As a person who has loved the sport of basketball since I was 4 to 5 years old, Kobe Bryant was an icon (even if he was not on the team I cheered for). He was not the most influential player of my generation. That was MJ. But, comparisons on the court inevitably emerged from their similar styles of play, often times maniacal mental fortitude/work ethics, and championship rings.
But, the real reason Kobe's death hits home for so many of us has nothing to do with his accomplishments on the basketball court. Instead, his death reminds us of the sheer fragility of life. One of the world's toughest men and greatest competitors, who was successful in every project he undertook, passed away too early. (LINK) That Kobe was a beloved family man who loved his wife and daughters has some of us thinking about our families and the importance of such people in our lives. Because Kobe was such a success in all of these areas, we have a tendency to place icons like him on a pedestal, viewing them as almost 'larger than life'. Yesterday was a reminder that, no, Kobe was still very much a human being, as we all are.
In moments like this, we tend to ask ourselves, 'Why did this happen?' It is very human to ask an open ended question for which there can be no direct answer- an outgrowth of mourning. The answer instead is a rejection of the question, because no moment here has ever been guaranteed. As morbid as that may seem, we all will one day suffer the same fate as Kobe Bryant. What we do until that time and how much love we show will be what define us.
So it may be surprising to some that Kobe has inspired me more since his retirement than he ever did on the court. In recent years, I digested article after article about his insatiable desire to take the venture world by storm (these are new, but summarize it: LINK1, LINK2), his children's books and work inspiring children, his work eradicating homelessness in LA, as well as his short film, Dear Basketball. On assisting entrepreneurs, this quote summarizes his mentality: "If you would have asked me 10 year ago, I would say I need to win now. Age tends to give perspective. The most important thing I enjoy now is helping others be successful. I enjoy doing that much much more, that's something that lasts forever, and hope they do that for the next generation." His tireless work ethic (even in "retirement") and perspective are what inspire me. INTERVIEW
So how do we truly pay homage to Kobe? Honor his legacy, which was always important to him. Mourn his death, as well as the death of his daughter, Gigi, (and everyone else in the accident) but also remember those in the Bryant family who are still alive and mourning (his wife Vanessa and two daughters Natalia, Bianka, and Capri). Call attention to the issues that emboldened his efforts (crisis of childhood inactivity, homelessness, and the crisis of self awareness, all of which called him to action). And then, as he implores us in this video, it is important that we move forward, but not on. LINK
"Have a good time. Enjoy life. Life is too short to get bogged down and get discouraged. You have to keep moving, you have to keep going. Put one foot in front of the other, smile, and just keep on rolling. That's what really it's all about." Until then, let's mourn. RIP Kobe, Gigi, and the 7 other victims of the helicopter crash yesterday.
