SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT:

Bill Russell, an 11-time NBA Champion with the Boston Celtics, the first Black head coach in a major North American sporting organization, and a civil rights activist who once marched with Martin Luther King Jr., passed away peacefully on Sunday at the age of 88.

Showing glimmers of greatness early in his journey, Russell won two state championships in high school and two NCAA championships with the University of San Francisco. He would later go on to become the captain of a gold-medal-winning US Olympic team and secure 11 NBA Championships in just 13 years to become the most prolific winner in American sports history. At 6-foot-10, Russell averaged more than 20 rebounds every season and holds the all-time record with 55. Recognized in the Hall of Fame as an all-time great for his achievements as both a player and a coach, the NBA Finals MVP was renamed in 2009 to include his name. Beyond his achievements on the court, Bill Russell was a resounding voice and lifelong activist in the pursuit of societal change.

“From boycotting a 1961 exhibition game to unmask too-long tolerated discrimination, to leading Mississippi’s first integrated basketball camp in the combustible wake of Medgar Evans’ assassination, to decades of activism ultimately recognized by his receipt of the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2010, Bill called out injustice with an unforgiving candor that he intended would disrupt the status quo, and with a powerful example that, though never his humble intention, will forever inspire teamwork, selflessness, and thoughtful change.” his family wrote in an announcement. “We hope each of us can find a new way to act or speak up with Bill’s uncompromising, dignified, and always constructive commitment to principle. That would be one last, and lasting win for our beloved #6.”

“Bill Russell was a pioneer — as a player, as a champion, as the NBA’s first Black head coach and as an activist. He paved the way and set an example for every other Black player who came into the league after him, including me,” Michael Jordan said in a statement. “The world has lost a legend. My condolences to his family and may he rest in peace.”

Arrangements for Russell’s memorial service will be announced by his family in the coming days. Take a look below as the league pays respect to the icon.

 

One of the greatest athletes of all time to play the game of tennis, has officially announced her retirement. Serena Williams is officially leaving the sport following the US Open set for the end of August. 

The professional tennis player penned a love letter to the game for Vogue, outlining her reasoning and wanting to focus on her family. In the piece, she wrote, 

“I have never liked the word retirement. It doesn’t feel like a modern word to me. I’ve been thinking of this as a transition, but I want to be sensitive about how I use that word, which means something very specific and important to a community of people. Maybe the best word to describe what I’m up to is evolution. I’m here to tell you that I’m evolving away from tennis, toward other things that are important to me.” 

The 23-time Grand Slam champion has been a monumental figure in tennis since the beginning of her career. Williams won her first US Open in 1999 and has continued to show that she is a force both on and off the courty as a role model to many young female athletes worldwide. With additional ventures including her recently founded Serena Ventures, VC firm, she is excited to give more focus to her other outlets outside of playing tennis as well as expanding her family with husband and Reddit founder Alexis Ohanian. She notes that she wishes that social circumstances did not have to make her choose between playing tennis and starting a family, however with a new vision in mind, “These days, if I have to choose between building my tennis résumé and building my family, I choose the latter.”

Williams admits that she still has mixed feelings about retiring and that she has grappled with the idea for a while before coming to a decision. While she is not yet ready to think about her legacy and believes there is stil a lot to be written, she acknowledges that as a woman of color in tennis, she has been a pillar in opening doors of opportunities for many others. Even though Williams is planning on retiring after August this year, it is evident that she has made her mark on the court and will continue to be a forever legend in the world of sports and beyond.

Olivia Newton-John has died at the age of 73. Her husband, John Easterling, shared a statement via Newton-Jonh’s Instagram account.

“Dame Olivia Newton-John (73) passed away peacefully at her Ranch in Southern California this morning, surrounded by family and friends. We ask that everyone please respect the family’s privacy during this very difficult time,” read a caption for a photo of the Grease actor.

While her cause of death hasn’t officially been confirmed, reports claim she died from her battle with breast cancer. “After a 30-year cancer journey, she lost her battle to metastatic breast cancer,” a source told TMZ.

“Olivia is survived by her husband John Easterling; daughter Chloe Lattanzi; sister Sarah Newton-John; brother Toby Newton-John; nieces and nephews Tottie, Fiona and Brett Goldsmith; Emerson, Charlie, Zac, Jeremy, Randall, and Pierz Newton-John; Jude Newton-Stock, Layla Lee; Kira and Tasha Edelstein; and Brin and Valerie Hall,” read the Instagram post.

Read the full statement below.