BOSTON – The city of Boston officially renamed the North Washington Street Bridge in honor of Bill Russell in a ceremony Monday morning as he was remembered as a distinguished civil rights advocate and icon who transcended sports.

Charlestown will now be connected to Boston’s West End and North End via the William Felton ‘Bill’ Russell Bridge.

Russell’s widow, Jeannine Russell, attended the ceremony honoring the Celtics legend along with Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey. Celtics co-owners Wyc Grousbeck and Steve Pagliuca were at the event and current Celtics star Jaylen Brown helped unveil the new sign that will be placed over the bridge.

The bridge is currently under construction and is expected to be completed by April.

“A Bridge for Civil Rights”

Jeannine Russell broke down in tears as she spoke about her husband’s impact on civil rights.

“He used his platform to speak out against injustice and inequality. In that way, he was a bridge for civil rights, literally and figuratively,” she said. “He raised his voice when silence would have been easier. He stood up to injustice when he had something to lose. He marched alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and never stopped working for a better, fairer world.”

Why Bill Russell “Goes Beyond Sports”

Celtics star Jaylen Brown, who helped the franchise win its 18th NBA championship last season, joked that he was grateful he was allowed to be late to practice in honor of Russell.

“I’m a community guy, I always have been. I think it’s important to encourage collaboration. I think the decisions we make today and tomorrow impact the next generation,” Brown said.

He remembered the times he met Russell and why he was so important in the community.

“Bill Russell goes beyond sports. I could go on and on about his resume. But his character, his demeanor, how he handled adversity, I think that speaks volumes, especially in a time like today,” Brown said. “Bill Russell, I think it’s very fitting that the bridge is named after him. Because a bridge brings people together.”

Massachusetts Governor on Bill Russell’s Influence

Healey spoke at the ceremony and said Russell’s impact extended far beyond the basketball court.

“Bill Russell is one of my heroes. “He’s someone who showed that you can start with a love of basketball and change the world in the process,” Healey said. “The intensity and passion he brought to the game made him a natural leader off the field too. He demonstrated deep personal strength and dignity in the face of racism. He made a strong contribution to the civil rights movement. He inspired millions and continues to inspire us today.”

Bill Russell’s legacy

Russell won 11 championships in his 13 seasons with the Boston Celtics, but the renaming of the bridge is intended to honor his work during the civil rights movement. Always an advocate for equality, Russell often endured racism and abuse from fans across the country and in Boston during his playing days.

Russell was at the March on Washington in 1963 when Martin Luther King Jr. gave his “I Have a Dream” speech. He was also a national mentoring leader and only agreed to have a statue in his image erected in Boston’s City Hall Plaza if it promoted and raised money for mentoring programs.

Russell is one of only eight players to win an NCAA title, an NBA title and a gold medal in the Olympics. In addition to being an 11-time champion and five-time MVP as a player, Russell was the first Black head coach in NBA history. As player-coach, he led the Celtics to two titles in 1968 and 1969.

He was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1975 and his No. 6 was retired by the Celtics in 1995. Russell died in 2022 at the age of 88.