On January 26, 2020, a helicopter crash taking the lives of 9 people, amongst them was Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna Maria-Onore Bryant. Their death sends shockwaves throughout the media. Millions who were inspired by the NBA legend send their wishes all through social media. After a private funeral, the world gathered on February 24, 2020, at the Staples Center. Surrounded by fans, family, and streamed across multiple platforms, the world was able to give one final goodbye to Kobe Bryant.
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To honor the legend and his daughter the stadium displayed both Kobe’s number (24) and Gianna’s number (2). Jimmy Kimmel opened, reminding us that we are not only gathering to honor the death of one man, but we are also here to honor the lives of the nine people that died on the day. “Today we are joined by Kobe’s teammates and rivals alike, his friends his family, his fans as we try to make sense of what happened to these nine beautiful people who were… so full of life who left behind parents, friends, co-workers, classmates, siblings, and children.” Kimmel continued, “All we could do is be grateful for the time we had with them and for the time we have left with each other.” The audience joined Kimmel in a moment of peace with everybody hugging and shaking hands with each other.
Michael Jordan was among the guest that honored Bryant. Bryant played against his childhood hero at the age of 18, even though they were competing, Bryant still asked Jordan for advice. “We talked about business we talked about family we talked about everything and he was just trying to be a better person.” Kobe and Jordan’s relationship went above mentor-mentee and became a deep friendship. “His attitude to compete and play against someone he felt like he can enhance and improved his game that what I loved about the kid, absolutely loved about the kid no matter where he saw me it was a challenge and I admired him because his passion you rarely see someone who’s looking and trying to improve each and every day not just in sports but as a parent as a husband, I am inspired by what he’s done and shared with Vanessa and what he shared with his kids.”
Kobe and Shaquille O’Neal careers will always be linked, and during the memoriam O’Neal was able to honor their long friendship. “What fill Kobe’s heart with the most pride was his role as loving husband to Venessa, a daddy to GG and Natalya Bianca and baby Capri and a loving son and brother. Kobe was a true friend and a true renaissance man.” O’Neal continued, “Kobe and I pushed one another to play some of the greatest basketball of all time, and I proud that no other team has accomplished what the three-peat Lakers have done since the Shaq and Kobe Lakers did it.”
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Throughout the night we were reminded of the life of Kobe Bryant, he wasn’t just an NBA legend who will be remembered as one of the best of all time. Kobe Bryant was also an amazing father, and his legacy will serve as a perfect example of what happens when you chase your dream and never give up.