I might have been the last fan to speak to Kobe before he died.
And I filmed it. You can see it in the video above.
Here’s how it happened
Because my man Gary Vee says "document don’t create," I'm in the habit of filming everyday stuff. This particular day, January 25th, 2020, I was in a food court here in Newport Beach, with my family.
The reason I was documenting was because it happened that while we were getting dinner, my friend and LinkedIn influencer Brian Golod had a post that was going viral, and we were studying it and texting back and forth to understand why it was going crazy.
So I’m sitting here with the family and decided to start to film the scene because I was thinking of documenting the viral post and what I was learning about it.
Suddenly, I noticed a very tall person coming down the escalator in front of me.
It took me a moment, but I suddenly realized it was Kobe.
This is what you’re going to see in the video above.
So as I’m sitting there, I feel a kick - "go talk to him."
“I’m gonna kick myself for the rest of my life if I don’t talk to him,” I said to my wife as I headed his way.
My daughter ran after me.
"Dad, who is this?"
"The greatest basketball player of our time. No one like him," I told her.
We found him sitting with his daughter.
Completely, totally focused on her as she giggled over ice cream.
Like there was no one else around. Just daddy & his little girl.
“Hey Kobe, you’re amazing. I want you to know that. Thank you for all you’ve done,” I said.
Looking at me, he smiled. Extended his billion-dollar hand.
“Hey, thanks, man. I appreciate that!” he said. I could feel the calluses on his hand.
I turned to his daughter & touched her shoulder lightly. “Having a nice time with dad?”
She giggled & kept slurping.
“All right Kobe, have a wonderful evening,” I said.
“You too man!”
And that was it.
Excitedly, I texted friends, "Just saw Kobe!"
The next day was tragic, for Kobe and all the families involved.
AND I WAS SHOCKED. I COULD STILL FEEL HIS HAND. Still in shock from seeing him and then on top of that hearing that died was just too much.
Was I the last fan to speak to Kobe? I don’t know for sure. But I’ll never forget that encounter and I hope it encourages you to hug a loved one and never forget that life is short. God bless!
#kobe #kobebryant #mambamentality
23 янв 2022
