National Basketball Association

Boston to build Celtics statue pushed by Obama

Published May. 4, 2011 7:36 p.m. ET

foxsports

Boston is building a statue of Celtics legend Bill Russell months after President Barack Obama suggested the city needed one.

The basketball franchise announced Wednesday the statue would be designed by a local artist and would commemorate Russell as a sports champion, human rights leader and youth mentoring advocate.

Russell says in a press release he's ''uncomfortable" with such honors. But he adds his years as captain of the Celtics were "the proudest moments" of his career.

Russell led the Celtics to 11 league championships in 13 seasons.

Obama suggested Boston build a statue of Russell when he awarded him a Presidential Medal of Freedom in February. Obama said he hoped one day children would look up to a statute ''built not only to Bill Russell the player but Bill Russell the man.''