Meeting The late, Great Bill Russell

My wife and I had been discussing the Boston Celtics/Philadelphia 76ers rivalry, which was always headlined by Bill Russell versus Wilt Chamberlain. On the spur of the moment, we decided to go down to Philadelphia to see the Thanksgiving game.

I forget who won but it took us a while to filter out onto 34th St. As we went through the front door, I look to my right and there stood Wilt and Russell, in the street clothes. I couldn’t help but eavesdrop.

Wilt asked Russell “so are you coming over to my house for dinner, or are you going to eat with the team?“. Russell hesitated for minute and then said I’ll come to your house. Wilt smiles at the acceptance. A very human moment between two of the greatest players to ever play the game, who elevated the skill level of the other every time they competed. This kind of casual interaction in front of an arena by men of this stature could never happen today, and I treasure the fact that I could savor it.