Featured here is a unique and symbolic piece of memorabilia from the recently deceased Bill Russell with outstanding provenance and an ironic twist. The great No. 6's Celtics career is well-documented. 11 titles in 13 seasons (two as player-coach) pretty much sums it up. Dominant. Legendary. Another adjective also comes to mind: arduous. What Russell went through as a black athlete, the face of his team, and one of the most public figures in Boston for those thirteen years is something no man should ever have to endure.
This offered Massachusetts license plate dated December 1972 happened to be the last tags issued to Russell before he left Beantown for good and started a new career and life on the west coast. Russell served as head coach of the Seattle SuperSonics from 1973-77, leading them to the playoffs for the first time in franchise history and setting up their only NBA title in '79. He followed that up with a short stint in Sacramento coaching the Kings, but remained living in Mercer Island, Washington. For nearly 50 years, Russell called that community in the Pacific Northwest home.
After so many years in the spotlight putting up with and speaking out against the racism and social prejudices that plagued him since childhood, Bill enjoyed a rather isolated, peaceful post-basketball life. And he purposefully stayed away from Boston for four decades, even refusing to be part of the Celtics' initial attempt at retiring his #6 jersey. His allegiances were to his Celtics teammates, Red Auerbach and Walter Brown. Not the fans or the city. Eventually, Russell did come back to Boston for a ceremony in 1999 to retire his number for the second time. In 2013, he returned again for the unveiling of his 8-foot tall statue in City Hall Plaza. It can take a long time and deep perspective to heal wounds of the soul and mind. Russell eventually got there thanks, in large part, to his longtime busness advistor and PR man, Alan Hilburg, who helped Bill come to terms with his painful past and return to graciously accept these honors.
This "CELTICS 6" vanity plate, the last one Bill put on his car as a New England resident, was fittingly gifted by Russell to his trusted PR advisor and friend sometime in the 1990's. It survives as an important memento that metaphorically represents Russell's departure and decades-long separation from the city of Boston. Includes a letter of provenance from Alan Hilburg, who ironically helped Russell and Celtics fans reunite after so many years apart. The city of Boston and the state of Massachusetts are forever grateful.