Readers Say

Here’s what more than 900 readers said about renaming Logan Airport after Bill Russell

"Why dishonor one man (Logan) to honor another?"

By Kristi Palma

June 21, 2024

• Facebook
• Twitter
• E-Mail
• E-Mail
• 6

When we asked Boston.com readers if the city should rename Logan Airport after Celtics legend Bill Russell, the answer was clear.

Of more than 900 responses, 62 percent said no, 36 percent said yes, and 2 percent said other.

“Why dishonor one man (Logan) to honor another?” wrote Les C. from Arlington.

Boston native and writer Mark Leibovich wrote the following in The Atlantic days before the Celtics claimed the record-setting 18th NBA championship title: “It’s high time the city properly recognized its greatest sports champion, a civil-rights hero who endured horrific racism during his time with the Celtics.”

A statue of Russell was added to City Hall Plaza in 2013, and now Leibovich has proposed renaming Logan Airport after the legendary Celtics player and coach.

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said, “I’m up for conversations” about honoring Russell, reported Commonwealth Beacon.

Logan Airport is named after Boston native Gen. Edward Lawrence Logan, who fought in the Spanish-American War, served in the Massachusetts House of Representatives and Massachusetts Senate, and was a judge in the South Boston District Court.

Ahead, check out what Boston.com readers think about changing the name.

Should the Logan Airport be renamed to honor Bill Russell?

No, don’t do it

“Why do we deify athletes? How about honoring noble prize winners or our military heroes?”

— Jeff from Framingham

“Things like that should be named after presidents, civil rights leaders and war heroes. Period. Sports figures should be honored in their sport.”

— Ray C. from Tiverton, R.I.

“He was a sports player … if you are going to name it after a sports player … it should be Tom Brady Airport, and doesn’t that just sound silly.”

— Steve B. from Westford

“‘Logan’ automatically means the airport, whereas ‘Russell’ can mean so much more. Given we have the Ted Williams tunnel, something of equal importance should be named after Russell. The Zakim Bridge would have been perfect, being so close to the Garden. Maybe Russell Drive in place of Storrow — or Russell Station (opens up South Station for name change as well)?”

— DJ from Wenham

“Honor him some other way. Leave Logan as Logan. Honestly, unless you’re a sports fan and a basketball fan, you’re not going to know who Bill Russell is. In fact, I didn’t even know his name until I read this article. Besides, I thought all the Boston sports writers say Brady is the GOAT (I personally don’t). Rename the Garden after Russell if they want to name something, he has more of a connection there than to an airport.”

— Charles L. from Newburyport

“Stop stripping the honors we bestowed on our veterans in favor of modern heroes. There will be plenty of other buildings or civic entities that need names down the road. Can’t General Logan have what he once earned through blood?”

— Anonymous reader

“His number is retired. That’s enough for someone who played basketball. This isn’t someone who cured cancer.”

— Richard H. from Southborough

“Insane. Why dishonor one man (Logan) to honor another? Russell deserves something just like Ted Williams got the tunnel. How about City Hall itself?”

— Les C. from Arlington

“Stop the acts of erasing history and respect those who have been previously honored by such an immense tribute, as well as their families. Logan Airport was named in honor of a statesman, his esteemed accomplishment and contributions to the military and public service in the Commonwealth. Look for creative ways to create history going forward to appropriately honor the great Bill Russell and anyone else worthy of such recognition.”

— Bobby D. from Winthrop

“I think it may be more relevant and meaningful to name the Boston Garden in Bill Russell’s honor. In addition, I would think it appropriate to consider naming a Civil Rights agency or institute for him, given his life long commitment to this cause.”

— David W. from New York City, formerly of Boston

“Why must we rename everything and erase someone else’s legacy? Make something new for him!”

— Nathan from East Boston

“Just leave the name as is. Logan was also an advocate for veterans’ rights, lobbied for aviators to receive veteran benefits, and was president of the National Guard Organization of the United States. Think of everything the Logan airport name appears on: Logan Express will become Russell Express? Private business and corporations will need to rebrand at their own expense, signage will need to change (which can be disruptive to an already horrible traffic problem), and more. There must be another way to honor ‘the greatest athlete of any sport, of all time.'”

— Carol Ann of Boxford

Yes, rename it

“I want to see more recognition in general for our country’s Black history and I think renaming the airport would be awesome. I never even knew who Logan was. My guess is way more people have heard of Bill Russell, and as Celtic Pride is peaking, now is the time.”

— Slavomir R. of West Newton

“Great idea. Great American who brings honor and instant name recognition for Boston’s only airport.”

— Jim W. from Boston

​​”Bill Russell was more than just a legendary athlete. He was a civil rights icon. He deserves to be recognized & renaming Logan Airport for him would be a great start to honoring his legacy. Imagine going through the Ted Williams Tunnel to go to Bill Russell International Airport? How cool would that be?! So sports-obsessed Boston!!”

— Jay K. from Stoughton

“For a city beleaguered by racial strife, renaming Logan to Bill Russell Airport would serve as a symbol of the equality Bill Russell strove for and embodied.”

— David G. from Hollis, N.H.

“Long overdue. A Boston hero and American patriot.”

— Marc G. from Cambridge

“I think it would be a fabulous way to honor Bill Russell, the greatest player of all time, while making reparations for the racism he endured while in Boston.”

— Sheilagh S. from Wakefield

“Yes, rename it after Russell. No one really knows why Logan is named Logan or who it is without looking it up. Bill Russell has a longer Wikipedia page than Edward Logan and has had much more of an impact on the city of Boston than Logan.”

— Ian from Brookline

“Long overdue for everything Mr. Russell brought to Boston, for everything he endured while here, and for the civil and equal rights he fought so hard for long after he retired. He was a hero and a leader on and off the court. While this is not nearly enough to honor his life, it is a fitting tribute.”

— Rich H. from West Bridgewater

“Nobody knows or cares who Ed Logan is anymore. Russell is a legend of the century of aviation, makes way more sense. And Boston is a sports-first town. Let’s make it happen!”

— George P. from Walpole

“He was a one of a kind hero to many. We need to have iconic names associated with key international locations such as our airport. Just as the airport has grown so has the impact of Bill Russell’s contributions to making Boston a world class city.”

— Kathy R. from Roslindale

Other

“Name the Terminals: A-Russell, B-Orr, C-Ted Williams and E to popular vote.”

— Bill D. from Tiverton, R.I.

“Not sure. I don’t have an issue with Bill Russell’s name on an important landmark, but rather the erasure of significant names from the past. If Gen. Logan was such a significant citizen with a lifetime of contributions to both state and country, why should his name be erased simply because there is no longer a living memory of him? This is a disconcerting trend for me. Massachusetts has over 400 years of history now and it is important to preserve it all, not just things we remember ourselves.”

— Brent C. from Elmhurst, N.Y. and formerly of Newton and Allston

“All for increasing the recognition of Bill Russell, though I struggle with doing it at the expense of General Logan. What about naming the Mass Turnpike Bill Russell Turnpike?  Not sure who Zakim is….Bill Russell Bridge would work….and right next to the Garden.  Rename Soldiers Field Road to the Bill Russell Parkway?”

— Matt S. from Sudbury

Responses have been lightly edited for clarity.