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| Bill Russell (6) blocks a shot in file photo. |
Hall-of-Famer and Boston Celtics legend Bill Russell was named one of the fifteen recipients of the 2010 Medal of Freedom. It is the highest civilian honor in the United States of America. The medal is presented to individuals who have made especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors, according to The White House Blog. Russell is one of two sports luminaries among this year’s recipients, the other is Stan Musial of the St. Louis Cardinals.
“Bill Russell is the former Boston Celtics’ Captain who almost single-handedly redefined the game of basketball. Russell led the Celtics to a virtually unparalleled string of eleven championships in thirteen years and was named the NBA’s Most Valuable Player five times. The first African American to coach in the NBA—indeed he was the first to coach a major sport at the professional level in the United States—Bill Russell is also an impassioned advocate of human rights. He marched with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and has been a consistent advocate of equality.”
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