NBA Legend Bob Cousy speaks on what being on the cover of Sports Illustrated meant to him

Boston Celtics legend Bob Cousy was interviewed by Sports Illustrated for their 70th anniversary, and he recalled how meaningful it was to be the star of its cover multiple times. Cousy was the first Celtic and NBA player to be on the cover.

“It was meaningful. I had reached kind of the epitome of individual awards for the NBA, but that wasn’t a big deal. The NBA was at the bottom of the sports totem pole. Being on the cover was a prestige even then, and being the first NBA player ever was significant to me.”

Cousy was on the cover of Sports Illustrated three times, in 1956, 1961, and 1970. The first time he was on the cover was the year the Celtics won their first championship.

Cousy recalled his relationship with the staff of Sports Illustrated, and he was working with them right after his 1970 cover. “The senior editor had me doing stuff for SI after this,” said Cousy. “I worked the United States Tennis Open for three or four years. I worked the events, SI would have a visible presence there, and they’d be having PR parties and so forth; I’d be part of the show.”

The most recent Celtic to grace the cover of Sports Illustrated was Jayson Tatum this year, and he certainly won’t be the last.

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