Vanessa Bryant, LeBron James and others pay tribute to Kobe on his birthday
Athletes and teams are coming out in force to pay tribute to Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant on his birthday. Bryant, who died in January, would have been 42 on Sunday.
Bryant’s wife Vanessa sent a lengthy message to her late husband Sunday. In it, Vanessa said she missed Kobe and daughter Gianna Bryant, who also died in January’s helicopter crash. Vanessa also thanked Kobe for everything.
Vanessa Bryant shares her birthday message for Kobe pic.twitter.com/MY4h1kVSBP
— The Association on FOX (@TheAssociation) August 23, 2020
Vanessa Bryant’s full message reads:
To my baby—
Happy birthday. I love you and miss you more than I can ever explain. I wish you and Gigi were here to celebrate YOU! I wish I could make you your fav food or a birthday cake with my Gigi. I miss your big hugs, your kisses, your smile, your loud ass deep laugh. I miss teasing you, making you laugh and bursting your bubble. I miss you sitting on my lap like my big baby that you are. I think about your tenderness and patience all the time. I think about everything thrown my way. Thank you for growing up with me and teaching me how to be strong. How to try and see the best in people but cutout the bs. Your thoughtful gestures and t he amazing way you made us all feel is extremely missed. I picture your smile and wide big welcoming hugs daily. God I miss you both so much. Our lives feel so empty without you and Gigi. I’ve been completely broke inside. As much as I want to cry, I put a smile on my face to make our daughters days shine a little brighter. I’m not the strong one, they are. They’re strong and resilient. I’m sure you’re proud of them. They put a smile on my face everyday. I wish I could wake up from this horrible nightmare. I wish I could surprise our girls and welcome you and Gigi home to us. I’m mad I didn’t go first. I always wanted to go first so that I selfishly didn’t have to feel this heartache. You were supposed to miss me. Gigi was supposed to be here with her sisters. It should’ve been me. There’s so much I wish I could tell you and show you and Gigi. So many things you would both be happy to see and be apart of. So many milestones for our girls. So many things you would be proud of. I’m so thankful I have pieces of heaven here on earth to wake up for— thanks to YOU. Thank you for loving me enough to last several lifetimes. In every lifetime, I would choose YOU. Thank you for showing me what real love is. Thank YOU for everything. I know my Gigi is celebrating you like she always has on our special days. I miss my thoughtful princess so much! Natalia, Gianna, Bianka, Capri and I wish you a happy birthday my love. I love you for now, forever and for always.
A number of athletes — including Vince Carter, Sabrina Ionescu and LeBron James — also sent touching messages honoring Bryant on his birthday. Both the NBA and WNBA also sent out tributes.
Remembering Kobe 💜💛 8.23.78 pic.twitter.com/l5dh9G6Vwl
— NBA (@NBA) August 23, 2020
Happy Birthday Kobe 🧡 pic.twitter.com/yP9N1XXSrg
— WNBA (@WNBA) August 23, 2020
Lakers also send tribute to Kobe Bryant
The Lakers tweeted out two tributes to Bryant. The first was a graphic that read “Happy Birthday.” The Lakers wrote “we miss you every day.”
We miss you every day, Kobe. Happy birthday from your Lakers family. pic.twitter.com/6hzwFXgkwh
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) August 23, 2020
The second was a video of Bryant’s career.
Father, Husband, Laker, Oscar Winner, Girl Dad, Author, Black Mamba, Champion, Mentor, Hall of Famer. Kobe Bryant ∞ pic.twitter.com/yyxRzbuToz
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) August 23, 2020
LeBron James shared the Lakers’ graphic, and other tributes to Bryant on James’ Instagram story.
Kendrick Lamar narrates Nike ad dedicated to Kobe Bryant
Nike also released a video focusing on Bryant. The company enlisted Kendrick Lamar to provide the voiceover for it.
Kobe taught us to be better. A better scorer, better mentor, better father, better champion. Today, on his birthday, we continue his endless pursuit of better.
Explore #MambaMentality. https://t.co/H4exgG9itT 💜💛
Performance: @kendricklamar pic.twitter.com/1Qm36V9mM6— Nike Basketball (@nikebasketball) August 23, 2020
Sabrina Ionescu shared that video on Instagram.
A post shared by Sabrina Ionescu (@sabrina_i) on Aug 23, 2020 at 8:38am PDT
Other athletes send messages honoring Kobe Bryant
Many others sent messages honoring Bryant, including Vince Carter and Billie Jean King.
Happy 42nd Birthday my guy. You are missed!!! 🐍🙏🏽 #Mambaforever #KobeBeanBryant pic.twitter.com/sWrHAHWWLn
— Vince Carter (@mrvincecarter15) August 23, 2020
Kobe Bryant would have turned 42 years old today.
On this difficult day for his family, we send them love and prayers, and comfort from happy memories of their time together. pic.twitter.com/KSQXVKPrKH— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) August 23, 2020
Heroes come and go, but legends are forever. 💜💛 #MambaForever pic.twitter.com/hyG7X0bipC
— New York Liberty (@nyliberty) August 23, 2020
— Lane Kiffin (@Lane_Kiffin) August 23, 2020
Happy birthday Kob!!!! 🙏🏾🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/ldYjM8ipg7
— nick vanexel (@vanexel31) August 23, 2020
Happy birthday @kobebryant We miss you my brother!!! 👑🙏🏾🙌🏾🖤🕊
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) August 23, 2020
The Bryant tributes even went beyond basketball, as members of the Los Angeles Dodgers all wore Bryant jerseys before Sunday’s game.
.@Dodgers all wore Kobe jerseys before today's game 🐍💙
(via @Jack_A_Harris) pic.twitter.com/OEXjzKU0G5— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) August 23, 2020
More from Yahoo Sports: