NBA legend Bill Russell was arrested on Friday after bringing a handgun into a prohibited area at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, according to KIRO in Seattle. Russell, who won 11 NBA championships with the Boston Celtics and coached the Seattle Supersonics and Sacramento Kings, had a permit for the gun and was released. His background check was clear, an airport spokesman said. The .38-caliber Smith & Wesson handgun was found at a security checkpoint Wednesday evening during routine screening of carry-on baggage, according to a statement from the TSA. Inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1975, Russell is set to have a statue unveiled in Boston on November 1.
