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FEBRUARY 10, 2020H
e seemed invincible.
Superhuman, even. Kobe
Bryant was a force of nature
during his 20 years as a Los
Angeles Laker, so when news
broke on Jan. 26 that he’d died in a
helicopter crash at age 41, the world
seemed to stop spinning.
TRAGIC ENDThe pro was traveling
via his helicopter in foggy conditions
to daughter Gianna’s basketball
game when it crashed in Calabasas,
Calif. (below, inset left), killing
everyone on board: Gianna, 13; her
teammate Alyssa Altobelli and herparents, John and Keri; teammate
Payton Chester and her mother,
Sarah; their basketball coach, Chris-
tina Mauser; and pilot Ara Zobayan.
SHOCK & DISBELIEFThe tragedy sent
ripples across the country. About 30
miles east of the scene, fans in Lak-
ers gear gathered at the
Staples Center — Bry-
ant’s home for 20 years
— to pay tribute (inset
right). Celebrities and
athletes f looded social
media with prayers for
Bryant’s wife, Vanessa,
and the couple’s three
other daughters, Natalia,7 months. “There’s no1978–2020
REMEMBERING
KOBE
(^22) |