Bill Russell

Growing up sick in his young days in a small town in Louisiana, a grandson of someone who was freed from slavery and having few opportunities and losing his mother at fourteen. This would be enough to hold back someone in life but not this young man. From these humble beginnings, came a superstar that had the best defensive record and is considered the greatest players of all time. His name is Bill Russell. William Felton Russell was born on February 12, 1934 in Monroe, Louisiana. After, moving to Oakland he started showing progress in final year of high school.  He led the University of San Francisco to two NCAA titles before he went pro. This led to a fantastic career with Boston Celtics where he was center from 1957 until he retired in 1969. He won eleven championships in his career made other awards. Despite all his setbacks Bill Russell is most known for his shinning basketball career. However, he is also known for his activities and support of Civil rights and equality movement, something for which he won the presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011. Although Bill Russell is known for being the best basketball player, and the first African American pro basketball player. He show's hero status because of his hard work, and support of racial equality. This helped open a lot of doors for many young athletes.

Russell's hard work resulted him to be the best NBA player.  When he was growing up various obstacles affected his life, which made him decide to reach for the American dream of being successful. When Bill Russell was in middle school, he faced many situations that held him back from becoming who he was, but what motivated him to be the greatest. "Life in California, for the Russell family proved rocky.  While Charlie found good work in 1946 his wife, Kate, became quite sick with the flu and died.  Russell was grief-stricken by the death of his mother, who been his biggest advocate and pushed him to work hard in school.  In the wake of her passing he committed himself to his studies."(Bill Russell Basketball Player, Coach (1934- )). Bill Russell loved his mother Katie, he continued to keep studying along so as to make her dream of him being successful.  His mother was pushing him to study and get a best education.  Her death shock him, motivated him to work harder.  After he finished high school, he applied for many universities.  "And in the fall 1952, he tried out as a walk-on at the University of San Francisco and earned a scholarship."  (Bill Russell Basketball Player, Coach (1934- )) .  Bill Russell entered San Francisco University along with trying, doing his best to earn a scholarship.  He joined the basketball team at SFU.  His roommate, K.C. Jones who joined the basketball team also, became good friends and played together even after they graduate from the University of San Francisco.  After he got his degree, he moved to Boston and became one of the Boston Celtics team.  His rocky life made him stronger; and to become the greatest basketball player.

Bill Russell was considered the greatest defensive basketball players.  He played first at high school, but at that time no one knew who he was. Also, he was sharing number 16 with another teammate. His high school coach pushed him and told him to play basketball inside and outside school. "Russell capped his amateur career by leading the U.S. men's basketball team to the gold medal at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics." (Bill Russell Basketball Player, Coach (1934- )) .  He became famous after he joined the basketball team of San Francisco University.  Later his team got the gold medal at Melbourne Olympics.  His tall height helped him be the best defensive player on the team.  He was six feet ten inches tall and, he could jump an amazing fourteen feet over the ground. This made him go above the basket, and catch anything that came off the basket. " Russell's defensive skill had caught the eye of Red Auerbach, the coach and general manger of Boston Celtics."(Anderson, Dale).  The Boston coach wanted Bill on the team that he even traded two of his best players for him.  He knew that if Bill joined his team his team he would have a better chance at winning.  After Red Auerbach retired he suggested that bill take his spot and become the coach of the Boston team which he got two rings from coaching. So, at the beginning no one knew who he was, and after became famous a player and coach, which lead him to be a heroic public signature. 

Although Bill Russell is known for being the best basketball player, and he was also the first African American pro basketball player. He showed heroic status by his hard work and support of racial equality. This opportunity helped a lot of opening doors for many young Africa American athletes. "He went on to become the first Africa American coach in professional sports and has served as a thoughtful commentator on race, society, sports, and other issues". He wanted to prove that anybody regards of race or color, or social status their dream come true could make if they worked hard for it. He shared his experiences so that people could see the difference, and teach them how they could learn from his experiences, of segregation in sports. Another important reason to show his hero status is the awarding of the medal of honor in 2011 the highest honor that is given to a US citizens by the president Obama said "He changed the culture of all sport and the nation". This quote is very significantly because even though he faced many prejudices towards him because he was the first Africa American player with. He fought and stood up for his team, but also did not let the insults put him down. He stood up to change the sport allowing many players to come in. Even though Bill Russell we remember for being the best basketball player, but to some people he is remembered as a hero, hard-worker, great player, and inspiring person.

Anderson, Dale. "Bill Russell." Biography Reference Center. N.p., n.d. Web.

"Bill Russell." Bio.A&E Television Network, 2015. Web. 21 Mar. 2015

"Bill Russell." Contemporary Black Biography. Vol. 8. Detroit: Gale, 1994. Biography in Context. Web. 26 Mar. 2015.

"Bill Russell." Encyclopedia of World Biography. 2nd ed. Vol. 20. Detroit: Gale, 2004. 320-322. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 26 Mar. 2015.