KOBE - A LESSON IN A TRAGEDY

I had an idea about an article I wanted to post this week, but it went out the window as yesterday wore on into the evening hours and the tributes to Kobe Bryant continued to dominate television and social media.

I wasn't a fan of Kobe, per say - never really been a fan of the Lakers, and the NBA has always been my least favorite professional sports organization to watch. I've posted before about coaching basketball, and I played for many years when I was younger; all that said, I respected what Kobe brought to the game. His unparalleled work ethic to be the best in the game is admirable beyond words. His endless drive to win was remarkable. Seeing him become a tactician on the court in his last years as a player was something special to behold.

I was appalled when I read about the allegations against him back in 2003; the charges were dismissed because his accuser was unwilling to testify. But a civil settlement out of court left a cloud over the whole situation. Regardless, more respect for Kobe the man was gained after he openly credited his Catholic faith with helping he and his family move through that challenging time in his life. In 2011, his wife filed for divorce. Kobe decided to fight for his marriage. Two years later, his wife withdrew her divorce petition. He put his faith in God, asked for His mercy, and made strives to be a better man after a decision he made in Colorado that he would forever regret.

Seeing Kobe with his daughters made me respect Kobe the father. There wasn't a doubt he loved his children. Every image shared of him and Gianna and his other daughters showed him looking at them full of love. Full of pride. A look I know because I am a father myself. I'm a father who's made mistakes. I'm a father trying to be a better man. I'm a father trying to be the best person I can be for my sons. And yesterday, during all of the tributes that showed pictures of #24 and Gigi (a budding basketball superstar herself), I felt that the stat sheets and championships and MVP accolades weren't what made Kobe Bryant who he was. Him being a father did.

All of that leads me to two points.

First...as a father, I can't help but to think of Kobe's final moments. I can only assume he had to put on the bravest face possible and look his 13-year old daughter in the eyes and tell her everything was going to be okay, even though he knew it wasn't. That's how I view Kobe the father. Kobe the man. Being there - loving, protecting, and supporting his daughter until his last breath. That's what a father is supposed to do. No matter what. And that's the man I believe in my heart that Kobe Bryant was. I've written before about my children being my legacy - I'm just a 40-something man living day-to-day the best I can. I have no stat sheet or accolades that make me the best at anything I've ever done. I'm simply me. Kobe was a superstar. He transcended a game. He transcended sports. He was a 5-time NBA Champion. He has the 4th most points in NBA history. He was a multiple time MVP & an Olympic Gold Medalist. But his legacy is his family. Kobe Bryant was a proud and loving father and husband... and that's how he should be remembered first and foremost.

Second...on Twitter I saw Dave Portnoy of Barstool Sports fame share a photo with some of his own words about the situation that I think drives home my feelings on the incident best. Nine people perished in the accident. Fathers. Mothers. Brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, friends, family, adults and children. The magnitude of the loss is so much more than the passing of a generational athlete. Dave said -

"It's sad it takes a sudden death like Kobe Bryant's to make you stop and realize how fragile life really is. Tomorrow is promised to nobody".

Amen. Hug you family, friends, loved ones a little tighter. Not because of this tragedy, but because tomorrow isn't a guarantee.

Be there.

Be present.

Perhaps realign your priorities. I think we could all use some of that...I know I could of late.

It's absolutely time to work for changes that will allow me to be there for my 2 sons way more than I have been over the past 8 years...and make the sacrifices necessary to do that. I carry regret of time lost with them. No more. It isn't really a "sacrifice" I have to make - spending time with my sons and being an active participant in their lives - getting them where they need to be, watching their sporting events, being there for school activities - no paycheck, no meeting, no job is worth passing up on time with them. The time they need. The time they deserve. The time to assure them everything is going to be okay, even when it may not.

Dave Portnoy then shared a picture of a quote attributed to Melanie Koulouris...

"Life is so short. We spend so much time sweating the small stuff; worrying, complaining, gossiping, comparing, wishing, wanting and waiting for something bigger and better instead of focusing on all the simple blessings that surround us everyday. Life is so fragile and all it takes is a single moment to change everything you take for granted. Focus on what's important and be grateful! You are blessed! Believe it! Live your life and leave no regrets!"

Make the most of your time. Tomorrow is promised to nobody.

Rest Easy Mamba. Thoughts and prayers to the victims and their families and friends.