Kobe: Fans Attending Lakers-Pacers Receive Letter From Bryant (Photo)

Fans attending the Lakers game in STAPLES Center on Sunday will receive a letter from Kobe Bryant

Kobe Bryant announced that he will retire from the game of basketball at the end of the 2015-16 season on Sunday. It was an announcement that shocked Los Angeles Lakers fans and the NBA as a whole. The end was always getting closer with each passing day, but the reality of having a known, finite amount of time left watching Kobe is jarring nonetheless.

Kobe made the announcement through a poem/letter posted on The Player’s Tribune on Sunday and it was quite eloquently put. He expressed his love for the Lakers and for the game of basketball, but iterated that this season was all that he had left in the tank. It was a gesture reminiscent of Michael Jordan’s goodbye to basketball when he retired.

As a result of the announcement, Bryant had something special planned for Lakers fans attending the game against the Indiana Pacers on Sunday night in STAPLES Center. Each fan received a letter from Bryant, seen here:

The letter reads:

"When we first metI 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 morph into strength.Your rejection taught me courage.Whether you view me as a hero or a villain,please know I poured every emotion, every bit of passionand 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 gold.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.Kobe Bryant"

For a player who has always portrayed the demeanor of a warrior going onto the field of battle, it’s always fascinating to see Kobe when he allows himself to be vulnerable. This letter is a perfect example of that. Even if near 20,000 people will receive a copy, it’s a personal, heartfelt sentiment from No. 24 to the city of Los Angeles and to Lakers fans.

Next: Kobe's 5 Greatest Moments

There are 67 games left in Kobe Bryant’s NBA career. Now it’s time that we cherish and enjoy every one of them as the future Hall-of-Famer deserves a hero’s exit from the game.