BOSTON — Boston is building a statue of Celtics’ legend Bill Russell, a few months after President Obama suggested the city needed one.
The Boston Celtics announced today the statue would be designed by a local artist, and commemorate Russell as a sports champion, human rights leader and youth mentoring advocate.
In a press release, Russell said he was “uncomfortable with honors such as this,” but added his years as captain of the Celtics “were the proudest moments of my career.” Russell led the Celtics to a record 11 league championships in 13 seasons.
Obama suggested Boston build a statue of Russell when he awarded him a Presidential Medal of Freedom in February. Obama said he hoped one day, children would look up to a statute “built not only to Bill Russell the player, but Bill Russell the man.”
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