Bill Russell
Veto, block, veto, block. The Secretary of Defense as they called him, stopped everything that came his way. As he once said, “The idea is not to block every shot. The idea is to make your opponent believe that you might block every shot” (Cash, Pg 9 ). Now even though Bill Russell couldn’t stop segregation completely, he helped change people’s racial and prejudice viewpoints. Bill William Russell was born February 12, 1934 in West Monroe, Louisiana. Bill was a legendary basketball player and a civil rights activist. Russell participated in several civil rights events including the March on Washington in 1963 and several public speaking events with fellow Browns running back Jim Brown. Not only that but because Bill was so active in civil rights he changed the world around him wherever he went. Bill Russell’s determination and beliefs integrated the NBA and the city of Boston. First off, Russell has won several awards for his incredible work on and off the court. (Awards off the court include the Lifetime Achievement award, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom award). The Lifetime Achievement Award is given to someone who has tremendously impacted several people and place on and off the court. For example how he changed the city of Boston and how they viewed African Americans. The Presidential Medal of Freedom on the other hand is given to individuals who have made meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavors. Russell has also won several awards on the court. Awards on the court include three MVPs, eleven Championship Rings, three time all-NBA team, and a one time all-defensive team. As Russell once said “Some of the awards Russell has won some people could only dream about winning” (Goudsouzian 78). (All-NBA team rosters are a group of best chosen players the league has to offer). Bill impacted the NBA in several ways on and off the court with his many contributions including his talent, skill, and leadership qualities. In addition, Bill W. Russell was an determined and involved civil rights activist. He participated in the March on Washington on 1963. (Russell supported and preached about MLK’s nonviolent protests). Bill was an active follower and supporter of MLK and his beliefs. He believed in equal rights and that color has no importance. Also, Russell defended Muhammad Ali. (Ali was told he had to join the Army …show more content…
11 Rings impacted the game of basketball tremendously. Bill revolutionized the term “lockdown defender”. (Bill forced all of his opponents to shoot from outside the arc because he would block everything inside the paint). Blocks and steals were not an official stat back then, but people estimate that Bill would be at the top of both of those categories for total in career. His on court basketball stats and accolades were unbelievable. (Russell recorded 14,522 points, 21,620 rebounds, 4,100 assists and shot 56 percent from the court). He was second for all-time rebounds, in the top two hundred for points, he averaged 15.1 points and averaged 22.5 rebounds throughout his career. Not only is he one of the best rebounders and civilly driven person but Bill left his mark on the NBA and his game will be hard to
Veto, block, veto, block. The Secretary of Defense as they called him, stopped everything that came his way. As he once said, “The idea is not to block every shot. The idea is to make your opponent believe that you might block every shot” (Cash, Pg 9 ). Now even though Bill Russell couldn’t stop segregation completely, he helped change people’s racial and prejudice viewpoints. Bill William Russell was born February 12, 1934 in West Monroe, Louisiana. Bill was a legendary basketball player and a civil rights activist. Russell participated in several civil rights events including the March on Washington in 1963 and several public speaking events with fellow Browns running back Jim Brown. Not only that but because Bill was so active in civil rights he changed the world around him wherever he went. Bill Russell’s determination and beliefs integrated the NBA and the city of Boston. First off, Russell has won several awards for his incredible work on and off the court. (Awards off the court include the Lifetime Achievement award, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom award). The Lifetime Achievement Award is given to someone who has tremendously impacted several people and place on and off the court. For example how he changed the city of Boston and how they viewed African Americans. The Presidential Medal of Freedom on the other hand is given to individuals who have made meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavors. Russell has also won several awards on the court. Awards on the court include three MVPs, eleven Championship Rings, three time all-NBA team, and a one time all-defensive team. As Russell once said “Some of the awards Russell has won some people could only dream about winning” (Goudsouzian 78). (All-NBA team rosters are a group of best chosen players the league has to offer). Bill impacted the NBA in several ways on and off the court with his many contributions including his talent, skill, and leadership qualities. In addition, Bill W. Russell was an determined and involved civil rights activist. He participated in the March on Washington on 1963. (Russell supported and preached about MLK’s nonviolent protests). Bill was an active follower and supporter of MLK and his beliefs. He believed in equal rights and that color has no importance. Also, Russell defended Muhammad Ali. (Ali was told he had to join the Army …show more content…
11 Rings impacted the game of basketball tremendously. Bill revolutionized the term “lockdown defender”. (Bill forced all of his opponents to shoot from outside the arc because he would block everything inside the paint). Blocks and steals were not an official stat back then, but people estimate that Bill would be at the top of both of those categories for total in career. His on court basketball stats and accolades were unbelievable. (Russell recorded 14,522 points, 21,620 rebounds, 4,100 assists and shot 56 percent from the court). He was second for all-time rebounds, in the top two hundred for points, he averaged 15.1 points and averaged 22.5 rebounds throughout his career. Not only is he one of the best rebounders and civilly driven person but Bill left his mark on the NBA and his game will be hard to