It was reportedly back on January 8, 2018, that Jeannine and Bill got married in a private ceremony surrounded by loved ones, just for the union to last until his demise on July 23, 2022. [99] Russell became the first black head coach in NBA history,[5] and he commented to journalists: "I wasn't offered the job because I am a Negro, I was offered it because Red figured I could do it. [60], The Celtics finished the 195657 regular season with a 4428 record, the team's second-best record since beginning play in the 194647 BAA season, which guaranteed Russell his first NBA playoffs appearance,[61] where the Celtics met with the Syracuse Nationals, a team led by Dolph Schayes, through the Eastern Division Finals. And so the guy that owned the Celtics [Walter Brown] was [in addition to Auerbach for whom Russell expressed 'respect' and 'actual love'] another one of the fine, good, and decent human beings that I've ever encountered. [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. Karen Russell. "[179], Russell was married to his college sweetheart Rose Swisher from 1956 to 1973. When he attempted to leave and find a different station, the attendant stuck a shotgun in his face and threatened to kill him if he did not stay and wait his turn. [167] On June 15, 2017, Russell was announced as the inaugural recipient of the NBA Lifetime Achievement Award. Jones. Although the middle child of Bill Sr. and Rose Swisher (born on July 6, 1959), Jacob is arguably the simplest member of the prominent Russell family in almost every sense of the term. In the 1960 NBA playoffs, Russell's Celtics met Chamberlain's Warriors in the Eastern Division Finals. Russell also ignored Heinsohn's request for an autograph on behalf of his cousin and openly said to Heinsohn that he deserved half of his $300 Rookie of the Year check. Over 50 percent of responses said 'There's too many black players. The truth is Bill followed in his familys footsteps in terms of his choice to lead a quiet life, but he reportedly never shied away from admitting their identity or sharing the same generous nature. The Celtics won Game 4 in an upset, but the Hawks prevailed in Games 5 and 6, with Pettit scoring 50 points in the deciding Game 6. "[153] In the book, Russell wrote: "Whenever I leave the Celtics locker room, even Heaven wouldn't be good enough because anywhere else is a step down With Red [Auerbach] and Walter Brown, I was the freest athlete on the planet. "[30] The NCAA rewrote rules in response to Russell's dominant play; the lane was widened for his junior year. William Felton Russell Jr., Bill Russell's oldest son who was named after the 11-time NBA champion, died in 2016. Shed do the same thing after games at home. Russell, who once said he owed the public nothing,[109] was not there; he ended his career and cut all ties to the Celtics. Thus Russell initialized as the first black head coach in NBA history. 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. Russell used his popularity to fight for civil rights and help others who were in a similar situation. [18], Russell was born on February 12, 1934, to Charles Russell and Katie Russell in West Monroe, Louisiana. Bill Russell. 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. Unfortunately, everything changed in late 2015 as Bill was diagnosed with stage four stomach cancer that had already spread to his liver, especially as it was too advanced to even consider surgery. "[5] After the Division Finals, the Celtics had an easier time in the NBA Finals,[95] winning 41 against the Los Angeles Lakers. From Michael Jordan's unparalleled scoring . [77], In the 1962 NBA Finals, the Celtics met the Los Angeles Lakers of forward Elgin Baylor and guard Jerry West. His third . The Bill Russell Legacy Foundation, established by the Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation, funded the project. That's the first thing Walter Brown said to Chuck Cooper. I could hear anything, I could see anything, and nothing mattered. but We will update you or notify you when we get any more information about his family. Bill and Jeannine did not have any kids together. In Game 2, Philadelphia evened the series with a 115106 win and then went on to win Games 3 and 4. NBA legend Bill Russell passed away at the age of 88. [21], Under head coach Gerald Tucker, Russell helped the U.S. national basketball team win the gold medal in Melbourne, defeating the Soviet Union national basketball team 8955 in the final game with an 80 undefeated run. [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. 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. 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. The teams split the first six games. In 1977, Bill Russell married his 2nd wife, Dorothy Anstett, who had won the Miss USA beauty pageant in 1968. Please logout and login again. [49] After the Celtics' 10889 victory, Schayes, who made Johnny Kerr come off the bench because he struggled against Russell in the regular season, quipped: "How much does that guy make a year? In 1966, Bill Russell agreed to be the head coach of the Boston Celtics. 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. [60] He alienated Celtics fans by saying: "You owe the public the same it owes you, nothing! . Three women by the names of Rose Swisher, Dorothy Anstett, and Marilyn Nault were married off by the 11-time NBA champion. You are a Negro. I averaged over 20 points and over 20 rebounds, and I was the only guy in college blocking shots. [78] At that time, he became the fourth player in Celtics history to have a triple-double, joining Macauley, Cousy, and K. C. Brown contacted Rochester owner Les Harrison and received an assurance that the Royals could not afford Russell, and they would draft Sihugo Green. 4 in a similar list by The Athletic. Bill Russell, whose No. [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. [107], The Celtics were ahead by nine points with five minutes remaining; in addition, West was limping after a Game 5 thigh injury and Chamberlain had left the game with an injured leg. NBA Legend Bill Russell receives the 2017 NBA Lifetime Achievement Award. Celtics legend and 11-time NBA Champion Bill Russell died 'peacefully' Sunday at the age of 88. [1] Before the January 31, 1963, 18-point, 22-rebound performance in a 128125 win against the Cincinnati Royals at Cole Field House in College Park, Maryland,[83] the Celtics were to tour the White House and Russell had a "Do not disturb" sign on his phone. [50] Auerbach later said that Brown offered Harrison guaranteed performances of the Ice Capades if they did not draft Russell; it is difficult to verify or disprove this, but it is clear that the Royals underrated Russell. In protest, the whole team decided to camp out in a closed college dorm, which was later called an important bonding experience for the group. Frank Robinson, a future member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, was one of Russell's high school basketball teammates. "[49] That playoff series ended in a dramatic Game 7, when the Sixers were trailing 110109 five seconds before the end, but Russell turned over the ball. Auerbach agreed to trade Macauley, who had previously asked to be traded to St. Louis in order to be with his sick son, if the Hawks gave up Russell. [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. Bill Russell was born on February 12, 1934 and he died on July 21, 2022 aged 88. He has three children, Jacob Russell, William Russell Jr., and Karen Russell . In 2014, after the unveiling of his statue at City Hall in Boston, Russell spoke a bit about his parents and what his life was like growing up. Bill Russell was born to Charles and Katie Russell on February 12, 2022, in West Monroe, Louisiana. Who is Bill Russell's First Wife? The couple has 3 children whose name is Karen Russell, William Jr, and Jacob. They had three children: daughter Karen Russell and sons William Jr. and Jacob. It was back when both Rose and Bill were attending the University of San Francisco in the early to mid-1950s that they first came across one another, only to feel a real spark almost immediately. 6 jersey", "Bill Russell Statue Unveiled At Boston City Hall", "Bill Russell statue to be unveiled Nov. 1", "City Hall Plaza statue honors Celtics' Bill Russell", "Basketball's Bill Russell joins the Bronze Age", "Russell Rule Diversity Hiring Commitment", "The University of San Francisco Honors the Memory of Marilyn Nault Russell", "Bill Russell: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know", "Bill Russell, legendary Celtics center and NBA coach, dead at 88", "Indomitable Russell Values One Accolade Above the Rest", "Police: NBA legend Bill Russell arrested with gun at airport", "Bill Russell, Basketball Great With Record 11 NBA Titles, Dies At 88", "Celtics legend, 11-time NBA champion Bill Russell dies at 88", "What NBA salaries would these superstar players make today? Unfortunately, though, the duo grew emotionally distant around the time his NBA playing career came to an end in 1970, leading to their divorce three years later in 1973. Russell was so quick that he could run over for a quick double team and make it back in time if the opponents tried to find the open man. 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. [76], In the 196162 NBA season, Russell scored a career-high 18.9 points per game, accompanied by 23.6 rebounds per game. As reported by Sportskeeda, William was employed by Cox Trucking. [21] In delivering a eulogy for Chamberlain, Russell stated that he did not consider them to be rivals, but rather to have a competition, and that the pair would "be friends through eternity". 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. Click to reveal [4][8] While at USF, he and Jones helped pioneer a play that later became known as the alley-oop. He was selected into the NBA 25th Anniversary Team in 1971 and the NBA 35th Anniversary Team in 1980, named as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History in 1996,[5] one of only four players to receive all three honors, and selected into the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021. When he became player-coach in 1966, Russell bluntly said to his teammates that "he intended to cut all personal ties to other players" and seamlessly made the transition from their peer to their superior. Bill Russell's daughter, Karen, was born on January 20, 1962. [4] In his USF years, Russell took advantage of his relative lack of bulk to develop a unique defensive style: instead of purely guarding the opposing center, he used his quickness and speed to play help defense against opposing forwards and aggressively challenge their shots. Bill Russell wound up married to his second wife, Dorothy, in 1977. [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 Russell, the Boston Celtics' Hall of Fame center who almost single-handedly redefined the game of basketball, was, in the words of Basketball's Big Men by David Klein, "the standard against whom all others will be judged." A big man who specialized in defense rather than scoring, Russell was the ultimate winner. [5] The Russell draft-day trade was later called one of the most important trades in the history of North American sports. "[109] This supported the opinion of many white fans that Russell, who was by then the highest-paid Celtic, was egotistical, paranoid, and hypocritical. K. C. Jones did not play for the Celtics until 1958 because of military service. Born on January 20, 1962, Karen is not just Bill Sr. and Roses youngest child but also their only daughter, meaning she was ostensibly always extremely close to both her parents. 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. Woolpert emphasized defense and deliberate half-court play, which favored Russell's exceptional defensive skills. The 11-time NBA champion is survived by his wife Jeannine and two children. [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". He revealed that his mother died when he was 12. Karen Russell was born on January 20th, 1962 . Well, that let me know that if I were to accept these as the final judges of my career I would die a bitter old man." [53] His former USF and future Celtics teammate K. C. Jones joined him on the Olympic squad and contributed 10.9 points per game,[54] including a RussellJones combined 29 points in the finals. [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. 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, according to a family statement from his . In the interim, Russell won an Olympic gold medal in 1956. The 88-year-old basketball icon passed away on July 31, 2022. Bill Russell was one of the greatest players in NBA history who was known for his outstanding defense. The pair married in 1956 but divorced 17 years later. [5] Russell was known as one of the most clutch players in the NBA. Thats because it features not just first-hand accounts of some of the most renowned basketball experts but also archival footage to really explore every aspect of the titular athletes actual being. [5][41] His stint as coach of the Celtics was also of historical significance,[146][147] as he became the first black head coach in the NBA,[14] when he succeeded Red Auerbach. ADVERTISEMENT. [117] He finished with a 341290 regular season record and was 3427 in the playoffs. [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. However, she was a step-mom to Russell's three children from his first marriage. Nothing went on outside the borders of the court. Both Cousy and Russell called it the greatest Celtics team of all-time. Bill Russell is survived by three children: Jacob, William Russell Jr, and Karen. Bill Russell achieved a lot during his life. [5] For his efforts, Russell was named Sports Illustrated's Sportsman of the Year. We won 28 out of 29 games. 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. [5], For his achievements, Russell was named "Sportsman of the Year" by Sports Illustrated in 1968. (2004). Jacob Russell, William Russell Jr., and Karen Russell nare his children. While attending college at the . 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. According to Opoyi, Swisher died at the age of 78 on September 11, 2014. Karen Russell was born on January 20, 1962 and is a legal and political analyst. "[165] In 2000, his longtime teammate Tom Heinsohn described both Russell's stature and his uneasy relationship with Boston more earthily, saying: "Look, all I know is the guy came to Boston and won 11 championships in 13 years, and they named a bleeping tunnel after Ted Williams. The couple actually tied the knot on December 9, 1956, with Bill soon making it clear he owed a vast majority of his ambition, compassion, drive, and success to his supportive wife, Rose. At 85 years old, he is still active going to watch basketball games with his wife Jeannine Russell, as he shows in his Instagram account. Asked by Russell what was wrong, his grandfather replied how proud he was of him, being coach of an organization in which blacks and whites coexisted in harmony. [224], On September 26, 2017, Russell posted a photograph of himself to a previously unused Twitter account in which he was taking the knee in solidarity with the U.S. national anthem kneeling protests. 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. One makes himself look good at the expense of the other guys on the floor. Arthur was a man of great courage. On May 6, 1999, the Celtics re-retired Russell's jersey in a ceremony attended by his on-court rival and friend Chamberlain, along with Celtics legend Larry Bird and Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. [197], In 1966, The New York Times wrote that "Russell's main characteristics are pride, intelligence, an active and appreciative sense of humor, a preoccupation with dignity, a capacity for consideration once his friendship or sympathy has been aroused, and an unwillingness to compromise whatever truths he has accepted. The owner of the Hawks called Auerbach later and demanded more in the trade. 6 jersey was retired by the Celtics on March 12, 1972. I really missed her pep talks then. I knew only that Rose accepted and cared about me, apart from the basketball, which was a great breakthrough for me. he added in his 1979 memoir Second Wind.. She graduated as an English Major from the University of Washington. Jacob H. Russell was born on July 6, 1959. [8][38] His awards and achievements include eleven NBA championships with the Boston Celtics in thirteen seasons,[52] two of which were won as player-coach,[142] and he is credited with having raised defensive play in the NBA to a new level. [187], In 1959, Russell became the first NBA player to visit Africa. The couple grew emotionally distant and divorced. [19] Russell's father was once refused service at a gas station until the staff had taken care of all the white customers first. [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. In addition to his career accomplishments, Russell was a prominent human rights activist in sports. 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. The couple was thus more than excited to start this new chapter, especially since theyd already decided to plant roots in Mascahustats owing to the athletes Boston Celtics drafting the summer prior. Dorothy Anstett Born: Kirkland, Washington, United States Date of birth: 1947-06-28 Spouse: Bill Russell https://t.co/T9E7sVcZUO pic.twitter.com/se6ka2URg3. Be the first one to comment on this story. Together, Russell and Swisher had three children: daughter Karen, and sons William Jr. and Jacob. Says Bill Russell: "Basketball is a game that involves a great deal of psychology. [38] Russell led the team in scoring, averaging 14.1 points per game for the competition. Karen Russell. From his early childhood years, Williams Jr. was fascinated by trucks, and that is why he pursued his passion of being a driver. He is survived by his younger brother Jacob, his baby sister Karen, the love of his life Sherrill Hansen, his son Sean Tyler Russell, and two pet dogs/fur babies, Pugsley as well as Lilly. In addition, Auerbach had already used his NBA territorial pick to acquire talented forward Tom Heinsohn. [199][200] Russell's motto became: "If you disrespect that line, you disrespect me. Bill Russell is an 11-time NBA champion, and 12-time All-Star and is perhaps the game's greatest champion. In fact, she is even a qualified attorney as she earned her Juris Doctorate (JD) degree from Harvard Law School after obtaining a Bachelors in Philosophy as well as Government from Georgetown University. The oldest son of Bill Russell, William Felton Russell Jr, who was named after the 11-time NBA champion, unfortunately passed away in 2016. Rest in Peace, Bill. Russell averaged . He Had Three Children with His First Wife. 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?' This is a game of habits, and the player with the most consistent habits is the best. [98] Third choice Tom Heinsohn also said no because he did not think he could handle the often surly Russell,[98] whom he proposed as a player-coach. Its thus unclear how she and Bill even came across one another after his divorce from Rose was finalized, yet the then-Washington residents did build a connection before getting married in 1977. 2020 THE SUN, US, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | TERMS OF USE | PRIVACY | YOUR AD CHOICES | SITEMAP, Bill Russell and Rose with their son, William Felton Jr, in 1958, Former Boston Celtics basketball star Bill Russell alongside his daughter, Karen Kenyatta Russell, England win Women's Euro 2022 LIVE REACTION: Party at Trafalgar Square as thousands celebrate, Queen sends praise, Proud captain Williamson vows to lap up England's Euros triumph and calls on fans to go to WSL games, We should be cheering on female footie stars in the same way we support the men, Women's football will never be the same again thanks to Lionesses' extraordinary victory, Adam Peaty stunned at Commonwealth Games as Brit hero loses 100m race for first time EVER and misses medal, England's Lionesses roar with pride as they celebrate their history-making Euro 2022 triumph. in Philosophy and Government from Georgetown with a Law Degree from Harvard. And I could anticipate every move that every player made. He lost his mother when he was just 12 years old. In the 1959 NBA Finals, the Celtics recaptured the NBA title, sweeping the Minneapolis Lakers 40. [138][139] Russell was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama in 2011. 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. He later commented that he would have participated in the high jump if he had been snubbed by the basketball team. Bill Russell, an 11-time NBA champion with the Boston Celtics and the first Black head coach in a major American sports league, died July 31.