NBA icon Bill Russell: Donald Trump, you are a coward!
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Eleven-time NBA champion, Boston Celtics legend Bill Russell. /VCG

Eleven-time NBA champion, Boston Celtics legend Bill Russell. /VCG

As the protests against racism continue to spread across the U.S., the voices denouncing the country's president - Donald Trump - keep growing louder. On Sunday, another NBA legend publicly expressed his displeasure over Trump's handling of the national outrage. 11-time NBA champion Bill Russell on Twitter posted a photo of him taking a kneel, calling Trump "a coward."

"#Trump you projected your narrative that #TakingAKnee is disrespectful & #UnAmerican it was never about that! You are divisive & a coward. It takes true courage 2 stand 4 what is right & risk your life in the midst of a #pandemic #Proud2kneel #BlackLivesMatter @MSNBC @BostonGlobe," wrote Russell.

NBA legend Bill Russell takes a kneel to protest against the death of George Floyd. /Photo from Bill Russell's Twitter account

NBA legend Bill Russell takes a kneel to protest against the death of George Floyd. /Photo from Bill Russell's Twitter account

The 86-year-old was responding to Trump's tweet about how "disrespectful" kneeling was to the American national flag. The U.S. President wrote: "We should be standing up straight and tall, ideally with a salute, or a hand on heart. There are other things you can protest, but not our Great American Flag – NO KNEELING!" trying to tie the New Orleans Saints' quarterback Drew Brees to his side. However, Brees made it very clear: the national flag should not be used as a distraction.

During his player and coaching careers, Russell experienced one of the darkest racist eras of the league. Despite the 11 titles he won for the Boston Celtics, he was not considered a hero by the city. Local residents humiliated him verbally; police deliberately made things difficult for him. During road games, he suffered at the hands of aggressive and hostile behavior of the crowds in different cities.

Protesters march at the Glendale Community March and Vigil for Black Lives Matter in Glendale, California, U.S., June 7, 2020. /VCG

Protesters march at the Glendale Community March and Vigil for Black Lives Matter in Glendale, California, U.S., June 7, 2020. /VCG

That's why when Russell's wife asked him if he could believe that he would see the protests again in his life on June 5, Russell said: "Yes, nothing had changed & we will see some change but most likely not enough."

Russell is not the only NBA-related to criticize Trump. Wo-time NBA MVP Stephen Curry attended the protest in Palo Alto last week and yelled "Donald Trump has got to go!" Warriors head coach Steve Kerr retweeted and laughed at a CNN article about the White House considering a speech by Trump on race and unity.

"This is not what a leader looks like. His actions and cold words are cowardly. Do not allow these messages of hate and divide draw your attention away from the REAL goal of UNITY and EQUALITY which is achieved through LOVE and COMPASSION. I love y'all, stay safe," posted Ben Simmons of the Philadelphia 76ers.