, winning 11 NBA championships. Off the court, Bill Russell paved the way for guys like me."