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John G. Zimmerman for Sports Illustrated, via Wikimedia Commons
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Bill Russell, 1957
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“I hope I epitomize the American dream. For I came against long odds, from the ghetto to the very top of my profession. I was not immediately good at basketball. It did not come easy. It came as the result of a lot of hard work and self-sacrifice. The rewards, were they worth it? One thousand times over.”
-Bill Russell
1934 – 2022
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…..I was just a young boy when I watched Bill Russell dominate the game of basketball. Even at a young age I recognized charisma, and strength, and power. He had it as a player – I couldn’t take my eyes off him. And he had it as a man – I couldn’t help but admire him.
…..I’m 68 years old now, and thinking about Bill may be much of what I do today. I’ll reflect about the positive impact he had on me, and how his grace, humor and character influenced the way I look at the world.
…..God bless, Bill.
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Joe Maita
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Listen to the 1996 recording of Hank Jones and Charlie Haden perform “Wade In the Water” [Universal Music Group]
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