Two Sports Legends Are Gone But Not Forgotten
By: Tye Richmond
2 of the biggest sports legends and or icons passed away in the last couple of days.
In an ESPN article it stated, “Bill Russell, the cornerstone of the Boston Celtics dynasty that won eight straight titles and 11 overall during his career, died Sunday. The Hall of Famer was 88.”
“Russell died “peacefully” with his wife, Jeannine, at his side, a statement posted on social media read. Arrangements for his memorial service will be announced soon, according to the statement.”
An announcement… pic.twitter.com/KMJ7pG4R5Z
— TheBillRussell (@RealBillRussell) July 31, 2022
“Over a 15-year period, beginning with his junior year at the University of San Francisco, Russell had the most remarkable career of any player in the history of team sports. At USF, he was a two-time All-American, won two straight NCAA championships and led the team to 55 consecutive wins. And he won a gold medal at the 1956 Olympics.”
“During his 13 years in Boston, he carried the Celtics to the NBA Finals 12 times, winning the championship 11 times, the last two titles won while both a player and serving as the NBA’s first Black coach.”
In 2009, the MVP trophy of the NBA Finals was named in Russell’s honor — even though he never won himself, because it wasn’t awarded for the first time until 1969. Russell, however, traditionally presented the trophy for many years, the last time in 2019 to Kawhi Leonard; Russell was not there in 2020 because of the NBA bubble nor in 2021 due to COVID-19 concerns.
Then on Tuesday night “Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully, whose dulcet tones provided the soundtrack of summer while entertaining and informing Dodgers fans in Brooklyn and Los Angeles for 67 years, the team said. He was 94.”
The Dodgers announced Vin Scully has passed away at the age of 94.
RIP 🙏 pic.twitter.com/KsVBDB3e7z
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) August 3, 2022
“We have lost an icon,” Dodgers president and CEO Stan Kasten said in a statement. “Vin Scully was one of the greatest voices in all of sports. He was a giant of a man, not only as a broadcaster, but as a humanitarian. He loved people. He loved life. He loved baseball and the Dodgers. And he loved his family. His voice will always be heard and etched in all of our minds forever. I know he was looking forward to joining the love of his life, Sandi. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family during this very difficult time. Vin will be truly missed.”
I didn’t grow up watching or hearing Bill Russell & Vin Scully but being the sport fan that I am I do know about them. I do know understand the history that they made in their respective sport and or field. The two of them laid and set a foundation that will be hard to replace and will not be forgotten.
