Just three months before, Anthony Sadler had been wearing that same purple and gold “Los Angeles Basketball” shirt when his life — as well as those of the people around him — changed for good.
Sadler and lifelong friends Alek Skarlatos and Spencer Stone were on a train heading from Amsterdam to Paris on Aug. 21 when they foiled a terrorist attack by a man armed with an AK-47.
“Our seats were for first class, but we got on and were too lazy to move,” Skarlatos said. “But the Wi-Fi was bad, so we ended up moving to first class, where our tickets were for. Of course, that’s the car that he walked in. Just a twist of fate.”
On Sunday, the trio was honored by the Lakers before and during their home game against Detroit. Prior to tipoff, they received a tour of Staples Center and were presented with custom Lakers jerseys during a brief press conference.
Team president Jeanie Buss hosting train heroes Spencer Stone, Alek Skarlatos & Anthony Sadler at tonight’s game
A photo posted by Los Angeles Lakers (@lakers) on Nov 15, 2015 at 5:22pm PST
Sadler jokingly described himself as a “traitor” for growing up Lakers fan in his native Sacramento, while donning that same shirt he had on back on that high-speed train.
“I just happened to be wearing this shirt on that day,” he said. “I thought it was just appropriate to wear it today. I’ve always been a Lakers fan. It’s really cool to be here. It’s something I never thought I’d do.”
Before the game, the trio also met Sadler’s favorite player, Kobe Bryant. But the NBA legend was the one offering praise after the final buzzer.
“We all think that in those types of situations we would behave the same way,” Bryant said. “But once you’re in that situation, it’s completely different.
“For those guys to just unconsciously react and not think about themselves, but think about protecting others, is a story that should be sung every single day. Those are true role models.”
The three men were given a standing ovation from the sold-out crowd when honored at mid-court, and Sadler took the game’s half-court shot after the third quarter.
Stone described the night as “one of the coolest experiences” among many that have presented themselves over the past few months. But that was before the most memorable moment had even happened.
Late in the fourth quarter, Bryant hit a 3-pointer that sealed victory for the Lakers. In the ensuing celebration, he went over to Sadler and Stone, who were sitting courtside together, and slapped high-fives.
“That was a great moment,” Bryant said. “They were encouraging me all game. I figured I wouldn’t sit down and made sure I’d dap them up.”
