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Bill Russell 1934–2022SportsEleven-time NBA champion, pioneering Black coach, and civil-rights advocate whose team-first leadership defined a dynasty.
Vince Lombardi 1913–1970SportsCoach whose Green Bay teams, championship record, and leadership mythology became embedded in American sports culture.
Wayne Gretzky b. 1961SportsHockey legend known as The Great One, holding the most records in NHL history.
Larry Bird b. 1956SportsCeltics forward whose rivalry with Magic Johnson defined the NBA's golden age of the 1980s.
John Wooden 1910–2010SportsUCLA basketball coach whose ten NCAA titles in twelve seasons remain the sport's benchmark dynasty.
James Naismith 1861–1939SportsNailed two peach baskets to a gymnasium balcony in December 1891 and invented basketball.
Branch Rickey 1881–1965SportsInvented the farm system, then signed Jackie Robinson and ended segregated baseball.
Tommie Smith b. 1944SportsWon the Mexico City 200 metres in 19.83 seconds and raised a gloved fist on the podium.
Pete Rozelle 1926–1996SportsPersuaded the owners to share television money and built the modern NFL on it.
Pat Summitt 1952–2016SportsCollege basketball coach whose sustained success helped build women’s athletics into a national institution.