NBA To Retire Bill Russel’s #6 Jersey, a First for the League

For the first time in NBA history, the league will be retiring a player's jersey number. It is only fitting that the player whose jersey they will be retiring across the league is none other than North American sports' most prolific winner, Bill Russel, and his #6 jersey.

While teams retiring the jerseys of their star players is quite common, it was unheard of for the entire league to retire a jersey number. Now, no other NBA player can ever wear Russel's jersey number 6 across the league, and not just in Boston where the Celtics retired it decades ago.

According to the Associated Press, players who currently wear No. 6, including LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers, can continue to use the number. However, the number cannot be issued ever again.

NBA Management, NBA Players Association Came Together for the Decision

According to the league's official website, the management of both the National Basketball Association (NBA) and National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) announced that they will be retiring #6 across the league.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said the NBA needed to honor Russel's unparalleled success on the court, as well as his civil rights activism, in a unique and historic way. He added that permanently retiring the jersey number across the league will ensure his career, which transcended basketball, will always be recognized.

NBPA Executive Director Tamika Tremaglio spoke on behalf of the NBA players and said that this honor is reserved for "one of the greatest champions to ever play the game." Tremaglio added that Russel helped to shape generations of players, and they are proud to "continue the celebration of his life and legacy alongside the league."

The idea was first brought forth by Earvin "Magic" Johnson, who asked Silver that they should retire the 11-time NBA champion's #6 jersey across the league.

NBA To Pay Tribute to Bill Russel Throughout 2022-23 Season

To further honor the contributions of the late Boston Celtics legend, the NBA will also be paying various forms of tribute throughout the 2022-23 season.

The league announced that players will be wearing a commemorative patch on the right shoulder of their jerseys throughout the upcoming season. In addition, every NBA court will display a clover-shaped logo with the No. 6 on the sideline. It will be located near the scorer's table.

However, the most unique tribute will go to the team Russel played for in his entire career, the Boston Celtics. He will have a separate and unique recognition for him on their uniforms, and the NBA will be announcing what they will be soon.

Bill Russel was one of the most dominant players in the league, and he specialized in defense. While his rival Wilt Chamberlain dominated the points stats, he was winning championship after championship. He gave Boston 11 titles, with wins over legendary names like Lou Alcindor (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar), Wilt, and many others.

He also broke barriers as the NBA's first black coach, winning two titles as the Celtics' player-coach. Outside the court, however, Russel was an avid civil rights activist and was a close personal friend of Martin Luther King, Jr. himself.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

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