To sum up the words of many; it was a ‘Surreal Sunday’ that shocked the world after news release of the death of iconic basketball player and legend Kobe Bryant and eight others in a fatal helicopter crash in Calabassas, L.A.
Bryant’s 13-year old daughter, Gianna Maria Onore Bryant who Kobe nicknamed Gigi, was among the nine that perished.
L.A news officials have now released the names of the other members who were on board that includes: OCC basketball coach John Altobelli his wife Keri Altobelli, and their daughter Alyssa Altobelli, Sarah Chester and daughter Payton Chester, Coach Christina Mauser, and pilot Ara Zobayan.
According to a neighbor witness, Rob Hobbs of the gated steeplechase community; the helicopter carrying the crew was seen flying at low altitudes around 9:45am just minutes before the explosion in Calabassas Park. “ You could just see a swath of the mountain that was just black from the impact and smoke”.
Another witness Tasha Moon said: ” We were hanging around the house and everyone heard a loud boom and we came out and saw clouds of fog.” We didn’t know what was going on until later.
Beloveds I know we are all stunned, shocked and saddened, and still, I invite you to join me in declaring, decreeing and affirming strength and peace for Vanessa Bryant. This mother has lost a child. This wife has lost her husband. Through our tears, we must pray and lift her.
— Iyanla Vanzant (@IyanlaVanzant) January 26, 2020
Kobe Bryant, the ‘Black Mamba’ was a living legend, and hero to many. The five time NBA champion, 18 NBA All star selection, and two time Olympic goal medalist was a stellar athlete in his 20 year run.
Birthed in Italy from a basketball player, where he was groomed and learned five languages prior to his arrival in the states as a teenager, Kobe showed a promising career in basketball.
Bryant was one of the most extraordinary players in the history of the basketball game and his accomplishments were legendary. Kobe was a remarkable talent with a devotion to winning and modeled his career and morality on the court from Michael Jordan.
Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant
This is for the people who think Michael Jordan’s words for Kobe were circumstantial. MJ truly loved and admired Bryant. This is too much. pic.twitter.com/aRtk8aG11v
— F.F.D. (@FanFootyDose) January 27, 2020
Following his retirement, Kobe Bryant was a model philanthropist and pillar champion off the court. In 2011 Bryant released an action film memoir of self entitled ‘Black Mamba’. He went on to launch several podcasts, a compilation of worthy book reads, through his multi-media production that won him an Oscar in 2017 for his animated film ‘Dear Basketball’.
Our hearts are heavy, and many of us are in disbelief and shock over the news of this icon who died tragically.
For Bryant, basketball was his first love chapter of success and his second chapter showed a heighten promise of his greatness. The same of his daughter ‘Gigi’ who was a prodigy of Bryant and decided to follow in the footsteps of her father.
#GIRLDAD
Bryant was a mentor for female and male athletes. Although he hung up his jersey in 2016, Bryant step backed in the sports arena when his daughter expressed interest in basketball.
Bryant served as coach of the ‘Mamba Academy Basketball Team‘ and was on his way to a game with his daughter and others when their lives came to a tragic end on Sunday morning Jan.26th 2020.
Our hearts and prayers goes out to the Bryant family and the families of those that loss their lives in the recent tragedy.
One Love Plums!