CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Charlotte community marked the one-year anniversary of Bobby Phills' death on Friday by celebrating his life and the legacy he left behind through his scholarship fund.
Phills was killed last Jan. 12 in a car accident following a
morning shootaround.
About 600 people turned out at Charlotte's Calvary Church to
honor the former Hornets' captain. The church was decorated with
pictures of Phills during his playing career, and a highlight film
was shown.
"If there's one thing I could tell people it would be to keep working hard and never let anyone deter you from your hopes and dreams," Phills said in an interview replayed in the video.
The ceremony started with Kendall Phills, his widow, lighting 10 candles for other athletes who died in 2000, including former Carolina Panther Fred Lane and Malik Sealy of the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Rev. Barbara Peacock then read a letter from Sealy's widow,
Lisa, who thanked Kendall Phills for supporting her after Sealy was
killed in a May car accident.
"You stepped into my life on May 20, 2000, like an angel," Lisa
Sealy wrote. "Perhaps Malik sent you to me because he knew you
would be my rock in his absence."
An open letter to Phills from the Charlotte Hornets was then read telling him how much the team missed him and how well they are playing this season.
"You must be whispering in their ears because they are playing with the same heart that you did," the letter said.
The Hornets beat the Bulls in Chicago on Friday night, but the organization was represented by the entire front office and the players' wives.
Carolina Panther Reggie White, an ordained minister, praised Phills for his ability to love.
White introduced Tim Storey, a minister who often works with professional athletes. Storey then told the audience that Phills' memory will live through the scholarship foundation that Kendall Phills created.
"Bobby lived a short life but will live a very long legacy," Storey said. "Bobby Phills passed away a winner, he stands on the court of champions."
Kendall Phills closed the ceremony with the video presentation, she then announced the creation of the Bobby Phills Sixth Man Award, a $1,000 scholarship that would be awarded in conjunction with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
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