Two black players,
Sam Jones and
Satch Sanders, went to a coffee shop at the
Phoenix Hotel on arriving in town, where a waitress refused to serve them. "I'm sorry but we don't serve Negroes," NBA champion Boston Celtics were told.[3] Later, Hawks player
Cleo Hill was also denied service. The Celtics players informed
Bill Russell of this incident, and the three along with K.C. Jones,
Al Butler and Hawks players
Woody Sauldsberry and Hill decided to leave Kentucky in protest.[4] Coach
Red Auerbach argued the players should stay, but ultimately agreed to drive them to the airport.[5] On arriving in Boston, Russell stated to the media: "Negroes are in a fight for their rights – a fight for survival in a changing world... I am with these Negroes."[6]