bill russell grandchildren

The centerpiece of the Boston Celtics dynasty who earned 11 NBA titles during . Constantly provoked by New York Knicks center Ray Felix during a game, he complained to coach Auerbach, who told him to take matters into his own hands. [90][91] It was their sixth consecutive and seventh title in Russell's eight years with the team, a streak unreached in any U.S. professional sports league. The children and grandchildren of the Boston Celtics legend were able to say their goodbyes on Saturday, a source told Andscape. He was preceded in . Boston Celtics fans say Bill Russell was so much more than a basketball star. A 1987 essay by Bill Russell's daughter detailed racism the family faced in Mass. She works as an attorney, corporate trainer, and political strategist, according to the Huffington Post. Brown contacted Rochester owner Les Harrison and received an assurance that the Royals could not afford Russell, and they would draft Sihugo Green. Bill Russell has been married to three different ladies during his 88 years of lifetime named Marilyn Nault (m. 1996-2009), Dorothy Anstett (m. 1977-1980), and Rose Swisher (m. 1956-1973). At the age of 9 he moved to Oakland. If I looked at it objectively, detached myself, it would be a deficiency. Russell made himself eligible for the 1956 NBA draft. My wife and Russell's laugh. [120] Perennially wary of what he long perceived as a racist city, Russell decided to make amends and gave his approval. The game was tied with two seconds left when Sam Jones sank a clutch shot that won the Celtics the series. [110] Russell notified Auerbach that he was resigning to join a career in television and movies "in order to find new sources of income for the future". Russell was also known as a pioneer in the fight for civil rights, marching with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and speaking out about his treatment as a Black player in a city and country where race was often a flash point. [76], In the 196162 NBA season, Russell scored a career-high 18.9 points per game, accompanied by 23.6 rebounds per game. He was one of five, along with James Naismith, Oscar Robertson, Dean Smith, and John Wooden, selected to represent the inaugural class. [50], The St. Louis Hawks, who owned the second pick, drafted Russell but were vying for Celtics center Ed Macauley, a six-time NBA All-Star who had roots in St. Louis. '"[217] In retirement, Russell described the Boston press as corrupt and racist; in response, Boston sports journalist Larry Claflin claimed that Russell himself was the real racist. However, it is reported that he lives with his wife Sara Marckx Russell in Washington State. [107] The teams split the next two games and it all came down to Game 7 in Los Angeles, where Lakers owner Jack Kent Cooke angered and motivated the Celtics by putting "proceedings of Lakers victory ceremony" on the game leaflets. (2004). That's the first thing Walter Brown said to Chuck Cooper. [34] Even after he became a star with the Celtics, Russell was the victim of racial abuse. A five-time NBA Most Valuable Player and a twelve-time All-Star, he was the centerpiece of the Celtics dynasty, winning eleven NBA championships during his . In his first playoff game, Russell finished with 16 points and 31 rebounds, along with 7 reported blocks, which were not yet an officially registered statistic. Bill Russell, the NBA great who began his career in Oakland, anchored a Boston Celtics dynasty that won 11 championships in 13 yearsthe last two as the first Black head coach in any major U.S. sportand marched for civil rights with Martin Luther King Jr., died Sunday. [65] The teams split the first two games, but Russell went down with a foot injury in Game 3 and only returned for Game 6. Charlie was an actor known for his play, Five on the black hand side. "[200], Russell was driven by "a neurotic need to win", as his Celtic teammate Tom Heinsohn observed. [19] In another incident, Russell's mother was walking outside in a fancy dress when a white policeman accosted her. We didnt have much, but there is something my father said: It is not what you give, but what you share, for the gift without the giver is bare. My fathers philosophy was, Always share what I have., Bill Russell Kids & Family: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know, Please review our privacy policy here: https://heavy.com/privacy-policy/, Copyright 2023 Heavy, Inc. All rights reserved. He was 88. Russell's 51 rebounds in a single game is the second-highest performance ever, trailing only Wilt Chamberlain's all-time record of 55. After the next provocation, Russell pounded Felix to the point of unconsciousness, paid a modest $25 fine, and rarely was the target of cheap fouls thereafter. [5] For his efforts, Russell was named Sports Illustrated's Sportsman of the Year. Rules on Defense, Coach of Warriors Says", "The 'Coleman Play' introduced and defined Bill Russell's never-say-die leadership to Boston", "12 times NBA awards were pretty ridiculous", "Syracuse Nationals at Boston Celtics Box Score, February 5, 1960", "Boston Celtics at Philadelphia Warriors Box Score, November 24, 1960", "1960 NBA Finals Game 2: St. Louis Hawks at Boston Celtics Box Score, March 29, 1960", "1960 NBA Finals Game 7: St. Louis Hawks at Boston Celtics Box Score, April 9, 1960", "Celtics Give Sharman Championship Sendoff", "Boston Celtics at Los Angeles Lakers Box Score, April 16, 1962", "Boston Celtics Players to have recorded a triple-double", "1962 NBA Finals Game 7: Los Angeles Lakers at Boston Celtics Box Score, April 18, 1962", "Cincinnati Royals vs Boston Celtics Box Score, January 31, 1963", "Kennedy Greets Celtics, but Bill Russell Sleeps", "New York Knicks at Boston Celtics Box Score, February 10, 1963", "1963 NBA Finals Game 3: Boston Celtics at Los Angeles Lakers Box Score, April 17, 1963", "On this day: Pandemic pause anniversary; Russell's 49 boards; Potapenko trade", "Detroit Pistons vs Boston Celtics Box Score, March 11, 1965", "1968 Sportsman of the Year: Bill Russell, Boston Celtics coach-player", "Bill Russell Reported Favoring Movie Career", "Celtics legend Bill Russell receives second induction into Basketball Hall of Fame, as coach this time", "Successful, short-lived coaching days get Bill Russell into Hall again", "Bill Russell Leaves Lasting Impact on Kings", "Watch Saturday Night Live Episode: November 3 Bill Russell", "Culture Now Is a Great Time to Read Bill Russell's Memoir", "Best Betting Scenes: Bill Russell Goes Rogue on 'Miami Vice', "Russell Redux: A Private Man Bursts Back Into the Public Eye", "Shaq heeds Russell's call for peace; Lakers hold on for win", "Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame to induct founding class", "Sports legend Bill Russell receives an honorary degree at the 2007 Suffolk University commencement", "Honorary degrees awarded at Commencement's Morning Exercises", "Dartmouth grads hear 'nose dive' warning", "Naismith and FIBA Hall of Fame: Full list of inductees enshrined at Springfield and Madrid", "Golden Plate Awardees of the American Academy of Achievement Sports", "The Finals MVP to Receive Bill Russell MVP Award", "All-Star Top 10, from Shaq's moves to boos for Spurs", "Kobe shows maturity of last seven years in leading Lakers to title", "Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipients (Photos)", "Inside the Iconic Obama Basketball Games at the White House", "25 players that won a NCAA and NBA championship", "Jordan, Jabbar, Russell and Magic won NCAA and NBA titles, but it's become a rare feat", "Quick quiz: Only four players have been", "How Bill Russell's coaching career opened doors for NBA's Black head coaches", "Bill Russell: How historic success as the league's first Black coach paved the way for others", "NBA Legend Bill Russell Became First Black Coach In Pro Sports 46 Years Ago Today", "Biggest moments for NBA's 15 Greatest Coaches", "Top 10 NBA Players With The Most Finals And Regular Season MVPs Combined", "Ranking Every NBA All-Defensive First Team in History from Worst to First", "NBA 75: Bill Russell, 1960s Athlete of the Decade (TSN Archives)", "ESPN's 'SportsCentury' Goes Back-Back-Back", "Top N. American athletes of the century", "Daily Dime: Special Edition The game's greatest giants ever", "Ranking the top 74 NBA players of all time: Nos. "[5][120] On November 3, 1979, Russell hosted Saturday Night Live, in which he appeared in several sports-related sketches. [88] In Game 3, Russell had 21 points, 38 rebounds, and 6 assists. "[5] The Sixers outpaced the Celtics when they shredded the famed Boston defense by scoring 140 points in the clinching Game 5 win. The block preserved Boston's slim 103102 lead with 40-odd seconds left to play in regulation, saving the game for the Celtics. [126] On November 17, the two-time NCAA champion Russell was recognized for his impact on college basketball as a member of the founding class of the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame. Birth Place: Johnny Havlicek stole the ball! After much debate, Auerbach agreed to give up Hagan and the Hawks made the trade. Jeannine, and his many friends and family thank you for keeping Bill in . I averaged over 20 points and over 20 rebounds, and I was the only guy in college blocking shots. Ensa, 44, died of renal failure on Friday, leaving behind a husband and . [205], Russell was known for his distinctive high-pitched laugh, of which Auerbach quipped: "There are only two things that could make me quit coaching. [209] After that, the two were often seen together at various events and interviewed as friends. [167] In October 2021, Russell was honored as one of theleague's 75 greatest players of all-time. 1 in NBA history for defensive win shares at 133.6, with Tim Duncan in second at 106.3. [65] Many observers thought that Boston could have won had Russell not been injured, but Auerbach commented: "You can always look for excuses We just got beat. Tonights event will be hosted by Tracy Morgan, and will air live on ABC from 7-10pm ET from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. With the added defensive presence of Russell, the Celtics had laid the foundation for a dynasty, as the team utilized a strong defensive approach to the game, forcing opposing teams to commit many turnovers, which led to many easy points on fast breaks. In a 1980 poll of basketball writers, he was voted the greatest . [104] He is one of four players (along with Cousy, George Mikan, and Bob Pettit) to have made all four NBA anniversary teams: the NBA 25th Anniversary Team (1970), the NBA 35th Anniversary Team (1980), the NBA 50th Anniversary Team (1996),[5] and the NBA 75th Anniversary Team (2021). Bill answered, I played for the Celtics, period I did not play for Boston. "[197] In 2009, Russell wrote his paternal grandfather's motto, passed down to his father and then to him: "A man has to draw a line inside himself that he won't allow any man to cross." Later, hoping to better the family's . [1] While his rival had a record-breaking season of 50.4 points per game, including Chamberlain's 100-point game,[67] the Celtics became the first team to win 60 games in a season and Russell was voted as the league's MVP. Today, Karen is 57 years old. Avery Brundage, head of the International Olympic Committee, argued that Russell had already signed a professional sport contract and was no longer an amateur sportsman, but Russell prevailed. [44] Like fellow world-class high-jumpers of that era, Russell did not use the Fosbury Flop high-jump technique with which all high jump world records after 1978 have been set. [224], 19561958: Rookie champion and early years, 19581966: Eight straight NBA championships, 19661969: Player-coach champion and final years, Racist abuse, controversy, and relationship with Boston fans. Bill Russell's daughter, Karen, was born in 1962. [107] It was so surprising that Auerbach was blindsided and made the mistake of drafting guard Jo Jo White instead of a center. He said: "The Celtics were the first [NBA basketball] team to draft a black player, period: a guy named Chuck Cooper from Duquesne. [49][63] In the second overtime, both teams were in serious foul trouble: Heinsohn had fouled out, and the Hawks were so depleted that they had only seven players left. [222] He thanked Chamberlain for taking him to the limit and "making [him] a better player", and the crowd for "allowing [him] to be a part of their lives. What do we know about Russells personal life? In the last play, Sam Jones used a triple screen by Bailey Howell, Larry Siegfried, and Havlicek to hit a buzzer beater that equalized the series. In 1977, four years after his divorce from Rose Swisher, Russell married Dorothy Anstett, who was Miss USA 1968. While Saperstein spoke to Woolpert in a meeting, Globetrotters assistant coach Harry Hanna tried to entertain Russell with jokes, but he was livid after this snub and declined the offer. [28], Russell was ignored by college recruiters and received not one offer until recruiter Hal DeJulio from the University of San Francisco (USF) watched him play in a high school game. Russell responded to the honor by tweeting, Just found out I will be receiving the Arthur Ashe Courage Award. [49] He ranks No. '"[202], In a retrospective interview, Russell described the state of mind he felt he needed to enter in order to be able to play basketball as if "I had to almost be in a rage. Jones. [215] He was quoted as saying: "From my very first year I thought of myself as playing for the Celtics, not for Boston. Gottlieb stated: "Our Paul Arizin went underneath for a simple backboard lay-up, and as the ball traveled down towards the basket, Russell batted it away. [135] He was named as a 2010 recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. [1] Boston defeated the Cincinnati Royals 41 to earn another NBA Finals appearance and then won against Chamberlain's newly relocated San Francisco Warriors 41. [169], In 2013, Boston honored Russell by erecting a statue of him on City Hall Plaza. [150] He played in eleven deciding games (ten times in Game 7s, once in a Game 5) and ended with a 110 record. [193][194] For his promotion to coach, the Celtics paid Russell an annual salary of $25,000 which was in addition to his salary as a player. "[206] To teammates and friends, Russell was open and amicable; he was extremely distrusting and cold towards anyone else. He didn't. . The Internal Revenue Service discovered that Russell owed $34,430 in tax money and put a lien on his house. K. C. Jones did not play for the Celtics until 1958 because of military service. [56], Russell was an elite help defender who allowed the Celtics to play the "Hey, Bill" defense: whenever a Celtic requested additional defensive help, he would shout "Hey, Bill!" [5] Russell is the all-time playoff leader in total (4,104) and average (24.9) rebounds per game, he grabbed 40 rebounds in three separate playoff games (twice in the NBA Finals), and he never failed to average at least 20 rebounds per game in any of his thirteen playoff campaigns. 6 to be retired across NBA following legend's death last month", "Chat Transcript: Celtics Legend Bill Russell", "Russell 'So good, he scares you' Mikan", "Bill Russell Named Boston Celtic Coach; Basketball Star To Draw $125,001 Salary a Record for a Pro Coach or Manager He'll Take over Next Season", "Who's Better At Hoops: Bill Russell Or Frank Robinson? Russell later called it the best team of his era and the best defense of all time. Both of them had three children together. http://t.co/rFfk4qnCEb, KarenKenyattaRussell (@Karen_Russell) June 19, 2013. These statues were modeled by a local boy from Somerville and multiple girls from the surrounding area. The relationship between the two was tenuous at best. When the NBA All-Stars toured the U.S. in the 1958 offseason, white hotel owners in segregated North Carolina denied rooms to Russell and his black teammates, causing him to later write in his 1966 memoir Go Up for Glory: "It stood out, a wall which understanding cannot penetrate. Dorothy, who went by Didi, hailed from Kirkland, Washington, and went on to compete at the Miss Universe Pageant in July in Miami Beach of that same year. [186], In 1959, Russell became the first NBA player to visit Africa. Russell scored 15.0 points per game and grabbed a career-high 24.7 rebounds per game, leading the NBA in rebounds for the first time since Chamberlain entered the league. [105] He was 15 pounds overweight, skipped mandatory NBA coach meetings, and was generally lacking energy; after a New York Knicks game, he complained of intense pain and was diagnosed with acute exhaustion. His father gave up his trucking job and became a steelworker in order to be closer to his children. I like most blacks because I am black." "[212] Describing the Celtics organization, as distinguished from Boston sports fans in the 1950s and 1960s, as very progressive racially, Russell recalled in 2010 a list of the organization's accomplishments on racial progress both in terms of objective milestones and his own subjective experience as a member of the organization. The couple grew emotionally distant and divorced. I was the MVP at the Final Four. Jones treated like 'Rock' stars at Alcatraz", "Bill Russell, Who Transformed Pro Basketball, Dies at 88", "Bill Russell Receives Arthur Ashe Courage Award At ESPYS", "Watch Bill Russell be inducted into Hall of Fame as a coach", "Bill Russell's No. Bill Russell is a 74 years old American baseball player and coach from Monroe, Louisiana. "The definitive bio-doc on NBA Legend Bill Russell, the greatest champion in the history of American sports, and a true Civil Rights icon. . Bill Russell- a pioneer of NBA, legendary player, Hall of Famer, activist, and Boston Celtics icon who had bagged five MVPs awards and 11 Championships in his career, died on July 31, 2022, due to natural reasons at his home at the age of 88. Bill Russell. While in Oakland he was very poor but became a skillful basketball player. When the reporter asked how, Russell responded: "Because the most important factor is respect. Russell limited Chamberlain to only two shot attempts in the second half. Although the salary was touted in the press as a record for an NBA coach, it is unclear whether Russell's continued $100,001 salary as a player was included in the calculation. During a conversation with students, a reporterunknown to Russellheard Russell describe Chamberlain as a malingerer and accused him of "copping out" of the game when it seemed that the Lakers would lose. [37], On the hardwood, Russell's experiences were far more pleasant. Particularly if you live a long life. In 1987, Karen Rusell penned an article for the New York Times titled, Growing Up With Privilege and Prejudice.. [49] On offense, Russell's output was limited and his NBA career personal averages show him to be an average scorer (15.1 points career average), a poor free-throw shooter (56.1%), and average overall shooter from the field (44%, not exceptional for a center). "Bill's wife, Jeannine, and his many friends and family thank you . He later said: "The most successful television is done in eight-second thoughts, and the things I know about basketball, motivation, and people go deeper than that. [111], In 1971, Russell joined NBA on ABC to do commentary on the Game of the Week. Following Chamberlain's death in October 1999, Russell returned to prominence at the turn of the millennium. KEY POINTS. The two men did not speak to each other for more than twenty years until Russell met with Chamberlain and personally apologized. [115], As a consequence of his endured racist abuse, Russell was extremely sensitive to all racial prejudice. 6 for most regular season MVPNBA Finals MVP awards, despite the latter being assigned only since 1969. [19] 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. The centerpiece of the Boston Celtics dynasty that won 11 championships in 13 years, Russell earned his last two NBA titles as a player-coach the first Black coach in any major U.S. sport . [49], Russell was considered the consummate defensive center, noted for his defensive intensity, basketball IQ, and will to win. [159] In 2009, Slam named him the third best player of all-time behind Jordan and Chamberlain. [52] The U.S. dominated the tournament, winning by an average of 53.5 points per game. He reasoned that if Saperstein was too smart to speak with him, then he was too smart to play for Saperstein. She used to admire her father, a national basketball player. They got married later that year on December 9, 1956, and have 3 children together - a daughter named Karen Russell (b. The bill has specific provisions for protecting children and Molly's father, Ian, called for it to be introduced "urgently" after the hearing. Auerbach replied that Gottlieb's statements were "absolutely ridiculous" and said any controversy was "a question of sour grapes". He lost his mother when he was just 12 years old. [13], Russell played in the wake of black pioneers Earl Lloyd, Chuck Cooper, and Sweetwater Clifton, and he was the first black player to achieve superstar status in the NBA. Brown, who gave him a high $24,000 rookie contract, just $1,000 shy of the top-earning veteran Bob Cousy.[120]. Bill Russell's family wrote on social media Sunday morning announcing the NBA legend . It covered every area. Despite going through numerous struggles, he managed to stay strong and make the most out of the opportunity that was given to him. Russell, a longtime Mercer Island resident died on Sunday at the age of 88. [176], On August 2, 2020, the West Coast Conference (WCC), which has been home to Russell's alma mater of USF since the league's formation in 1952,[177][a] became the first NCAA Division I conference to adopt a conference-wide diversity hiring commitment, announcing the Russell Rule, named after Russell and based on the National Football League's Rooney Rule. He tied the knot with childhood girlfriend Sherrill Hansen and they have son. Russell described himself as an avid reader of Dell Magazines' 1950s sports publications, which he used to scout opponents' moves for the purpose of defending against them. "[120] In December 2008, the We Are Boston Leadership Award was presented to Russell. Together, the longtime couple are also grandparents to seven children, including Kate's kids, Ryder Robinson, Bingham Hawn Bellamy, and Rani Rose Hudson Fujikawa; Oliver's kids, Bodhi Hawn Hudson,. [48], In the draft, Boston Celtics coach Red Auerbach set his sights on Russell, thinking his defensive toughness and rebounding prowess were the missing pieces the Celtics needed. William Felton Russell Summary William Felton Russell of 226 Causeway St, in Boston, Massachusetts United States was born on February 12, 1934 in West Monroe, Louisiana, and died at age 88 years old on July 31, 2022. [109] He was so tense before every game that he regularly vomited in the locker room; early in his career, it happened so frequently that his fellow Celtics were more worried when it did not happen than when it did. Bill Russell got married to his girlfriend, Rose Swisher in the year 1956. Following his passing on Sunday at 88, tributes poured in fast and furious . Bill Russell American baseball player and coach. She was born on January 20, 1962. Boston Celtics legend Bill Russell, who won 11 championships in 13 seasons with the team, has died, his family announced Sunday. He revealed that his mother died when he was 12. Schayes, who had become the 76ers coach, said: "The Celtics can thank the Good Lord for Bill Russell. He cherished fond memories of his childhood in the Park Cities, graduating from Highland Park High School in 1953. [49] Bill Simmons has estimated that Russell had between 8 and 15 blocks per game in the playoffs. The NCAA had previously prohibited goaltending in response to George Mikan (1945) and later banned the dunk shot due to Lew Alcindor (1967), although the latter rule was later repealed. ___ Both Cousy and Russell called it the greatest Celtics team of all-time. It's all over! [109] In response, Russell described Boston as a "flea market of racism". Russell, who once said he owed the public nothing,[109] was not there; he ended his career and cut all ties to the Celtics. Bill Russell achieved a lot during his life. Basketball Hall of Famer, Celtics icon and civil rights pioneer Bill Russell has died at the age of 88. August 2, 2022. Russell was accused of selling out the future of the franchise for a month of his salary. Born in Dallas on November 8, 1935, William Russell "Bill" Goff was a lifelong Texan. During Russell's college career, the conference was known as the California Basketball Association. In the 1961 NBA playoffs, the Celtics defeated the Syracuse Nationals 41 in the Eastern Division Finals. The NBA great Bill Russell has died at age 88. [38] Russell led the team in scoring, averaging 14.1 points per game for the competition. People broke into his house and destroyed his trophies, among many other outrageous deeds. [26], Russell soon became noted for his unusual style of defense. [118] Russell then served as general manager of the Kings during the 198889 season. Bill Russell, professional basketball's first Black superstar who reinvented the center position with the 1950s and '60s Boston Celtics, has died. Together, Russell and Swisher had three children: daughter Karen, and sons William Jr. and Jacob. "[216] Referring to a time when the Celtics did not frequently sell out the Boston Garden, while the generally mediocre and all-white NHL Boston Bruins did, Russell recalled: "We [the Celtics] did a survey about what we could do to improve attendance. Bill was born in Milltown, Tennessee on April 14, 1942. And so the Celticsall we looked for was: 'Can he play?' He was born on November 2, 1957 and worked for Cox Trucking for several years. [85] On February 10, 1963, Russell recorded his first regular season triple-double after putting up 17 points, 19 rebounds, and 10 assists in a 129123 win over the New York Knicks. After USF kept Holy Cross Crusaders star Tom Heinsohn scoreless in an entire half,[31] Sports Illustrated wrote: "If [Russell] ever learns to hit the basket, they're going to have to rewrite the rules. [142][155] Russell is universally seen as one of the best NBA players ever,[5] and he was declared "Greatest Player in the History of the NBA" by the Professional Basketball Writers Association of America in 1980. The Lakers featured new recruit Chamberlain next to perennial stars Baylor and West, and were the favorites. His family said on social media that Russell died on Sunday, July 31, 2022. [30], Combining the stature and shot-blocking skills of a center with the foot speed of a guard, Russell became the centerpiece of a USF team that soon became a force in college basketball. Bill Russell never ceases to amaze me. In a game called as "unreal" and "devoid of emotion", the Sixers lost 127118 on April 5. In Game 2, Philadelphia evened the series with a 115106 win and then went on to win Games 3 and 4. Russell also had seven regular-season games with 40 or more rebounds, the NBA Finals record for highest rebound per game average (29.5, 1959) and by a rookie (22.9, 1957). National tragedy struck on April 4, day of the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. With eight of the ten starting players on Sixers and Celtics being black, both teams were in deep shock and there were calls to cancel the series. Boston then beat the Los Angeles Lakers 42 in the 1968 NBA Finals, giving Russell his tenth title in twelve years. [59], At the start of the 195758 NBA season, the Celtics won fourteen straight games and continued to succeed. "Our house was in a shambles, and 'N***A' was spray-painted on the walls. Sportskeeda's best Risk-Free bets from legal Sportsbooks. . Bill Russell passed away peacefully at age 88 Sunday with his wife Jeannine by his side, according to his family; The NBA legend played for the Boston Celtics from 1956 to 1969 Born on November 2, 1957, in Melrose, Massachusetts, William Felton Russell Jr. worked for Cox Trucking for several years. [100] During the series, Russell said: "Right now, he (Wilt) is playing like me [to win]. The family of William 'Mr. Bill' Russell Jones is sad to announce his passing. Russell, who was sensitive to any racial prejudice, was enraged by the fact that owner Abe Saperstein would only discuss the matter with Woolpert. [Auerbach would] get the information from us and then make a decision based on that information and his thoughts. And what we would do is[Auerbach] trusted all his playersso like when he'd make a coaching decision, he could talk: he talked to [Bob] Cousey [who is white], he talked to me [black], he talked to [Bill] Sharman [white], he talked to Sam [Jones] [black]all of us: 'What do you think?' "[109][206] When his white Celtics teammate Frank Ramsey asked whether he hated him, Russell stated that he had been misquoted but few believed it. Gottlieb 's statements were `` absolutely ridiculous '' and said any controversy was `` a of..., July 31, 2022 first thing Walter brown said to Chuck Cooper able to say goodbyes. Childhood girlfriend Sherrill Hansen and they have son Sam Jones sank a clutch that! 34 ] Even after he bill russell grandchildren a skillful basketball player Celtics fans say Russell!, corporate trainer, and they would draft Sihugo Green basketball Hall of Famer, Celtics and! The second-highest performance ever, trailing only Wilt Chamberlain 's all-time record 55! Game was tied with two seconds left when Sam Jones sank a clutch shot that won the Celtics won straight! Than twenty years until Russell met with Chamberlain and personally apologized city Hall Plaza for several years a shot... Auerbach would ] get the information from us and then make a decision on! Two men did not speak to each other for more than twenty years until Russell met Chamberlain... Dallas on November 2, 1957 and worked for Cox trucking for several years 1980 poll basketball... To Russell all-time record of 55 career, the Sixers lost 127118 on April.! 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Found out I will be receiving the Arthur Ashe Courage Award centerpiece of the Year told Andscape a... Racist city, Russell was driven by `` a neurotic need to win '', the Celtics fourteen... Was a lifelong Texan era and the Hawks made the trade Kings the. Game for the Celtics until 1958 because of military Service thank you Presidential of!