Bill Russell to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom

Stefan S · 02-12-2011, 06:10 PM

Not sure where to put it (moderators maybe "other players" thread)?
But the guy is iconic and the award is such a great honor.
Perhaps it deserves its own thread.

Quote:

Indomitable Russell Values One Accolade Above the Rest
By GEORGE VECSEY
Published: February 12, 2011

Personal honors never meant much to Bill Russell, one of America’s most successful athletes, with 2 college titles, 1 Olympic gold medal and 11 — count ’em, 11 — N.B.A. championships with the Boston Celtics.

Bill Russell has stayed away from the Basketball Hall of Fame, he said, because he represented team play, not individual accomplishment.

Bill Russell with Red Auerbach in 1964. Russell won 2 N.C.A.A. titles, an Olympic gold medal and 11 N.B.A. championships.
He has never visited the Basketball Hall of Fame, where he was the first black N.B.A. player enshrined, in 1975. He has his reasons; he always does.

Given his blast-from-the-past ’60s positions on race and just about anything, Russell is often asked about his reaction to the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which he will receive from President Obama on Tuesday, as will former President George H. W. Bush, Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany, Stan Musial and 11 others.

Is this the greatest personal honor in his life?

“A close second,” Russell replied...

the rest here
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/13/sp...ssell.html?hpw

Stefan S · 02-12-2011, 06:14 PM

By the way, here is a poem, mentioned in the essay above, Tom Meschery dedicated to Russell:

Quote:

I have never seen
an eagle with a beard
but if there is
in some strange
corner of the world
and the Hindu
belief is true
you will return
and beat your wings
violently
over my grave

Read more: Nestle - Remember When

Inbetweengame · 02-12-2011, 08:23 PM

Bill Russell is one of those guys who I point foreign friends to when they offer their many and accurate criticisms of America. I can point to him and say, "Look this is an American most of us fall well short of the mark but this is an American."

Gomer · 02-13-2011, 05:10 AM

Well, Russ is an example of an amazing human being period.

hack · 02-13-2011, 02:50 PM

Seems only fair that Will Bynum get the same benefit of the doubt extended to Bill Russell. Bynum is very popular at The Palace on game nights.

detroitsportsfan · 02-13-2011, 08:57 PM

hack the mocker. hack the fools gold of the forum. do you have any other talents?

hack · 02-13-2011, 10:32 PM

Making do with the material I'm given.

detroitsportsfan · 02-13-2011, 11:22 PM

True Fools Gold.

hack · 02-13-2011, 11:30 PM

I am the Chris Webber of journalism? I'll take it.

Money23 · 02-14-2011, 01:06 AM

You're better in the clutch.

Stefan S · 02-14-2011, 01:16 AM

At least, funnier!

detroitsportsfan · 02-14-2011, 01:17 AM

You're like the washed-up Chris Webber as a Piston. Take that!

Quote:

Originally Posted by hack

I am the Chris Webber of journalism? I'll take it.

Lou Stefanic · 02-14-2011, 09:26 AM

Somewhere, there's a David Khan/Darko/Webber joke here, but I can't quite put it together . . .

hack · 02-14-2011, 10:11 AM

If there's a delicate or controversial question that has to be asked within the next 1.3 seconds then I am there calm and ready. To prepare myself mentally, I sometimes envision myself successfully asking the question.

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02-12-2011, 08:23 PM	#3
Inbetweengame Water Boy Join Date: May 2009 Location: Taichung, Taiwan Posts: 931 : 0 For This Post 0 Total	Bill Russell is one of those guys who I point foreign friends to when they offer their many and accurate criticisms of America. I can point to him and say, "Look this is an American most of us fall well short of the mark but this is an American."

02-13-2011, 05:10 AM	#4
Gomer Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 16 : 0 For This Post 0 Total	Well, Russ is an example of an amazing human being period.

02-13-2011, 02:50 PM	#5
hack Starter Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 11,065 : 0 For This Post 0 Total	Seems only fair that Will Bynum get the same benefit of the doubt extended to Bill Russell. Bynum is very popular at The Palace on game nights.

02-13-2011, 08:57 PM	#6
detroitsportsfan Bench Player Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 1,511 : 0 For This Post 0 Total	hack the mocker. hack the fools gold of the forum. do you have any other talents?

02-13-2011, 10:32 PM	#7
hack Starter Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 11,065 : 0 For This Post 0 Total	Making do with the material I'm given.

02-13-2011, 11:22 PM	#8
detroitsportsfan Bench Player Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 1,511 : 0 For This Post 0 Total	True Fools Gold.

02-13-2011, 11:30 PM	#9
hack Starter Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 11,065 : 0 For This Post 0 Total	I am the Chris Webber of journalism? I'll take it.

02-14-2011, 01:06 AM	#10
Money23 Sixth Man Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: F-f-f-f-Flintown Posts: 3,941 : 0 For This Post 0 Total	You're better in the clutch.

02-14-2011, 01:16 AM	#11
Stefan S Starter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: South Texas Posts: 8,259 : 0 For This Post 0 Total	At least, funnier!

02-14-2011, 09:26 AM	#13
Lou Stefanic Sixth Man Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 3,576 : 0 For This Post 1 Total	Somewhere, there's a David Khan/Darko/Webber joke here, but I can't quite put it together . . .

02-14-2011, 10:11 AM	#14
hack Starter Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 11,065 : 0 For This Post 0 Total	If there's a delicate or controversial question that has to be asked within the next 1.3 seconds then I am there calm and ready. To prepare myself mentally, I sometimes envision myself successfully asking the question.