Hearing the news yesterday that Kobe Bryant had died was a gut-punch. He was not much older than myself and I remember him playing in high school. This was before the internet was as prevalent as it is now, but I remember reading in the papers about the Lower Merion star. I think a few kids from my high school went down to the state tournament to see him play. He was one of the greatest basketball players of all time.
This is a terrible tragedy, the crash took his life, but also his daughter and other people. I cannot even imagine how awful it must be for the families of all those involved.
I do need to mention something that has been bothering me. It seems that everyone is critical of TMZ for how they reported the accident (before the LA Sheriff’s office could even notify the families). And it is disgusting that this happens, but we are to blame for it. As soon as the notification came to my phone, I went to Facebook and saw that everyone was sharing the story. Everyone wanted to be the first to post something about it. This is why TMZ and other media outlets rush stories out. They need those clicks and shares. If people just stopped and waited, then maybe there would be no incentive, but alas, that will never happen.
Also, can people please stop posting stuff about how there were other deaths at the same time that no one is paying attention to. Yes, people die every second of every day. Yes, when a celebrity dies, it ends up making the news. Is it fair? I do not know. But before you share those other stories (the one I keep seeing is about a cop who died yesterday), think about whether or not that person’s family wants their tragedy to turn into some viral post. The police officer that died on Sunday, maybe her husband does not want to see his wife’s name being used as some anti-Kobe attack by people. Maybe he does not want to have to relive what happened to her every time he logs into Facebook.
And finally, be respectful of the dead. I see so many people wanting to show how cool or edgy they are by reminding us that Kobe Bryant was accused of sexual assault. Guilty or innocent, it really does not matter anymore. He changed and worked hard at being a better person. He seems like he was a great father and husband. No need at this point to try and destroy the man. Also, it is another one of those cases of showing how people can learn and grow. Kobe Bryant was not a saint, but he tried to be better, which is all any of us can do in this world.
