Rick Fox Wishes Kobe Bryant Happy Birthday, Reminds Him to Play Through the Gray

Rick Fox had an epiphany on Friday morning: Kobe Bryant is old, which means the former Lakers star is even older. 

Seeing as how the Black Mamba apparently doesn't hang with old people anymore, Fox decided to wish him a very happy 35th birthday via a funny YouTube video. 

The two shared seven years together on the basketball court, winning three titles for the L.A. Lakers. Purple and Gold faithful are still very fond of Fox, who was a mainstay for a highly successful run in Los Angeles. They will surely love what the 44-year-old has to offer in the form of advice for Bryant, who is coming off a horrible Achilles injury: Play through the gray. 

Some of you might be wondering what Fox has been up to since he retired in 2004. Well, the short answer is that he's been doing very well. An aspiring actor while he was playing, Fox has been in such shows as One Tree Hill, Ugly Betty and Franklin & Bash since 2004. More recently, he played the part of Darius Locke in The Glades.

Oh, and he is dating actress Eliza Dushku. 

So things haven't been all bad for Fox in middle age. OK, they have been pretty damn great, but that hardly negates all the gray taking over his face. 

And this could happen to you too, Mamba. So you would do well to continue playing until you turn into an over-the-hill player who lives on the perimeter. 

Hey, it worked for Michael Jordan, who doesn't have gray hair—or any hair, for that matter. 

Well, this has been a very kind birthday wish, as well as an important reminder from a former Laker. Thanks, Foxy. 

Hit me up on Twitter: 

Follow @gabezal