Nearly seven months after Los Angeles Lakers icon Kobe Bryant and eight others, including Gianna Bryant, were killed in a helicopter crash. On what would have been his 42nd birthday, with the NBA world still mourning, Nike honored Bryant with a touching tribute.
Since Bryant’s tragic passing, we’ve seen so many moving ways that players and teams honored his legacy. From the Philadelphia Eagles creating a mural with Kobe’s 10 rules at their practice facility to Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker paying homage in the NBA bubble, the impact Bryant had on countless lives is evident.
As many continue to live their life through the Mamba Mentality, Nike is now doing its part to spread the positive message and inspire others. On his birthday, Nike partnered with Kendrick Lamar to honor Kobe in an incredibly touching tribute.
This is all part of Nike launching Mamba Week, meant to celebrate Kobe’s life and to honor his legacy. In a week-long celebration, the company is partnering with powerful figures from entertainment and sports to pass on the lessons that we always saw in Kobe’s life.
As part of the efforts, Nike is also doing its part to impact the lives of others by donating $1 million to the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation. The organization furthers the legacy of Kobe and Gianna Bryant by helping others through sports.
Kobe was going to be inducted, along with Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett, into the Basketball Hall of Fame this year. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the ceremony has been pushed back until 2021.
More information on Mamba Week can be found here. The Lakers are also expected to pay special tribute to Kobe when they play their next playoff game on Aug. 24.