The world was shaken Sunday when the news was revealed that legendary NBA star Kobe Bryant died in a helicopter accident, along with his daughter Gianna and a number of others.
This wasn’t just an impact in the basketball world. Kobe was known throughout the world in general. Former Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning issued a statement Sunday evening in regards to the death of the legendary Bryant.
“I am incredibly saddened by the tragic news of Kobe Bryant’s passing. I always appreciated Kobe’s talent, work-ethic and competitiveness. Most of all, I appreciated his friendship. He was a friend and we worked together recently on several projects. I was honored to be asked by Kobe to be a part of his Detail show and really enjoyed our interactions over the years. We retired at the same time and had to make that transition together. I am so shocked and saddened. My prayers are with the Bryant family and the families of everyone involved. I will miss Kobe very much just like so many will. It’s just an incredibly sad day.”
Manning and Kobe were similar in that they dominated their respective sports for so long. Their tenacious work ethic allowed them to be all-time greats, and it earned them respect across all sports platforms.
This is a day that won’t soon be forgotten as Bryant’s impact reach simply beyond the basketball world.