Boston Celtics Hall of Fame center William F. “Bill” Russell apologized Oct. 21 for the carrying of a loaded .38 Smith & Wesson revolver that led to his Oct. 16 arrest at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
The basketball great was taken upstairs to an office of the Sea-Tac Airport police department, where he was booked, background checked and issued a citation for having in illegal weapon at the airport. While prosecutors decide how to handle the misdemeanor, the 79-year-old was free to fly to Boston where Nov. 1 he will unveil a bronze statue of himself.
“Before boarding my flight from Seattle to Boston, I had accidentally left a legal firearm in my bag. I apologize and truly regret the mistake,” said the center in a statement issued through boston.com. “I was issued a citation by the TSA, whose agents couldn’t have been more thorough and professional when dealing with this. I really appreciate their efforts to keep air travel safe.”
