It has been a week since a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California, took the lives of nine individuals, those of which include Los Angeles Lakers icon Kobe Bryant.
I was at home, ready to go out and get some snacks for friends coming over. As I was waiting for my mother to finish writing a letter she needed to send by mail, a friend in a group chat sent that TMZ report.
As soon as I read it, I ran to my computer, eyes glued to Twitter, hoping it was false and feeling my heart sink at the confirmation of Bryant's death. For roughly a half-hour, I sat at my desk in silence, frozen, completely crushed, and wishing it was fake like everybody else.
For a whole week, I lived my everyday life trying to figure out why this tragic situation was impacting me so negatively.
I didn't grow up a Lakers fan, let alone a Kobe Bryant fan. In all my years of watching and enjoying sports, it's always been my Toronto colors. Yet here I am, still heartbroken not only for Bryant but for his daughter Gianna, John Altobelli, Keri Altobelli, Alyssa Altobelli, Payton Chester, Sarah Chester, Christina Mauser, and Ara Zobayan.
Yes, death is inevitable and is devastating when it happens, especially when it's sudden. As somebody who has experienced unexpected losses, it's a numbing pain that aches your heart without an end in sight.
As I reflect on Bryant's career, I look not only for what he's done for the game of basketball or the city of Los Angeles but for all sports. It helped me realize the example he set with his leadership on and off the court is why I love sports.
At a young age, I knew my destiny was to work in sports in any capacity. At first, I thought I would be a play-by-play commentator. Today, I'm in Sports Journalism as a Content Curator for theScore; I am happy where I am and realizing my dream.
I'm in sports because I love the stories it can produce. I love how it unites a small group of friends or an entire nation. I took the Sports Journalism route because I knew I wanted to share what I have a strong passion for and share in the moments that unite us as fans.
When I step back, I know I can say that Bryant did just that.
He was, without a shadow of a doubt, a global icon. His opponents knew it would be a rough night when they saw the Mamba stare them down on the court. For Lakers fans, they knew it would be a great night (unless they were in attendance on Jan 22nd, 2006, and watched Bryant score 81 points on the Toronto Raptors).
That domination on the court helped lead the Lakers to five NBA titles. It was only a stepping stone for his destiny into the Hall of Fame, to which he would be inducted later this year.
Off the court, he was a dad. There was nothing more that meant to him than his family. He continued to emphasize his love for his daughters. He loved having girls and even joked with his wife, Vanessa, hoping he would never have a boy.
For basketball, he continued to spread his knowledge and lead a path for the next generation of stars with the launch of the Mamba Academy in 2018. There, Kobe coached his daughter, Gianna, and her team, and many believed Gianna would step in her father's shoes.
The list goes on and on, but examples like Bryant make me happy to be working in a sports environment.
Sports are an escape for everybody who's involved. It's our gateway to step away from the world and enjoy the nature of competition. Regardless of the situation, it helps bring people together. It creates bonds and strengthens them with people you've never met.
When you see the tributes and memorials outside of Staples Center and how the world poured out their heartfelt messages, you know the impact and legacy Bryant left behind.
His "Mamba Mentality" message of always striving to be perfect and continue to work for what you believed in resonated with the public and today's NBA stars.
Bryant loved to motivate and inspire many stars we've grown to appreciate today. Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic looked up to Bryant as he worked to the NBA. Brooklyn Nets point guard Kyrie Irving continued to reach out to Bryant and called him his mentor.
Then there's LeBron James, who was seen crying as he got off the team plane following the Lakers' matchup in Philadelphia, where 'The King' passed Bryant for 3rd in most points scored all-time.
Many initially rejected the idea of LeBron joining the Lakers, saying nobody can replace Bryant after his retirement. Following James' speech to the Lakers faithful at Staples Center, he clarified that he wants to continue Bryant's message and help the city push forward.
As I said, this drives me to continue working in sports. From healing to inspiration, all of these antidotes are what Bryant wanted to share with the world.
The passing of Bryant will continue to hurt; it will continue to have us mourning together, and that's okay. Without a sense of acknowledgment, we won't be able to help each other to move forward.
When we channel our inner 'Mamba Mentality,' we can continue to share the great Kobe Bryant's legacy.
Yes, I'll continue to bleed the colors Toronto wears.
However, it's time to wear a splash of gold and purple.
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