So it was, like, an easy yes for me to say, I'd love to direct this film about Bill Russell. But as her wife was white they got divorced in 1980. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window), Bill Russell Biography Facts, Age, Family, Wife, Children, Early life Childhood Story, Family Background & Early Life, Bill Russell High School Basketball Career, Bill Russell College Basketball Career, Achievements & Awards, Bill Russell NBA Career, Achievements & Awards, Bill Russell Net worth, Earnings & Endorsements, Bill Russell Personal life, Spouse & Trivia, Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Biography & Personal Life Facts, Draymond Green Biography Facts, Childhood And Personal Life, Kyle Lowry Biography Facts, Childhood, Net Worth, Life, Otto Porter Biography Facts, Childhood, Net Worth, Life, Kobe Bryant Biography Facts, Childhood, Life, Death, Jimmy Butler Biography Facts, Childhood And Personal Life, Paul Millsap Biography Facts, Childhood, Net Worth, Life, Dwight Howard Biography Facts, Childhood, Net Worth, Life, Kevin Love Biography Facts, Childhood, Net Worth, Life, Magic Johnson Biography & Personal Life Facts, Carmelo Anthony Biography Facts, Childhood, Net Worth, Life. Sadly, Russell passed away in August 2022 at the age of 88. MVP All-Star Game (1963) after 19 points and 24 rebounds. Somebody had broken in and defecated on the family bed and made - you know, wrote things on the wall and on his garage door. 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. In 1969 most of the fabled Celtics had long been gone or had recently retired. 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. Who was Bill Russells wife? And finally today, we know it's all about football today, it being Super Bowl Sunday and all, but we're going to talk basketball for a minute to hear about one of the icons of that sport - Bill Russell. He marched in Mississippi after the slaying of civil rights leader Medgar Evers. Bill Russell was an American former basketball coach and former professional basketball player who was universally acknowledged as one of the greatest American sportspersons of all time. Also at the end of the game Wilt Chamberlain was taken out of the game by unpopular coach Butch van Breda Kolff. Due to malnutrition as a child, Russell was a lightweight player but built an exclusive manner of play as a centre to help the defence. Their marriage lasted until her death in 2009. In 1956 Red Auerbachthe Celtics head coach and general managertargeted Russell in the NBA draft, seeing the solution to his teams shortcomings. Bill Russell, the most prolific winner in the history of American sports, died Sunday. Have something to tell us about this article? Once again, there was an element of chance involved: Auerbach had never seen Russell play and instead had to rely on the word of a trusted peer. Bill Russell knew that basketball was not so much scoring, but keeping your opponent from scoring as well. Is A Hot Dog A Sandwich? 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. The NBA legend was 88 years old at the time of his death. 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. Bill hasnt shared how he met his last wife, but he adored her. Bill Russells family announced his demise through a statement on Sunday, July 31. Bill Russell is survived by three children: Jacob, William Russell Jr, and Karen. He is an American by nationality and has a belief in the Catholic Christian religion. And these 5 guys ran by. Its impossible to tell the story of the NBA without also telling the story of Bill Russell. 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. 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. Featured Image by Bill Russell / Instagram. 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. Over the course of his 13-year NBA career, Russell steered the club to 11 titles. Bill Russells Mom Changed His Life Forever By Making Him Fight 5 Guys In The Projects To Learn A Lesson. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. NBA 50th Anniversary All-Time Team (1996). Bill Russells family announced his demise through a statement on Sunday, July 31. He covers an array of topics including NFL, Pop Culture, Fishing News, and the Outdoors. MARTIN: That was award-winning director Sam Pollard. They are Jacob Russell,William Russell Jr.,and Karen Russell. 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. 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. Rose and Bill were college sweethearts and were together for much of Bills NBA success. Please logout and login again. And thats what you must always do. It wasnt long before the defensively adept Russell proved to be dominating presence, with a scorers touch and uncanny ability to rebound. The comedy centered on a family in Harlem and addressed both the political and generational conflicts of the time. Russell went to the police, who surmised that raccoons must be the culprits. He shared all three kids with his first wife Rose Swisher. Five times he was named the NBAs Most Valuable Player, and his 21,620 rebounds are second only to Chamberlains career mark. His family said on social media that Russell died on Sunday, July 31, 2022. MARTIN: I have to tell you, you've done so many things - produced and directed and edited award-winning feature films and documentaries. In 2010 Russell received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the countrys highest civil honor, from President Barack Obama. Holds the NBA single-game record for most rebounds in a half (32) vs. Philadelphia on Nov. 16, 1957. If you have three hours and want to check out Russells story, you can watch this video right below. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. Site contains certain content that is owned A&E Television Networks, LLC. So why did you want to do this film and why now? She is still very active and frequently appears on MSNBC and CNN, among many other media platforms. 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. Although his father was described on several occasions by many who knew him as an authoritative and firm personality, he worked hard as a cleaner and impacted into Bills life, helping him in his rise to stardom. The statement draws attention to his achievements and contributions outside the field over the years. In 13 seasons, Russell won 11 NBA championships (1957, 195966, and 196869). This is why you don't see just one author for this article. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. 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. He would not let his defeat in 1967 keep him down. Libraries werent open to the Black community in Louisiana so Katie Russell made sure to take advantage of that benefit upon their relocation. From his early childhood years, Williams Jr. was fascinated by trucks, and that is why he pursued his passion of being a driver. What Russell did was close the circuit, creating turnovers that allowed Boston to get back on offense even faster, as well as patrol the paint with an intensity that single-handedly compensated for the Celtics imbalance. You'll get covered with chocolate. July 31, 2022 1:27pm. This was the first All-Star weekend since the death of 11-time champion, Hall of Fame player and Hall of Fame coach Bill Russell. Concentration and mental toughness are the margins of victory. 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. Who was Bill Russells wife? This is just one of these examples. Russell immediately made an impact by improving the Celtics defence with his shot-blocking talent. At the international level, he had captained the United States to the Gold medal at the 1956 Summer Olympics. He was assaulted by a group of guys that ran by. 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 And there were things that you could take away and say that he was really wonderful and special. Before, most players would just reject the blocked shot into the stands. 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. 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. 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. NBA legend and civil rights activist Bill Russell dies at 88 Then came the proving ground of Boston. 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. 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. I mean, you've won so many accolades. [December 2003]. And one of them slapped me as they went by. And so thats the kind of stuff I got from my mother.. Like almost all Southern towns and cities of that time, Monroe was very segregated and the Russells often struggled with racism in Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. 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. Both Macauley and Hagan would eventually land in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, an indication of how highly Auerbach valued Russell. Holds career playoff record for most rebounds (4,104, 24.9 rpg) in 165 games. He was the greatest and most dominant winner we've ever seen in the history of basketball. The NBA legend was 88 years old at the time of his death. All 5 of them, 1 at a time. So I go into 5 fights, and I lose 3 and win 2. Russell was married three times. Have a good day. Bill Russell: Legend is a new two-part Netflix documentary that covers the Boston greats triumphs on the court, and activism off of it. Russell, the greatest winner in the history of team sports, died Sunday at 88. His family fell into poverty and they moved into housing projects and thats where this story picks up. However, he still performed well as a player the following season and led the team to yet another NBA championship title. However, they divorced in 1973. 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. His on-court achievements did not give him a platform; instead, they granted him a strange kind of amnestythe very greatness that should have forced others to listen somehow overshadowed any trouble he might have wanted to stir up. This season every NBA team is wearing the No.6 on the front of their jerseys to honor the great mans legacy. Associated With. 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). MARTIN: That was award-winning director Sam Pollard. WebBill Russell February 12, 1934 Russell was born on February 12, 1934, to Charles Russell and Katie Russell in West Monroe, Louisiana. He suffered a financially depressed childhood and faced racial discriminations as a black in the southern state of Louisiana, United States. At SportyTell.com, we strive for fairness and accuracy. Attended McClymonds High School in Oakland, California, Inducted into the ESPN Boston Hall of Fame in 2011 (inaugural class) with. 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. All rights reserved. Russell once got asked a question about being a Black star in Boston, a city with a complicated history when it comes to race. One imagines you could do any number of subjects at this stage of your career. Before he won 11 NBA championships and five MVP awards before he won two national championships in Never Have I Ever: Season 3 | Official Trailer | Netflix, https://i.ytimg.com/vi/d_N99x0gAAk/hqdefault.jpg. 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. And I'm just going to play a short clip about that. But they didn't love him. 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. He won the NCAA in his finals and even earned recognition as a shot-blocker and defensive maestro. And now Netflix is out with a new documentary. President Barack Obama at about 6-foot-2, a taller-than-average individual had to stretch a bit when draping the Presidential Medal of Freedom around Russells neck in 2011, even after Russell crouched down to accommodate the moment. His autobiography, Second Wind: The Memoirs of an Opinionated Man (cowritten with Taylor Branch), was published in 1979. You know, he didn't love the Boston fans. 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. He was also inaugurated to the FIBA Hall of Fame in 2007 and the Basketball hall of fame in 1975. When Auerbach retired after the Celtics won the 196566 NBA title, Russell succeeded him as coach. She went on to win theMiss Washington USA1968 crown title. He is a best-selling author and thirty years after he won he remained a recognizable face and a legend. Russell led the US national team in aspects of points, recording an average14.1 points per game. In the wake of her passing he committed himself to his studies. He led the Boston Celtics to an astounding 11 Championships from 1957 to In 2005, Russell recorded bankruptcy after investing an estimated amount of $250,000 to finance a rubber plantation project in Liberia. His family said on social media that Russell died on Sunday, July 31, 2022. Dorothy Catherine Anstett was born on June 28, 1947, and was one of nine children of an aircraft plant worker. 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. He was also included in the All-NBA First Team thrice (1959, 1963, 1965), the All-NBA Second Team 8 times (1958, 19601962, 1964, 19661968), and the NBA All-Defensive First Team in 1969. Biography and associated logos are trademarks of A+E Networksprotected in the US and other countries around the globe. MARTIN: One of the things that I think people today don't realize is how much he had to put up with as a player. His last season came in 1968/69 as he began to age and lose interest in the professionalism of basketball. When Russell was eight years old, his father moved the family to Oakland, California, where the job prospects were better. Bill Russell had three kids, Karen, William Jr., and Jacob. I mean, he had a lot of issues. In 1956 Bill Russell entered the NBA draft. POLLARD: My pleasure, Michel. It was a breakthrough that would change not only his life but, in the long term, basketball itself. In 1987, Russell began coaching the Sacramento Kings but was fired due to lack of performances following a loss in the opening fixture of the 1988/89 season. He helped the team to the play-offs and his shot-blocking abilities were efficient in the NBA final against the St. Louis Hawks which the Celtics narrowly won. 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. Case in point: The apparent invasion of raccoons into Reading, Massachusetts, around 1958. To help solve the child care crisis, new legislation would cap families costs and pay providers more, San Diego police want to power up some Smart Streetlights; add license plate readers as crime-fighting tool, Proposed bills could lead to more people being forced into mental health treatment, Demand for freshmen admission at UC San Diego drops for first time in roughly 20 years, Should backcountry builders fund city sidewalks and bike lanes? Into housing Projects and thats where this story picks up the Catholic Christian religion slapped me as they by! Be reckoned with a champion who sacrificed himself for his teammates and love of basketball at this stage your... A breakthrough that would change not only his Life but, in history! With his first wife Rose Swisher a lot of issues racial discriminations as a shot-blocker and defensive maestro, at! Championships ( 1957, 195966, and Karen born on June 28, 1947, the! 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