Bill Walton interview from 1975

In October of 1975, CBS 8 Sports reporter Jerry Gross talked to Bill Walton before he joined the Trailblazers for his second year in Portland. More than a year removed from his UCLA days where legendary coach John Wooden required Walton to have short hair and be clean shaven, the long-haired, bearded Walton talks about the most disappointing thing the media reported about him during his first year in the NBA, his reported lack of desire as a player and his thoughts on Patty Hearst.

[@chasedownblocks1736]

One of the most authentic and genuine personalities to ever play and commentate the game of basketball

[@user-sx7wo1yl7y]

Yes! The same could be said of Kareem. In fact, the parallels between Kareem and Bill are remarkable. Both highly intelligent- and not just compared to the average "jock." Both very good students, both history majors at the same outstanding academic (and sports) university. Both extremely shy and withdrawn. Both painfully aware of their physical awkwardness. Both at first wary of and rebellious toward the great John Wooden; both came to love and value and respect him like a father, despite their political and generational differences. Both obviously uncomfortable in the press limelight. Both liberal; both deeply involved in the civil rights movement, both opposed Vietnam, and both absolute terrors on the court- the epitome of basketball greatness. Let's honor and cherish Kareem while he is still with us, as we should have done to a far greater extent for Bill while he was alive. American originals, true heroes, the like of which we'll never see again...

[@chikkipop]

@@user-sx7wo1yl7y Great comment!

[@Chris-vs7jz]

⁹😊😊😊😊​@@user-sx7wo1yl7y

[@jamesmoss3424]

R.I.P. Bill Walton.

[@emceesmith6665]

One of the greatest centers, Blazers, and Deadheads to ever walk the earth. Rest in peace Mr. Walton

[@stevenh4797]

Bill was just 22 here. Calm & gracious.

[@RogerPeet]

I was 20 when We won the 1977 NBA Championship. Bill is a Hero to every Blazer fan, ever. I met him in Sept 1976. He looked like a 7ft logger. BillWalton4Ever

[@TempeSoldier123]

Wow. What do you remember most about the 70’s? What was Portland like in the 70’s?

[@markpreston6930]

@@TempeSoldier123 Lots of mayonnaise and jello.

[@TempeSoldier123]

@@markpreston6930 huh?

[@beholden1663]

@@TempeSoldier123I’m thinking it must have been very liberal and hippie. But I don’t know I’m just guessing

[@TempeSoldier123]

@@beholden1663 yeah, not sure what they mean.

[@JerichoMile4]

6'11 Bill Walton with such a calm demeanor !!! Lenny Wilkens was coach of Porland Trail Blazers (1974 - 1976)

[@Jaycee604]

🙏🏿RIP BIG MAN! YOU WERE A GREAT MAN AND A LEGEND!

[@MA_808]

gone far too soon....he was a beast on the court and a gentle giant off of it....sad to see him gone....

[@theofficialgreenkane9645]

I’ll always remember him for 2 things- The in-game announcer for NBA Shootout 2003, and commentary during the Pistons-Pacers Brawl

[@waupfoo]

Legend! Besides his career as a player I really enjoyed his commentary during games. He kept you glued to the game and knew the players well. I bet he is really enjoying being back home👍👏🙏Thanks for all the memories!

[@zackwolfe2532]

Had the pleasure to meet Bill a few times. Such a nice guy, gave me a neck ache to talk to him and I’m 6’ 2! Talked basketball, Cavs, and the dead! Grate guy and he will be gratefully missed

[@mark11967AD]

Sure not the same guy we would see later and for decades. More quiet and reserved and had a bit of a stammer/stutter he had to overcome. Bill certainly loved people and had tons of friends. And he entertained millions. Not sure what more you can ask for. RIP Sir.

[@13madvillain]

He was definitely an advocate for stuttering (speech impediment) but he went with the punches and made the best of every opportunity. I met him on a plane from Burbank to Portland two years ago and we chatted quickly about stuttering which has impacted me all my life. Bill Walton's loss is immense for me. He was something else. RIP.

[@robinsondevor7124]

Love Bill. Calm, confident, humble. What a great person and inspiration to us all.

[@silewis9396]

Well said 🙂 a 1 of 1 I'm glad I was around the same time as.

[@Dillingham-]

Wonderful to watch this and know he eventually found his voice. Travel well, Bill Walton.

[@rnewman3]

I wished they asked Politicians questions like this in 2024. RIP To the Legend Bill Walton!

[@teamcamel1755]

One of the best interviews 😊

[@jackj5368]

This interview? You think this was one of the best interviews? Seriously? Leads me to wonder how many interviews you've had the pleasure of listening to.

[@jackj5368]

If you're interested in Bill Walton content and you want to watch irrefutably the "best" Walton interview, search KZbin for the video titled: "BILL WALTON - SPORTS CENTURY". You're welcome.

[@thefirstdude]

I was thinking this has to be one of the worst interviews. The only thing the interviewer was looking for was dirt. No insights into Bill’s game or plans.

[@donlitt]

Rip to a legend. I’ve seen a bunch of old bill Walton vids ever since he passed. Sidenote, I swear microphones were built better 50 years ago, the audio quality here is crazy

[@cbs8sandiego]

Bill Walton and sons play basketball at home 1994: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iaKzg2migMRobMk

[@sarahcobetto5613]

The best passing bigman in the game,before, Jokic.

[@user-cs3hi8zp7p]

Arvydas Sabonis topped them all in the passing dept! Look up his highlights💪😎👍

[@impassable]

Similar games but Bill didn't have the three point line his whole career so he didn't shoot outside as much as Nikola, but both great players

[@shashishekhar----]

​@@user-cs3hi8zp7pnah

[@mysteriowc]

If this guy never had injuries he would have been even more dominant than he was in her prime.

[@billrose2202]

Bill was the Big Chill

[@3ofus135]

So calm, shy, and likeable.

[@cbs8sandiego]

Clippers picture day 1979: kzbin.info/www/bejne/lYqXfJtjg7tgq80

[@cbs8sandiego]

San Diego Clippers become Los Angeles Clippers 1984: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r3_Jf59_h7SHm68

[@cbs8sandiego]

Bill signs with Clippers: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rnK0ZKynnal1d8k

[@hardIIfind]

Bill Walton: A presentation of peace. May the almighty keep you safe on your travels to the next destination good man

[@cbs8sandiego]

San Diego Clippers Ticket Sales after Bill Walton signs: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mZmypYp4jrSlq6M

[@72stones43]

In 75, 76 and 77 I smoked pot at the start of every game, we averaged 76 points a game, won our sectional 101 to 97 in regulation, didn’t waste time scoring.

[@johnjaco5544]

What a great guy,your missed.

[@erichvonmolder9310]

I remember when people would be upset about your haircut or the clothes you wear, that isn't the case anymore, which is a very good thing.

[@jaysonb.6669]

now people dress like slobs in public & look like circus freaks, real progress lol

[@albertol9654]

Imagine being a young man in America, in the 70s.. Must of been crazy good 🤘

[@davidharden7575]

Wow, what a brilliant man.

[@put04life14]

He was so shy back then 😊

[@kevinshell8392]

Big Red 🙏🏿

[@KieraSoBlessed]

Wow bill looked so cool with his hair back then u are truly missed sir such a legend rip😢

[@kikovazquez7277]

Bill Walton has been my favorite sports personality by a light year. I had the privilege of living a two minute walk from his house in Portland when I was also new to Oregon. Bill shared the house he lived in with radical jock activist Jack Scott and his wife Micki who were referenced in the interview - so Bill is being uncharacteristically coy in responding to those questions. Most don't remember or are too young to know that Jack notoriously drove Patty Hearst across the USA when the FBI and other agencies were turning California upside down looking for her after the bank robbery that she participated in with the Symbionese Liberation Army - but she was in Jack's car racing across America from the Redwood forests to the Gulf Stream Waters (actually Hearst ended up in the Catskill Mountains in upstate New York). I never saw Scott around the neighborhood as I did Bill, but met him at a couple of events where he was doing presentations and taking questions. Bill Walton had a front row seat to the madness of those times.

[@austinchaney1103]

I was born in 97 my gpa 47. My gpa passed away last year on 2023. Anyway my grandpa would always tell me how good Bill Walton was back in the day. I remember Bills son was on the Lakers with Kobe when I really started getting into basketball

[@TayDays1128]

I know Walton's hairdo was giving John Wooden a heart attack

[@PInk77W1]

Wooden told him to get it cut. Walton started to argue Wooden “We’re gonna miss u Bill.” Walton jumps on his bike and rode to the closest barber

[@stephenburpo7755]

If he ate meat, he probably would have spent less time on the injured list.

[@redpooljack777]

Most likely.

[@brianwood7237]

I was 5 in 75 This guy was my first sports hero But then again, I was born n raised in Marin County

[@marcellbrickey348]

This is GREAT. "I don't think I would submit myself to interviews like this if I didn't want to play basketball." The interviewer was pretty forward but that is what good journalists have to be, especially in the tight windows they have. Bill was gracious.

[@TomM-wc3eo]

I knew Bill Walton as ‘Grateful Red’, a devoted Deadhead. Seems he was a well know basketball player too.

[@countd5955]

Love Bill Walton.

[@triple6wolfi]

I think you got a good team there as well Mr. Walton

[@al.n.darodda6183]

The reporter is Jerry Gross

[@INeedABlessingNow]

Thanks for this retro interview CBS 8 San Diego. I never before had seen this version of him. This was really interesting for me to see such a mild-mannered young Walton compared to the more exuberant older announcer that I remember.

[@tracyelsinger1088]

You can't convince me that that's not the Geico caveman

[@edwardwhakatihi1226]

RIP Chill Bill

[@rizmacadillac]

Mostly, I simply watched Bill Walton play ball. He had a great Coach in John Wooden and a great team in UCLA. I was surprised to hear him claim to be vegetarian but I can't honor the man this way. Thanks for the memories and for always attempting to live life to the fullest. Basketball has always been an interest of mine and I appreciate your contribution to the game.

[@justinstevens7000]

Legend

[@ReneRenteria-ke6vg]

🙏🏀🏆💯R.I.P 💯💯💯💯🙏

[@P_Sandhu]

Bill was the original teen wolf

[@charlesbromberick4247]

spaced out hippie hero of mine

[@brianarbenz1329]

RIP, Bill, the friend I never met. You were great. And as someone who became a vegetarian 25 years ago and will remain one for life, I identify with your love of that lifestyle. Same for your high post passing wizardry, great defense and blocking out, and those great outlet passes. That's the best of center play.

[@fishmonger6879]

Some think if Bill would have eaten grass fed beef and Copper river Chinook Salmon he would not have suffered from those injuries.

[@shashishekhar----]

Rip Big Bill Walton

[@stephenmorton8017]

A bunch of dumbass question from some square peg in 1975.

[@nevadadesertrat267]

He was Vegetarian. That explains the injury's. NDR

[@mortenpotzdidler2790]

Supposedly, he got in huge fights with Jack Ramsay about his diet. I tend to think that Jack was right.

[@fourthofseven]

Get real. His bone problems were congenital & had zero to do being a vegetarian.

[@nevadadesertrat267]

@@fourthofseven Make any claim you want. Processed foods are not healthy for you. And vegetarians tend to eat processed protein among other processed crap. I am living proof you can over come a congenital health issue by eliminating processed foods. And making a diet more Alkaline. NDR

[@redpooljack777]

​@@fourthofsevenThe effects of which were likely exacerbated by his poor dietary choice of nutritionally starving himself; especially for the dietary requirements of a body as large as his.

[@chuckw1021]

When the Clippers got him they had an airplane written in the sky "WALTONS BACK" . I could see it from La Mesa

[@TempeSoldier123]

Wow. What was San Diego like in the 1970’s? During that time, did you realize how iconic the times were or were you just living life day to day?

[@benjaminbritt7862]

Man I bet he was thrilled to finally be able to play and do well just to shut up all the dumb probing questions about Patty Hearst

[@mikehunt6218]

Rest in peace big guy ⚡💀🎸☠️⚡

[@donlitt]

Rocking that neck beard!

[@lightmaker2144]

He was so high lol GOAT Status

[@thecantankerouscollector]

I imagine he saw JAWS a few months before this interview. One of the Trail Blazers best players ever. RIP Bill Walton

[@bradlafferty6076]

Bill the hippie

[@jerrymcfarland56]

What a great guy...even the press back then we're looking for negative...

[@memory-nownow-anticipation7087]

RIP. Where can i watch the entirety of this excellent interview ?

[@DabsDad]

Big Red! RIP - Sleep in the Stars

[@adamsmith583]

😢

[@lindseywalker6925]

Thank you Boston Celtics for giving Big Red his last hurrah!!!

[@thunderking8925]

Portland should draft this guy.

[@bryanburnap4537]

Bill being asked about Patty Hearst :) classic

[@Casinogames2134]

Great player. UCLA seasons probably best ever college player

[@chrisboston]

How much weed did he smoke that summer? 😂 😆

[@trevorphilipsindustries3142]

Rip but he looks just like the Geico caveman here

[@MA_808]

he was a beast...no doubt

[@drewali7]

know he was a strange lookin'

[@lindseywalker6925]

Rumor has it Bill actually asked John Wooden if he could smoke pot before playing.

[@BushiBato]

i hope it is true in this case

[@robertmasina7388]

It seems like he was a free spirit.

[@catcountry0099]

He was a hippie

[@silewis9396]

The ultimate free spirit

[@afridgetoofar1818]

2:39. Stuttering problem

[@JJONNYREPP]

0952am 28.5.24 i think you showed this before,....

[@peterdvideos]

What’s your thinking about Patti Hearst??????

[@reidjohnson3976]

longer hair-beard-the oregonian

[@timcollins3794]

Sarah, jokic and bill good passers but it is obvious you never seen larry bird play.

[@EEman-mx8mg]

Dang, good bye Bill

[@lunastargoddess1632]

Interesting he died from Colon Cancer and not eating meat?

[@jamesstewart8377]

The real Teen Wolf.

[@jarrodmcdermott9109]

Teen wolf

[@user-ry7ze3ny9k]

😎😁🤣😎👍👏💪🙏

[@r3tr0actiongamer24]

It's a shame he missed entire seasons and plenty of games due to injuries.

[@Zeus2024-pn2ht]

Crazy to see interviewers never got any better over the years. Still asking stupid questions.

[@bigc2626]

Arguably one of the biggest stars in basketball at the time and look how he handles himself. So polite and professional. The stars of today, with the profanity when talking to the media, they should be embarrassed.

[@pistolpete8231]

Biggest star? WHAT???

[@TheLastWalenta]

Where is Karl Malone?? RIP Bill.

[@catcountry0099]

What's this gotta do with Karl?

[@TheLastWalenta]

@@catcountry0099 I guess if you don’t know, you don’t know.

[@josephwirtel8765]

Laid back dude

[@TB-sg5bk]

Goes to show your health, eating habits and morals have nothing to do with your life span

[@770WT]

Walton may have passed earlier if he had a unhealthy diet .

[@TB-sg5bk]

@@770WT nah you’re a fool.

[@lindseywalker6925]

It was said back then that his refusal to eat meat (protein) is the reason for his constant, continual feet injuries.

[@johnrichardson7280]

And it is no truer now than it was then.

[@TheEsquireOfSports]

Congenital and structural bone issues, meat wouldn't have helped (even though that statement is generally true outside of congenital defects).

[@wgsuperstar7730]

Now we know why he had an incredibly injury plagued career. Soy boy diet

[@markpreston6930]

That reporter is a rigid '70s kook. People think that was a great time. It sucked.

[@michaelgpartridge2384]

Hard to forget how dreary and smelly those times were if you lived through them…

[@DORAEMON-bw8jk]

GEICO caveman.

[@drewali7]

he was one strange lookin' ......................