Yesterday, the sports world said goodbye to one of its most outstanding players with the passing of Bill Russell at the age of 88.

Here are a few news headlines making this announcement:

“Bill Russell Was the Greatest Winner Any Sport Has Ever Seen” (Washington Post)

“Bill Russell, Boston Celtics Legend and the NBA’s Ultimate Winner, Dies at 88” (Yahoo)

“‘Everything Was Winning With Him’: Former Rockets Coach Mourns Loss of NBA Legend Bill Russell” (Sports Illustrated)

It’s pretty clear that when we reflect on the life and specifically the sports career of Bill Russell, he knew how to win, what it took to win, and experienced winning at every level of the sport.

Russell won 11 NBA titles, two NCAA Championships, two state championships in high school, and an Olympic gold medal.

According to a tweet from ESPN’s Paul Hembekides, “Bill Russell played 21 winner-take-all games in his career (NBA, Olympics, NCAA Tournament). His teams went 21-0. 10 of those were NBA Game 7s, and in them, he played 488 of 495 minutes and averaged 29.3 rebounds.”

All that Russell accomplished throughout his basketball career is remarkable, and it’s unlikely we’ll ever see another athlete achieve that type of winning and success in their sport.

He wasn’t always the best player, but Russell knew what it took to win on the basketball court. He put himself in a position to help his team win and understood that winning was achieved by being a good teammate and making his teammates better.

Russell wasn’t a selfish player and never wanted the focus to be on his individual accomplishments.

As we reflect on Russell knowing how to win and what it took to win on the basketball court, I want to unpack what it means to win in life.

Our first thought (which society has conditioned us to think) is that winning in life is all about individual accolades, our large personal bank account, our big brand or platform, and our impressive efforts being recognized. We tend to believe this is the blessed life and the success we want.

However, just like winning on the basketball court isn’t ultimately about an individual’s stats, winning in life is not all about individual success.

Instead, it’s about serving others, being a good teammate, and making teammates better. We actually put ourselves in a position to experience true winning, blessings, and joy, when our focus is off ourselves.

Winning begins by humbly shifting our attention to God, rooting ourselves in His Word, abiding in Jesus, and following His path.

Psalm 1:1-3 (ESV) says, “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law, he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.”

Of course, we want to prosper, but what does that really mean?

The ESV Study Bible notes for this passage explain, “The first image is that of a tree in a dry climate, which nevertheless thrives because of its constant supply of water. A tree bears fruit, not for itself, but for others; thus, when the faithful prospers, it is not for himself, nor is the prospering even necessarily material, but he succeeds in bringing benefit to others.”

When our lives are rooted in God, we will bear fruit and bless others.

Proverbs 11:25 (NLT) gives us this encouragement: “The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.”

It’s counterintuitive, but we win when we help others win.

Today, we remember Bill Russell, the consummate teammate who won at the highest level in basketball.

More importantly, however, let’s be encouraged to follow the example of Jesus, who “…did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28; NIV).

He’s the ultimate winner thanks to His victory on the cross!

I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I confess I chase after my own success and personal accolades. I pray You would change my perspective on what it truly means to win and live a life that is blessed. Help me understand blessings come from serving and being generous. I pray I would remain rooted in You and delight in Your Word. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.

Discussion Questions for PACKS:

1. What has been your perspective on what it takes to win in life?

2. Who has been the great “teammate” you’ve been around over the years?