I grew up in the heart of the Depression.

I was literally fabricated over in France and born about six months after the boat landed at Ellis Island. This was the heart of the Depression. For the first 12 years of my life we lived in a terrible ghetto on the East River.

Back then every small town had a gym, and if itseated more than 2,000 then we'd be interested in playing in it.

Sports create a bond between comtemporaries that lasts a lifetime. It also gives your life structure, discipline and a genuine, sincere, pure fulfillment that few other areas of endeavor provide.

Every jock gets up and tells the world how lucky he is. But I feel that I may be the luckiest one of all in terms of timing and being at the right place at the right moment-even though, for the last 30 years, I was told I was born 20 years too soon, for obvious reasons.

Do your best when no one is looking. If you do that, then you can be successful at anything you put your mind to

Russell joined the team in December, 1956, following the Olympics.