Kobe Bryant’s passing has touched everyone from the basketball fan to the Philadelphia Eagles, the rest of the NFL and everyone in between.
It’s still hard to believe when you think about it. You almost want to feel like this is a bad dream, and then, you remember it isn’t. For many Philadelphia Eagles fans, NFL fans, and NBA fans in general, when many of us went to sleep, we hoped we’d wake up the next morning to learn that this whole news story was inaccurate. Kobe Bryant can’t be gone!
Unfortunately, on Monday morning we were all forced to relive the same nightmare again. The news hadn’t changed. Kobe was still gone.
Some athletes are different. Some athletes make other great athletes feel like fans. You’ll never see Tom Brady rocking a Peyton Manning jersey, but you won’t have a problem finding any star athlete wearing some of Michael Jordan‘s gear or his shoes.
Kobe Bryant was in that category. He was one of pro sports’ most recognizable faces, one known the world over, but he also had an ability to make you feel like he was just like you. He loved his Eagles. He just happened to be an assassin on the basketball court.
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Kobe will always be remembered as one of those guys that have the respect of those great athletes who reach a rare class. Since that unfortunate moment, the one where we learned that he was gone, several of the sports elite and many members of the Eagles family, both past and present took time out to express the admiration and offer their condolences. It was right around two years ago when he spoke to several members of the Eagles organization to inspire them before they won Super Bowl LII.
It’s impossible to share them all, but here are some of the highlights.
https://twitter.com/SidneyJonesIV/status/1221524004881616896
A legend is gone too soon. RIP Kobe. #mamba
— Carson Wentz (@cj_wentz) January 26, 2020
https://twitter.com/JHowardx24/status/1221533610911719425
https://twitter.com/LaneJohnson65/status/1221581773450235905
As mentioned, some greats of the Eagles past made sure they took some time to remember what ‘The Mamba’ meant to them.
Prayers and blessing to the @kobebryant family. Such a devastating time right now. A great friend, mentor to all,positive role model and teacher of the game. Words can’t express my feeling for him as a person, father and player. It hurts. RIP Black Mamba pic.twitter.com/qDCB5BObv7
— Donovan McNabb (@donovanjmcnabb) January 26, 2020
He has been & will continue to be a blessing to so many around the world, by the legacy he has left behind! RIP Kobe... The Black Mamba!! #RIPKobe #RIPMAMBA #RIPGIGI 🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/bXuqxlobLs
— Brian Dawkins (@BrianDawkins) January 26, 2020
Members of the NBA’s elite showed their emotions as well.
"Today is one of the saddest days in my lifetime."
— ESPN (@espn) January 27, 2020
Dwyane Wade reflects on the news of Kobe Bryant's death.
(via @DwyaneWade) pic.twitter.com/9EDwERxIyq
https://twitter.com/SportsCenter/status/1221302812644126721
Kobe was so much more than an athlete, he was a family man. That was what we had most in common. I would hug his children like they were my own and he would embrace my kids like they were his. His baby girl Gigi was born on the same day as my youngest daughter Me’Arah. pic.twitter.com/BHBPN5Wq8V
— SHAQ (@SHAQ) January 26, 2020
Yes, ladies and gentlemen, today is a tough day, but we’ll get through it. We have to. Kobe Bryant would have wanted it that way.