La NBA y el mundo del deporte están rindiendo homenaje a Kobe Bryant en lo que habría sido su cumpleaños número 42.
Bryant y su hija Gianna estaban entre las nueve personas que murieron en un accidente de helicóptero en Calabasas, California, el 26 de enero.
El domingo, Vanessa Bryant, su viuda, compartió un mensaje de cumpleaños personal y sincero:
"Para mi bebé: feliz cumpleaños. Te amo y te extraño más de lo que puedo explicar. ¡Ojalá tú y Gigi estuvieran aquí para celebrarte!", decía la publicación. "Ojalá pudiera hacerte tu comida favorita o un pastel de cumpleaños con mi Gigi. Extraño tus grandes abrazos, tus besos, tu sonrisa, tu risa profunda y ruidosa...".
"Gracias por mostrarme lo que es el amor real. Gracias por todo. ¡Extraño mucho a mi amable princesa! Natalia, Gianna, Bianka, Capri y yo deseamos que tengas un feliz cumpleaños mi amor. Te amo ahora, por siempre y para siempre", destacó.
Durante el domingo, equipos, jugadores y otras personalidades recordaron a Bryant.
We miss you every day, Kobe. Happy birthday from your Lakers family. pic.twitter.com/6hzwFXgkwh
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) August 23, 2020
With tears in my eyes today... I just wish so badly that you were here celebrating your bday with your girls and family. I miss you and Gigi so much brother. I will always be thankful for how much you have impacted my life in so many different ways. #Hermano #Familia #42 🎂 pic.twitter.com/hHYYfUwmcj
— Pau Gasol (@paugasol) August 23, 2020
Mamba Forever ∞
— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) August 23, 2020
Happy Birthday, Kobe 💜💛 pic.twitter.com/1OZ0XDS7aq
Mamba Forever. 💜💛
— LAFC (@LAFC) August 23, 2020
Happy Birthday, Kobe. pic.twitter.com/MNang2l5s0
It's 8:24 on his #Birthday. Its the first time I will not be able 2 say #HappyBirthday I will never get use tothat. We think about you often To Vanessa & the girls we r always here for you I know U will be strong because he is part of you. To Joe & Pam I understand. We ❤️U #Kobe pic.twitter.com/Uy0tdZlpd8
— TheBillRussell (@RealBillRussell) August 23, 2020
Did u see how he walked away like it wasn't shit?! Hard!!! Serial Killa!!!! Happy Birthday Bro Bro. Miss you. Love 4 Life. #LongLiveMamba pic.twitter.com/vaefDkuFcf
— Allen Iverson (@alleniverson) August 23, 2020
Happy 42nd Birthday my guy. You are missed!!! 🐍🙏🏽 #Mambaforever #KobeBeanBryant pic.twitter.com/sWrHAHWWLn
— Vince Carter (@mrvincecarter15) August 23, 2020
Only time I'll willingly take #22 off my jersey... Happy Birthday Kobe #24Ever 🐍 pic.twitter.com/0UlCVvxojd
— Larry Nance Jr (@Larrydn22) August 23, 2020
Happy Birthday Kobe 🧡 pic.twitter.com/yP9N1XXSrg
— WNBA (@WNBA) August 23, 2020
Legends are missed, but never forgotten.
— Alex Rodriguez (@AROD) August 23, 2020
I had the pleasure of calling Kobe Bryant my friend for 20 years. Nobody, and I mean nobody, worked harder and more passionately to be great, day in and day out. As a player, as a coach, as a mentor, as a husband and as a father. 💜💛 pic.twitter.com/F1IxskIDyP
Kobe forever. Thank you for inspiring us every day. RIP Legend 🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/bS5zXX0CjP
— Robinson Cano (@RobinsonCano) August 23, 2020
Kobe Bryant would have turned 42 years old today.
— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) August 23, 2020
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
Kobe Bryant would have been 42 today.
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) August 23, 2020
Eagles C Jason Kelce wore a Lower Merion High School jersey to honor Mamba before they started practice 🐍
(via @Eagles) pic.twitter.com/KO1KsoO9bZ
On what would have been Kobe Bryant's 42th birthday, a 2 and KB banner surrounds the court as Sixers and Celtics warm up. pic.twitter.com/oe6Lvhllq4
— Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) August 23, 2020