- Home •
- Bleed Green: Celebrating Celtics Fans •
- The Celtics Meet a Celtic President
The Celtics Meet a Celtic President
Date: January 31, 1963
Before a scheduled game in Maryland, the Celtics swung by the White House to visit Boston’s number one sports fan, President John F. Kennedy. Though normally known for his love of football, Kennedy greeted all Celtics players except Bill Russell, who reportedly overslept and missed the tour. (In his defense, Russell didn’t know that the President would be greeting them. The Celtics big man did show up for the game that night, scoring 18 points and grabbing 22 rebounds in a 128-125 win over the Cincinnati Royals.) After Bob Cousy retired the following month, Kennedy sent a note that said, “It is a pleasure for me…to join in this tribute to you.”
( C ) NBA/Celtics