IN MEMORIAM: Basketball Legend Bill Russell Dies at 88
Boston Celtics Legend Bill Russell, one of professional basketball’s greatest players and the sport’s most crowned champion, has died at the age of 88. Russell, who won 11 NBA titles as a player and two as a player-coach, died “peacefully” with his wife, Jeannine, at his side, a statement on social media said. Jeannine said funeral arrangements are pending. “But for all the winning, Bill’s understanding of the struggle is what illuminated his life. From boycotting a 1961 exhibition game to unmask too-long-tolerated discrimination, to leading Mississippi’s first integrated basketball camp
Willie O’Ree, 1st Black Player in NHL, is a Real Ice Man
By Tamara Shiloh Historically, professional hockey has held fast to its tradition of lacking diversity among its players. But no Black on the ice did not hold Willie O’Ree back. He started playing hockey at age 3 and instantly had a passion for the game. Born on October 15, 1935, in Frederickton, New Brunswick, Canada, O’Ree at the age of 14 years old, played with his brother Richard in organized hockey. Within a year, he was playing with the Frederickton Falcons in New Brunswick Amateur Hockey team. O’Ree played in
Boston Bruins Retire Jersey Of Willie O’Ree, NHL’s First Black Player
Photo: Getty Images The Boston Bruins retired Willie O'Ree's No. 22 jersey before Tuesday's (January 18) Bruins-Hurricanes game. According to a Bruins press release, players took the ice for warm-ups in special-edition jerseys with commemorative Willie O'Ree patches prior to the barrier-breaking hockey player's ceremony. "The ice will feature newly-installed No. 22 decals behind each team's net, which will remain on display for three home games," the Bruins announced. O'Ree broke the NHL's color barrier in 1958, becoming the first Black player to compete in an NHL game exactly 64 years ago when
Boston Elects First Black Female Mayor
On Monday, March 22, Kim Janey was installed as Mayor of Boston in one of that very provincial and conservative city’s most historic political events in its history. Janey succeeds former mayor Marty Walsh, who resigned to serve as President Joe Biden’s labor secretary. Janey served as the Boston City Council president before taking the momentous step as acting mayor. She is expected to have a ceremonial swearing-in Wednesday, March 24.“History will be made tonight,” Walsh said earlier in the evening. “We’re an extremely diverse city from different backgrounds