Yesterday would’ve been Kobe Bryant’s 42nd birthday and today is officially “Kobe Bryant Day.” Bryant wore the numbers 8 and 24, so it’s only logical to recognize the legend that we lost too soon today.
Be fearless,
The Last NIght’s Game Team
MLB (Major League Baseball)
Kobe Bryant was a huge Los Angeles Dodgers fan. He once announced the Dodgers' starting lineup for game four of the 2018 World Series. The team sported Bryant’s jersey yesterday before the game and both his number and his daughter Gianna’s jersey numbers were prominently featured on the pitcher’s mound. Gianna Bryant died alongside her father and seven others in a helicopter crash in January 2020. LEGENDS LOST
Overtime
He was a man who wasn’t perfect, but never claimed to be. He was one of the best in the history of the game and inspired generations of basketball players, athletes and go-getters around the world. It showed with the plethora of touching (and sometimes tear evoking) tributes from his friends and family yesterday. Nike released a Bryant tribute video yesterday, narrated by rapper Kendrick Lamar, that’ll give you goosebumps. WATCH IT HERE
Sideline stat
Nike has declared this week “Mamba Week.” (Bryant’s nickname was Black Mamba). As part of the tribute, they will donate $1 million to the Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation, which "exists to further Kobe and Gianna Bryant’s legacy through charitable endeavors in sports," and includes introducing more girls to basketball and elevating female coaches. Nike is also releasing five pairs of the Lakers’ legend’s signature shoes. FIRST BUT NOT THE LAST
Coaches’ corner
Bryant was a man of many talents. He was raised in Italy and spoke three different languages. He would occasionally pick up another, like Slovak, to talk trash. Once, he wanted to learn how to play the piano for his wife but instead of hiring a piano teacher, which was the easy way out, he taught himself. He put on headphones and listened to Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata" on repeat until he perfected it. WHAT COULDN’T HE DO?
