Kobe Bryant, one of the NBA’s most prolific stars, announced his retirement on Sunday, saying that his current season with the Los Angeles Lakers would be his last.
And he did it through an unconventional way — poetry.
"His announcement was highly unusual. It wasn’t printed in the pages of a magazine or broadcast on a live television special. Instead, it took the form of a short poem directly addressing the sport of basketball that waxed nostalgic about his days as a young player," according to Poynter.
Bryant posted his retirement poem — titled "Dear Basketball" — on The Players’ Tribune, an online media website for current and former athletes created by former MLB star Derek Jeter.
The poem gave Bryant ample room to talk about his passion and love for basketball, and explain what has motivated him throughout his 20 seasons in the NBA.
Here’s a look at seven quotes from the poem that show how his faith, family and passion for basketball drove him to success.
"From the moment
I started rolling my dad’s tube socks
And shooting imaginary
Game-winning shots
In the Great Western Forum
I knew one thing was real:
I fell in love with you."
*
"A love so deep I gave you my all —
From my mind & body
To my spirit & soul."
*
"As a six-year-old boy
Deeply in love with you
I never saw the end of the tunnel.
I only saw myself
Running out of one."
*
"You asked for my hustle
I gave you my heart
Because it came with so much more."
*
"You gave a six-year-old boy his Laker dream
And I’ll always love you for it."
*
"My heart can take the pounding
My mind can handle the grind
But my body knows it’s time to say goodbye."
*
"I'm ready to let you go.
I want you to know now
So we both can savor every moment we have left together."
*
"And we both know, no matter what I do next
I'll always be that kid
With the rolled up socks
Garbage can in the corner
:05 seconds on the clock
Ball in my hands.
5 … 4 … 3 … 2 … 1"
For more on sports and faith:
The unique spirituality of Tom Brady
5 professional athletes who stand up for their religious beliefs
LeBron James is in the finals. Would winning make him Cleveland's prodigal son?
Herb Scribner is a writer for Deseret News National. Send him an email at hscribner@deseretdigital.com or follow him on Twitter @herbscribner.