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Walton Is Nonconsumer To Protect WALTON, From Di direct hints from the team that they wish that my diet was different. Q. From the owners? From the trainers? A. From the management of the team, through my friends and attorneys. Q. Are there other players in pro basket- ball that you know of who share your con- cero for proper food? A. There's a few. I'm sure there are more than I know personally who are into foods and know enouch about foods to be healthy. Those J know are John Brisker, Nea) Walk. Ralph Simpson, Keith Erickson, Connie Hawkins, Jama! (Keith) Wilkes. Q--Are these people who don’t eat meat? A—Nat necessarily, just people who have a very good knowledge of foods and their effecis on the body. and who know the difference between healthy food and poison foud. Q—There are many ‘people who believe that pro athietes are being paid too much money. Your contract has been reported to be worth over $2 million, Are athletes paid too much money? A—I think athletes in this country as 2 group are underpaid. The largest group of professional athictes in the country are big. time college football and basketball players and, at best, they only get a few thousand dollars a year (throuzh scholarships). Through circumstances. like in professional basketball, there are a few of us who make very large incomes. Still, we wouldn't he ’ paid these salaries unless the owners fclt It was in their best interest. The salaries we receive are.a reflection of the extranrdinary emphasis placed an spectator sports in this ¢ rountry and the huge sums of money our ‘labor gencrates, There are trementlous : amounts of money that are being made in the world of sports today. Unfortunately, the people who are participating in the sports, who are generating ail this income, are not reeciving the profits. It’s going -other places. Q—Who's making the money? A—Owners of ihe teams are making goney. TV is making money, you know, BS, NBC..4BC all are making money, And jme-Lifess creation, Sports Illustrated, is certainly making money. , Q—Do you find it hard to be working eal His Future hard for people who are making money at the expense of others? A—I've always found that a little bit hard ta believe, Q—Is that what's actually happening? Are people making money at the expense of others? A—That’s the way it is in the whole s0- called “free world.” People are making money off other people's labor. And that's not right, People who work should be the ones wha get paid. The people who do the . actual physical work of what has to be . done should receive the fruits or benefits of that labor. Q—Now that you're a professional and have money, do you plan to utilize the posi- i tion you are in to get your views out or to help other people and groups with similar views? A—First of all, my supposed money, like that of most highly paid athletes, is spread out In deferred payments over the coming | years. Given the economic situation in this country, no one knows what that paper money will be worth by the time T cet to see il. It may be next to worthless, and I'm preparing for that. Q—How are you preparing? A—JI'm trying to become a nonconsumer. I'm trying to evolve spiritually, physically : and in every way to the point where [’m na longer dependent an an economic system |! that | think is destroving the world and the people who live in it. I’m trying to lead a tife that involves minima! consumption of material gotds., Q—You were actively involved in working for social change while in college. Are you still potitically active? A—Rieht now the people I live with, Dick Gregory and 1 are working with Cesar Chavez and the United Farm Workers in their boycott of Gallo wince. However, untike in college, much of my energy now is going towards working out my own situalion trying to play basketball. Q-—In conclusion, is there anything else ysu would Iike to say? A—I'd like to say hi to all my brothers and sisters out there who are carrjing on the stfugrle. As Joe McDonald has been saying, “Hold on, it’s coming.” f | —in- .