Thomas William Heinsohn is best renowned for his six decades association with the Boston Celtics as a professional basketball player, coach, and broadcaster. He was known for his charisma and loyalty to the team and its traditions and regarded as one of the most iconic Celtics figures in the franchise's history earned the nickname "Mr. Celtic." He attended St. Michael's High School and accepted a scholarship to Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts where became the all-time leading scorer with ... moreThomas William Heinsohn is best renowned for his six decades association with the Boston Celtics as a professional basketball player, coach, and broadcaster. He was known for his charisma and loyalty to the team and its traditions and regarded as one of the most iconic Celtics figures in the franchise's history earned the nickname "Mr. Celtic." He attended St. Michael's High School and accepted a scholarship to Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts where became the all-time leading scorer with 1,789 points for the school. Outside of play, Heinsohn played an essential role in the leadership of the NBA Players Association. He served as the association's second president after Bob Cousy, the founding president. In 1964, he threatened to strike, which was instrumental in the league's acceptance of a pension plan for players. Heinsohn was inducted into the Hall of Fame for his contributions as a player and his success as a head coach. Heinsohn enjoyed playing golf and painting whenever he is not playing or coaching and once headed a life insurance company. Heinsohn wrote a memoir titled "Give 'em the Hook", in 1988 with writer Joe Fitzgerald. Heinsohn died at age 86 in his home on November 9, 2020.
