The sports world was left reeling following the news of the tragic death of NBA legend Kobe Bryant in a helicopter crash Sunday morning in Southern California.
News of Bryant’s death hit just moments before the NFL’s all-stars were set to take to the field for the 2020 Pro Bowl. They learned of the news just 15 minutes before the game, where Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson led the team in prayer before hitting the field.
It would later be revealed that Bryant’s 13-year old daughter Gianna was among seven others also killed in the crash.
“It was surreal,” Bears safety Eddie Jackson said. “It don’t seem right. It don’t sound right, just saying it.”
Bears cornerback Kyle Fuller was also stunned by the news.
“It was more so unbelievable, sad,” he said. “Is that really true?”
The news of Bryant’s tragic death made the Pro Bowl feel insignificant. But the players played through the emotion, and they also found ways to pay homage to Bryant. In the third quarter, Packers outside linebacker Za’Darius Smith and teammates celebrated a sack with Bryant’s signature fadeaway jumpshot.
“It threw your vibe off,” Jackson said. “For me personally, I felt like I knew him. To others, it might sound crazy. …
“People might say it’s weird: ‘You don’t know Kobe.’ I know I don’t know him, but it felt like I know him, I’ve been following his career for so long. You feel like you know a person.”
Bryant’s career might’ve just ended, but his life was just beginning. Still, he leaves behind a lasting legacy that transcends sports. It’s something that has inspired Jackson.
“We just tried to follow in his footsteps,” he said. “Even though he played basketball, the type of legacy that he left behind that’s something that I take pride in. I want to be remembered as one of the greats — jersey retired, Hall of Fame, all those types of things.”
