America is mourning the deaths of two American sports legends. Civil rights activist and basketball champion Bill Russell. Along with hall of fame broadcaster Vin Scully. Both hold connections to decades of Cincinnati sports history.

Russell’s playing career with the Boston Celtics coincided with the golden years for the Cincinnati Royals. The Celtics and Royals were in the same division for much of the 1960s. Giving Russell and Oscar Robertson several opportunities to meet on the court. The two were occasionally seen watching games courtside later in life. Robertson won the NBA’s Most Valuable Player award in the 1963-64 season. Between Russell’s fourth and fifth MVP award victories.

The Royals finished second to the Celtics in the Eastern Division in the 1963-64 and 1964-65 seasons. Boston knocked the Royals out of the playoffs three times. In the midst of the Celtics eight consecutive titles from 1959-66. In 1963 and 1964, the Celtics beat the Royals in the divisional finals. Boston and Cincinnati met in the 1966 divisional semifinals. The Royals led the best-of-five series 2-1 before losing games four and five. A broadcast of game four at the Cincinnati Gardens is available on YouTube.

If not for the Celtics dominance in the 1960’s. Perhaps the Royals would’ve had one or several NBA titles in Cincinnati. Russell retired by the time Oscar Robertson won his NBA title with the Milwaukee Bucks in 1971. The Royals moved from Cincinnati to Kansas City one year later. Eventually becoming the present-day Sacramento Kings in 1985.

Broadcasting brought about another connection between Russell and Cincinnati. Russell worked as a color commentator for ABC and CBS in the 1970s. Partnering with broadcasting legends Keith Jackson, Brent Musburger and Frank Gifford. Russell covered NBA games and the 1972 Summer Olympics Basketball tournament. Royals and Cincinnati Bearcats player Jack Twyman also worked as a color commentator after concluding his playing career.

Twyman interviewed Russell in the final game of his playing career. After game seven of the 1969 NBA Finals. Where then player-coach Russell and his Celtics teammates won their 11th title in 13 years. Russell later succeeded Twyman as ABC’s main NBA analyst from 1971-73. Twyman and Russell are also well remembered for their actions off the court.

Russell was active in the civil rights movement. He was part of an extraordinary generation of high-profile athletes and activists. Russell is also remembered as one of the best teammates a basketball player could have. Twyman is best remembered as an exemplary teammate on and off of the court. Particularly for his friendship with Royals teammate and his fellow Naismith Hall of Famer Maurice Stokes.

After Stokes suffered a brain injury during a game in 1958. Twyman frequently visited Stokes in the hospital. Helped Stokes communicate after the injury affected his ability to speak. Advocating for Stokes to get workers compensation. In an era when NBA players made vastly less than their peers make today. Twyman also became Stokes legal guardian, caring for him until Stokes died in 1970. In tribute to their legacies, the NBA’s teammate award is named in Stokes and Twyman’s honor.

Russell’s connections with Cincinnati sports extended beyond basketball. He attended the same high school as several Cincinnati Reds legends. Russell was an alumnus of Oakland, California’s McClymonds High School. Among the many famous McClymonds alumni are Reds legends Ernie Lombardi, Vada Pinson and Frank Robinson. While Joe Morgan went to nearby Castlemont High School in Oakland.

Meanwhile, Vin Scully’s broadcasting career coincided with Morgan’s playing and broadcasting career. While none of his most memorable calls featured the Cincinnati Reds. The Reds and Los Angeles Dodgers were division rivals from 1969-1993. Both teams dominated the National League West throughout the 1970’s. Both finished in the top two of the division eight times in that decade. Giving Scully, Joe Nuxhall, Marty Brennaman and Marty’s Reds broadcasting predecessor Al Michaels many opportunities to cross paths. Brenneman has often considered Scully the best baseball broadcaster in his view.

Scully’s broadcasting career stretched through various eras. Starting with the Dodgers when the team was in Brooklyn in 1950. Three years after Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier. Scully broadcast the first of 25 World Series in his career in his early 20’s. He was at the microphone long enough to cover Reds games in five major league ballparks. Crosley Field, Riverfront Stadium, Great American Ball Park, Ebbets Field and Dodgers Stadium. Scully also has a connection to one of the greatest days in Cincinnati Bengals history.

He was CBS TV’s play-by-play announcer for the 1982 NFC Championship. Taking place on the same day the Bengals won their first AFC title. In the game that became known as the “Freezer Bowl.” While Scully and Bill Russell never broadcast a game together. Both worked for CBS in the 1970’s.

Longevity is only part of Scully’s extraordinary broadcasting legacy. Scully’s broadcasting style is another part of that legacy. He’s well-remembered for weaving stories about players into games. One famous story featured former Reds player Jonny Gomes. In a clip available here, Scully told a story about Gomes surviving a wolf attack. Scully is also remembered for his measured and reserved tone broadcasting games. A style that was common for broadcasters of his generation.

While Russell and Scully are famous for different reasons. Their impact on American sports is vast. Connecting the dots through various moments in history. Navigating through changing times, along with being legends in their own rights.