2015年11月30日,在洛杉矶湖人队主场迎战印第安纳步行者队的比赛上,到场的18997位主场球迷都收到了一封信。这是科比特意送给球迷的一份礼物。且让我们来听听他对球迷的“真情告白”。
When we first met I was just a kid.
Some of you took me in. Some of you didn't.
But all of you helped me become the player and man in front of you today.
You gave me confidence to put my anger to good use.
Your doubt gave me determination to prove you wrong.
You witnessed my fears morph1) into strengths.
Your rejection taught me courage.
Whether you view me as a hero or a villain2), please know I poured every emotion, every bit of passion and my entire self into being a Laker.
What you've done for me is far greater than anything I've done for you.
I knew that each minute of each game I wore purple and gold3).
I honor it as I play today and for the rest of this season.
My love for this city, this team and for each of you will never fade.
Thank you for this incredible journey.
当我们第一次相遇,我还只是个孩子。
你们中有些人接受了我,有些人没有。
但你们所有人都给予了我帮助,使我成为如今这个站在你们面前的球员和男人。
你们给了我信心,让我得以善用怒火。
你们的怀疑让我下定决心去证明你们是错的。
你们亲眼见证了我化畏惧为力量。
你们的拒绝教会了我勇敢。
无论你们视我为英雄还是恶棍,请相信,我倾注了每一丝情感、每一分激情以及我的全部,来成为一名“湖人”。
你们为我所付出的远胜于我为你们所做的一切。
这一点,在每一场比赛我身披紫金战袍征战的每一分钟里,我都铭记于心。
这一点,在我今天的比赛和本赛季剩下的所有比赛里,我都引以为荣。
我爱这座城市,爱这支球队,爱你们每一个人,这份爱永不会褪色!
谢谢你们陪我走过这段不可思议的旅程!
1. morph [m??f] vi. 变化
2. villain [?v?l?n] n. 坏人;恶棍
3. 此处指洛杉矶湖人队的紫金色比赛队服。