Kobe meant so much to our otherwise sleepy, unremarkable suburb. He quite literally put us on the map.
-
-
Prikaži ovu nit
-
As a kid, anytime you travel, the first question you get asked is where you're from. And to me, I had the best answer imaginable to that question. Proudly: "I'm from Lower Merion, you know, Kobe Bryant's hometown"
Prikaži ovu nit -
Kobe was ours. He never went to college like most stars, so Lower Merion was his only alma mater. Our community was fiercely loyal and devoted to him. And he reciprocated.
Prikaži ovu nit -
Everyone has Kobe story. Every principal, teacher, coach, and alumni has one. For me, it was in 9th grade. I was a manager on the 9th grade basketball (I was way too bad to ever play for real) and our High School was retiring Kobe's jersey at a big ceremony in the gym.
Prikaži ovu nit -
He came back for the ceremony with all the Lakers (Shaq, Horry, Fisher, Rick Fox) packed in our tiny gym. Every member of all basketball teams (even managers) made a giant human tunnel that Kobe ran through, high fiving us. It was so thrilling, being that close to a supernova.
Prikaži ovu nit -
That was my first real encounter with anyone so much larger than life. He had his own damn gravitational orbit. It was surreal.
Prikaži ovu nit -
There were wild tales of his old high school textbooks being sold for thousands of dollars on eBay. Every first week of school, you always checked your used textbooks to see if you had one that Kobe had written his name in.
Prikaži ovu nit -
But what always stood out to me was his dedication to Lower Merion. Every year the Lakers came to town, without fail, Kobe would make an appearance at our school, saying hi to teachers and coaches.
Prikaži ovu nit -
He would frequently give inspirational talks to the Varsity team. He bought all their shoes, and donated the funds to build the new gymnasium.
Prikaži ovu nit -
This news is shockingly awful. And when you hear news like that, you think back to where you're from. I'm from Lower Merion, you know, Kobe Bryant's hometown.
Prikaži ovu nit -
This has always been one of my most prized possessions. I loved wearing it and showing hometown pride. It takes on a whole new meaning now.pic.twitter.com/mHniFZhAo4
Prikaži ovu nit -
Novi razgovor -
Čini se da učitavanje traje već neko vrijeme.
Twitter je možda preopterećen ili ima kratkotrajnih poteškoća u radu. Pokušajte ponovno ili potražite dodatne informacije u odjeljku Status Twittera.
takes | Sworn defender of millennials | Co-founder