Kobe with Coach CW (Charles) at Gold's Gym. It has been exactly one week since the untimely passing of Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gigi, and the other wonderful parents, players, and coaches on the ill-fated helicopter. I was lucky enough to meet Kobe back in 97-98 working out at Gold's Gym in Venice Beach, CA. That Gold's Gym is called "The Mecca". At that point Kobe was only scoring 10 or 12 points a game. I remember speaking with him one of the first times he scored over 30 points and how happy he was. I remember saying, "one day soon, we can look back and laugh at this year because you will be averaging 30 or 40 a game" and he smiled with his famous Kobe smile then said "thanks".
By early 9:06 AM PST on January 26th, 2020 Kobe had finished arguably the most prolific basketball career in NBA history that spanned 20 years with 5 NBA titles, 2 Olympic gold medals, and the MVP award. He had already reinvented himself into an early star in his second career. Kobe, applying the Mamba Mentality to his new career, had won an Oscar in Hollywood and built an amazing sports academy to give back to the community that loved him and his girls (#GirlDad) so deeply. Any way you look at it, he was again soaring to new heights and setting records. Then, as Lebron and Magic pointed out, the last 3-4 years have been the happiest we have seen Kobe over his entire public life. This was a humble and confident happy Kobe we were all witnessing. He was in full control of life, in love with his family, and now shifting into high gear to do it his way once again leading his team to victory, but now that team was his family.
In lock-step with the Hollywood part of his new second career, was the ability to spend more time being a great husband and father, and he made it look easy. That is what truly broke all of our hearts when we learned of his passing. That fateful helicopter ride took away all that promise and peace. It left us a love story so positive yet unfinished (living it vicariously). It was the sports world's version of Camelot and once again, we never get to experience the happy ending. Not taking anything away from all of the other families who lost their loved ones in the accident, but it really didn't seem fair - did it? Even though we all know there really is no such thing as fair in life. Still even more tragic was losing the promise of Gianna becoming "Black Mambacita" as her mother had put so eloquently to remember her on social media. With my own daughter excelling in our soccer academy, and only slightly younger than Gigi. Then considering I grew up in Connecticut and since my own son received his Master's degree from UCONN, I was looking forward to seeing the debut of Gigi Bryant becoming the "Black Mambacita" and wearing her #2 jersey tearing it up just like her Dad did for the purple and gold.
Kobe's work ethic; to out work others, aim for the top, and put them on notice that you are coming is leadership by example. Doing it through emulation, determination, and always challenging yourself to ambitiously be the best version of you -in all you do, at all times, exceeding all expectation, is the blue print we all must follow and teach. To know, love, and cherish your all of your blessings each and every day. It is all at the core of his Mamba Mentality. His goal of teaching kids through sports to prepare them for life is the same goal/culture/philosophy we have at FC7Soccer®. We hope that all academies and institutes for learning, adopt this way of thinking-executing-teaching along with the growth-mindset culture for teaching our future leaders (the babies).
In conclusion, we will miss Kobe Bryant the man, and we will never forget the legend of the Black Mamba and the Mamba Mentality (and will always put it into action). I think I can speak for all of us when I say "thank you Kobe, we will cherish you as a man-father-husband, and are all grateful to you as an entertainer, a mentor, and as a legend to follow" on this planet. Rest-in-Peace, with your Princess Gigi. Know that the this planet loves you, respects you, and appreciates everything you've given. We all promise we will give back to you by making sure your babies and loved ones are safe and loved dearly their entire lives. #PlayElite
By early 9:06 AM PST on January 26th, 2020 Kobe had finished arguably the most prolific basketball career in NBA history that spanned 20 years with 5 NBA titles, 2 Olympic gold medals, and the MVP award. He had already reinvented himself into an early star in his second career. Kobe, applying the Mamba Mentality to his new career, had won an Oscar in Hollywood and built an amazing sports academy to give back to the community that loved him and his girls (#GirlDad) so deeply. Any way you look at it, he was again soaring to new heights and setting records. Then, as Lebron and Magic pointed out, the last 3-4 years have been the happiest we have seen Kobe over his entire public life. This was a humble and confident happy Kobe we were all witnessing. He was in full control of life, in love with his family, and now shifting into high gear to do it his way once again leading his team to victory, but now that team was his family.
In lock-step with the Hollywood part of his new second career, was the ability to spend more time being a great husband and father, and he made it look easy. That is what truly broke all of our hearts when we learned of his passing. That fateful helicopter ride took away all that promise and peace. It left us a love story so positive yet unfinished (living it vicariously). It was the sports world's version of Camelot and once again, we never get to experience the happy ending. Not taking anything away from all of the other families who lost their loved ones in the accident, but it really didn't seem fair - did it? Even though we all know there really is no such thing as fair in life. Still even more tragic was losing the promise of Gianna becoming "Black Mambacita" as her mother had put so eloquently to remember her on social media. With my own daughter excelling in our soccer academy, and only slightly younger than Gigi. Then considering I grew up in Connecticut and since my own son received his Master's degree from UCONN, I was looking forward to seeing the debut of Gigi Bryant becoming the "Black Mambacita" and wearing her #2 jersey tearing it up just like her Dad did for the purple and gold.
Kobe's work ethic; to out work others, aim for the top, and put them on notice that you are coming is leadership by example. Doing it through emulation, determination, and always challenging yourself to ambitiously be the best version of you -in all you do, at all times, exceeding all expectation, is the blue print we all must follow and teach. To know, love, and cherish your all of your blessings each and every day. It is all at the core of his Mamba Mentality. His goal of teaching kids through sports to prepare them for life is the same goal/culture/philosophy we have at FC7Soccer®. We hope that all academies and institutes for learning, adopt this way of thinking-executing-teaching along with the growth-mindset culture for teaching our future leaders (the babies).
In conclusion, we will miss Kobe Bryant the man, and we will never forget the legend of the Black Mamba and the Mamba Mentality (and will always put it into action). I think I can speak for all of us when I say "thank you Kobe, we will cherish you as a man-father-husband, and are all grateful to you as an entertainer, a mentor, and as a legend to follow" on this planet. Rest-in-Peace, with your Princess Gigi. Know that the this planet loves you, respects you, and appreciates everything you've given. We all promise we will give back to you by making sure your babies and loved ones are safe and loved dearly their entire lives. #PlayElite
RSS Feed
