Defining moments: Tommy Heinsohn embodied what it meant to be a Celtic

Defining Moments: Tommy Heinsohn embodied what it meant to be a Celtic originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The Boston Celtics have had some of the best players in NBA history, from Bill Russell and Bob Cousy to Larry Bird and Kevin McHale. But you could argue that no one has had a greater impact on the franchise than Tommy Heinsohn.

Heinsohn spent more than 60 years with the Celtics as a player, coach and commentator, leaving an unmatched legacy that earned him the title “Mr. Celtic.” He won eight championships in Boston as a player from 1956-65 and two as head coach from 1969-78, then witnessed four more C’s titles as a commentator until his passing in November 2020.

Heinsohn was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1986 as a player and again in 2015 as a coach, becoming only the fourth person to receive both honors. His longtime Celtics broadcast partner, Mike Gorman, wants Heinsohn to be inducted into the Hall of Fame as a broadcaster as well, which would make Heinsohn the first person to be inducted into the Hall of Fame in three different categories.

“I wouldn’t be here without Tommy Heinsohn. Let’s face it,” said Gorman, who was inducted into the broadcaster’s Hall of Fame in 2021 when he won the Curt Gowdy Award.

Heinsohn would have turned 90 on Monday. To celebrate the life of “Mr. Celtic,” watch the “Defining Moments” video in the player above, courtesy of VA New England.