BOSTON (AP) — It was a day to honor another of Boston's greatest sports champions.
A statue of former Celtics star Bill Russell was unveiled Friday at City Hall Plaza, though a scheduled public ceremony to mark the event was called off due to weather concerns.
Russell played center from 1956 to 1969, also serving as player-coach for three seasons. During that 13-year period, the Celtics won 11 NBA titles.
President Barack Obama awarded Russell with a Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011 and Obama was given a sneak preview of the statue designed by a local artist during his visit to the city on Wednesday.
Russell was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1975 and some believe Friday's Boston honor is long overdue.