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In the three years since Kobe Bryant's death, the NBA community has felt the void left by the All-Time great. While the five-time champion retired back in 2016, his repeated courtside appearances made it feel as though he was never far from the game.
Whether he was courtside with his daughter Gigi, or he was seen mentoring the next generation of players, Kobe remained a staple of the NBA. Unfortunately, three years ago, Bryant was tragically killed in a helicopter crash.
During the Celebration of Life for Kobe & Gianna Bryant, the future Hall of Famer's former agent, Rob Pelinka, shared Kobe Bryant's last words, received via text message.
As it turns out, while aboard the helicopter, prior to the fatal crash, Bryant had texted Pelinka looking to set a friend's daughter up with an internship. Despite Pelinka being in church, he responded, sensing he should respond to his longtime friend.
As fate would have it, the act of kindness would serve as Kobe Bryant's last words. You can see Pelinka's emotional speech below.
Kobe Bryant’s last text
As it turns out, Bryant’s text to Pelinka was a favor for John Altobelli, who was on the helicopter with the NBA legend. According to Pelinka, Bryant had been trying to help secure Altobelli’s daughter with a baseball internship.
The way he sees things, Bryant’s last act was one that defined his life. In his eyes, it was more than just a favor for a friend, it was an act of selflessness.“Kobe’s last human act was heroic. He wanted to use his platform to bless and shape a young girl’s future. Hasn’t Kobe done that for all of us.”
In addition, it has also come out that prior to the tragic accident, Bryant had exchanged messages with Shaquille O’Neal’a son. In the early hours of the morning that fateful day, Bryant reached out to Shareef O’Neal to make sure his longtime friend’s son was doing. O’Neal responded saying that he was trying to figure out his next move, asking Bryant how he was doing.
Later that morning, tragedy struck and the two would never speak again. To this day, O’Neal reads the exchange between the two before bed.
Guess the Lakers players!
