Except for when it's someone like Bill Russell,

With a booming voice and high-pitched chuckle, Bill Russell screamed. He frequently laughed at anything he said that made fun

It was always a pleasure to hear Russell laugh after telling a story. Everyone around him was smiling and eager to hear

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Russell passed away on Sunday at the age of 88. He was an influential voice on social and racial issues and an 11-time NBA champion.

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President Barack Obama awarded me with the Medal of Freedom in 2011, and we spoke on the phone a few times.

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If I needed Russell for something (and it better be for something important), I had a stronger chance of talking to him.

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It was an honor for me, and not just a feast. You never cease to amaze the people you interview in this line of work.

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It was distinct with Russell. Since I was a year old when he played his final NBA season, I never covered him as a player, coach, or executive.

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Who is Russell and what does he stand for - a champion who puts his team first and has a brave social conscience -

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