Bill Russell: The Man Who Also Played Basketball

The focus has been on the Red Sox recently, but another Boston sports champion is being honored today: A statue of Celtics great Bill Russell was unveiled this afternoon at City Hall plaza.

Even in this city accustomed to its champion athletes, it's hard to describe how large the six foot, nine and a-half-inch, Bill Russell looms over the game of basketball. He was a dominant player, as well as a player-coach. During his 13 year career, from 1956 until 1969, the team won 11 NBA Titles.

They won an astonishing eight championships in a row, with Bill Russell at the center of it. He is one of the best to even play the game, yet never called himself a basketball player.

Karen Russell, daughter of Bill Russell, she's an attorney and writer.