Kobe Bryant: An everlasting impact on the world

Kobe Bryant might have a complex legacy, but there’s no denying the positive impact he has had during his time on this earth.

Okay, sure we’re an Ohio State site, but Kobe Bryant and his story transcend just one team or one sport. In fact, tragedy and sports are two aspects of life that have been known to bring human beings together. In a world filled with political division and war, our communities are often divisive over a variety of topics. Tragedy or more specifically the deaths of many or an individual bring us together through grief and healing.

So yeah, we’re game in writing about something so very important. And while Bryant may have a complicated past, there’s no denying the good that he’s done.

We all make some impact during our short, fragile time alive, but some individuals are simply larger than life. Some individuals are powerful enough to inspire generations. Kobe Bryant is one of these individuals.

The tragic details of Kobe’s crash

At 9:06 on January 26, 2020, a Sikorsky S-76 helicopter departed from John Wayne Airport in Orange County California with 9 people aboard. Among these nine people were Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna. Nearly 40 minutes later, at 9:45 am, the helicopter crashed in Calabasas, California.

All nine passengers sadly perished to their deaths. The helicopter was on its way to a basketball game in which Gianna and two of her teammates who were also on board were to play in, and Kobe was to coach in.

A media frenzy ensued the crash. Sadly, TMZ reported the news before authorities could notify the victims’ families, and many other news outlets recklessly debated who else was on the helicopter. There were false claims that former Laker Rick Fox was on there, or that the entire Bryant family was on the helicopter.

Authorities would eventually confirm that Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna were on the helicopter and passed away, and identified the other 7 passengers. The entire world fell into shock, sadness, and mourning.

Kobe Bryant’s impact on the court and off

Yes, Bryant was a 5-time NBA champion and 2-time Finals MVP, and also win the Most Valuable Player Award once. Yes, he was an 18-time all-star, 11-time First Team All-NBA, and 2-time scoring champion. He has been dubbed the greatest Laker of all time by many, even other Laker greats such as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Magic Johnson.

However, Kobe Bryant was so much more than an all-time great basketball player. He was Oscar winner, a writer, a philanthropist, a husband, and what he viewed as most important, a father. He was the next generations’ Michael Jordan, and inspired countless adolescents to the point where you had to shout “Kobe” when throwing a piece of trash away.

Some hated Kobe for his hyper-aggression with the basketball and mistake his tenacity with selfishness. Most, however, loved him for his passion for life, work ethic, desire to succeed, and his ability to inspire millions. Athletes and coaches alike revered him.

Not only in basketball was he respected, but in all sports. Former Ohio State coach Urban Meyer posted a heartfelt tribute on his twitter just yesterday referring to Bryant as an “elite warrior” and someone he always used as an example to the Buckeyes as someone who was a great leader and competitor, who was tenacious with his legendary “Mamba Mentality”.

An all-time great like Meyer saw what everyone else in Kobe and what every person needs to succeed: a love for life, a passion that fuels your dreams, and work ethic to match.

Other notable athletes such as Shaq and Lebron praised Bryant for his ability to impact the world, and spoke of his character. Bryant was already accomplishing so many great feats post-basketball, as his writing of “Dear Basketball” won him an Oscar, and he had begun to build the game of women’s basketball up even more, investing in his “Mamba Academy.” Out of everything that Bryant accomplished, he always claimed that he was most proud of being a dad to his four daughters.

Putting it all in perspective.

Bryant spoke of Gianna’s love for the game of basketball and enjoyed coaching his daughter and her team, and went to great efforts to get women’s basketball more recognition and respect. Bryant was seen attending many pro games with Gianna, with some going viral with videos of him teaching her the game. Bryant’s efforts as a father have been recognized by almost every athlete and famous figure who made tributes to him as well.

The lasting impression

With so many disagreements over a variety of topics facing our world, we simply cannot disagree how Kobe impacted the world in a substantial way, and has inspired us to come together. ESPN analyst Jay Williams perhaps made one of the most important points speaking of Bryant and Gianna’s death earlier this week while speaking on air.

“I hope that everybody at home, you give the person next to you whatever thing you have wrong in your life with them,” said Williams. “It might be small or big — let that (expletive) go. It doesn’t matter… None of that stuff matters man. This is about life and being precious with every (expletive) second we have here.”

Kobe Bryant may have been viewed as immortal by many of us, a superhero-like figure. His death reminds us how precious and fragile life is, and how important it is to make things right with those we have a conflict with. It reminds us to tell the ones we love that we love them while they are here.

Bryant inspires us to strive to be a great parent, and inspires us to have a daily passion for life and desire to succeed in everything we do. Tell the people you love that you love them, solve the conflicts you have with others big or small, and be thankful for every day you have.

#MambaForLife #GirlsDad #RIPKOBE #RIPGIANNA