Celtics legend Bill Russell was unable to attend a charity basketball tournament on Monday, and his absence reportedly was health related.
According to the New York Post’s Peter Vecsey, Russell has had two heart procedures within the last month, and some days are worse than others.
Bill Russell was unable to make trip to Eastern LI from Seattle. He had 2 heart procedures within last month. Some days worse than others.
— Peter Vecsey (@PeterVecsey1) September 10, 2012
Russell had been scheduled to attend the second annual MENTOR’s Champions Golf Challenge on Monday in Long Island — an event that included a celebrity roast of Russell. Russell ultimately couldn’t attend the event, which was co-hosted by actor Samuel L. Jackson and Golf Channel’s David Feherty, for “personal reasons,” but the 11-time NBA champion reportedly called into the award ceremony.
“This weekend’s event was a great way to raise money and awareness for mentoring. I am very proud that so many of my friends were able to come out and support this very worthwhile cause,” Russell said, according to CSNNE.com. “Hopefully everybody had a good time, and I look forward to getting out there to share some laughs with everybody next year.”
Hopefully, Mr. Russell enjoys a speedy recovery from his procedures.
We missed Bill Russell who is recovering from surgery. All the love in the world big man, never mind basketball, you have a truly great soul
— David Feherty (@Fehertwit) September 11, 2012
Thumbnail photo via Wikipedia/Bill Russell
