Muhammad Ali visited Bob Marley on his deathbed — Bob’s final words to the champion changed everything.

—I don’t know what it is, but yes, something is wrong.

“Then learn from my mistake,” Bob said urgently. “Don’t sacrifice your life for your legacy. Take care of yourself. Rest. Allow yourself to be human. The world needs Muhammad Ali alive more than it needs another fight, another show, another performance.” Bob’s breathing became more labored. “Promise me, champ. Promise me you’ll take care of yourself. Promise me you’ll live because your children need you. Your wife needs you. The world needs you. And you can’t help anyone if you’re dead.”

Ali felt tears running down his face.

—I promise, Bob. I promise.

Bob smiled. Then he said something that would echo in Ali’s mind for the rest of his life.

—You taught me how to stand up. Now I’m teaching you how to rest. Both are courage, champ. Both matter.

Those words hung in the air between them. Two warriors. Two men who had given everything for their beliefs. One dying too young. One fighting to live longer. Bob’s voice grew even calmer.

—Muhammad, I need you to know something else.

—What, brother?

—Meeting you changed how I saw myself. You were a Black man who refused to be anything but proud, refused to be silent, refused to back down. You made me believe I could do the same with music. You made me believe one person standing up for the truth could change the world. —Bob paused— So everything I did, every song I wrote, every stage I stood on, that was partly because I saw you stand in that courtroom in 1967 and refuse to go to war. You inspired millions, champ, including me. And I just needed you to know that before I went

Ali completely collapsed. This man, this warrior, this voice of a generation was using his last breaths to thank Ali for the inspiration.