Jaylen Brown: Renamed Boston bridge ‘very fitting’ honor for Bill Russell

The Celtics held their final preseason practice on Monday. But before he took the court at the Auerbach Center, Jaylen Brown had some business to attend to.

Brown was the only current Boston player to attend the official renaming ceremony for the William Felton “Bill” Russell Bridge, which was held in an office building adjacent to TD Garden.

“Thank you, Brad (Stevens), for allowing me to be late to practice to be here to honor Bill Russell,” Brown said when it was his turn at the podium.

The NBA Finals MVP recalled the two interactions he had with Russell before the Celtics legend’s death in 2022 — one at the ESPY Awards and one when he was with Basketball Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas, a mentor of Brown’s and a former Celtics rival.

“As I was walking up to (Russell), he gave me the middle finger. And right after, he started to smile,” Brown said. “… His smile would just light up an entire room.”

The renamed bridge, formerly known as the North Washington Street Bridge, spans the Charles River, connecting Charlestown to the North End. Brown said it was fitting that such a structure now bears Russell’s name.

“We’re here to talk about the legacy of the great Bill Russell,” he said. “Not only just what he’s done for basketball, how many championships he won, but how many championships he won off the basketball floor, as well. Things he stood for in the community, things with education, things he stood for in a time which was much harder than now to stand for.

“Bill Russell transcends sports. I can speak on and on about his resume, but his character, his demeanor and how he handled himself through adversity, I think that speaks volumes, especially in a time like today. I think it’s very fitting that the bridge is getting named after him, because what a bridge does is bring people together. And the leadership of sports and the role that sports play in our society is bringing people together.”

The list of speakers at Monday’s event also included Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, Gov. Maura Healey, Celtics co-owner Steve Pagliuca and Russell’s widow, Jeannine, with former Celtics broadcaster Mike Gorman hosting. Stevens, Celtics majority owner Wyc Grousbeck, vice president of basketball operations Mike Zarren, team president Rich Gotham and multiple former C’s players also were in attendance.

Brown said Russell’s community work and civil rights advocacy — even more than his 11 championships and numerous NBA accolades — make him an enduring role model.

“Bill challenged us on a daily (basis),” he said. “He challenged us throughout his legacy, throughout his career, throughout his time spent here, and as I maneuver through my career, I plan on continuing to walk in his light. … It’s an honor to be up here, and I think it’s very fitting that a bridge is being named after the great Bill Russell, because that’s exactly what we need — to bridge our ideals, our values to the next generation.

“So I challenge everyone in this room to continue to do the same and continue to remember what Bill Russell stood for.”