Bill Russell, the Boston Celtics legend, receives the Medal of Freedom at the White House in February 2011. Mr. Russell is shown accepting his medal from then-President Obama. The award is presented to civilians for being “the best of who we are and who we aspire to be.”
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Appreciation: Bill Russell lived a life like very few others
Bill Russell hated autographs. Saw no point to them. If he was out din- ing and got approached by someone asking for his signature, Mr. Russell’s usual response was to instead ask the person to join him at the table to have
