WATCH: Former President Barack Obama honors Bill Russell’s 2nd Hall of Fame induction

Former US President Barack Obama took a moment to create a video message in praise of Boston Celtics legend Bill Russell on the eve of his second Hall of Fame induction, joining the many voices honoring the basketball and civil rights giant for his accomplishments on the other side of the clipboard.

The University of San Francisco NCAA champion would continue his unprecedented success as a player with the Celtics in the 1950s and 1960s, winning 11 titles in a dozen trips to the NBA Finals with Boston, several of which towards the end of that run in which he was also a player-coach. The first Black head coach in modern North American sports history, Russell faced battles on and off the court for which Obama was sure to note.

Watch the clip embedded below to see his speech in honor of Russell’s second induction to the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame yourself.

This post originally appeared on Celtics Wire. Follow us on Facebook!

Related

WATCH: Jayson Tatum swats a shot against a kid at his camp

Former players reflect on Bill Russell's coaching career as he gets his second Hall call

WATCH: Could Kevin Garnett's feud with Ray Allen finally be ending?

WATCH: Reflections on Boston Celtics champion forward Paul Pierce's Hall of Fame induction

List

New full set of Boston Celtics NBA 2K22 ratings released