Photo: James Rojas/WBZ NewsRadio
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — A Boston bridge has taken on the name of a Boston sports legend.
Boston Celtic's great Bill Russell was honored at a ceremony Monday with the renaming of the North Washington Street Bridge the William Felton Bill Russell Bridge.
The bridge connects Charlestown with the North End.
Governor Maura Healey was among the event's speakers.
She called Russell an "inspiring figure" and a "bridge-builder."
"As a kid who grew up watching and loving Celtics basketball, admiring players like Bill Russell who just is the greatest of all time on and off the court, it was really special to be part of this morning," she said.
Bill Russell's widow Jeannine Russell also attended the ceremony and talked about the mix of emotions she felt. "This is really overwhelming. It's hard not having him here. It's great to celebrate but at the same time it's very difficult."
Also at the event was Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, Celtics co-owners Wyc Grousbeck and Steve Pagliuca, as well as Celtics star Jaylen Brown who said the renaming of the bridge was fitting. "A bridge being renamed after the great Bill Russell is exactly what we need to bridge our ideals, our values, to the next generation."
The bridge is currently under construction and should be finished by April.
WBZ News Radio's James Rojas (@JamesRojasMMJ) reports.
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