15 facts about former football player Bill Russell

 Bill Russell , who won 11 NBA championships during an illustrious career as a professional basketball player, is renowned for his skill and passion for the game. His impressive résumé of accomplishments also includes being named as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History by the National Basketball Association (NBA), winning five MVP awards, and being inducted into both the Hall of Fame and the Basketball Hall of Fame.

While many people know about Russell's amazing success on the court, there are still some things that are not widely known about this former Boston Celtic great. Here are 15 facts you may not have known about Bill Russell:

1. While he was playing college basketball at the University of San Francisco in 1954-55, Russell led his team to two NCAA championships and was named as the Player of the Year by UPI.

2. He was a major proponent of civil rights, and he refused to play in any cities that practiced segregation.

3. In 1968, Russell became the first African American head-coach in the NBA when he accepted the position with the Boston Celtics.

4. During his time as coach of the Seattle SuperSonics, he compiled an impressive record of 266 wins and 169 losses over five seasons.

5. Russell earned an Olympic gold medal in 1956 while representing the United States in basketball at Melbourne, Australia’s Summer Olympics Games.

6. His jersey number (#6) was retired by both the Boston Celtics and the National Basketball Association.

7. He authored two books; Go Up for Glory, a memoir about his life, and Second Wind: The Memoirs of an Opinionated Man, which was released in 1979.

8. Russell gave back to his alma mater by becoming its head coach from 1973-77 where he compiled an impressive 97 wins against 39 losses record.

9. In 2016, Russell was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest honor that can be awarded to civilians in the United States by President Barack Obama.

10. Bill Russell has received countless honors including being inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and having several awards named after him such as the Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award.

11. He was known for his defensive prowess, and he set NBA records in rebounds and blocked shots that have yet to be broken.

12. Russell’s first job after retirement was managing the Seattle SuperSonics until 1977.

13. In addition to basketball, Bill Russell also played semi-professional baseball in The Negro Leagues for the San Francisco Sea Lions team in 1956 and 1957.

14. In 1979 President Jimmy Carter appointed him to serve as Chairman of the President's Commission on Olympic Sports, which dealt with promoting sports participation and reforming international amateur sports organizations like the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

15. After retiring from basketball, Bill Russell became a part owner of the NBA's Golden State Warriors.

Bill Russell was a legendary basketball player and, even after retirement, he continued to make waves in the sports world. His drive and dedication made him one of the most successful athletes ever to play professional basketball. Though much is known about his impressive career, these 15 facts prove that there are still many aspects of Bill Russell’s life that remain little-known.

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