Russell knew that he had won, but he wanted to win over Chamberlain, and did not. Well, I was 9 years old, and I did what 9 year olds are supposed to. Or expensive cars with souped-up sound systems so he could blare the music of Laura Nyro, Janis Ian, or Crosby, Stills and Nash some of his favorites. Selected by the St. Louis (now Atlanta) Hawks as a territorial draft choice in 1954. Copyright 2023 NPR. Are you kidding? Bill Russell, the most prolific winner in American sports history, passed away peacefully today at age 88, with his wife, Jeannine, by his side, his family wrote. Case in point: The apparent invasion of raccoons into Reading, Massachusetts, around 1958. I mean, we all know that when he became a Celtic, he became the lynchpin that began this dynasty of the Boston Celtics. He dealt with Boston bussing issues. As head coach, compiled a 341-290 record (.540) in eight seasons. POLLARD: Well, first of all, he was a very angry guy about that. In 13 seasons, Russell won 11 NBA championships (1957, 195966, and 196869). Bill Russell hated autographs. In the 1958/59 season, the Celtics won the NBA championship with Russell making the most defensive impact in the team. But the way she took care of it was; okay, youre going to fight every 1 of them. Bill Russells first wife was Rose Swisher, whom he married on December 9, 1956. Russell was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1975. Russell is a resident of Mercer Island, Washington where he stays with his wife. And now Netflix is out with a new documentary. I didnt know what she was going to do. Celebrities, athletes and politicians are paying homage to NBA Hall of Famer Bill Russell, who has died at the age of 88, his family announced Sunday. POLLARD: My pleasure, Michel. 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 Holds the NBA single-game record for most rebounds in a half (32) vs. Philadelphia on Nov. 16, 1957. NBA Boston Celtics, player/head coach (1966-1969). On August 11, 2022, the NBA announced the retirement of Russell's No. WebBill Russell Legend on DVD - Both Episodes The life and career of Hall of Fame NBA player Bill Russell is celebrated in the documentary Bill Russel: Legend. On the court, Russell was a force to be reckoned with a champion who sacrificed himself for his teammates and love of basketball. He was a man who grew up in Monroe, La., moved to Oakland with his family when he was a young, young man in his pre-teens. Following his passing on Sunday at 88, tributes poured in fast His draft rights were traded by the Hawks to the Boston Celtics for Cliff Hagan and. 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. 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. Cass Anderson is the Editor-in-Chief of BroBible. Bill Russell Death Reason Talking about his cause of death so he was very in for a long time and age was the factor also, however, everyone started paying him a tribute on the social media platform and started sending his family sympathy and condolence messages. I mean, he had a lot of issues. Do you know what I mean? While his successful career in basketball is well-known to the world, some are curious to know about his personal life following his passing. During his three-year varsity career, in which he led the team to consecutive NCAA titles in 1955 and 1956, he averaged 20.7 points and 20.3 rebounds per game. | Born: February 12, 1934Played all 13 seasons with CelticsFive-time NBA MVPEleven-time NBA championNo. Named to NBA's 25th, 35th, 50th and 75th anniversary teamsTwelve-time NBA All-StarNamed Sports Illustrated's Sportsman of the Year in 1968Induced into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame on April 28, 1975Member of gold-medal winning US Olympic team in 1956 During his college years, Bill competed in many sports besides basketball, including the high jump. Until Michael Jordan he was almost unanimously acclaimed as the greatest player of all time, and some still think he is. This site uses cookies to serve you better. He shared all three kids with his first wife Rose Swisher. Bill had attended the McClymonds High School, a public school in Oakland, California. Frustratingly, his sheer basketball excellence made his actions not only excusable for fans but tolerated in a way that bordered on dismissive. No one in the history of North American team sports won at a higher level than Bill Russell did as a member of the Boston Celtics, capturing 11 championships in his 13 seasons with the team. Although Bill Russell played less than 50 games, due to the fact he has won a gold medal for basketball in the Olympics, in his first NBA season he definitely made his presence felt. A cause of death wasnt given, nor did a family statement say where he died. The Celtics who were supposedly way past their prime were led by Bill Russell to their eleventh championship, they were only the third team to repeat a championship, the first were the Minneapolis Lakers, and the second were the Boston Celtics. Be the first one to comment on this story. Russells impact was immediate. The following season, Russell earned the NBA MVP award and helped the Celtics to another NBA final which they lost. (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. His autobiography, Second Wind: The Memoirs of an Opinionated Man (cowritten with Taylor Branch), was published in 1979. The 11-time NBA champion is survived by his wife Jeannine and two children. Even against more physically imposing centers, like .css-47aoac{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:inherit;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:#A00000;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;}.css-47aoac:hover{color:#595959;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;}Wilt Chamberlain, Russell was a defensive and rebounding force. MARTIN: I have to tell you, you've done so many things - produced and directed and edited award-winning feature films and documentaries. The oldest son of Bill Russell, William Felton Russell Jr, who was named after the 11-time NBA champion, unfortunately passed away in 2016. Russell capped his amateur career by leading the U.S. mens basketball team to the gold medal at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics. He was in the audience when King delivered the I Have A Dream speech in Washington in 1963. The raccoons heard about that, Russell said. It's not rare for our writers and team members to collaborate and work together to create the articles you read on the site. A the time of his death, he was married to his fourth wife Jeannine, who is believed to have been a competitive golfer. This story was shared by Bill Russell and he discusses the first day of moving into new projects. A the time of his death, he was In the 1961/62 season, Bill Russell recorded his career highest score by an average of 18.9 points and 23.6 rebounds per game; he also scored 30 points and 40 rebounds in the finals helping the Celtics to defeat a rugged Lakers side. From boycotting a 1961 exhibition game to unmask too-long-tolerated discrimination, to leading Mississippis first integrated basketball camp in the combustible wake of Medgar Evans assassination, to decades of activism ultimately recognized by his receipt of the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2010.. Bill was a five-time NBA Most Valuable Player, having won 11 championships during the course of his thirteen-year career. SAM POLLARD: If it weren't for Bill Russell winning all them championships, would anybody be talking about the Boston Celtics? Russell was only eight years old when the family moved to Oakland and one of the first things his mother ensured he had was a library card. You'll get covered with chocolate. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Named Russell William Wagner at birth, when he decided to become a classical music composer, he dropped his last nameas it already "was taken" by Richard Wagner. July 31, 2022 1:27pm. As the decade progressed, the Celtics continued to make history. But without Bill Russell there is no doubt the Boston Celtics would not be the rock-solid professional sports team they have become in their legendary run of championships. WebBill Russell was born in Monroe, Louisiana in 1934, to Katie and Charlie Louis Russell. They were together from 1956 to 1973. The Philadelphia 76ers did beat the Boston Celtics in 1967, but in 1966 and 1968 the Celtics, not quite to the level of the Sixers.But in 1968 it was truly Russell that beat the Sixers, as he was not the heart and soul on the court, but was now it's head coach, which he became in 1967 after legend Red Auerbach retired. Bill Russell has been married on 4 different occasions but had never kept a marriage for up to 2 decades, the longest being 17 years (19561973) to a lady called Rose. MARTIN: That was award-winning director Sam Pollard. Bill Russell has been married on 4 different occasions but had never kept a marriage for up to 2 decades, the longest being 17 years (19561973) to a lady called All Rights Reserved. Featured Image by Bill Russell / Instagram. At the age of 9 he moved to Oakland. The world has many of them. Russell was lightly recruited by colleges, but Hal DeJulio, a former player at the nearby University of San Francisco (USF), had seen him play and had an inkling as to his potential, so he recommended Russell to his old school. Rose and Bill were college sweethearts and were together for much of Bills NBA The Celtics went on to win 8 more back-to-back NBA championships winning five against the Lakers in the finals to set up one of the biggest rivalries in the NBA. At the age of 9 he moved to Oakland. In 2005, Russell recorded bankruptcy after investing an estimated amount of $250,000 to finance a rubber plantation project in Liberia. Member, gold medal-winning U.S. Olympic Team (1956). NBA legend Bill Russell, an 11-time NBA champion with the Boston Celtics and the first Black head coach in the league, passed away peacefully Sunday, Bill was only nine years old at the time. All rights reserved. In the long line of dominance the Boston Celtics would exercise over the NBA the most legendary years were in his final years. He didnt shut up and dribble. Karen graduated from Harward Law School and has dissected high-profile trials and national political issues. It seems weird that there hasn't been this kind of full feature-length treatment until now, given the impact that he had. She went on to win theMiss Washington USA1968 crown title. WebAbout Bill Russell Composer William "Bill" Russell (February 26, 1905 August 9, 1992) was an American music historian and modernist composer. NBA legend Bill Russell passed away at the age of 88. One imagines you could do any number of subjects at this stage of your career. Russell, the greatest winner in the history of team sports, died Sunday at 88. As at 2020, Bill Russell is married to Jeannine Russell and the couple appears frequently together on his Instagram. Russell, while no behemoth, was tall enough to make his high school team on height alone. I knew about the rivalry between him and Wilt Chamberlain. And she said What!. NBA Sacramento Kings, player/head coach (1987-1988). When we first moved to the projects, my mother was getting everything together. In addition, he was a high-level sprinter and high jumper on USFs track-and-field team (Wilt Chamberlain, his future archrival, also excelled at track and field up until his pro basketball career). And there was no hesitation on my part because I grew up in the '60s. The statement draws attention to his achievements and contributions outside the field over the years. His new documentary "Bill Russell: Legend" is streaming now on Netflix. In his second season with the Celtics, Russell bought a house in Reading. And so was his personality, as great as he was in basketball.. Russell once got asked a question about being a Black star in Boston, a city with a complicated history when it comes to race. Russell was grief-stricken by the death of his mother, whod been his biggest advocate and pushed him to work hard in school. If you have concerns about something that doesnt look right in this Bill Russell Biography Facts, Childhood, Net Worth, Life, please dont hesitate to contact us. You know, I thought he was one of the greatest defensive centers who ever played the game. All-NBA Second Team (1958, 1960-1962, 1964, 1966-1968). This is just one of these examples. After her marriage to Bill ended, Rose stayed out of the limelight and lived a relatively secluded life. Even after he became a s WebDON'T FORGET TO; SUBSCRIBE+LIKE+COMMENTBill Russell is an American retired professional basketball player, author, NBA legend, and a philanthropist. There were things you might take away from Bill Russell and say, wow, you know, for him to have - hold this grudge against Wilt Chamberlain for so many years. Throughout his career, Bill Russell won 11 NBA championship rings. Bill Russell, the greatest defensive player of all time, has a special place in the NBAs Hall of Fame. This unlikely superstar came into the NBA as a center for the Boston Celtics and played for the team for his entire 13 years of career. He passed away peacefully in his sleep on January 25, 2016. Russell would not stand for racism in sports, which was ironic, given Bostons historical notoriety in that department. However, he still performed well as a player the following season and led the team to yet another NBA championship title. Russell did not create the first basketball dynasty, but to date, through Michael Jordan, Shaquille O'Neal, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, Bill Russell has one more championship than any other basketball player.Bill Russell was born in Monroe, Louisiana in 1934, to Katie and Charlie Louis Russell. He was then married to Dorothy Anstett from 1977 to 1980 and Marilyn Nault from 1996 to 2009. MARTIN: Exactly. {{#media.media_details}} {{#media.focal_point}}. 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. He was a marginal player until, while on a summer basketball tour he had been selected for as an afterthought, he realized that running and jumping could be used to mirror and counteract the flashy, creative scorers that routinely gave teams fits. But we learned that, you know, he had a very interesting life and complicated life off the court. You know, I want you to understand, like a lot of these films about (inaudible) the complexity of the human being, we're playing up on a screen. On the day of Bill Russells private funeral, NBA announces its greatest honor: the permanent retirement of No. Bill Russell is a retired American basketball player who played professionally in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for the Boston Celtics. He most likely would have led the league in blocked shots many times, but the NBA had not yet started keeping track of the statistic. NBA 25th Anniversary All-Time Team (1970). WebBill Russell was an American former basketball coach and former professional basketball player who was universally acknowledged as one of the greatest American In 1996 Russell married his third wife, Marilyn Nault. Granted, it was in part because no one could deal with the moody Russell except Russell himself, but it still made him the first African American coach in NBA history, as well as the first to win a title when Boston took the 196768 championship. He was voted league MVP five times. Like, how did he deal with all of that? And thats what you must always do. The relationship was broken apart in controversy because of Anstetts color. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Bill hasnt shared how he met his last wife, but he adored her. Why this film and why now? Bill was born in Louisiana in 1934. Stand up for yourself. 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. He was at the '67 summit in Cleveland with Jim Brown and Muhammad Ali. Dorothy Catherine Anstett was born on June 28, 1947, and was one of nine children of an aircraft plant worker. In 1956 Red Auerbachthe Celtics head coach and general managertargeted Russell in the NBA draft, seeing the solution to his teams shortcomings. NBA legend and Hall of Famer Bill Russell died Sunday at the age of 88. Go back to Africa, you baboon. Russell married his first wife Rose in 1956, and the couple had their first child, William Jr., the year after. NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. . His talent did not immediately shine through. She was born on January 20, 1962. - IMDb Mini Biography By: It's titled, appropriately enough, "Bill Russell: Legend.". In 2010 Russell received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the countrys highest civil honor, from President Barack Obama. But if those souvenir hounds had taken Russell up on the chance to sit with him for a meal, they might have heard about his obsession with golf. That day changed my whole attitude about she says I dont want you to ever pick a fight, but always finish the fight youre in. At SportyTell.com, we strive for fairness and accuracy. And I hope that one day, in the streets of Boston, children will look up at a statue built not only to Bill Russell the player, but Bill Russell the man.. They are Jacob Russell,William Russell Jr.,and Karen Russell. His mind was bigger than basketball, author Taylor Branch, who spent about a year living with Russell near Seattle in the 1970s while working with him on a book, said Sunday. He was also involved in several build-ups and could intelligently help the team in tight areas and big games. Celtics's all-time leading rebounder (21,620, 22.5 rpg) in 963 games; second best in history. Bob Campbell/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images. Saw no point to them. 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. Who was Bill Russells wife? During his 13-year NBA career, Russell led the Boston Celtics to 11 championships - two as a player coach. The former Boston Celtics legend is an 11-time NBA champion and widely regarded as one of the best players to ever play the game. Its impossible to tell the story of the NBA without also telling the story of Bill Russell. The Celtics won a title in his rookie year, and he became the leagues first African American superstar, though not its first Black player (who was Earl Lloyd in 1956). Also at the end of the game Wilt Chamberlain was taken out of the game by unpopular coach Butch van Breda Kolff. The term Dynasty might have never applied to Basketball had it not been for Bill Russell. 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. But above all else, Russell was basketballs ultimate winner. They are the only children Bill had. There, his father initially worked as a truck driver and Bill Russell lost his mother at the age of 12. And these 5 guys ran by. 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. I thought she was going to take care of it. Like almost all Southern towns and cities of that time, Monroe was very segregated and the Russells often struggled with racism in I had seen Bill Russell play. He could care less, you know, about being someone that Watch out, Pettit. Over the years, Russells approach became the teams overall philosophy as athletic players who saw defense as a means to key the fast break were introduced into the roster. The NBA great Bill Russell has died at age 88. At 18 he went to college, at San Francisco, where he won two NCAA Championships in 1955 and 1956. The Celtics legend had four wives in his life, and married former Miss USA Dorothy Anstett four years after separating from Rose Swisher. The 10 Greatest Basketball Players of All Time, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Bill-Russell, Academy of Achievement - Biography of Bill Russell, Bill Russell - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up), The great Bill Russell remembered at NBA All-Star weekend. During his days playing in the NBA, brands were not accustomed to signing sponsorship and endorsement deals with players. His early childhood was shaped by poor health, as the sickly Russell battled several different illnesses. In his 1st season, the Celtics failed to reach and win the NBA finals for the 1st time in 8 years. The NBA great Bill Russell has died at age 88. Named "Sportsman of the Year" by Sports Illustrated (1968). INSIDE THE LAKERS LEGENDS RELATIONSHIPS, WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT LEBRON JAMES DAD ANTHONY MCCLELLAND, FANS ASK WHATS WRONG WITH ANTHONY DAVIS? AFTER REACTION TO LEBRON BREAKING RECORD, Best Jake Paul vs Tommy Fury memes after undefeated Brit beats YouTuber, {{#media.media_details}} {{#media.focal_point}}. Bills wife at the time of his death was Jeannine Russell, previously known as Jeannine Fiorito and Jeannine Maddux. POLLARD: I don't think he was as vocal. While there is still progress to be made, the Hall of Famer should get a lot of credit for fighting against what was wrong. He was assaulted by a group of guys that ran by. Libraries werent open to the Black community in Louisiana so Katie Russell made sure to take advantage of that benefit upon their relocation. He suffered a financially depressed childhood and faced racial discriminations as a black in the southern state of Louisiana, United States. MARTIN: Whew. He marched in Mississippi after the slaying of civil rights leader Medgar Evers. Also coached the NBA's Seattle Supersonics and Sacramento Kings. When Russell was eight years old, his father moved the family to Oakland, California, where the job prospects were better. His He was never embraced by Boston fans in the way his white teammates were. Bill Russells family announced his demise through a statement on Sunday, July 31. The authoritative record of NPRs programming is the audio record. 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. 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