[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. She has done a lot of activist work, and her articles can be found in the New York Times Magazine, HuffPost, and many other publications. Karen is very active on social media and often accompanied her father . "[109][207] When his white Celtics teammate Frank Ramsey asked whether he hated him, Russell stated that he had been misquoted but few believed it. Russell's No. If theres one thing Netflixs Bill Russell: Legend makes perfectly evident, its that the titular NBA champion, coach, and civil rights activist led a life that can only be described as deeply impactful. [4][8] While at USF, he and Jones helped pioneer a play that later became known as the alley-oop. His wife name is Jeannine Russell. 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. BOSTON Celtics legend, Bill Russell, had three children with his first wife, Rose. When I started to jump to make defensive plays and to block shots, I was initially corrected, but I stuck with it, and it paid off. [145] He also won two state championships in high school. The champion marched with Martin Luther King for civil rights. As if this isnt enough, her written pieces have been featured in the New York Times, the Seattle Times, and the Huffington Post, amongst many other publications, and she has a TEDx talk on Mentoring. He was born on November 2, 1957, and spent several years working for Cox Trucking. A five-time NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) and a 12-time NBA All-Star, he was the centerpiece of the Celtics dynasty that won 11 NBA championships during his 13-year career. http://t.co/rFfk4qnCEb, KarenKenyattaRussell (@Karen_Russell) June 19, 2013. [25] Sports journalist John Taylor described it as a watershed event in Russell's life because he realized that basketball was his chance to escape poverty and racism, and he swore to make the best of it. Russell's impact even breached the walls of racism and segregation in that area; amazingly, some white children attended the sports learning camp. [153] He could score with putbacks and made mid-air outlet passes to point guard Bob Cousy for easy fast-break points. Flowers at the feet of Bill Russell's statue at Boston City Hall Plaza, Monday, Aug. 1, 2022, in Boston. July 31, 2022 10:57 AM. After much debate, Auerbach agreed to give up Hagan and the Hawks made the trade. [5] Russell's team again beat Chamberlain's Philadelphia 76ers 41 in the Eastern Division Finals, proceeding to win the NBA Finals in a tight showdown against the Los Angeles Lakers, with Russell scoring 25 points and grabbing 32 rebounds, plus giving out an assist,[97] in a 9593 win in Game 7. [45][46] He also competed in the 440 yards (402.3m) race, which he could complete in 49.6 seconds. [26], Russell soon became noted for his unusual style of defense. Bill Russell got married to his girlfriend, Rose Swisher in the year 1956. However, Russell fought a long and tough battle off the court as well. The first team to start five black players was the Boston Celtics. In 1977, four years after his divorce from Rose Swisher, Russell married Dorothy Anstett, who was Miss USA 1968. 6 from the University of San Francisco as well as in the 1956 USA Olympic Team. [52], Due to his Olympic commitment, Russell could not join the Celtics for the 195657 NBA season until December. Television Pundit and Lawyer Karen Russell is the only daughter of Bill Russell. Because Russell ignored virtually any well-wisher who approached him home or away, including the vast majority of media, his autograph was among the most difficult to secure of any professional athlete of his time. I refuse to smile and be nice to the kiddies. 85.235.64.191 Bill Russells daughter, Karen, was born on January 20, 1962. He also served a three-season (19661969) stint as player-coach for the Celtics, becoming the first black coach in the NBA and the first to win a championship. Goldie became a mom for the first time after welcoming her eldest child, Oliver, with former husband Bill on September 7, 1976. Russell later called it the best team of his era and the best defense of all time. . [125], Russell made few public appearances in the early 1990s, living as a near-recluse on Mercer Island, Washington, near Seattle. Children. '"[218] 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. in Philosophy and Government from Georgetown with a Law Degree from Harvard. Russell's daughter, Karen, is a legal and political analyst, as well as a blogger. It thus comes as no surprise that she often shares her memories with them on her social media platforms, as seen below, all the while fulfilling her duties as a writer, voting advocate, public speaker, and consultant. These are Karen Kenyatta Russell, William Russell Jr., and Jacob Russell. However, since the Russells always preferred to keep their personal experiences well away from the limelight, we only know Bill was often affectionately, unironically referred to as Buddha.. Just found out I will be receiving the Arthur Ashe Courage Award. As for Jeannines current standing, the former competitive professional golfer with several accolades in the Canadian Womens Tour seemingly still resides in Washington, where shes trying to deal with her grief in private. [205] At the time his additional role of coach was announced, Russell publicly stated he believed Red Auerbach's impact as a coach confined every or almost every relationship with each Celtic player to a strictly professional one. [109] Journalists were often treated to the "Russell Glower", described as an "icily contemptuous stare accompanied by a long silence". [19] Russell's father was once refused service at a gas station until the staff had taken care of all the white customers first. on November 1, 2013. -~-~~-~~~-~~-~- Please watch: "FULL KYRIE IRVING and GORDON HAYWARD CELTICS Press Conference" youtube.com/watch?v=f7FoDj4-Nzw -~-~~-~~~-~~-~-, Karen Rusell penned an article for the New York Times. [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. Russell said he was "proud of my grandfather's heroic dignity against forces more powerful than him he would not allow himself to be oppressed or intimidated by anyone." Russell was equally notable for his rebounding abilities, and he led the NBA in rebounds four times, had a dozen consecutive seasons of 1,000 or more rebounds,[12] and remains second all time in both total rebounds and rebounds per game. Karen Russell, Jacob Russell, William Russell Jr. Rose Swisher got married to her husband, Bill Russell on 9 December 1956. her husband Basketball player Bill Russell was his college sweetheart, she got divorced from him in 1973. He said: "The Celtics were the first [NBA basketball] team to draft a black player, period: a guy named Chuck Cooper from Duquesne. His personal relationships thus take up a small part of this original as well so now, if you simply wish to learn more about the four women of his life, weve got the essential details for you. The already hostile atmosphere between Russell and Boston hit its apex when vandals broke into his house in Reading, Massachusetts, covered the walls with racist graffiti, damaged his trophies, and defecated in the beds. The couple tied the knot in 1956 before parting ways in 1973. Bill Russell (left), star of the Boston Celtics, is congratulated by coach Arnold "Red" Auerbach after scoring his 10,000th point in the NBA game against the Baltimore Bullets in Boston Garden on . They were college darlings. [208] The close relationship ended after Game 7 of the 1969 NBA Finals, when Chamberlain injured his knee with six minutes left and was forced to leave the game. He actually enrolled at the School of Art Institute in Chicago for a Bachelor's in Design-Visual Communications upon graduating from California's Galileo . 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. [49], Russell was considered the consummate defensive center, noted for his defensive intensity, basketball IQ, and will to win. She never stopped talking to me. [64], The Celtics won 49 games and made the first berth in the 1958 NBA playoffs, where they met in the 1958 NBA Finals with their familiar rivals, the St. Louis Hawks. Despite going through numerous struggles, he managed to stay strong and make the most out of the opportunity that was given to him. He is quoted by Fox Sports as saying that his father lived in Louisiana. His 1956 rookie contract was worth $24,000 (equivalent to $239,207 in 2021), only fractionally smaller than the $25,000 of top earner and teammate Bob Cousy. William Felton Russell (February 12, 1934 - July 31, 2022) was an American professional basketball player who played as a center for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1956 to 1969. He later recalled: "To play good defense it was told back then that you had to stay flatfooted at all times to react quickly. [209] He was livid with Russell and saw him as a backstabber. Fri 5 Aug 2022 10.44 EDT. She actually started by just enrolling herself in local pageants, only for it to turn into her placement as first runner-up in Miss Wahington 1967, the title of Miss Washington 1968, and finally, the title of Miss USA 1968. The former practicing attorney is hence the epitome of an empowered woman through and through. "[198] 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." [188] Russell was a member of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity, having been initiated into its Gamma Alpha chapter while a student at University of San Francisco. [20], At USF, Russell became the new starting center for coach Phil Woolpert of the San Francisco Dons. Russell's Celtics went 5737 in the regular season against Chamberlain's teams and 2920 in the playoffs, Chamberlain's losing seven of the eight series. [106], Russell and the Celtics achieved upsets over the 76ers and the Knicks to earn a meeting with the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1969 NBA Finals. In Game 2, Philadelphia evened the series with a 115106 win and then went on to win Games 3 and 4. [138][139] Russell was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama in 2011. In May 30, it was announced that the former Celtics player would be receiving the Arthur Ashe Award at the ESPYs. Photo: Ned Dishman 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. 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. [56] He also became famous for his shot-blocking skills and pundits called his blocks "Wilsonburgers", referring to the Wilson NBA basketballs he "shoved back into the faces of opposing shooters". As reported by Sportskeeda, William was employed by Cox Trucking. 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. His parents, Charles and Katie Russell, decided they would not raise their children in this environment. She and Bill tied the knot on December 9, 1956, and reportedly met in college. ", "Basketball Players who Caused Rule Changes by Ron Kurtus", "The Bill Russell Story: More Than A Champion", "NCAA Basketball Tourney History: Two by Four", "Stanford Trackmen Finish Fourth in Fresno Relays; Leamon King Equals Century World Record; Landy Runs Mile in 3.59.1; Russell Nears Mark", "Bill Russell attempting to clear 69 1/4. In honoring the legendary athlete, ESPN writes that recipients of the distinguished award, reflect the spirit of Arthur Ashe, possessing strength in the face of adversity, courage in the face of peril and the willingness to stand up for their beliefs no matter what the cost.. According to Taylor, he often perceived insults even if others did not. He made a free throw, blocked a shot by Sixers player Chet Walker, grabbed a rebound off a miss by Greer, and passed the ball to teammate Sam Jones, who scored to clinch the win. At age 35, Russell contributed with 6 points, 21 rebounds, and 6 assists in his last NBA game. [180] In 1977, he married Dorothy Anstett, Miss USA of 1968;[180] they divorced in 1980. He has all three children with his first wife, Rose Swisher. 4 in a similar list by The Athletic. Says Bill Russell: "Basketball is a game that involves a great deal of psychology. However, it is reported that he lives with his wife Sara Marckx Russell in Washington State. He starred in college playing center at the University of San Francisco, leading the team to . He lost his mother when he was just 12 years old. Born on June 28, 1947, in Kirkland, Washington, as one of nine children to an aircraft plant worker, Dorothy Catherine Anstett reportedly led a hustling and bustling life from an early age. As the son of one of Hollywood's most beloved . He is said to have made a conscious decision to put the team first and foremost, and not worry about individual achievements. 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. The oldest son of Bill Russell, William Felton Russell Jr, who was named after the 11-time NBA champion, unfortunately passed away in 2016. [141], Russell is one of the most successful and decorated athletes in North American sports history. 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. [33], The games were often difficult for the USF squad, as Russell and his black teammates became targets of racist jeers, particularly on the road. Bill marched with Martin Luther King Jr. when he delivered his "I Have a Dream . [39][40] During his college career, Russell was the NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player in 1955, averaging 20.7 points per game and 20.3 rebounds per game. He led USF to NCAA championships in 1955 and 1956, including a string of 55 consecutive victories, and an unofficial double triple-double with 26 points, 27 rebounds, 20 blocks, 3 steals, and an assist. Bill Russell had three kids, Karen, William Jr., and Jacob. [115] While Russell long had sore feelings towards Boston, there was something of a reconciliation, and he visited the city regularly in his later years, something he never did in the years immediately after his retirement. 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?' And in basketball I respect a man for his ability, period. Three women by the names of Rose Swisher, Dorothy Anstett, and Marilyn Nault were married off by the 11-time NBA champion. We won the National Championship. From Michael Jordan's unparalleled scoring . Bill Russell, whose No. My wife and Russell's laugh. [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. [152] In 2009, Russell's erstwhile Knicks opponent Bill Bradley wrote in The New York Times Book Review that Russell "was the smartest player ever to play the game [of basketball]". In a 2018 Halloween post, Bill wrote that he and Jeannine "go together like Bacon & Eggs". Russell . [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. [5], On February 5, 1960, Russell had 23 points, 51 rebounds, and 5 assists in a 124100 win over the Syracuse Nationals. I'm certainly going to ask Maurice Podoloff." [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. Last modified on Sun 4 Sep 2022 13.55 EDT. [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. Aside from that, the late Russell remained a big part of the . [49], The Celtics lost Cousy to retirement after the 196263 NBA season, and they drafted John Havlicek and were powered by Russell, who averaged 16.8 points and 23.6 rebounds per game, won his fourth regular-season MVP award, and earned the NBA All-Star Game MVP honors at the 1963 NBA All-Star Game following his 19-point, 24-rebound performance for the Eastern Conference's All-Star team. [171] Each plinth features a key word and related quote to illustrate Russell's multiple accomplishments. Bill and Jeannine did not have any kids together. Marilyn Nault Russell would end up as the step-mother of Bill's children from his previous marriage to Rose Swisher. [187], In 1959, Russell became the first NBA player to visit Africa. [107] Russell then reversed himself and ordered his team to double-team West and Boston won Game 3. [219] The FBI maintained a file on Russell and described him in their file as "an arrogant Negro who won't sign autographs for white children". Today, Karen is 57 years old. [109] Russell was also notorious for his refusal to give autographs or acknowledge the Celtics fans, and was called "the most selfish, surly and uncooperative athlete" by one pundit. - WILLIAM FELTON RUSSELL, WILLIAM FRANCIS McSWEENY . When Russell was eight years old, his father moved the family out of Louisiana and settled in Oakland, California. They had three children: daughter Karen Russell, a television pundit and lawyer, and sons William Jr. and Jacob. Yet for now, if you simply wish to learn more about the individuals carrying on his legacy in their last name his children William Bill Jr., Jacob, and Karen Russell weve got you covered. [19] While there, they fell into poverty and Russell spent his childhood living in a series of public housing projects. Their union sadly lasted for a mere three years, and since then, it appears as if the now 75-year-old has preferred to lead a quiet life in the wonderous city of Seatle in the heart of King County. 6 for most regular season MVPNBA Finals MVP awards, despite the latter being assigned only since 1969. He is depicted in-game, surrounded by 11 plinths representing the 11 championships he helped the Celtics win. In addition to Macauley, who was the Celtics' premier player at the time, he wanted Cliff Hagan, who had been serving in the military for three years and had not yet played for the Celtics. [13], Russell's life was marked by an uphill battle against racism and controversial actions and statements in response to racism. According to Opoyi, Swisher died at the age of 78 on September 11, 2014. As Chamberlain was often defended by Celtics backup center Wayne Embry, the press speculated that Russell was worn down. This attitude contributed to his bad rapport with fans and journalists. He was born William Felton Russell Jr. on November 2, 1957. [5] Russell was elected to one NBA All-Defensive First Team. [5][96], In the 196566 NBA season, Russell contributed 12.9 points and 22.8 rebounds per game. We won 28 out of 29 games. [16] In 2021, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame a second time for his coaching career. William Felton Russell (February 12, 1934 July 31, 2022) was an American professional basketball player who played as a center for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1956 to 1969. [140] Russell and Bryant were spectators to a basketball game for Obama's 50th birthday at the White House tennis court. [101] Russell acknowledged the first real loss of his career, as he had been injured when the Celtics lost the 1958 NBA Finals, by visiting Chamberlain in the locker room, shaking his hand, and saying: "Great. Bill Russell Speaks at Ceremony for New Statue, For the unveiling of the new statue in Boston City Hall Plaza, Bill Russell speaks about his career as both an athlete and activist, as well as the importance of mentoring and friendship. What do we know about Russells personal life? [199][200] Russell's motto became: "If you disrespect that line, you disrespect me. He has three children, Jacob Russell, William Russell Jr., and Karen Russell . While attending college at the . The Celtics made good use of the fact that the Los Angeles Lakers had exhausted the St. Louis Hawks in a long seven-game Western Conference Finals,[75] and Boston won the 1961 NBA Finals in five games. Bill Russell was also playing for the US National basketball team, where he was the team captain during the 1956 Summer Olympics, and in fact, the team won it. After practice, and even during practice breaks, shed encourage me. He was 88. As a child, he witnessed how his parents were victims of racial abuse, and the family eventually moved into government housing projects to escape the daily torrent of bigotry. LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers), are grandfatheredthey may keep the number until they voluntarily change it or retirebut the number will not be issued again to a new player. [1] The NBA reasoned that other centers were better all-round players than Russell but no player was more valuable to his team. [20] When World War II broke out, the elder Russell became a truck driver. [107] West then hit one basket after the other and cut the lead to one, and Chamberlain asked to return to the game. Therefore, on January 25, 2016, the 58-year-old passed away peacefully in his sleep in the comfort of the Mountain West place hed learned to call home alongside some of his closest loved ones. I was the MVP at the Final Four. [190] He was issued a citation and released, and the Transportation Security Administration indicated it would levy a civil penalty, which would be between $3,000 and $7,500. [70] Boston won a then-record 59 regular-season games, including a then-record tying 17-game win streak. The Celtic mythical figure, who is now 88 years old, was involved in several passionate relationships. He took issue with a few things Brand said, and . [103], In Game 7, 15,202 Philadelphia fans witnessed a home-team 10096 defeat, making it the first time in NBA history a team lost a series after leading 31. [49] He excelled at playing man-to-man defense, blocking shots, and grabbing defensive rebounds. Arthur was a man of great courage. "[98], Boston's championship streak ended at eight in his first full season as head coach when Chamberlain's Philadelphia 76ers won a record-breaking 68 regular-season games and were the favorites heading into the 1967 NBA playoffs, where they beat the Celtics 41 in the Eastern Division Finals.