Dear Kobe,

I was sitting outside a restaurant in Sierra Madre when I first saw the news while scrolling through Facebook. I thought to myself this can’t be true. I immediately did a google search and saw other news stations reported the same thing and I just thought to myself how is the world going to react to the loss of a great legend. I personally was never a huge fan of basketball. But I knew the effect you had on people and the legacy you’re leaving behind. All the times in middle school when kids will throw crumpled up pieces of paper into trash cans and shout “KOBE” is what I remember looking back.
You are a great player, father, husband, and to the world, an inspiration. You devoted your life to your family after you retired and left this world too soon. But you won’t be forgotten. I wish your family and daughters all the strength they need to put one foot in front of the other. May the fire, competitiveness, drive be passed down to everyone you’ve inspired.
Rest Easy

-Calvin