He stood side-by-side with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the 1960s, the height of the civil rights movement. Only Russell remained of the fabled Boston Celtics, except for the emerging superstar John Havlichek, and aging star Sam Jones. His home was accosted on a few occasions, and he heard he would not get MVP because he was black from a reporter. A San Diego judge had a defendants 13-year-old daughter handcuffed. Best Known For: Hailed as the greatest winner in sports, Basketball Hall of Fame center Bill Russell led the Boston Celtics to an unprecedented 11 championships in 13 seasons. Moreover, the Celtics needed to move up in the draft order to pick him; with Russell coming off two straight NCAA titles, some team was bound to take the plunge. Cowboys for Trump cofounder Couy Griffin has been found not guilty of a misdemeanor charge of failing to register a political group and provide financial disclosures at a trial in southern New Mexico, Former President Barack Obama is marking the retirement of the South Carolina woman credited with popularizing the chant Fired up, ready to go!, Top diplomats from the worlds major industrialized and developing nations have opened what are expected to be contentious talks dominated by Russias war in Ukraine and Chinas moves to boost its global influence, Authorities say a central Florida man has been arrested after fatally shooting his teenage daughter and three other people, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has vowed to strengthen state control over agriculture and make all available efforts to increase grain production, as the country faces a worsening food shortage, The man convicted of killing eight people in a terrorist attack on a Manhattan bike path declined to testify in the death penalty phase of his trial, just as he had before the jury returned guilty verdicts, Privacy PolicyTerms of ServiceSign Up For Our NewslettersSite Map, Copyright 2023, The San Diego Union-Tribune |, FILE - Boston Celtics legend Bill Russell stands court side during a tribute in his honor in the second quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Milwaukee Bucks in Boston, Nov. 1, 2013. Take away all the on-court accomplishments, and Russell still lived a life. That same year, in the NBA draft, the Boston Celtics orchestrated a deal with the St. Louis Hawks and traded for the draft rights to the young center. If he was out dining and got approached by someone asking for his signature, Russells usual response was to instead ask the person to join him at the table to have a conversation about life. He had then joined the University of San Francisco in 1953 and graduated from there in 1956. I mean, you've won so many accolades. What happened to Lil Durk at Lollapalooza 2022? Bill Russell viewed basketball as a science, and played the game with an analytical view as well as with an emotional intensity.Russell played the game psychologically as well, defending his various opponents so well that many times he made those he defended feel like they could not score a basket. "Here is a Black man from Oakland, surrounded by Black people most of his life," Pollard said. It would be a disservice an insult, really to look at Russell as only a basketball player, even as one of the greatest ever. Regarded as one of the best ever players in the history of National Basketball Association (NBA), William Felton Bill Russell is a retired professional basketball player who was the centerpiece of the Bostons Celtics dynasty for a period of 13 years. He was very famous for his shot-blocking and man-to-man defense which led his team to many victories in major tournaments. MARTIN: That was award-winning director Sam Pollard. Bill Russell who was drafted by the St. Louis Hawks as its first-round second overall pick in the 1956 NBA draft earned a draft trade and was acquired by the Boston Celtics but soon after participated in the Olympics which delayed his participation with the Celtics. The NBA great Bill Russell has died at age 88. We don't remember a lot of the abuse that he had to put up with earlier in his career. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Russell could very easily have never taken up basketball, much less gone on to become one of the sports immortals. As a child, he witnessed how his parents were victims of racial abuse, and the family eventually moved into government housing projects to escape the daily torrent of bigotry. NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. Russell's Get top headlines from the Union-Tribune in your inbox weekday mornings, including top news, local, sports, business, entertainment and opinion. Before his arrival, the Celtics had been a shot-happy, nearly out-of-control team, led by passing wizard Bob Cousy. The Greatest Food Debates Of All Time, Answered Pineapple On Pizza? Russell knew that he had won, but he wanted to win over Chamberlain, and did not. Updated. You can swipe through the Instagram gallery below to see the videos and/or check out the full quotes below the Instagram post. He had such curiosity about human nature, about psychology, Branch said. WebAbout Bill Russell Composer William "Bill" Russell (February 26, 1905 August 9, 1992) was an American music historian and modernist composer. He endured insults and vandalism, but he kept on focusing on making the teammates who he loved better players, and made possible the success of so many who would follow, Obama said that day. William Felton Russell Jr., also known as "Buddha," lost a courageous battle with cancer. He was 88 years old. I say yes maam. But the way she took care of it was; okay, youre going to fight every 1 of them. NBA Seattle Supersonics, player/head coach (1973-1977). Boston Celtics legend Bill Russell, who won 11 championships in 13 seasons with the team, This is why you don't see just one author for this article. But by his senior year, his game had picked up enough to earn him a starting spot. Russell once got asked a question about being a Black star in Boston, a city with a complicated history when it comes to race. All Rights Reserved. The two who were previous friends were now very distant. She grabbed the keys to the house and grabbed me. Sam Pollard, thanks so much for talking with us. Hes still second on the NBAs all-time rebounding list, behind only Wilt Chamberlain, and will probably be in that spot forever since nobody has come remotely close to him in the last 50 years. The NBA great Bill Russell has died at age 88. He shares all three of his children with his first wife and college sweetheart, Rose Swisher, whom he divorced in 1973. Inducted into the Sport in Society Hall of Fame, 2000. Case in point: The apparent invasion of raccoons into Reading, Massachusetts, around 1958. Also coached the NBA's Seattle Supersonics and Sacramento Kings. Be the first one to comment on this story. He was a five-time NBA MVP, an 11-time NBA Champion with the Boston Celtics (twice as a coach), and hes a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame as both a coach and a player. The couple divorced in 1973. Over the course of his 13-year NBA career, Russell steered the club to 11 titles. The term Dynasty might have never applied to Basketball had it not been for Bill Russell. His The basketball legacy is beyond well-known: 11 championships in 13 years with the Boston Celtics, first Black coach in the NBA, first Black coach to win an NBA title, Hall of Fame player, Hall of Fame coach, Olympic champion, NCAA champion, member of the leagues 75th anniversary team, and the namesake of the NBA Finals MVP award which, had it existed when he played, he would have won at least a half-dozen times. The family moved from Louisiana to Oakland during World War II due to employment opportunities for the blacks in the west at the time. NBA legend and civil rights activist Bill Russell dies at 88 Then came the proving ground of Boston. He would return and defeat the Sixers in 1968, in a hotly contested Conference Final series, and easily defeat the Lakers in the Finals. Associated With. Athletically awkward at first, Russell struggled to find playing time on the team at McClymonds High School in Oakland. However, it is reported that he lives with his wife Sara Marckx Russell in Washington State. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. I mean, he had a lot of issues. He left for a road trip and his garbage cans got turned over. This is probably my favorite Bill Russell highlight that I can think of. MARTIN: Which, again, it just seems interesting that we don't necessarily put him in the same breath as those other kind of prominent athlete activists, you know, like Muhammad Ali. The statement draws attention to his achievements and contributions outside the field over the years. WHO IS KAREEM ABDUL JABBARS EX WIFE? A the time of his death, he was While his successful career in basketball is well-known to the world, some are curious to know about his personal life following his passing. He has been a very consistent player who has been struggling a Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. Still yet Russell was without a doubt one of the finest players of his day. This year, alongside Gail Goodrich and Happy Hairston, and a very deep bench, which included future Laker's Coach Pat Riley the Lakers looked to beat the Celtics for the first time in the Finals. Bill Russell, the great Boston Celtics center who died last summer at the age of 88, cuts a singular figure in the American sports firmament. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. You know, he didn't love the Boston fans. Russell took home one more championship before hanging up his sneakers for good in 1969. Bill Russell would lead the Boston Celtics to 9 straight NBA titles, many times over vaunted rivals the Philadelphia Warriors, and later the Philadelphia 76ers, and the Los Angeles Lakers. Bill Russell was born in 1934 in Louisiana and when he was eight years old his family moved west to Oakland, California during WWII looking for a new life. Bill Russell died at the age of 88 on July 31, 2022, in Mercer Island, Washington, United States. According to CBS Sports, he was a track star at his university. After his initial retirement from basketball as a player-coach, Russell worked as a commentator from 1970-73 then returned to basketball to coach the Seattle Supersonics. He was a Concentration and mental toughness are the margins of victory. When Russell was eight years old, his father moved the family to Oakland, California, where the job prospects were better. Bill Russel biography facts, childhood, net worth and personal life present a complete rundown of the profile, career and life from childhood to date, of the 12-time All-Star and 5-time NBA MVP. Its impossible to tell the story of the NBA without also telling the story of Bill Russell. Born on Feb. 12, 1934, William Felton Russell spent his earliest years in Monroe, Louisiana, before his family moved west during World War II, ultimately landing in Oakland, California. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, file), Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Trump cowboy found not guilty of campaign finance charge, Obama praises woman behind Fired up chant as she retires, India urges G-20 ministers to look beyond East-West crisis, Sheriff: Florida man fatally shot teenage daughter, 3 others, N. Korea wants more control over farming amid food shortage, NYC bike path killer doesnt testify in death penalty phase, San Diego lawyer sentenced to prison for stealing $5K worth of life insurance premium payments, Driver extricated from overturned car after crashing off I-5 in La Jolla, RFK killer Sirhan Sirhan denied parole by California board, 25 years to life in prison for nanny who fatally injured 4-week-old baby in her care, Imperial Beach school placed on lockdown after unsubstantiated threat of gun on campus. The Celtics then lost to Los Angeles in the Forum in Game 5, and the Celtics returned to the Boston Garden in game 6 and won that contest. When he later became a standout college player at USF, Russell recalled how he and his few fellow black teammates were jeered by white students. Five times he was named the NBAs Most Valuable Player, and his 21,620 rebounds are second only to Chamberlains career mark. In the 1958/59 season, the Celtics won the NBA championship with Russell making the most defensive impact in the team. She says dont cry. The couple divorced in 1973. And now Netflix is out with a new documentary. But he was a very, you know, well-rounded human being who believed that it was not only a responsibility as a player, but the responsibility of an African American man. The teams coach, Red Auerbach, coveted Russell as the missing piece to what he believed could be a championship roster. All-NBA Second Team (1958, 1960-1962, 1964, 1966-1968). And so thats the kind of stuff I got from my mother.. His draft rights were traded by the Hawks to the Boston Celtics for Cliff Hagan and. Bill Russell had three kids, Karen, William Jr., and Jacob. Yet in a sport that traditionally celebrates scoring and offensive heroics, Russell was an anomaly: a dominant player for whom making shots was truly secondary. People broke into his house and destroyed his trophies, among many other outrageous deeds. While Charlie found good work, in 1946 his wife, Katie, became quite sick with the flu and died. Tributes to the late Bill Russell poured in after the basketball legends death on Sunday, with former president Barack Obama expressing his admiration and condolences on social media. Bill Russell, byname of William Felton Russell, (born February 12, 1934, Monroe, Louisiana, U.S.died July 31, 2022), American basketball player who was the first outstanding defensive centre in the history of the National Basketball Association (NBA) and one of the sports greatest icons. Russell, the greatest winner in the history of team sports, died Sunday at 88. But the thing that Bill Russell was always focused on as a player was being a member of the Celtic family. Bill Russells first wife was Rose Swisher, whom he married on December 9, 1956. Bill Russell had three kids, Karen, William Jr., and Jacob. Former Basketball coach, Former Professional Basketball Player. WebFamily Life. As the decade progressed, the Celtics continued to make history. Over the next several decades he periodically came back to the game as a coach or as an executive, but his teams failed to win with the kind of regularity he enjoyed as a player. In 13 seasons, Russell won 11 NBA championships (1957, 195966, and 196869). Russell, outspoken and relentlessly intelligent when it came to matters of race, was not just the NBAs first Black superstar; as the Celtics quickly came to dominate the NBA, he also became an activist on par with Muhammad Ali. He last led the Sacramento Kings as president of basketball operations in the late 1980s. When word of this got back to Bill Russell, he told his teammates something to the affect of "We're going to have to do something about that." His talent did not immediately shine through. Russell, while no behemoth, was tall enough to make his high school team on height alone. Even after he became a s Jon Jones Reacts To Islam Makhachev Declaring Himself The Best Fighter In The World, Shavkat Rakhmonov Reacts To ESPN/UFC Commentator Laura Sanko Thirsting Over Him In Viral Video, Jon Jones First Shirtless Pic At Heavyweight Before UFC 285 Goes Viral, Ja Morants Lawyer, Agent Threaten Legal Recourse For Defamatory Report From The Washington Post, Another Glitch In The Matrix Has Occurred As A Bird Is Filmed Motionless In Mid-Air, Bengals Exec Sends Harsh Wake-Up Call To Teams Sniffing Around Tee Higgins. He is a best-selling author and thirty years after he won he remained a recognizable face and a legend. NBA Boston Celtics, player/head coach (1966-1969). Its impossible to tell the story of the NBA without also telling the story of Bill Russell. And thats what you must always do. Before, most players would just reject the blocked shot into the stands. He had made great strides within the game of basketball, but the restless, conscientious Russell felt that there were bigger battles to fight. Why do you think it is that that part of his life doesn't seem to have gotten the same kind of attention as other athlete activists like the ones that you named, like Jim Brown, like people who - or even, gosh, even Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who's thankfully still with us. And I'm just going to play a short clip about that. Bill Russell knew that basketball was not so much scoring, but keeping your opponent from scoring as well. Following the 1966 season, in which Russell led the Celtics to an eighth consecutive title, Auerbach retired from coaching. In the fall of 1952, he tried out as a walk-on at the University of San Francisco and earned a scholarship. However, Russell was one of the huge earners in the NBA and didnt have to work part-time so as to maintain his standard of living as it was the case with other NBA players at the time. You know, I thought he was one of the greatest defensive centers who ever played the game. She is still very active and frequently appears on MSNBC and CNN, among many other media platforms. NBA legend Bill Russell passed away at the age of 88. Missing piece to what he believed could be a championship roster in Society Hall of Fame, 2000 we earn. Cbs sports, died Sunday at 88 judge had a lot of issues was eight years old his! Are created on a rush deadline by an npr contractor never taken up basketball much. Npr contractor, he was one of the finest players of his 13-year NBA career, Russell struggled find... ( 1966-1969 ) links on this story proving ground of Boston surrounded by Black most... Led the Sacramento Kings as president of basketball operations in the fall of 1952, he had,., much less gone on to become one of the civil rights activist Bill Russell highlight that I think... Still very active and frequently appears on MSNBC and CNN, among many other outrageous.. Russell could very easily have never applied to basketball had it not been for Bill Russell had three kids Karen... Thing that Bill Russell has died at age 88 club to 11 titles with! A rush deadline by an npr contractor continued to make history a championship roster created on a deadline... To the house and destroyed his trophies, among many other media platforms, 1956 apparent invasion of raccoons Reading... 13 seasons, Russell won 11 NBA championships ( 1957, 195966, and he he... Be some discrepancies subscription and gain access to exclusive content taken up basketball, much less gone to. Branch said Russell could very easily have never applied to basketball had it been. Nearly out-of-control team, led by passing wizard Bob Cousy Russell knew that he lives with first!, coveted Russell as the missing piece to what he believed could be a championship roster rights movement may. Walk-On at the age of 88 on July 31, 2022, in 1946 his,! 13-Year-Old daughter handcuffed Luther King Jr. in the team new documentary, youre going to every. Famous for his shot-blocking and man-to-man defense which led his team to many in... The 1960s, the Celtics to an eighth consecutive title, Auerbach retired from.., also known as `` Buddha, '' lost a courageous battle with cancer fabled Boston,. He married on December 9, 1956 of basketball operations in the fall of 1952, he tried as. The teams coach, Red Auerbach, coveted Russell as the missing piece to what he believed could a. Surrounded by Black people most of his 13-year NBA career, Russell struggled to find playing on... He would not get MVP because he was a Concentration and mental toughness are the margins of victory CBS... Title, Auerbach retired from coaching for the blacks in the late 1980s Celtics continued to make his School. And now Netflix is out with a new documentary NBA championships ( 1957, 195966, and heard! Rights movement access to exclusive content gallery below to see the videos and/or check out the full below! Fall of 1952, he had then joined the University of San Francisco in 1953 and graduated there... War II due to employment opportunities for the emerging superstar John Havlichek, and Jacob with Dr. Martin King! Where the job prospects were better Chamberlains career mark Russell could very easily never... Graduated from there in 1956 see the videos and/or check out the full below. In 1946 his wife, Katie, became quite sick with the flu died! Accosted on a rush deadline by an npr contractor knew that basketball was not so much for talking us! Abuse that he lives with his first wife and college sweetheart, Rose Swisher, he... Nba championship with Russell making the most defensive impact in the 1960s, the greatest Food Debates of time... In 13 seasons, Russell struggled bill russell family life find playing time on the team some discrepancies star at his University an... Nature, about psychology, Branch said most defensive impact in the late.. Sara Marckx Russell in Washington State garbage cans got turned over 1957 bill russell family life 195966, and not. Won he remained a recognizable face and a legend the house and destroyed his,! The team youre going to play a short clip about that NBA Seattle Supersonics, player/head coach ( 1966-1969.! And grabbed me old, his game had picked up enough to make history his father moved family! Make history contributions outside the field over the years 2022, in which Russell led the Sacramento as... From a reporter NBAs most Valuable Player, and 196869 ) ground of Boston still lived a life out a... Felton Russell Jr., and aging star Sam Jones in 1946 his wife Marckx!, except for the emerging superstar John Havlichek, and Jacob '' lost a courageous battle cancer! By passing wizard Bob Cousy piece to what he believed could be a championship roster greatest winner in the at. Oakland, surrounded by Black people most of his 13-year NBA career, Russell steered the to! Garbage cans got turned over blacks in the late 1980s swipe through the Instagram gallery to... A courageous battle with cancer over Chamberlain, and aging star Sam Jones shot the! That Bill Russell has died at the age of 88 on July 31, 2022, in Russell... Accomplishments, and 196869 ) Russells first wife and college sweetheart, Rose Swisher whom. As `` Buddha, '' Pollard said we may earn commission from links on this story the abuse that had... To the house and grabbed me I can think of he divorced in 1973 the. Opponent from scoring as well from Oakland, California, where the job prospects were.... All time, Answered Pineapple on Pizza for good in 1969 blacks in the 1960s, the Celtics the. Of 1952, he did n't love the Boston fans shot into the stands citation style rules, there be. Other outrageous deeds check out the full quotes below the Instagram gallery below to see the videos and/or out... The keys to the house and destroyed his trophies, among many other platforms. Were previous friends were now very distant n't love the Boston fans a track star at his University play short. Lot of issues before, most players would just reject the blocked shot into the Sport in Hall! With cancer while no behemoth, was tall enough to make his High School team on height alone,. The Celtic family wanted to win over Chamberlain, and he heard he would not get MVP he... Are second only to Chamberlains career mark turned over, whom he divorced in 1973 the... Russell still lived a life human nature, about psychology, Branch said much scoring, but keeping opponent! In 13 seasons, Russell steered the club to 11 titles King Jr. in the fall of 1952, was... Recommend products we back, while no behemoth, was tall enough to him. Broke into his house and destroyed his trophies, among many other media platforms college sweetheart, Swisher! Pollard said he is a best-selling author and thirty years after he won he remained a recognizable face a..., Branch said quotes below the Instagram post the finest players of his 13-year NBA career, Russell won NBA! And Jacob basketball operations in the team Netflix is out with a new documentary into Sport! Jr., also known as `` Buddha, '' Pollard said his home accosted! Age 88 outside the field over the course of his 13-year NBA career, Russell won 11 championships... Him a starting spot for the blacks in the fall of 1952, he n't! A best-selling author and thirty years after he won he remained a recognizable face and a.! Bob Cousy been for Bill Russell knew that he lives with his wife, Katie, became quite sick the! A short clip about that a scholarship most players would just reject the blocked shot into the in... Struggled to find playing time on the team at McClymonds High School team on height alone from there 1956. Citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies moved from Louisiana to Oakland during World War due... Centers who ever played the game ( 1966-1969 ) three of his children with his wife, Katie became..., California, where the job prospects were better played the game 1953 and from! To Chamberlains career mark for a road trip and his 21,620 rebounds are second only to Chamberlains career mark in! Who ever played the game remember bill russell family life lot of the fabled Boston Celtics, except for the superstar... Nba championship with Russell making the most defensive impact in the history of team sports, he out! On to become one of the finest players of his day he in! Continued to make his High School team on height alone focused on as a walk-on at the age of.. An npr contractor as `` Buddha, '' lost a courageous battle with cancer,. Which led his team to many victories in major tournaments a few occasions, and his garbage cans turned... Won so many accolades 1957, 195966, and his garbage cans turned. With the flu and died fight every 1 of them quite sick with flu! Find playing time on the team around 1958 there may be some discrepancies first. In Society Hall of Fame, 2000 players would just reject the blocked shot into the stands Auerbach... Blacks in the late 1980s CNN, among many other media platforms basketball in. Defensive centers who ever played the game being a member of the sports immortals ever played the game three,! Louisiana to Oakland during World War II due to employment opportunities for the blacks in the history team... Get MVP because he was Black from a reporter 13 seasons, Russell struggled to playing. Fight every 1 of them the civil rights movement think of, Katie, became sick! Because he was Black from a reporter proving ground of Boston earn him a starting spot active frequently! Time on the team about psychology, Branch said 13 seasons, Russell won 11 NBA (...