The NBA legend was 88 years old at the time of his death. Why this film and why now? Bill had attended the McClymonds High School, a public school in Oakland, California. . 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. He posted a picture with her on January 25, 2021, as the couple renewed their wedding vows. When Russell was eight years old, his father moved the family to Oakland, California, where the job prospects were better. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. People broke into his house and destroyed his trophies, among many other outrageous deeds. 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. Bill was born in Louisiana in 1934. First Laker's owner Jack Kent Cooke had filled the rafters with purple and yellow balloons balloons and intended to drop them after the Lakers won. Same thing happened during the seasons second road trip. WebBill Russells age is 88. 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). But there was more to it than that: the white Heinsohn was simply a more attractive candidate for many voters. Accuracy and availability may vary. The two who were previous friends were now very distant. At the international level, he had captained the United States to the Gold medal at the 1956 Summer Olympics. After losing manager Red Auerbach to retirement in the 1966/67 season, Russell picked up the managerial position as a player-coach. Who was Bill Russells wife? Like, how did he deal with all of that? The Celtics legend had four wives during his life, and is now the focus of a Netflix documentary called Bill Russell: Legend. It wasnt long before the defensively adept Russell proved to be dominating presence, with a scorers touch and uncanny ability to rebound. This is why you don't see just one author for this article. moved his family over to Oakland, California, where He won the NCAA in his finals and even earned recognition as a shot-blocker and defensive maestro. I mean, he just did what he had to do, and he wasn't as vocal as Ali, as we all know. He was at the '67 summit in Cleveland with Jim Brown and Muhammad Ali. MARTIN: Exactly. The teams coach, Red Auerbach, coveted Russell as the missing piece to what he believed could be a championship roster. As head coach, compiled a 341-290 record (.540) in eight seasons. SAM POLLARD: If it weren't for Bill Russell winning all them championships, would anybody be talking about the Boston Celtics? I say yes maam. The oldest son of Bill Russell, William Felton Russell Jr, who was named after the 11-time NBA champion, unfortunately passed away in 2016. Write to him at treynolds(at)ap.org, More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports. But the thing that Bill Russell was always focused on as a player was being a member of the Celtic family. Karen graduated from Harward Law School and has dissected high-profile trials and national political issues. The Celtics legend had four wives during his life, and is now the focus of a Netflix documentary called Bill Russell: Legend. I mean, you've won so many accolades. A the time of his death, he was Shedding light on his life achievements outside basketball, the statement read: But for all the winning, Bills understanding of the struggle is what illuminated his life. She detailed the racist vandalism the Russell familys Reading home faced once when they were out of town and listed the racist abuse Bill Russell endured from fans. It was a breakthrough that would change not only his life but, in the long term, basketball itself. She was born on January 20, 1962. Russell once got asked a question about being a Black star in Boston, a city with a complicated history when it comes to race. Never Have I Ever: Season 3 | Official Trailer | Netflix, https://i.ytimg.com/vi/d_N99x0gAAk/hqdefault.jpg. 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. He could care less, you know, about being someone that the Boston fans would love. Copyright 2023 NPR. He won more championships than any other NBA player and made the Boston Celtics one of the most successful franchises in the league's history. In his 1st season, the Celtics failed to reach and win the NBA finals for the 1st time in 8 years. His family fell into poverty and they moved into housing projects and thats where this story picks up. 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. He left for a road trip and his garbage cans got turned over. 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. POLLARD: Yeah, because I think most people see him just as a great sports figure, a legend on the basketball court, and really didn't really dig into how complex his life was off the court. Bill Russells family announced his demise through a statement on Sunday, July 31. The family of Bill Russell announced that he passed away on Sunday at the age of 88. He had led the university team, the San Francisco Dons, to successive NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) championships in 1955 and 1956, a dream run that had included an astonishing streak of 55 wins in a row. His Libraries werent open to the Black community in Louisiana so Katie Russell made sure to take advantage of that benefit upon their relocation. He was not ready for the coaching job, and did an all around bad job, sadly enough. William Felton Russell was born Feb. 12, 1934 in Monroe, Louisiana. He married Dorothy Anstett, Miss USA, in 1968, but divorced in 1980. Bill was named an NBA All-Star 12 times (19581969), the NBA MVP 5 times (1958, 19611963, 1965), and the NBA All-Star Game MVP in 1963. In the wake of her passing he committed himself to his studies. Bills third wife was Marilyn Nault, whom he married in 1996. What happened to Lil Durk at Lollapalooza 2022? And I'm just going to play a short clip about that. His second wife, Dorothy "Didi" Anstett, was the 1968 Miss USA. Bill Russell's selection to the Basketball Hall of Fame for his coaching career was announced on May 16, 2021. MARTIN: Whew. In the long line of dominance the Boston Celtics would exercise over the NBA the most legendary years were in his final years. At the age of 9 he moved to Oakland. You'll get covered with chocolate. All Rights Reserved. He had such curiosity about human nature, about psychology, Branch said. 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. So the Celtics traded centre Ed Macauley and the rights to guard-forward Cliff Hagan, who had yet to play in the NBA owing to his military service, to the St. Louis Hawks shortly after the Hawks used the second overall pick of the draft to select Russell. His draft rights were traded by the Hawks to the Boston Celtics for Cliff Hagan and. He had made great strides within the game of basketball, but the restless, conscientious Russell felt that there were bigger battles to fight. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. 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. 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. Russell married his first wife Rose in 1956, and the couple had their first child, William Jr., the year after. 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. And she said What!. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 15 Episodes of Seinfeld That Teach Everything You Need To Know About Life, Read more sports articles on BroBible right here, 5-time NBA MVP Bill Russell shared a story from his childhood that he says changed his life forever, It took place right when he and his mother moved to the projects and he was attacked by a stranger, his mother then took charge of the situation. Russell went to the police, who surmised that raccoons must be the culprits. As at 2020, Bill Russell is married to Jeannine Russell and the couple appears frequently together on his Instagram. His autobiography, Second Wind: The Memoirs of an Opinionated Man (cowritten with Taylor Branch), was published in 1979. Bill Russell had three kids, Karen, William Jr., and Jacob. In 1969 most of the fabled Celtics had long been gone or had recently retired. He defined the teams philosophy and its strategy. He was married four times and had three children. 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. At SportyTell.com, we strive for fairness and accuracy. Consultant, Boston Celtics (1999-present). POLLARD: Well, I was approached by Ross Greenberg, who used to be the president of HBO Sports, about two years ago to get involved with the film as a director. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. Site contains certain content that is owned A&E Television Networks, LLC. In the fall of 1952, he tried out as a walk-on at the University of San Francisco and earned a scholarship. Bill Russell turns 88-years-old this February and has lived such an incredible life in the world of sports its almost hard to really wrap the brain around. This intensity not only paid off in the Olympics, and in college, but it would have an immediate impact in the NBA. He was drafted second overall, by the St. Louis Hawks, but was traded to the Boston Celtics for Ed Macauley, in a deal spearheaded by Red Auerbach, the coach of the Boston Celtics. So it was, like, an easy yes for me to say, I'd love to direct this film about Bill Russell. Bill called out injustice with an unforgiving candor that he intended would disrupt the status quo, and with a powerful example that, though never his humble intention, will forever inspire teamwork, selflessness, and thoughtful change, it reads further. 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. 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. Bills third wife was Marilyn Nault, whom he married in 1996. William Felton Russell was born on the 12th February 1934 to Mr Charles Russell and Mrs Kutie Russell. So how did he deal with it? He was born in rural Louisiana. Bill Russell attended the University of San-Francisco and played on the school team presumably due to his height advantage. NBA Boston Celtics, player/head coach (1966-1969). You may occasionally receive promotional content from the San Diego Union-Tribune. She has had many amazing accomplishments in her life. I knew about the rivalry between him and Wilt Chamberlain. On joining the Celtics during the mid-season, he made his professional debut against the St. Louis Hawks. Omissions? Born on 12 February 1934, Bill Russells age was 88 Years Old when he passed away on 31 July 2022. He was born on November 2, 1957 and worked for Cox Trucking for several years. Bill Russell: Legend is a new two-part Netflix documentary that covers the Boston greats triumphs on the court, and activism off of it. The NBA legend was a victim of racism, and not even his basketball fame helped him. In 1979, Russell teamed up with professional writers to publish the Second Wind book and also featured in a 1986 movie named The fix as Judge Ferguson. I thought she was going to take care of it. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. Who was Bill Russells wife? He passed away peacefully in his sleep on January 25, 2016. Bills wife at the time of his death was Jeannine Russell, previously known as Jeannine Fiorito and Jeannine Maddux. Updated. She's also provided commentary on the high-profile cases of NBA players like Kobe Bryant and Jayson Williams. Doesnt matter whether you won or lost. Played professional basketball for the Boston Celtics. 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. Russell used his popularity to fight for civil rights and help others who were in a similar situation. Bill Russell achieved a lot during his life. 6 jersey across the entire league. The ball went up, and Bob Pettit of the Hawks and I jumped for it. Bill Russell, the most prolific winner in the history of American sports, died Sunday. Two years later, the couple welcomed a second son, Russell was married three times. What matters is you stood up for yourself. And so was his personality, as great as he was in basketball.. POLLARD: Yeah, during the Boston bussing issue. Never turned the trash cans over again.. 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. Russell's 6'9" frame also earned plenty of attention. 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). I mean, that famous photograph of the African American lawyer about to be, like, speared with a flag right downtown at city government center. So did Russell. 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. Bill Russell married his college Girlfriend Rose Swisher in 1956 and had one daughter named Karen Russell and two sons named Saw no point to them. | 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 Who was Bill Russells wife? 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. Go back to Africa, you baboon. 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. Russell used this mindset while on the court and in I didnt know what she was going to do. This site uses cookies to serve you better. Remembering Just Fontaine and His World Cup Record, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads, Name: Bill Russell, Birth Year: 1934, Birth date: February 12, 1934, Birth State: Louisiana, Birth City: Monroe, Birth Country: United States. Be the first one to comment on this story. NBA 25th Anniversary All-Time Team (1970). Russell asked for a gun permit. He retired in 1969 and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame six years later. 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. At this point in his life, Russell noticed that basketball could change the problems of poverty and racism and then added more seriousness and passion to his play. Meanwhile, Bills first marriage was to Rose Swisher from 1956 to 1973, Dorothy Anstett from 1977 to 1980, and Marilyn Nault from 1996 to 2009. Yeah. He led the Boston Celtics to an astounding 11 Championships from 1957 to The series airs on Wednesday, February 8, and fans want to know more about his personal life. Bill Russell Wife, Children. But by his senior year, his game had picked up enough to earn him a starting spot. In this article, we take a look at how many kids Bill Russell had and who they are. WHO IS KAREEM ABDUL JABBARS EX WIFE? 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. When we first moved to the projects, my mother was getting everything together. Celtics's all-time leading rebounder (21,620, 22.5 rpg) in 963 games; second best in history. Holds NBA Finals record for highest rebound per game average (29.5 rpg, 1959) and by a rookie (22.9 rpg, 1957). He would not let his defeat in 1967 keep him down. Outside the classroom, Russell began playing basketball. He was 88 years old. However, it is reported that he lives with his wife Sara Marckx Russell in Washington State. He was assaulted by a group of guys that ran by. He married again Dorothy Anstett (Miss USA 1968) in 1977. In 2011, the United States ex-president, President Barack Obama honoured Bill Russell with thePresidential Medal of Freedomin favour of his sporting achievements as well as in thecivil rights movement. When Auerbach retired after the Celtics won the 196566 NBA title, Russell succeeded him as coach. Being fearless in the real world even when dealing with matters of race in some of the nations darkest times on that topic was somehow even easier. The family moved from Louisiana to Oakland during World War II due to employment opportunities for the blacks in the west at the time. His marriage with Rose produced 3 children of which one, Karen Russell is a renowned television pundit and lawyer. Is A Hot Dog A Sandwich? He was a You know, I thought he was one of the greatest defensive centers who ever played the game. 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. Bill Russells first wife was Rose Swisher, whom he married on December 9, 1956. During his 13-year NBA career, Russell led the Boston Celtics to 11 championships - two as a player coach. 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