NBA legend Bill Russell rips Trump admin: 'This is far from America being great'
Bill Russell and President Donald Trump could both be classified as winners.
“Winning” has become a rallying cry for Trump ever since he won the 2016 election, and it’s become a frequent refrain for Trump supporters every time the president notches some sort of political victory.
Russell, for his part, won an unprecedented 11 NBA championships (tying a North American sports record) with the Boston Celtics and two NCAA championships at the University of San Francisco. That says nothing of his five MVP awards and 12 All-Star berths.
But outside of winning, it seems like the two don’t have much else in common.
Russell went on the attack against the Trump administration late Saturday night, lambasting its immigration policies. Russell responded to Democrat Congresswoman Lois Frankel, who said she had visited a “horrifying, shocking (and) very eye-opening” ICE detention center in Texas.
It is beyond words to think this is happening in America. Sorry, @realDonaldTrump this is far from America being great! Please everyone stay focused on reuniting these families, don’t get distracted with stories like @PressSec @MSNBC @ABC @CBSNews @Yahoo @BBCBreaking #Disgusting https://t.co/8Bk3pGrmtP
— TheBillRussell (@RealBillRussell) June 24, 2018
“It is beyond words to think this is happening in America,” Russell said in regards to the Trump administration’s immigration policy.
Of note, Russell had remained mum while similar immigration policies were being enforced in the last three presidential administrations.
“Sorry, (Trump) this is far from America being great!” Russell said.
The Celtics legend also proceeded to warn the general public not to be sidetracked by other major media stories.
“Please everyone stay focused on reuniting these families, don’t get distracted with stories like (Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who was denied service at a Virginia restaurant over the weekend)” Russell said.
Despite sports fans waxing nostalgic about the good ol’ days before sports and politics became so tightly intertwined, Russell has always been an active voice in politics.
Russell was a major voice in his playing days, speaking out against racism and social injustices.
Even more recently, before his immigration policy critiques, Russell remained outspoken on social issues. He posted images of himself kneeling while sporting the Presidential Medal of Freedom that former President Barack Obama gave him in 2011, and supporting the Philadelphia Eagles after they were disinvited from visiting the White House.
The best thing that happened to @Eagles since winning the #superbowl is @realDonaldTrump uninviting them to the #WhiteHouse Not 1 #Eagles player took a knee. It's about social injustice period! #TakeAKnee @MSNBC @BostonGlobe @HuffPost @CNN @AprilDRyan @NFL @YahooNews @nytimes pic.twitter.com/35hGtpmmET
— TheBillRussell (@RealBillRussell) June 6, 2018
Russell, 84, has made no qualms about being a civil rights activist. But considering how long these immigration policies have been in effect, perhaps he should redirect his ire toward the Trump administration.
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