Bill Russel: A Hero for All

It was February 12, 1934, that William Felton Russell first entered into his harsh world. He lived with his parents and brother in Monroe Louisiana. “Monroe was a typical small town in the ‘Deep South’ with racial segregation.” (Daniel, W.) It was the daily routine, for Bill, to have to deal with discrimination. Surely it was not an easy task to be an African-American just trying to live life in the South. Yet much later in life would Bill would be noted, “…Russell’s experiences with discrimination as a young child helped make him assertive about African – American rights as an adult.” (Biography) Fortunately Bill and his family were slightly able to escape these har

the benefit of the move was that the discrimination was lessened by a vast degree. The Russell family was able to settle down in the integrated projects in town. This was definitely a difference from their hometown Monroe. They now actually lived in the same vicinity as the whites, or at this time, the majority.

Throughout Bill’s professional career he has used many theories and created many philosophies for playing the game the best. “His philosophies were simple: Learn how to play from every position on the floor.” (HBO) He found that the best chance to winning was by making everybody on the team better, and not just a single player. Individual statistics meant little to Russell. “ He found that if a team was playing the NBA championships, the last game of the year, then that team had a pretty good year.” (HBO) With just these few views, he made leadership an art, winning a mission and teamwork the key to success. Bill was an exceptionally intelligent man that figured the game out. But even behind his astounding athleticism and grace was the unquenchable desire to win.

Russell was the role model for athletes of his kind, and especially fellow African – Americans. It had been decided that, “Bill Russell was destined to be the future symbol of the struggle of the entire black race.” (Limbrick, D.) He changed the game of basketball as well as the role of the superstar, and the role of the black man in sports. His success was a big deal because a black man led the team of the most dominant teams in NBA history. Russell was aware of this and in the early 1960’s said, “The basic problem in Negro America is the destruction of race pride. One would say we have been victims

All of this Russell dealt with even into the near end of his career with the Boston Celtics. At the end of the 1965-66 season, Red Auerbach retired as head coach. Bill learned of this an approached Red about it. Bill stated that, “At this time in my career I don’t believe I could play for another coach that led us like you.” Russell then proceeded to ask, “ …and I think I could only play for myself, knowing the team as I do and how to reach the championships.” (HBO) with that simple request, Red handed over the title of Head Coach of the Boston Celtics to Bill Russell. There were no objectives from the team. Bill was now the first black coach in NBA history. It stirred up complaints from prejudice groups of fans. But Russell paid no heed what so ever. He had never cared what any other person had thought of him due to race or character and he would not begin now. As Head Coach he still played in the game. The first year as coach, the Celtics reached the championship game. Unfortunately they lost, and the black team

of psychological warfare, in a sense, in that this is a white country, and all the emphasis is on being white.” (Limbrick, D.) His conduct was more evidence to the statement that he was never a follower, and that was how Bill lived life, as a leader. At the time, is was more impotant for blacks to look up to someone who did what he felt was right, despite what others told him.

Bill Russell has lived an incredible life that from hard beginning seemed to only culminate to greatness over and over again. He became a strong individual, with the blessing of his mother, and only grew in it as his life went on. He took every hardship

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