I usually don’t write about things other than baseball, but today I feel a need to. Kobe Bryant has tragically passed away along with his daughter Gianna and 7 others in a helicopter crash. My thoughts and prayers go to the Bryant family, along with the other victims.
The other victims were: The pilot, 2 of Gianna’s teammates, a JUCO baseball coach, Gianna’s basketball coach, 2 of the teammates parents, and of course Kobe Bryant and Gianna.
Kobe Bryant was a legend. There is no other way to describe him. Many basketball players look up to Kobe as a role model, a hero, and a goal. The kind of things that Kobe idolized, hard work and determination, are values that many basketball players and regular people use. Kobe was the 2nd greatest player of all time in my opinion, and there is a strong argument that he is the greatest of all time.
Gianna was a very, very talented basketball player who nwas going to play with the Uconn Huskies. The Huskies put flowers on the bench in an exhibition game for Gianna.
When I heard the news, of course I was sad. Who wasn’t? But I didn’t know why I felt so sad. Kobe was a great player in my mind, but never a favorite. But I realized that it wasn’t all about Kobe, it was the 3 teenagers the past along with him, they had their whole lives ahead of them.
If something can happen to Kobe at 41, since he seemed untouchable, immortal, death can happen to anyone. It is extremely sad what has happened.
My thoughts and prayers are with the Bryant family. More articles coming tomorrow.
Thank you for your special tribute to Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna! What brought a tear to my eye and was especially moving was the fact that you recognized ALL of the people who died in that helicopter with an emphasis on those three teenagers who had their whole lives ahead of them. This article was thoughtfully written, Ben.