Bill Russell Interview - Bill plays the word association game on the Dick Cavett show

Legendary Boston Celtics big man Bill Russell was something of a staple on television novelty shows in the 1970s. It was not all that uncommon for him to make appearances on sports-themed game shows and even the popular eponymous broadcast television talk show hosted by Dick Cavett.

Unlike his game show appearance with fellow Celtics that saw Russell use his encyclopedic knowledge of sports to help his team win, there was nothing to compete for in his “Dick Cavett Show” appearance. Just a chance to see a lighter side of the Celtics icon in some friendly banter with the show’s host.

Perhaps a bit of a departure by the USF product’s on-court persona known for dominating games with his sheer force of will and hyper-athletic defense, the show plays off of his reputation as an intimidating force inside.

Watch the clip embedded above to see the episode in question, courtesy of the CLNS Media “NBA History & Legends on CLNS” YouTube channel.

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