On the morning of January 26, 2020, the world woke up a little colder and a little lonelier. It’s a day that changed not only American sports history but one that impacted the whole world.
It’s been one year since the tragedy that took the lives of the Los Angeles Lakers and NBA legend Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna, and seven others: Alyssa, Keri, and John Altobelli, Ara Zobayan, Christina Mauser, and Sarah and Payton Chester.
The helicopter crash occurred around 10AM right outside of Calabasas, Calif. as Kobe and eight passengers were en route to a basketball tournament. As the news rung, it was like a shot heard around the world.
No one could quite believe it — many refused to believe it — because how could Kobe Bryant die? He’s the Black Mamba. If anyone could get themselves out of an accident, it would be him. Nevertheless, the news began to circulate more and the confirmations began to snowball.
As that Sunday began to progress, Lakers and Kobe fans from all across the world started to gather together to honor the Great. In Los Angeles, the Staples Center (home of the Lakers and now a forever home for Kobe) had thousands of people mourning the loss together, but also celebrating Kobe for who he was.
An athlete. A filmmaker. A mentor. An idol. A friend. A brother. A son. A husband. A father.
Even a year later, the loss doesn’t feel real. It’s hard to believe the Lakers won the NBA title back in October and we didn’t get to see Kobe and Gianna cheering them on together––courtside of course.
Considering the greatness Kobe carried with his just name alone, it’s not surprising that the mourning and tears haven’t stopped.
“As we approach his one-year anniversary, it saddens our hearts to actually come to the realization that he’s gone,” Lakers forward Anthony Davis said about Kobe. “I know I still have trouble with it, you still just can’t believe it.”
It’s also hit harder to those that held Kobe closest to them.
“You start getting in this trance where you’re completely frozen,” Paul Gasol said to ESPN. “You’re just stuck in complete shock. You can’t believe it. I still for days, weeks, I still didn’t want to believe it.” Gasol also shared that Kobe was the closest thing to a big brother that he’s had in his life.
Vanessa Bryant and the rest of the Bryant family have asked that the NBA hold back from bringing up Kobe and Gianna’s passing in the form of tributes because the memories are too painful to deal with.
Many people have taken to social media to honor and celebrate the time we had with him and to share any Kobe stories we haven’t heard before. From outlets like Complex and ESPN to Kobe’s wife Vanessa and other NBA players like Chris Paul and Dwayne Wade, check out some of the best posts below:
Cavs pay tribute to Kobe. 💜💛 pic.twitter.com/izG2ForYmL
— House of Highlights (@HoHighlights) January 26, 2021
One year.
A tribute to Kobe, performed by @SnoopDogg: pic.twitter.com/FX9GMtcq5c
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 26, 2021
One name. One icon. One legacy.
Kobe. pic.twitter.com/6nKL7ng74m
— ESPN (@espn) January 26, 2021
Thank you God for allowing me enjoy Kobe Bryant for 20 years as a great basketball player, athlete, husband, father, philanthropist, mentor & teacher of the game to many men & women of all ages, best friend to Rob Pelinka, & brother to @jeaniebuss. pic.twitter.com/PgWY3wDzu6
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) January 26, 2021
"I told him a story about how my kid who loved Kobe, was asking me if I’d ever had an interaction with him… And Kobe said, ‘From now on, you can tell your kid that now, you and me are friends.'"
18 Journalists tell their favorite Kobe stories: https://t.co/GdeYzwlkar pic.twitter.com/AaM4UzP7yJ
— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) January 26, 2021
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Kobe had 10 rules and they’re as follows:
- Get better every single day.
- Prove them wrong.
- Work on your weaknesses.
- Execute what you practiced.
- Learn from greatness.
- Learn from wins and losses.
- Practice mindfulness.
- Be ambitious.
- #Believe in your team.
- Learn storytelling.
Kobe’s “Mamba Mentality” is one many have come to love and use. To continue to push themselves to work harder towards their dreams, to want it more than anyone else.
That’s how Kobe’s legacy is going to live on. That’s how we can continue honoring him. By waking up each day and living our lives with that “Mamba Mentality.”
Greatness is not tangible. It’s just a word.
But Kobe Bryant was the human embodiment of greatness.
How will you be honoring Kobe today? What made Kobe great in your eyes? Let us know on Twitter @celebsecrets and don’t forget to leave a reaction below.
