It is almost nearly impossible not to be aware of the tragedy that occurred on Sunday, January 26th in Calabasas, California. Los Angeles Lakers superstar, Kobe Bryant, passed away in a tragic helicopter crash, along with his 13-year daughter Gianna, and 7 other victims.
During his 20-year career in the NBA, Bryant won five-time NBA championships, was MVP of the league in 2008, and held one of the all-time highest scores.
Kobe Bryant was a huge supporter of youth sports, including the Mamba Sports Academy. The Mamba Sports Academy is where his daughter Gianna played and where they were heading when the helicopter crashed.
Many people have traveled from all over to place flowers and candles outside of the Staple Center, where Kobe use to play, to honor the late basketball player.
Millions of fans have turned to social media to mourn the losses of all those that have died in the horrible accident. Fans and organizations across the globe have flooded social media to spread awareness of this tragedy.
However, the most crucial post came from Kobe’s wife Vanessa Bryant. Vanessa posted on Instagram the following photo and caption:
We are also devastated for the families who lost their loved ones on Sunday, and we share in their grief intimately.
There aren’t enough words to describe our pain right now. I take comfort in knowing that Kobe and Gigi both knew that they were so deeply loved. We were so incredibly blessed to have them in our lives. I wish they were here with us forever. They were our beautiful blessings taken from us too soon.
I’m not sure what our lives hold beyond today, and it’s impossible to imagine life without them. But we wake up each day, trying to keep pushing because Kobe, and our baby girl, Gigi, are shining on us to light the way. Our love for them is endless — and that’s to say, immeasurable. I just wish I could hug them, kiss them and bless them. Have them here with us, forever.
Thank you for sharing your joy, your grief and your support with us. We ask that you grant us the respect and privacy we will need to navigate this new reality.
To honor our Team Mamba family, the Mamba Sports Foundation has set up the MambaOnThree Fund to help support the other families affected by this tragedy. To donate, please go to MambaOnThree.org.
To further Kobe and Gianna’s legacy in youth sports, please visit MambaSportsFoundation.org.
Thank you so much for lifting us up in your prayers, and for loving Kobe, Gigi, Natalia, Bianka, Capri and me. #Mamba#Mambacita #GirlsDad #DaddysGirls#Family ❤️
Vanessa could not have said her thoughts any better. The whole world is in support to her and her daughters during this difficult time.
In her post, Vanessa asks for privacy as they figure out how to “to navigate this new reality.” Vanessa has partnered with the Mamba Sports Foundation to set up a fund to help other the other families affected by this tragedy.
To donate, please go to MambaOnThree.org.
References
Baer, S. (2020). Vanessa bryant spoke out for the first time since husband kobe and daughter gianna died in crash. Retrieved from https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/skbaer/vanessa-bryant-speaks-out-after-kobe-gigi-death
Botkin, B. (2020). Kobe bryant death: Latest news, updates, reactions as lakers legend, NBA icon dies at 41 in helicopter crash. Retrieved from https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/kobe-bryant-death-latest-news-updates-reactions-as-lakers-legend-nba-icon-dies-at-41-in-helicopter-crash/live/
Remembering the victims of the calabasas helicopter crash – CNN video. (2020). Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/videos/us/2020/01/28/victims-helicopter-crash-kobe-bryant-orig-llr-mg.cnn
Zorrilla, M. (2020). Brands mourn kobe bryant’s shocking passing on social media. Retrieved from https://www.adweek.com/brand-marketing/brands-mourned-kobe-bryants-shocking-passing/
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