Celtics Legend Bill Russell Finally Accepts Hall of Fame Ring After Refusing the Honor in 1975
By Sean Facey
It took 44 years, but at long last, one of the greatest players in the history of the NBA has finally accepted the honor of a lifetime.
Boston Celtics legend Bill Russell accepted his Basketball Hall of Fame ring on Friday after first refusing the honor at the time of his induction back in 1975. He rejected the ring back then as a symbolic gesture, stating that he didn't want to be the first black player to enter the Hall of Fame. He insised that other black players before him deserved the honor first.
In a private ceremony w/my wife & close friends A.Mourning @AnnMeyers @billwalton & others I accepted my #HOF ring. In ‘75 I refused being the 1st black player to go into the @Hoophall I felt others before me should have that honor. Good to see progress; ChuckCooperHOF19 @NBA pic.twitter.com/2FI5U7ThTg
— TheBillRussell (@RealBillRussell) November 15, 2019
Specifically, Russell felt that Chuck Cooper, who was one of the first black players in the NBA, deserved to be inducted. It took until 2019, 35 years after Cooper's death, for him to find his way in.
But now, justice has been served, and Russell celebrated the honor privately with his wife and close friends Alonzo Mourning, Ann Meyers and Bill Walton, among others.
NBA Legend Bill Russell Ends Hall of Fame Boycott, Finally Accepts HOF Ring https://t.co/18f7bMlqnW
— TMZ (@TMZ) November 15, 2019
Cooper's induction and Russell's acceptance of the ring mark yet another step forward for a league that has come a long way since the two were in their playing days.
It serves as a reminder of the unsavory roots that American culture grew out of in the second half of the 20th century and beyond, and the growth of the league as a whole. And now, the journey continues.