He played high school hockey for Washburn High School in Minneapolis where he was also a standout football player. After getting a scholarship to play college football for the University of Minnesota Anderson found himself injured with a torn Achilles tendon. Thinking his athletic career was over, Herb Brooks came to the training room and told Anderson to try out for the Gopher hockey team. Russ Anderson made the team and ended up winning an NCAA Championship in 1976.
While playing with the Penguins, Anderson married Miss America 1977Dorothy Benham.[1] The couple had four children together.[2] Anderson and Benham were married for several years before divorcing. He now is remarried to Diane Anderson and they reside in Connecticut.[citation needed]