(Video courtesy of CBS Evening News)
LOS ANGELES – Kobe Bryant was a unique and diverse individual that had a God-given talent to not only play the best basketball, but impact a generation.
On Sunday morning, it was reported that Bryant along with eight others on board his personal helicopter were killed, as it crashed in Calabasas section of Los Angeles County.
According to reports by TMZ, the group was en route to the Mamba Academy in Thousand Oaks, California, for a basketball game where Bryant was scheduled to coach.
Bryant was a five time champion, two-time Olympic gold medalist, multi time All-Star, Oscar Award winner and a philanthropist. Above all he was a great father, who coached his daughter Gianna who was also killed in the crash.
Bryant’s Mamba Mentality was witnessed by many with his work ethic on and off the court. Whether through basketball or business, he demonstrated black excellence to the fullest.
He donated his time and money to so many causes that included awareness to homelessness, building up courts around the communities in Los Angeles. Bryant recently donated $1 million to the Debbie Allen Dance Academy in South Los Angeles.
Recently he appeared at a Major League Soccer (MLS) event in Los Angeles, where BodyArmor (a company Bryant financially invested in) became an official partner with the MLS. He appeared in great spirits, spending time with the young soccer players and spoke with several media members.
From helping the Lakers win five championships, to his 81 point game to him ending his career with 60 points, Sunday’s tragedy was not the way Kobe Bryant should have left us.
He will forever be missed, appreciated, emulated and learned from for generations to come.
Many mourned the death of Bryant and his daughter Gianna, that included Shaq O’Neal, LeBron James, Cristiano Ronaldo, Pau Gasol, Candace Parker to name a few. He is survived by his wife Vanessa, and their three other children. Bryant was 41-years old, and touched so many people across the globe.
