Kobe Bryant: Remembering A Legend

Disclaimer: It was very difficult to write this blog post. It took me days whereas it normally takes me hours to get my thoughts together. But alas, here I am —- writing words to help honor not only one of the greatest athletes in the world, but also one of the greatest men. Rest in Peace, one of my all-time favorites, Kobe Bryant.

 

I remember I would tell people in my 3rd grade class that he was my brother. Same last name (Bryant) so some actually believed me. I memorized details about him off the court (e.g., where he grew up, how many languages he spoke, who he looked up to) just in case I was ever questioned. I rattled off fun facts about him like a pro but my tale was exposed when he took famous singer, Brandy, to prom and I got jealous. lol. #Memories

He was respected. Admired. By my generation and the generations before and after mine. He was Kobe Bean Bryant. The legend. The GOAT (Greatest of All Time).

Yes, Kobe Bryant was one of the greatest athletes of all time. However, what he did on the court was only half of it. Kobe was also a devoted father, a loving husband, a mentor, a philanthropist, and a creative. Loved by sooooooooo many people for so many reasons.

The shocking news of his helicopter crash related death, along with his 13 year old Gianna and at least 7 other passengers, pierced so many hearts on January 26, 2020. It was as if time stood still or the Earth was literally flipped upside down.

How?

Why?

“Gone too soon” were the words on everyone’s lips.

Even as I type this, tears fill up my eyes……… #Memories

What do you say when someone who embodied so much greatness passes away? How can you explain mourning the passing of a celebrity you’ve never even met? How do you reconcile faith when your heart tells you “all things happen for a reason” and “it was his time to go” but your mind says “he still had so much more left to do on Earth”?

These are questions that honestly I don’t have answers to. But I have peace in knowing that what Kobe Bryant was able to achieve in his 41 years on this Earth and what he was able to leave us with was nothing less than a gift from God.

He gave us the MAMBA MENTALITY and it has been one of the greatest gifts of our time.

You keep seeing the phrase….. Mamba Mentality… But  where does it come from and what does it really mean?

On and off the court, it means:

• Hard work
• Dedication
• Passion
• Integrity
• Leadership
• Achievement
• Fearlessness

When asked once what “mamba mentality“ meant, Kobe replied:

“Mamba Mentality is all about focusing on the process and trusting in the hard work when it matters most. It started as a hashtag that came to me one day, and its grown into something athletes– and even non-athletes– embrace as a mindset” — Kobe Bryant

Embrace as a mindset we do, Kobe. Mamba Mentality truly is where preparation meets opportunity for us.  It’s how we can approach things that we “say” we care about.

 

Want to be healthier?– Mamba Mentality

Want that new promotion at work?— Mamba Mentality

Want to achieve those financial goals?— Mamba Mentality

Want to be an overall better you? —- Mamba Mentality

 

We can literally take Mamba Mentality (a piece of Kobe) everywhere we go. On our jobs, in our homes, in our communities. It’s a way of life.

So to the little boys who grew up shouting “KOBE”, as they threw balled up pieces of paper into the trashcan. To the little girls who hung Kobe Bryant posters on their bedroom wall and drew little hearts on it………….Kobe’s not really gone. He lives on through his amazing legacy. He lives on through Mamba Mentality.

 

Kobe Bean Bryant, aka “Black Mamba”, aka “mama there goes that man”, aka “hand down, man down”, aka “GirlDad”……. we love you and THANK YOU.