The sports world came together on Monday to celebrate the lives of Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna and the seven others tragically lost in last month’s Calabasas helicopter crash.
Bryant’s accomplishments on the court speak for themselves: He was a five-time NBA champion and 18-time All-Star in 20 seasons with the Lakers.
Post-basketball, Bryant continued to be successful in his other business ventures. That was evident when he won an Oscar for his short film ‘Dear Basketball’ in 2018, just two years after he retired.
Bryant was an inspiration to athletes all over the world, and particularly those that played in Los Angeles. His impact will be felt by generations of players to come, not just in basketball, but other sports as well.
Los Angeles Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey revealed that he is still inspired by a Kobe Bryant Instagram post that caught his attention during his first week with the organization:
Bryant’s will to win and perseverance are what separated him from most basketball players. The “Mamba Mentality” resonates with many athletes, including Ramsey, whose fierce style of play has helped him emerge as one of the most successful defensive backs in the NFL.
Though he was a diehard Philadelphia Eagles fan, Bryant still embraced the Rams’ return to L.A. in 2016. Many players on the team, from Jared Goff to Johnny Hekker, immediately took to Twitter upon hearing the news of his death and tweeted out tributes.
The loss of Bryant is still difficult to grasp, but his legacy and contributions to the community will live on forever.
