Most influential Black athletes in Boston sports history
Boston has been home to a number of impactful African American athletes over the years. From the legendary Bill Russell to the trailblazer Willie O'Ree, here is a look at some of the most influential Black athletes in the city's history as we celebrate Black History Month.
Russell led the Celtics to 11 NBA championships during his 13-year career. A 12-time All-Star selection and five-time MVP, Russell is regarded as one of the best players in NBA history. In 1966, he replaced Red Auerbach as Celtics head coach to become the first Black head coach in North American sports. He'd go on to become the first Black coach to win an NBA title in 1967-68.
While Russell's NBA success speaks for itself, his impact off the court may be even greater. The Hall of Famer fought against racism and inequality for the entirety of his career and continues to be a civil rights advocate to this day. He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the United States' highest civilian honor, in 2010.
On January 18, 1958, O'Ree took the ice with the Bruins to become the first Black hockey player to play in the NHL. He remained the only Black player in the league until 1974.
Known as the "Jackie Robinson of hockey," O'Ree's efforts to improve diversity and inclusion in the NHL continued in 1998, when he became the NHL's Diversity Ambassador. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame as a Builder in 2018.
The Bruins will honor O'Ree by retiring his No. 22 jersey prior to the team's Feb. 18 game against the New Jersey Devils.
Green joined the Red Sox -- the last pre-expansion Major League club to integrate -- as their first Black player in 1959. He was invited to Red Sox spring training and did well, but was still sent down to the minor leagues. After hitting .340 in 98 games, he was called back up to the majors.
"Pumpsie" was an infielder for Boston for four seasons before joining the New York Mets. He was inducted into the Red Sox Hall of Fame in 2018.
Jones played college basketball at the University of San Francisco alongside Bill Russell and led the Dons to NCAA championships in 1955 and 1956. Jones spent all nine of his NBA seasons in Boston and was a part of eight championship teams. In 1983, he replaced Bill Fitch as Celtics head coach.
Jones, like Russell, is one of only eight players in basketball history to have won an NCAA title, an NBA championship, and an Olympic gold medal. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1989.
Rice spent all 16 of his MLB seasons with the Red Sox after being selected by Boston in the first round of the 1971 MLB Draft. Considered one of the best players in Red Sox history, Rice earned the American League MVP award in 1978 and placed in the top five in MVP voting five other times.
Rice's tremendous impact has been felt both on and off the field. The eight-time All-Star led the AL in home runs three times (1977, 1978, 1983) and finished his MLB career with a .298 batting average, 382 homers, 1,458 RBI, 2,452 hits and 4,129 total bases. In the community, Rice has been associated with a number of charitable organizations including his role with The Jimmy Fund.
During a game vs. the Chicago White Sox in 1982, Rice entered the stands to help a four-year-old young boy who was struck in the head by a line drive. He carried the boy into the Red Sox clubhouse where he could be treated by the team's medical staff. The boy eventually made a full recovery from the injury.
In 2009, the Red Sox officially retired Rice's No. 14 jersey.
Jones spent his entire 12-year career in Boston, and his 10 championships with the Celtics trail only Bill Russell (11) for the most all-time. Nicknamed "Mr. Clutch," Jones was known for game-winning shots and is considered one of the best shooting guards of his generation.
McCourty was drafted by the Patriots out of Rutgers in 2010 and has been a critical part of the team's success ever since. The veteran safety is a three-time Super Bowl champion, a two-time Pro Bowler, and a 10-time team captain for New England.
While McCourty's contributions to the Patriots speak for themselves, they pale in comparison to his philanthropic efforts. He is involved with numerous charitable efforts including Tackle Sickle Cell and Chromebooks For Kids, and has been the Patriots' Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee four times.
After signing with the Harlem Globetrotters in 1950, Cooper became the first African American drafted into the NBA when the Boston Celtics selected him with the 14th overall pick.
When other teams suggested the Celtics shouldn't select Cooper because he was Black, then-C's owner Walter A. Brown famously responded, "I don't give a damn if he's striped, plaid or polka dot. Boston takes Charles Cooper of Duquesne."
After his NBA career, Cooper served on the Pittsburgh school board and became the first Black department head as the director of parks and recreation for the city. The trailblazer also was an urban affairs officer for the Pittsburgh National Bank's affirmative action program.
It's only Year 5 of Jaylen Brown's promising NBA career, but the 24-year-old has already impressed with his leadership both on and off the court.
The latter, of course, is the most important part. Brown has stepped up to let his voice be heard on issues related to social justice and mental health.
Following the murder of George Floyd by a Minnesota police officer, Brown traveled to his hometown of Atlanta to organize a peaceful protest against racial inequality and police brutality. Since then, Brown has used his press conferences and social media accounts as platforms to speak out against these injustices.
For the Celtics, Brown has emerged as a potential superstar and a true leader in the locker room. The sky is the limit for the 2016 No. 3 overall draft pick.
Tippett, a five-time Pro Bowler and two-time First-Team All-Pro, spent his entire 11-year NFL career in New England. The second-round draft pick out of Iowa is one of the greatest linebackers in league history and a member of the 100 sacks club.
Tippett is a member of the Patriots Hall of Fame and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2008. Today, he is the Patriots' executive director of community affairs.
