Bill Walton Anecdote Shared by Rich Eisen
The Passing of Bill Walton: A Funny and Heartfelt Anecdote Shared by Rich Eisen
The recent news of Bill Walton’s passing has left the sports world in mourning, with tributes pouring in from all corners. Among those paying their respects was longtime broadcaster Rich Eisen, who shared a particularly funny and heartfelt anecdote about the legendary basketball player.
During an episode of his show, Eisen recounted a memorable interaction with Walton during their time as extras in a Katy Perry music video back in 2017. Despite not knowing Walton well prior to that day, Eisen described how the two quickly became friendly, as was often the case with the affable Hall of Famer.
The story took a humorous turn when Eisen offered to drive Walton back to his hotel after their filming session. The only problem was fitting Walton’s custom metal chair, used to alleviate back issues, into Eisen’s smaller car. After some rearranging, they managed to squeeze the chair in, but not without causing some damage.
As they heard a crack, they realized the chair had broken the windshield of Eisen’s car. Throughout the half-hour ride, Walton apologized profusely, leaving Eisen with a lasting memory of their unique encounter.
To add to the charm of the story, Eisen received a letter from Walton shortly after, along with a $1,000 check. In the letter, Walton expressed his gratitude for Eisen’s kindness and patience, despite the mishap with the windshield.
Eisen decided to keep both the letter and the check as mementos of his time with Walton, cherishing the memory of their unlikely adventure together.
The touching anecdote serves as a reminder of the impact Walton had on those around him, both on and off the basketball court. His larger-than-life personality and genuine kindness will be dearly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.
In honor of Bill Walton’s legacy, let us remember the joy and laughter he brought to those he encountered, leaving behind a lasting impression that will not soon be forgotten.
