INSIDE THE LAKERS LEGENDS RELATIONSHIPS, WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT LEBRON JAMES DAD ANTHONY MCCLELLAND, FANS ASK WHATS WRONG WITH ANTHONY DAVIS? AFTER REACTION TO LEBRON BREAKING RECORD, Best Jake Paul vs Tommy Fury memes after undefeated Brit beats YouTuber, {{#media.media_details}} {{#media.focal_point}}. Russell anchored a Boston Celtics The Celtics legend had four wives during his life, and is now the focus of a Netflix documentary called Bill Russell: Legend. In the 1961/62 season, Bill Russell recorded his career highest score by an average of 18.9 points and 23.6 rebounds per game; he also scored 30 points and 40 rebounds in the finals helping the Celtics to defeat a rugged Lakers side. Russell anchored a Boston Celtics dynasty that won 11 titles in 13 years. If you have three hours and want to check out Russells story, you can watch this video right below. Bill Russell, byname of William Felton Russell, (born February 12, 1934, Monroe, Louisiana, U.S.died July 31, 2022), American basketball player who was the first outstanding defensive centre in the history of the National Basketball Association (NBA) and one of the sports greatest icons. UNIDENTIFIED PERSON #2: There was a full house in Kiel Auditorium on that night in December 1956. He shares all three of his children with his first wife and college sweetheart, Rose Swisher, whom he divorced in 1973. Russell brought an aspect to basketball that had rarely been explored before: defense. All Rights Reserved. It's no conversation. Russell was married three times. After taking the first two at home the Lakers returned to the Boston Garden to lose the next two. He was the greatest and most dominant winner we've ever seen in the history of basketball. 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. 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. His family fell into poverty and they moved into housing projects and thats where this story picks up. I didnt know what she was going to do. Sadly, Russell passed away in August 2022 at the age of 88. And he became a major star at USF, went on to win the Olympic gold medal in Australia and then got drafted by the Celtics in '57. He would direct his blocks to a player releasing on a fast break or off the backboard to keep the ball in play. When we first moved to the projects, my mother was getting everything together. He won the NCAA in his finals and even earned recognition as a shot-blocker and defensive maestro. 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. But there was more to it than that: the white Heinsohn was simply a more attractive candidate for many voters. I was the only Negro athlete on either team. Only Russell remained of the fabled Boston Celtics, except for the emerging superstar John Havlichek, and aging star Sam Jones. That was the way I conducted my life.. NBA legend Bill Russell, an 11-time NBA champion with the Boston Celtics and the first Black head coach in the league, passed away peacefully Sunday, After his retirement, he served as head coach of the Seattle SuperSonics (197377) and the Sacramento Kings (198788), served as a commentator on television broadcasts of NBA games, and continued to remain active in social causes. Your login session has expired. And these 5 guys ran by. Russell married his first wife Rose in 1956, and the couple had their first child, William Jr., the year after. However, Russell fought a long and tough battle off the court as well. 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. He passed away peacefully in his sleep on January 25, 2016. - IMDb Mini Biography By: 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. The 11-time NBA champion is survived by his wife Jeannine and two children. Still yet Russell was without a doubt one of the finest players of his day. He marched in Mississippi after the slaying of civil rights leader Medgar Evers. 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. William Felton Russell was born on the 12th February 1934 to Mr Charles Russell and Mrs Kutie Russell. All rights reserved. A the time of his death, he was married to his fourth wife Jeannine, who is believed to have been a competitive golfer. I mean, he had a lot of issues. He won five MVP awards, tied for second-most with Michael Jordan, one behind Kareem Abdul-Jabbars league record. (SOUNDBITE OF DOCUMENTARY, "BILL RUSSELL: LEGEND"). They are Jacob Russell,William Russell Jr.,and Karen Russell. So how did he deal with it? In this article, we take a look at how many kids Bill Russell had and who they are. Russell would not stand for racism in sports, which was ironic, given Bostons historical notoriety in that department. Best Known For: 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. Sam Pollard, thanks so much for talking with us. WebFamily Life. On the road it was not uncommon for him to have to sleep in a different hotel from the one the rest of the club used. The NBA legend was 88 years old at the time of his death. 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. WebAbout Bill Russell Composer William "Bill" Russell (February 26, 1905 August 9, 1992) was an American music historian and modernist composer. He was part of the March on Washington. Bill Russell hated autographs. 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. She's also provided commentary on the high-profile cases of NBA players like Kobe Bryant and Jayson Williams. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Following the 1969 season, Russell retired from the game. In his 1st season, the Celtics failed to reach and win the NBA finals for the 1st time in 8 years. Publicity Listings 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. MARTIN: Which, again, it just seems interesting that we don't necessarily put him in the same breath as those other kind of prominent athlete activists, you know, like Muhammad Ali. 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. 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. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Stand up for yourself. Holds the NBA single-game record for most rebounds in a half (32) vs. Philadelphia on Nov. 16, 1957. From his early childhood years, Williams Jr. was fascinated by trucks, and that is why he pursued his passion of being a driver. Russell was lightly recruited by colleges, but Hal DeJulio, a former player at the nearby University of San Francisco (USF), had seen him play and had an inkling as to his potential, so he recommended Russell to his old school. Who are Bill Russell's children? NBA Most Valuable Player (1958, 1961-1963, 1965). While studying at the McClymonds High School, he was introduced to basketball as he participated in the school team. The family of Bill Russell announced that he passed away on Sunday at the age of 88. Russell used this mindset while on the court and in So it was, like, an easy yes for me to say, I'd love to direct this film about Bill Russell. Before he won 11 NBA championships and five MVP awards before he won two national championships in POLLARD: My pleasure, Michel. MARTIN: That was award-winning director Sam Pollard. Never turned the trash cans over again.. NBA legend Bill Russell passed away at the age of 88. Former Basketball coach, Former Professional Basketball Player. Attended McClymonds High School in Oakland, California, Inducted into the ESPN Boston Hall of Fame in 2011 (inaugural class) with. A cause of death wasnt given, nor did a family statement say where he died. On the day of Bill Russells private funeral, NBA announces its greatest honor: the permanent retirement of No. Russell was the first player to win an Olympic Gold Medal, an NBA Championship, and a collegiate championship. Rose and Bill were college sweethearts and were together for much of Bills NBA Astrological Sign: Aquarius, Death Year: 2022, Death date: July 31, 2022, Article Title: Bill Russell Biography, Author: Biography.com Editors, Website Name: The Biography.com website, Url: https://www.biography.com/athletes/bill-russell, Publisher: A&E; Television Networks, Last Updated: August 11, 2022, Original Published Date: April 2, 2014. In 1969 most of the fabled Celtics had long been gone or had recently retired. What matters is you stood up for yourself. Bill hasnt shared how he met his last wife, but he adored her. Due to the demise of his mother, Bills father decided to work in a steel factory in order to provide emotional support for his children. He is an American by nationality and has a belief in the Catholic Christian religion. Have something to tell us about this article? Bill Russells family announced his demise through a statement on Sunday, July 31. Russell's The NBA great Bill Russell has died at age 88. People broke into his house and destroyed his trophies, among many other outrageous deeds. He played alongside star point guard Bob Cousy for a number of years on the Celtics. He didn't love Boston. Bill Russell: Legend is a new two-part Netflix documentary that covers the Boston greats triumphs on the court, and activism off of it. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Affiliate Disclosure: We may earn commissions from purchases made on Amazon via our links. 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. He married Dorothy Anstett, Miss USA, in 1968, but divorced in 1980. He was at the '67 summit in Cleveland with Jim Brown and Muhammad Ali. He was 88 years old. 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. He was also involved in several build-ups and could intelligently help the team in tight areas and big games. Throughout his career, Bill Russell won 11 NBA championship rings. Bill Russell, the greatest defensive player of all time, has a special place in the NBAs Hall of Fame. This unlikely superstar came into the NBA as a center for the Boston Celtics and played for the team for his entire 13 years of career. Jacob H. Russell was born on July 6, 1959. The Greatest Food Debates Of All Time, Answered Pineapple On Pizza? In 2009, the NBA changed the name of the finals MVP from NBA finals MVP award to Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award. Inducted into the Sport in Society Hall of Fame, 2000. The cemetery is also the final resting place of martial arts action star Bruce Lee and his son Brandon Lee. 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 marriage with Rose produced 3 children of which one, Karen Russell is a renowned television pundit and lawyer. Russell was truly nothing short of a champion.Since his historic victory Russell has been active in broadcasting for NBA games, and occasionally coaching, including the Seattle Supersonics in the 1970s and the Sacramento Kings in the 1980s. When Russell was eight years old, his father moved the family to Oakland, California, where the job prospects were better. For good measure, he might have had 12, had an ankle injury not sidelined him early in the 1958 NBA finals. Russell immediately made an impact by improving the Celtics defence with his shot-blocking talent. moviemuskie@yahoo.com, Other Works But we learned that, you know, he had a very interesting life and complicated life off the court. When Russell was 10, his father, Charlie, fed up with trying to navigate a racially charged South, moved his family across the country to Oakland, California, where he found work at a shipyard. A look at Bill Russells family life Bill was born to Katie and Charles Russell. By the end of his career, however, Russell himself had come to see the turmoil of the 1960s as far more important than the silly little game he played for a living. You'll get covered with chocolate. Russell went to the police, who surmised that raccoons must be the culprits. Off the court, he was a force in the fight for human One imagines you could do any number of subjects at this stage of your career. In 2013, Boston erected a significant statue of their legend, Bill Russell right outside the Boston City Hall Plaza. He suffered a financially depressed childhood and faced racial discriminations as a black in the southern state of Louisiana, United States. Cass Anderson is the Editor-in-Chief of BroBible. 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. The premise was that it had to be difficult for Russell to live in such a place, to play for fans in such a city. Considered one of the greatest basketball players in NBA history, William Felton Russell was born on February 12, 1934, in Monroe, Louisiana. 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 Hall of Fame basketball center Bill Russell led the University of San Francisco to consecutive NCAA titles before starting his pro career with the Boston Celtics in 1956. A post shared by ProCity Hoops (@procityhoops). In college, the 6-foot 9-inch (2.06-metre) Russell blossomed, providing a defensive presence that helped lead USF to National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) championships in 1955 and 1956. 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. Like, how did he deal with all of that? He was born and brought up in a super-rich-class Catholic Christian family from West Monroe, Louisiana, United States. He retired in 1969 and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame six years later. Bill Russells first wife was Rose Swisher, whom he married on December 9, 1956. Bill Russell would lead the Boston Celtics to 9 straight NBA titles, many times over vaunted rivals the Philadelphia Warriors, and later the Philadelphia 76ers, and the Los Angeles Lakers. Played professional basketball for the Boston Celtics. Rose Swisher and Bill Russell had three children, daughter Karen Russell and sons William Jr and Jacob. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the San Diego Union-Tribune. Libraries werent open to the Black community in Louisiana so Katie Russell made sure to take advantage of that benefit upon their relocation. His Bill Russell has been married on 4 different occasions but had never kept a marriage for up to 2 decades, the longest being 17 years (19561973) to a lady called Rose. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). WebFamily Life. He was assaulted by a group of guys that ran by. During his college years, Bill competed in many sports besides basketball, including the high jump. Russell married his first wife Rose in 1956, and the couple had their first child, William Jr., the year after. Legendary center who was a 5-time NBA MVP and 12-time All-Star selection. Sam Pollard, thanks so much for talking with us. He shared all three kids with his first wife Rose Swisher. And, you know, for me as a filmmaker, that gave me an opportunity to dig into Bill Russell's life, which was much more complicated than most people know, and that he was not only a great player on the court, but he was a very important human and civil rights activist off the court, too. I mean, we all know that when he became a Celtic, he became the lynchpin that began this dynasty of the Boston Celtics. 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