June 26 (UPI) — Boston Celtics legend Bill Russell flipped the bird to fellow Hall of Famer Charles Barkley on live TV during the NBA Awards ceremony.
Russell made the gesture on Monday night at Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, Calif. Barkley was on the stage with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to present the Lifetime Achievement Award to Oscar Robertson.
Barkley thanked Russell for being in the crowd. When the camera panned over the Russell, he smiled and pulled up his middle finger for “Sir Charles.”
Russell apologized on Twitter after the sequence.
“Sorry everyone, I forgot it was live TV & I can’t help myself whenever I see Charles it just is pure instinct. #birdman,” he tweeted.
Barkley, 55, played in the NBA from 1984 to 1999. The 11-time All-Star was the 1992-93 NBA MVP. Russell, 84, played in the league from 1956 to 1968. The 12-time All-Star was a five-time NBA MVP and an 11-time NBA Finals champion.
Russell had a health scare in May when he was taken to a Seattle hospital to be treated for dehydration. But he was released the next day. Law enforcement sources told TMZ that an ambulance was rushed to his home for the overnight stay.
Last year, Russell took to the stage to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award. Before giving his speech, he looked at several former players on the stage and said “I would kick your [expletive].”
The NBA legend also has a history of trash-talking Barkley.
In April he tweeted that Barkley has a better chance of getting struck by lightning than guarding him on the court. He has also made fun of his golf game. Russell still refers to Barkley as a good friend.
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