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Bill Russell will forever be one of the greatest winners in all of sports. And to honor his life and legacy, the NBA has announced that no player will ever wear his No. 6 jersey again.
On Thursday, the NBA announced that Russell’s jersey number will be permanently retired throughout the league.
Russell become the first player in history to have his number retired across the NBA.
“Bill Russell’s unparalleled success on the court and pioneering civil rights activism deserve to be honored in a unique and historic way,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. “Permanently retiring his No. 6 across every NBA team ensures that Bill’s transcendent career will always be recognized.”
The NBA and NBPA announced today that they will honor the life and legacy of 11-time NBA champion and civil rights pioneer Bill Russell by permanently retiring his uniform number, 6, throughout the league.
Full release: https://t.co/jFjZwKtiB2 pic.twitter.com/LdXT4Mf8W7
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) August 11, 2022
“This is a momentous honor reserved for one of the greatest champions to ever play the game,” said NBPA Executive Director Tamika Tremaglio. “Bill’s actions on and off the court throughout the course of his life helped to shape generations of players for the better and for that, we are forever grateful. We are proud to continue the celebration of his life and legacy alongside the league.”
Players who currently wear No. 6 will be grandfathered in and can continue wearing the number.
After Jackie Robinson's jersey was retired across MLB, Mariano Rivera was the last active player to wear No. 42 until his retirement in 2013.
25 NBA players wore No. 6 last season and can be grandfathered in to keep wearing it. Who will be the last someday? (via @bball_ref) pic.twitter.com/R13ZagYO3k
— Chase Hughes (@ChaseHughesNBCS) August 11, 2022
Throughout his illustrious career, Russell won 11 NBA championships, five NBA Most Valuable Player awards, earned 12 NBA All-Star selections, and All-NBA Team honors 11 times.
In addition to his success on the court, Russell was a civil rights pioneer, marched with Martin Luther King Jr., and earned the 2010 Presidential Medal of Freedom for his athletic achievements and lifelong commitment to social justice.
Along with having his number retired across the league, the Boston Celtics will pay tribute to Russell throughout the upcoming season and will have a special uniform tribute.
Meanwhile, all NBA players will wear a commemorative patch on the right shoulder of their jerseys, and every NBA court will display a clover-shaped logo with the No. 6 on the sideline near the scorer’s table.
