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Gone Too Soon: In Loving Memory
Kobe Bryant lived 41 years of uncommon achievement, epitomizing what it meant to be deeply in love with your craft and family.
Sometimes there are no words to capture profound moments of disbelief, heartbreak, pain, and grief. Our deepest sympathies go out to the families and friends affected by Sunday’s devastating tragedy.
Kobe Bryant lived 41 years of uncommon achievement, epitomizing what it meant to be deeply in love with your craft and family. He was, of course, a rare athletic talent whose combination of extraordinary skill met an unparalleled work ethic. Kobe showed us when those two forces combined with the right mindset, anything could be conquered.
In essence, Kobe stood for everything we strive to convey each morning at The Daily Coach.
But more important than the 33,643 career points, the 18 All-Star appearances, the five rings, and the countless other accolades, Kobe Bryant was a father and husband.
Kobe was a son, a brother, a storyteller, an entrepreneur, a servant leader, a trailblazer, a dream maker, and a transcendent force who inspired greatness.
We may never have the chance to be around and coach someone as talented and passionate as Kobe. But we can all instill in those we lead his commitment to excellence and his willingness to relentlessly improve and get better. When the best or worst player on the team takes time off, misses a commitment, or rests on his or her laurels, ask them, “Would Kobe Behave Like That?”
Tell them legendary stories of Kobe flying back from a night game in Denver when he didn’t shoot well and heading right to the gym for an intense early-morning shooting session. Tell them the story of Kobe waking up his strength coach at the U.S. Olympic trials at 4 a.m. for a workout, then having the trainer leave at 8 a.m. for a few more hours of sleep, only to find Kobe still in the gym shooting when he got back at 1 p.m. Kobe’s life and legacy span beyond any basketball court. Kobe was more than an athlete, champion, and icon.
Our society was not just captivated by how Kobe played, but also by how he led, how he served, and how he thought. Kobe showed up every day and fearlessly utilized his 86,400 seconds of opportunity to the fullest with great detail, consistency, discipline, tenacity, perseverance, courage and grace. He was obsessed with greatness and allergic to mediocrity. For 41 years, he won and excelled at the most precious game called life.
Thank You, Kobe B. Bryant, for being a positive difference-maker in our lives.
May God bless the souls of Kobe, Gianna, John, Keri, Alyssa, Christina, Sarah, Payton, and Ara. And may God protect Vanessa, Natalia, Bianka, Capri and all the families affected with comfort, strength, peace, light, and love!
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