doGOODER: Bill Walton Throws It Down for Charity

As an athlete plagued with injury throughout his entire career, NBA legend Bill Walton knows what it’s like to power through adversity to achieve his dreams. Despite the painful obstacles thrown his way, he is one of only four players in the history of the sport to ever win multiple NCAA and NBA championships, as well as become one of the NBA’s most spirited commentators. Bill Walton’s unwavering dedication to basketball is matched only by his commitment to giving back, and it is for this reason that we have named him an official charitybuzz doGOODER!

Walton established himself as a force to be reckoned with early on in his career at UCLA. Under the direction of Bruins’ Coach John Wooden, Walton played on two NCAA championship teams, was a three-time recipient of NCAA’s Player of the Year award, and an All-American athlete and scholar. He began his professional career as a Portland Trailblazer where he saw his first NBA championship, and went on to play for the San Diego Clippers and the Boston Celtics where he earned another championship ring. In 1990, Walton began a career in broadcasting and has since provided commentary and sports analysis for CBS, NBC, ABC, ESPN, FOX, MSNBC, and more.

Walton is still hard at work, using his hall of fame status and love for basketball to give back and make a difference for others. He is heavily involved with the Challenged Athletes Foundation, a nonprofit that raises funds to provide opportunities and support to people with physical disabilities so they can pursue active lifestyles through physical fitness and competitive athletics. As an athlete that has encountered these kinds of challenges himself, Walton understands the immense hardships that those with debilitating physical ailments face. In an interview with ESPN in 2010, Walton spoke about his work with the CAF, saying: “When you’ve been where I’ve been, things are never the same again. It’s important to give others that chance, to stand tall with those who can’t stand on their own…To be able to help CAF, to be able to see the joy, the exhilaration and the spirit of life come back to someone who thought it was all over—I’ve been there…All anybody wants is a chance. It’s my job to help give that chance.”

Currently, Bill Walton has teamed up with charitybuzz to raise funds for the CAF, and is giving one fan the chance to host a special event with Walton at his home in San Diego, CA, for all their friends and family. For companies, teams and groups looking for motivation, this is their shot to take! Walton’s basketball days may be behind him, but when it comes to doing good and living well for both himself and others, Bill Walton is certainly in it to win it.