Justin Timberlake Reveals His Last Talk With Kobe Was About Fatherhood

People everywhere are mourning the loss of Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna. The pair died in a fatal helicopter crash on Sunday, along with seven others. In the last two days, sentiments of enjoying each moment have been cropping up all over the Internet, along with tributes to the retired NBA star. One such tribute is from singer Justin Timberlake, who revealed his last conversation with Kobe was about fatherhood.

“We met when we were both teenagers and bonded over our drive and process. I was in awe of what you could do with a basketball and knew your talent went beyond your physical gifts and stretched to your mentality,” he wrote in an Instagram post on Monday. “A mentality that I would take with me throughout my whole career and still use every day.”

He continued to say that he was inspired by Bryant’s “unwavering resolve,” through championships and injuries, yet noticed that, as the two aged, Kobe only got more patient, and it became a source of inspiration.

“You never stopped aiming to inspire me. Your confidence in me was huge—it really affected me because I admired you so much. I don’t mean as one of the greatest athletes ever. I mean as a person. People sometimes can confuse a will to win with a lack of compassion. That wasn’t you. You had both qualities,” Timberlake shared, continuing, “The last conversation that we shared was about being fathers and what that meant. That was, beyond all the things that we could do in this world, our true legacy. Who our children are and what beautiful people they will become. And, I guess right now, without being able to find all the words, THAT father connection is what is most devastating for me.

“Kobe…You have connected so many of us. The Mamba Mentality will last for all of time. I know that will be a source for me every day as it has been for so many days before. Your legacy is with us. It’s our responsibility to pass it down now,” he shared.

He ended his emotional tribute by writing, ”I hope you I can continue to make you proud, Vino. Champ, MVP, Legend, Hero, Inspiration, Father, Friend. I’m gonna miss you, brother. Mamba forever.”

Bryant stated in an interview with Barstool Sports in 2018 he prefers using private helicopters to maximize the time he has with his family. He and Gianna are survived by mom Vanessa Bryant and three daughters, Natalia, 17, Bianka, 3 and Capri, 7 months.