Fans of Kobe Bryant are inconsolable and Kobe Paras, named after the so-called Black Mamba, is even more so.
“Sorry,” his dad Benjie Paras replied to Funfare’s request for a short interview with his son, “he’s so affected (by the tragedy) at ayaw pa niyang magpa-interview.”
But Kobe did post a short message on his Instagram last Monday (Jan. 27, Manila Time) when news of Bryant’s death in a helicopter crash (Sunday, Jan. 26, in California) sent shock waves around the world — “[You’re] the reason why I wore 24 (in) my freshman year…life is so unfair…#mambaforever.”
Bryant wore jersey No. 24 after using No. 8, and both numbers were retired by the Lakers after his final NBA game. Kobe also posted “Rest in paradise, Kobe and Gigi” (referring to Bryant’s daughter Gianna who died with him) with a photo of Bryant’s jersey No. 24.
Former Pres./Manila Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada posted his throwback photo with Bryant taken during Bryant’s Manila visit on Aug. 14, 1998, with the hashtag #Thank you, Kobe.
Probably the most moving tribute came from Justin Timberlake posted on his Instagram. I am printing it in full for the benefit of STAR readers who haven’t read it (freely divided into paragraphs by Your Funfarer):
We met when we were both teenagers and bonded over our drive and process. I was in awe of what you could do with a basketball and knew your talent went beyond your physical gifts and stretched to your mentality. A mentality that I would take with me throughout my whole career and still use every day.
As the years went by, I watched you do things that seemed humanly unimaginable. And, through ups and downs, championships and injuries, you still remained with an unwavering resolve about your mentality to remain fierce to competition. But, every time we would speak or text, something started to change...your patience and ease grew. And it inspired me to continue to grow for myself.
Years passed, and the “old man” jokes would start to be traded back and forth. We both appreciated a good “ribbing.” We joked about “The Vino Club.” You nicknamed yourself ‘Vino’ to represent how one could age gracefully as a fine wine does. But, you never stopped aiming to inspire me. Your confidence in me was huge — it really affected me because I admired you so much. I don’t mean as one of the greatest athletes ever. I mean as a person.
People sometimes can confuse a will to win with a lack of compassion. That wasn’t you. You had both qualities. The last conversation that we shared was about being fathers and what that meant. That was, beyond all the things that we could do in this world, our true legacy. Who our children are and what beautiful people they will become. And, I guess right now, without being able to find all the words, THAT father connection is what is most devastating for me.
I am sending my love to Vanessa and your family and to the families of everyone connected in the mourning of this terrible tragedy. My heart is broken and my family lifts you up in our thoughts and prayers.
Kobe...You have connected so many of us. The Mamba Mentality will last for all of time. I know that will be a source for me every day as it has been for so many days before. Your legacy is with us. It’s our responsibility to pass it down now. I hope I can continue to make you proud, Vino. Champ, MVP, Legend, Hero, Inspiration, Father, Friend.
I’m gonna miss you, brother. Mamba forever.
(For more updates, photos and videos, visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on Instagram @therealrickylo.)