Professional sports mean the world to Bostonians. Athletes are revered. The greatest of the great athletes are Gods. Larry Bird would be carried around Boston if he wanted to be.
Yet the greatest winner this city has ever seen... the man who led the most successful of our franchises... one of the most successful franchises in all of SPORTS... has yet to be properly honored.
Bill Russell is statue-less in Boston. Nothing honoring the man appears at the Garden. It's a travesty. And it's a travesty that needs to be rectified immediately. Our buddy Paul Flannery eloquently makes the case in the new issue of Boston Magazine (on newsstands now!). And the case goes beyond just honoring the ultimate winner and fearless warrior for equal rights.
This isn’t about Russell, or even the Celtics, although they are the caretakers of their history. This is about us. The city of Boston has been known toget defensive about the old days. “We’re past that” is the operative phrase. Well, if that’s true, what better way to show it than by embracing this complex, fascinating, and proud man in some tangible way?
It's a fantastic piece and a fantastic effort. It's something this city definitely needs for many reasons.