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“He is Who They Say He Is”: When Black Panther Star Chadwick Boseman Shared a Memorable Kobe Bryant Anecdote

Published 08/29/2020, 6:15 AM EDT

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Hollywood star Chadwick Boseman passed away after a four-year battle with colon cancer. He was 43 and was most revered for his role in Marvel’s Black Panther. This tragic news reminds us that life is very unpredictable, triggering us once again about the untimely demise of Kobe Bryant. As a matter of fact, Boseman and Kobe both knew each other personally.

After Kobe’s air accident, Boseman remembered the Lakers legend through a beautiful anecdote from when the two met at a party. He revealed how Kobe left a lasting impression on everyone he met. Such anecdotes remind us repeatedly about the greatness of the five-time NBA champion.

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“It was not somebody that I was best friends with or that I knew really well. But the crazy thing is that in those four conversations, when he passed, it felt like somebody that I knew,” Boseman said. 

Chadwick Boseman’s brief and powerful conversation with Kobe Bryant

Following his retirement, Kobe Bryant explored his talent in multiple fields. As a result, he began writing some beautiful poems, succeeding as an author.

Chadwick Boseman and Kobe Bryant met during a party before Kobe won his Oscar in 2018. After the meeting, Boseman felt the powerful aura that Kobe carried around with him. 

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“We were sitting in a party and talking about philosophies and poetry and guess who he was? He was like, ‘This is what I’m into right now as an artist. Not as a basketball player. This is what I’m doing right now as an artist.’

“We started talking about, ‘Yo, we should do something together,’” Boseman continued. “He was applying the same type of focus that he’s applied that basketball, as a producer or director, whatever.” Furthermore, the Black Panther star revealed how Kobe created a massive impact on him with a brief yet deep conversation.

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“He looked at me and I saw his eyes go in like he was meditating,” Boseman added. “He looked up to me and he said, ‘Two years.’ It’s like he saw the whole thing fall and he was like, ‘I need two years.’” Boseman was stunned by Kobe’s approach, which made him go to his fiance and say, “Yo, he is who they say he is.”

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Life is just so cruel sometimes, that great people like Boseman and Bryant don’t get to live longer. Boseman’s death left us shocked and knowing that he was battling cancer since 2016 is even more heartbreaking.

Rest in Power, Chadwick! Wakanda Forever!

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Written by:

Arjun Athreya

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Arjun Athreya is a senior writer at Essentially Sports and has been contributing since early 2020. Having developed an avid interest in sports at an early age, he pursued a Journalism degree and graduated from Madras Christian College. Arjun manages the Golf division and its content, and primarily covers news pertaining to the NBA as well.
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