Kobe Bryant: The Bay Area remembers an NBA icon
By Justin Fried
![Kobe Bryant (Photo by Michael Tullberg/Getty Images) Kobe Bryant (Photo by Michael Tullberg/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/c727bf1af510680570541427b4a94e76d58a7a8297d58a88ea8f4f2815f74beb.jpg)
NBA legend Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna, and seven others have tragically passed away, but the Bay Area and the entire sports world will forever keep his legacy alive.
The sports world was impacted in a way that it perhaps never has been before on Sunday when Kobe Bryant tragically passed away in a helicopter accident. And in times like this, the entire world comes together as one.
Despite the city of Los Angeles being a longtime rival of the Bay Area, this tragedy brought everyone together as one collective family. The Bay Area and Los Angeles stood side by side and grieved together.
Kobe was an inspiration for countless individuals across the globe. He inspired an entire generation of athletes and in many ways, was their idol. He was and still is their superhero.
On Sunday and in the following days, athletes, celebrities, and fans took to social media to express their thoughts on the situation. First, it was shock, followed by grief, until reality began to set in.
Millions of posts flooded social media feeds as people discussed what Kobe meant to them. What he meant to them as an athlete, but more importantly what he meant to them as a person.
The Bay Area was no different as hundreds of current athletes, coaches, and Bay Area legends took to social media to discuss what had happened. Some were in a state of shock while others took the opportunity to share stories of their fallen hero.
Players like San Francisco 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman and Sacramento Kings forward Marvin Bagley expressed disbelief and found it difficult to put into words.
Just don’t have the words.... #Kobe
— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) January 26, 2020
There’s no way🤦🏽♂️💔
— Marvin Bagley III (@MB3FIVE) January 26, 2020
This was a shared reaction when the news first broke. We didn’t want to believe it was true. No one did.
But unfortunately, reality set in over time and we began to think about the impact of this tragedy.
Others such as Golden State Warriors rookie Eric Paschall, San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman Solomon Thomas, and Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs sent prayers to his family and anyone else impacted.
Prayers up 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/X4MWAkb2bU
— Eric Paschall (@epaschall) January 26, 2020
Devastating😞 Praying for everyone with loved ones in this tragedy. Please hold the ones close to you so tight. pic.twitter.com/3J0FJSaqoB
— Solomon Thomas (@SollyThomas90) January 27, 2020
Prayers out to his family I’m still in disbelief
— Josh Jacobs (@iAM_JoshJacobs) January 26, 2020
As reality set in, people began to think about their favorite memories of Kobe. Others thought about how he impacted them in their own personal lives.
To many, Kobe was their hero. He was their idol and role model. An entire generation of children grew up idolizing Kobe, mimicking his mannerisms and reenacting his signature moments.
The realization that he was gone was too much for some to handle.
Players like Sacramento Kings shooting guard Bogdan Bogdanovic, Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr, and San Jose Sharks wing Evander Kane took to Twitter to express their love and admiration for Kobe.
I just lost my basketball father, there is no one that has impacted my game more than you Kobe... so sad and tragic. #restinpeace #8 #24 pic.twitter.com/dDcifl9hfD
— Bogdan Bogdanovic (@LeaderOfHorde) January 26, 2020
Man this video. Keep going!! Determination. Love this. He's the 🐐 https://t.co/D3dquH8KlC
— Derek Carr (@derekcarrqb) January 27, 2020
A legend on and off the court, you will be greatly missed. #RIPMamba #MambaMentality pic.twitter.com/xljxlomb2R
— Evander Kane (@evanderkane) January 27, 2020
There were countless other tributes — both from Bay Area greats, current Bay Area athletes/coaches, and others around the sports world.
All shared the same feeling though. The world had lost not only one of the greatest to ever play the game of basketball, but they had lost a father, a husband, a son, and a brother. They had lost a friend.
Here are some of the other notable tributes shared on Twitter from Bay Area personnel.
RIP MAMBA world lost a great
— JB Wendelken (@JbWendelken) January 26, 2020
Just landed in Miami... heart’s heavy after the passing of a true legend. Truly cannot believe it. Thank you for everything!! True inspiration! #RIPMamba pic.twitter.com/fPObvGClzQ
— Raheem Mostert (@RMos_8Ball) January 27, 2020
The world came to a halt yesterday with the passing of Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gigi.....he’s going to be really missed and my condolences goes out to the family...he’s one of the greatest of all time and will… https://t.co/YKEmJAKzDq
— Jerry Rice (@JerryRice) January 27, 2020
Growing up in the Bay Area, I learned from an early age to not like anything “LA.” It was always hard for me to dislike Kobe though. You had to respect his game, commitment, and desire to succeed. Then I met… https://t.co/tSv189xhCe
— Brandon Crawford (@bcraw35) January 27, 2020
Write your own story. #MambaMentality pic.twitter.com/4ORnxa1X9k
— Cal Football (@CalFootball) January 28, 2020
RIP to my friend Kobe Bryant. I’m truly devastated by the news of his passing and the passing of his young daughter Gianna. A true legend in the game of basketball and an inspiration to the world. My thoughts & prayers go out to his family during this heartbreaking time💔💔😢😢 pic.twitter.com/ZLSqnvu1mu
— Barry L Bonds (@BarryBonds) January 26, 2020
The Luke Walton video is particularly touching seeing as the two shared many years together as teammates on the Los Angeles Lakers. Walton was clearly moved by the news calling it “one of the harder times of my life.”
It’s going to take a while for everything to feel normal again. In reality, it may never happen. But the Bay Area and the sports world will do everything possible to keep Kobe’s legacy alive and make sure his impact on and off the court is never forgotten.
Next. Kobe Bryant: Remembering the legacy of the Black Mamba. dark
For one final time — Rest in Peace Mamba.