In this video, we delve into the remarkable moment when #BillRussell took a stand against racism by withdrawing from an NBA match. His actions inspired his African American teammates from the Boston Celtics to join him, followed by the Black players of the opposing team, the St. Louis Hawks.

Frank Ramsey of Boston and Cliff Hagan from St. Louis, who were once all-American teammates at the University of Kentucky, received local adoration. However, this experience was not shared by all their fellow Celtics and Hawks players, highlighting the racial divide. It's worth mentioning that it took until 1969 for the Wildcats to include a Black player under the coaching of Adolph Rupp.

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Originally produced in 2021; Remastered in May 2023.

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Two notable players from Boston, Sam Jones and Thomas "Satch" Sanders, both destined for the Basketball Hall of Fame, were denied service at a Lexington team hotel's coffee shop. Sanders recounted this in 2018, stating, "We had gone downstairs to eat, and they said, 'Well, we really can't serve you people.'"

A furious #BillRussell, along with K.C. Jones, also a Black player and future Hall of Famer, brought this issue to the attention of the legendary #Celtics Coach, Red Auerbach. When Auerbach learned that the players intended to fly back to Boston, he implored them to reconsider, explaining that the game had to go on as the seats were already sold.

In this video, #BillRussell himself recounts this pivotal moment in history.