A Legend does not belong to any one person or city. They are for history. They are for the world.
Whereas the Los Angeles area community grieved under the stars that light the Southern California sky during the Grammys this past Sunday, fans around the world rocked in their own ways, equally struck by news of the tragic deaths of Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna, and the seven other victims of the helicopter crash that morning in Calabasas.
From Puri to the Philippines, from Italy to Africa, proof that basketball, because of the life of Kobe Bryant, is now on a global stage was impossible to ignore. The farewell gatherings in and around LA echoed across the United States and the world. Messages of grief and love continued to spread like wildfire on a day after the fatal crash. But rather than leave devastation like the many fires that have gripped the world the past year, this ember sparked by such tragedy was one of love.
https://twitter.com/ESPNIndia/status/1221855301281964032
https://twitter.com/vasudhanarayan/status/1221686604521181185
https://twitter.com/XHSports/status/1221754825278287872
Kobe Bryant performing during a Global Shopping Festival gala in Shenzhen, China. in 2016.
https://twitter.com/_originathaliee/status/1221858865190301698
https://twitter.com/AFP/status/1221988774000779265
https://twitter.com/VBETnews/status/1221692673951780864
There is nothing more devastating than the loss of a loved one. Kobe Bryant who, “could embrace the whole world with a sweep of his arms,” found a way to bring the world together in life and in death. May that positive influence extend into the hearts of everyone.
Rest in Peace to John Altobelli, Alyssa Altobelli, Keri Altobelli, Christina Mauser, Sarah Chester, Payton Chester, Ara Zobayan, Gianna Bryant, Kobe Bryant, all torn from lives that were built on bringing joy and service to others, the greatest gift anyone can give.
featured image: Photographer – STR/AFP via Getty Images