San Diego has lost a local legend, Bill Walton who grew up in East County and once played professionally for the San Diego Clippers died today following a battle with cancer.
We learned today basketball legend Bill Walton has died following a long battle with cancer the Beloved Hall of Famer won championships in college as well as in the NBA he was larger than life on and off the court a one-of-a-kind announcer behind the mic eccentric unpredictable and fun here's ABC's Trevor all a 6'11 free spirit Bill Walton's Legacy stands even taller Walton was one of the best to ever play the sport a two-time NCAA champion at UCLA and three-time Player of the Year picked first.
Overall in the 1974 NBA draft he won championships with the Portland Trailblazers in Boston Celtics earning regular season and finals MVP honors all while trumpeting the importance of teamwork and unselfishness you know the Cooperative Spirit of just um you know making the team a better place making the world a better place when foot injuries ended his career early Walton stayed close to basketball in an improbable second act fighting through a lifelong stutter becoming a beloved basketball broadcaster Second Chance physical nature of the wild cats known for his unbridled enthusiasm and off-the-wall tangents Bill is taking his shirt off his colorful personality matched by his signature tie-dye t-shirts a tribute to his favorite band The Grateful Dead Walton reflecting on his life and career in the ESPN documentary Series 30 for30 I am a better person today for the failure years for the problems for the injuries for the catastrophic health challenges I'm certainly a different person and Lindsay in a statement NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said Walton was a dominant force on the court but he'll most remember him for his Boundless Energy and his zest for Life Bill Walton was 71 years old Lindsay and that big smile
Walton was of course, also known for his generosity, donating his time to help local nonprofits C DS. Steve Price joins us live from the arena with a look back at Bill Walton's life. Steve and Carlo and Bar and Marcela. Bill Walton played five seasons inside this building. Then the Clippers moved up to L A. But here's the thing you can take Bill Walton out of San Diego, but you can never take the San Diego out of Bill Walton. Oh, I'm the luckiest, proudest dude in the world, Bill Walton's infectious smile gone too soon. The lamesa legend who went to Helix High School and played for the San Diego Clippers, went to college out of town and played for other NBA teams, but he never forgot his local roots.
This is a sad day and a huge loss. Cbs's former sports director, Ted Leitner calls Walton the greatest player ever to come out of San Diego in any sport. He won two national championships at UCL A two NBA championships and was enshrined in pro basketball's Hall of Fame in 1993. But it was Walton's personality off the court that scored big with those who knew him. Bill had the greatest zest for life of anyone I've ever known. Just unbelievable. Just mind boggling. You're talking about one of these guys where they talk about, gets up and opens the curtains and good morning. How you doing? I mean, and not phony, not a phony bone in his body.
He just loved life. His pro career was cut short by injuries. He had at least three dozen surgeries but he refused to let that stop him from enjoying life. Whether it's throwing out the first pitch in a Padres game or riding his bike around town, Walton was a familiar face across the county. He loved his hometown.
He was very proud of San Diego and he wanted it to be special. Former Aztecs coach Steve Fisher says Walton always made time for everyone, even strangers. He says Walton helped him promote the team land, great recruits. But that was the thing about Bill. If you were helping San Diego, he wanted to help you. If you say can you come and be at this fundraiser? He was there.
He did so much for so many people in this area, including the San Diego Y MC A which has this statue outside the facility in Mission Valley. The y issuing a statement saying in part, Walton has left an incredible mark on San Diego by being a passionate force for boundless generosity and unwavering determination to inspire those around him. Walton died following a battle with cancer.
He was 71 years old. And Walton's friends told me they had an idea that maybe he was having some health issues because he suddenly wasn't calling college basketball games at the end of the season. But Ted Leitner told me that he actually just texted Walton two weeks ago, asked him how he was doing and Walton said I'm alive. Everything is fine. Even when he knew he was dying, Marcell and Carlo, he didn't want to make things about him.
0 Comments