Also, he happened to be the man that Kobe Bryant asked to do the national anthem on the night of his last game.

They had a great relationship.

Flea from the Red Hot Chili Peppers here to help us celebrate Kobe, Thank you so much, friend for joining us.

We really appreciate it.

I'll just start asking the same question.

I asked Robert and Matt what memories are brought up for you.

On a day like today.

It's a flood of memories, and we know waking up today and realizing it was the anniversary of his death like I mean, firstly, just that this entire year has gone by without him.

And what a Touchstone he was for our city on a multitude of levels, you know, as an athlete.

But as an athlete, the amazing things that he did, the transcendent acts on the basketball court are It's not so much for me personally what he did.

It's how what he did made me feel.

And I think that's a universal thing.

It's what what it made us all feel.

It's like when someone dedicates themselves to a craft so completely and transcends so profoundly, it satisfies a yearning and all of us, because every one of us, every one of us, yearns to be better.

When you're in to be better as human beings, as friends, as you know, as as lovers as whatever field ran, whether it's arts or academics or athletics or whatever our labor is of life, we all yearn to be better.

When someone shows us like how far you can take it, it's inspiring and it touches us.

And for someone like me and for the many of us that air basketball fanatics, we know that basketball is a vehicle for the most profound expression of human spirit, and and Kobe embodied that to, you know, to the furthest extent that we could ever imagine.

And I'm so grateful for him and I can't help but think back to that day, Ah, year ago, when he passed and how absolutely devastating it Waas to get that news and because we were watching the sky evolved not just, you know, as an athlete, he evolved through his career from being so arrogant, beginning Thio, bringing in his teammates in a more complete way, toe as his career evolved.

But also as a human being, you know, just became warmer and kinder and more inclusive.

And then, you know, after he retired all the work he did with his daughter and, you know, women's basketball and bringing attention to it.

How important that waas you know, gender equity in sports and and, you know, and to think back to that day like you're sitting there devastated that Kobe left us.

And then we hear that his beautiful little girl was gone and it was absolutely crushing.

And, you know, it's a time for memory and it Zaveri solemn thing, that's all.

Yeah, that's just It's so eloquently put the idea of what he made you feel that my Angela quote right, that is Kobe to a T.

And I do wanna honor Vanessa's wishes by focusing on points in his life.

And it is funny for all the championships.

For all the great moments that last night Flea that last night, I am.

So I feel just so honored to have been in the building for his final performance, and you did a lot more than that.

He asked you to be the one to do the national anthem that night.

What did that mean to you?

And just also to see him drop 60 and his exit.

What do you remember about that night?

Um, that I wanted to do a good job for him toe Honor him, Andi.

Then it was, you know, just thinking about his whole career.

I met him before he ever played a game for the Lakers.

After the draft on.

Do you know I didn't know Kobe well at all.

I was You know, I met him a few times and he was always kind and generous with his time with me.

Um, but I just wanted to honor him.

And Thio Thio do the best of my craft.

You know that I could, and as the best that I could do for him and to channel God to channel the spirits and to be a conduit for all that is good about humanity, you know, and do my best as an evolving person, uh, to honor him.

That's all I ever wanted to do in that regard.

Well, you've done that.

Certainly and more.

Thank you so much for spending time with us today.

Good to see you again.

And, uh, I know I know that Toby is in your heart.

Not just today, but every day.

Thank you.

Play.

We appreciate it.

Okay, Rachel.

Bye bye.

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