First annual ‘Tommy Heinsohn Day’ to honor franchise icon on Sunday, May 9

The legendary Celtic will be honored by the team with a new annual event starting May 9.

The Boston Celtics have announced via press release they plan to honor franchise legend Tommy Heinsohn this Sunday, May 9 with the inaugural “Tommy Heinsohn Day” to honor the late Celtics icon with a day of on-air tributes hosted by the team and NBC Sports Boston.

Drafted ahead of the 1956-57 NBA season in which he won Rookie of the Year honors, Heinsohn would kick off his career with the Celtics by winning his (and the franchise’s) first NBA championship. He’d win eight total titles with Boston along with six All-Star nods among many other honors, and would return to coach the team to two more titles in the 1970s after his playing days were over.

He would remain close to the team even after he retired, working as a broadcaster right up to his death in 2020.