Born Aug. 30, 1953. He was nicknamed Chief by Cedric Cornbread Maxwell, supposedly after Chief Bromden in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, but one mustn't discount the American Indian features of Mr. Parish.

He was selected by the Golden State Warriors in the first round (eighth pick overall) of the 1976 NBA Draft. He was traded by the Warriors with a 1980 first-round draft choice to the Boston Celtics for two 1980 first-round draft choices on 6/9/80. He was then signed as a free agent by the Charlotte Hornets on 8/4/94. He was again signed as a free agent by the Chicago Bulls on 9/25/96. The Chief retired on 8/25/97.

Mr. Parish holds the Boston Celtics' franchise record for the most blocked shots in a season (214 in 1980-81) and shares the record for the most blocked shots in a game with 9 against the Atlanta Hawks on 3/17/82. The Chief holds the Boston Celtics' all-time franchise record with 1,703 blocked shots, ranks 2nd in games (1,106) and rebounds (11,051), and 3rd in minutes played (34,977) and points (18,245). He holds the career NBA Playoffs record with 571 offensive rebounds. He has appeared in 184 career NBA Playoff games, averaging 15.3 ppg, 9.6 rpg and 1.70 bpg and shooting .506 from the field. He holds the NBA career records for most seasons played (21), most games played (1,611), and most defensive rebounds (10,117). He ranks 6th in NBA history in total rebounds (14,715) and blocked shots (2,361), 5th in minutes (45,704) and 8th in field goals made (9,614).

A very big Indian, indeed. God bless you, Robert Parish. I only wish the players today had your quiet fortitude.