Bill Russell lived an unparalleled life.
From his accomplishments on the basketball court to his far more meaningful contributions to society, Russell was a truly remarkable man who left an indelible impact on the NBA and beyond.
He is the greatest winner in American professional sports history. He was a champion for civil rights, including having to stand up to abuses even while leading the Boston Celtics to their run of 11 championships in 13 seasons. He became the NBA's first Black head coach, and his name now adorns the league's Finals MVP trophy -- a fitting tribute to a man who has claimed more championships than any player in the NBA's 75-year history.