Ailing Bill Walton’s Apologies and $1000 Check Opens Floodgate of Memories for Emotional Sportscaster

The last 24 hours have brought a few unheard stories of the NBA legend Bill Walton, who passed away at the age of 71 due to cancer. Despite owning an incredible resume, the Portland Trailblazers icon has always been humble about his achievements, marking all the reasons to be cherished. While many shed light on his physical struggles, American radio host Rich Eisen decided to share a memorable story about Walton and his hilarious $1000 check. 

Eisen and Walton got to know each other when the latter entered the broadcasting world after his retirement. In 2017, Walton who was going to downtown LA needed a huge favor. The car that he booked got delayed, and this is where Eisen got an opportunity to help the 2x champion. However, there was a small problem. 

Eisen told Walton, “Bill, I’ll take you“, but the Blazers icon replied, “I gotta bring my chair“. Eisen detailed about the chair, “We are walking down the Flower Street in Los Angeles, watching Bill Walton toddle along with his massive chair in front of him. It’s made of metal.” The problem was both the chair and Eisen’s car. The 54-year-old radio host said, “I had this Tesla Model S with a hatchback in the back and I’m thinking to myself, there may be an issue fitting this chair in the car.” However, Eisen took up the challenge and fit the chair inside his car. As he and Walton walked back to the front seat, they heard a crack. 

The windshield had broken, and the guilt started to hit Walton. Eisen said, “The entire half-hour ride, Bill Walton…was apologizing. ‘I cannot believe this happened, I’ll pay for it.'(Eisen imitated Walton)”  Eisen denied taking a single penny from Walton, and the highlight is that he took back home the broken windshield, in memory of the Blazers legend.

In the above video, Eisen showed the broken windshield, as he continued, “Two weeks later, I received at home, an envelope“.  It was a $1000 cheque and a letter. 

What did Bill Walton write in his hilarious letter to Rich Eisen? 

“Please Rich, Sorry to ruin your life, your career, and your car, all in such a brief period of time“, was the first line of the letter. Wouldn’t that put an instant smile on your face? Walton also thanked Eisen for doing such a huge favor and gave a check for $1000, which Eisen never cashed out. 

Eisen said, “I immediately contacted to tell him, I’m not cashing anything. Here it is on my hands today.” The 54-year-old revealed he would never be chasing the cheque and the note would stay with him, alongside the memory of the cracked windshield with Bill Walton until the final days.

This is just one of the stories about Walton. Eisen has a few more memorable moments with the NBA Hall of Famer, but this must have been the one closest to heart. 

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato had to say about the marketing genius, watch this video: