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Convinced that Richard Nixon is part of the problem, Walton wrote to the White House, urging the President to resign after the firing of Special Watergate Prosecutor Archibald Cox. ("Thanking you in advance for your consideration in this matter," Walton's message concluded.) Ten of his U.C.L.A. teammates signed the letter, and Walton even sought Wooden's signature. "Come on, John," Walton appealed, "you've paid your dues as a citizen." Wooden refused, although he said that he endorsed the letter's sentiments.
Sunshine Boy. Walton recognizes that some of his attitudes and activities may be a passing phase. "My life is a progression of ideas being constantly developed, often revamped, sometimes discarded," he says. Dressing like "street people" and talking like a radical may be manifestations of the process. "That's part of the process of coming to age, and I'm not about to fight it."
One thing that Walton has never fought in himself is the original California sunshine boy. Whenever possible, Walton gravitates to the beach or goes backpacking in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Since childhood, he has spent weekends exploring the brooding canyons at the edge of the Mojave Desert. Most of all, Walton loves to ride his bike, which he calls his refuge. It was also almost his death. While riding to school last summer, Walton was stung by a bee and came close to dying from an allergic reaction to the sting. Only a quick injection of antitoxin saved his life. Now whenever Walton mounts his oversize, custom-made British Falcon racer, he carries a hypodermic.
Walton takes his cycling seriously. On a recent weekend he worked out at a local track with Bike Racer and Friend Norman Hill, spinning around the steeply banked oval like a veteran competitor. "I love it," announced Walton. "I'm really going to get into racing after I graduate."
Bill Walton picked up his affection for all sorts of contests at an early age. His father Ted, a San Diego welfare department official, and his mother Gloria nourished a competitive atmosphere at home for their three sons and one daughter, all of whom now stand at or over 6 ft. The senior Waltons sponsored foot races up the long hill to their house and contests to see which child could hold open a spring clothespin for the longest time. There was one affair that Gloria still remembers well: "Ted offered a dollar to the first kid who could touch the ceiling with his hand. We had them jumping like maniacs, covering the ceiling with smudges. The contest ended when Bill began touching the ceiling with his elbows."
Bill's athletic career did not begin in earnest until his junior year at Helix High, when he reached the height of 6 ft. 7 in. With Walton teamed with his older brother Bruce (now a reserve tackle for the Dallas Cowboys) Helix turned into a basketball powerhouse. In Bill's senior year, the team finished 33-0, and college recruiters poured into town. Walton finally settled on U.C.L.A., where his brother was already a freshman.