BOSTON Celtics legend Dave Cowens quit the NBA at the height of his career to sell Christmas trees.
The center was burned out after winning two NBA titles with the Celtics in 1974 and 1976 and being awarded the MVP award in 1973.
3
3
The center won two NBA titles and one MVP awardCredit: Getty
3
Cowens took a leave of absence from the NBA in 1976 to sell Christmas treesCredit: Getty
Eight games into the 1976-77 season, the 28-year-old Cowens decided to quit his $280,000-a-year job for an unpaid leave of absence.
He went back to the family farm in Cold Spring, Kentucky, and sold around 1,000 Christmas trees.
“It was 1976 and I was getting burned out on playing basketball, [general manager] Red Auerbach said, ‘If your heart is not into it, go. When you’re ready, come on back’,” Cowens recalled.
“So I went to my family farm in Kentucky and sold Scotch Pine trees. I was just exploring other opportunities.”
Cowens returned to the NBA two months later and led the Celtics into the playoffs.
Then one day between games in the 1977 playoffs, Cowens decided to work as a Boston cab driver to pass the time.
“I just wanted to see what it’s like,” he said.
“I paid $35 to become part of the Independent Taxi Operators Association.
“As long as you filled up their car at the end of the shift, you get to keep the fares you made.”
Despite being one of the most famous NBA players at the time, Cowens said barely anyone recognized him.
“I really wanted to show my buddy around Boston and thought it’d be a cool way and we’d have some fun,” he added.
“We picked up a few fares. We took some long routes around the city.
“That was before cable television, before all these eyes on you off the court.
“I was a free spirit then.”
Cowens left the Celtics in 1980 and retired from the NBA in 1983 after a brief stint with the Milwaukee Bucks.
He was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and named a member of both the NBA 50th and 75th Anniversary All-Time teams.
News
Adele Breaks Down in Tears as She Embraces Céline Dion at Las Vegas Concert — A Heartwarming Reunion of Two Musical Legends
The Canadian superstar also appeared emotional during the touching encounter with the British singer in Las Vegas on Oct. 26 Adele and Céline Dion. Photo: Stefanie Keenan/The Hollywood Reporter…
Ronan Keating and Robbie Williams Deliver an Emotional Tribute to Stephen Gately with ‘The Big Goodbye’—Ronan Reflects, ‘Tears Running Down My Face’
Ronan Keating was left heartbroken back in 2009, when his best friend and Boyzone band mate Stephen Gately sadly passed away at the age of just 33…
Westlife and Boyzone Unite for Heartfelt Tribute to Stephen Gately with Emotional Performance of ‘No Matter What’ as Ronan Keating Struggles to Hold Back Tears
In a remarkable reunion that sent fans into a frenzy, Westlife shared the stage with Boyzone in a moving tribute to the late Stephen Gately. The special…
Ronan Keating & Son Bring the House Down with ‘You Needed Me’ – An Unforgettable Moment at Boyzone’s BZ25 Anniversary Tour!
In a moment that will forever be etched in the hearts of fans, Ronan Keating and his son Jack Keating shared an emotional stage during the Boyzone…
Liam Payne’s Heartfelt Performance of “All I Want (For Christmas)” Leaves Fans in Tears—A Holiday Tribute That Captures the Magic of the Season
As the holiday season approaches, a deep sense of loss lingers for fans remembering Liam Payne’s final performance of “All I Want for Christmas” during the 2019 BBC Strictly…
Gary Barlow, Tulisa, Nicole Scherzinger & Dawn French – ‘Fairytale of New York’ Like You’ve Never Heard Before!
In a magical moment that captured the hearts of audiences across the UK, Text Santa 2014 featured an extraordinary performance of Fairytale of New York by a star-studded lineup: Gary Barlow,…
End of content
No more pages to load