RIP Kobe: The best memes to honor the legend a year later

A year ago today, Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gigi, and seven others died in a helicopter accident. The tragedy was a kickstart to the year of non-stop horrors that was 2020 as a whole. And it’s hard to believe that it’s only been a year since the death of Bryant, whose talent on the court was so legendary that fellow NBA players would meme him by yelling “Kobe” before making a shot. 

Marking the day of the death of Kobe Bryant and the tragic helicopter crash, Twitter has taken not to make memes, but tributes for the fallen father, philanthropist, and basketball superstar. Here are some of the tributes that are sure to wreck you as we mourn for Kobe, Gigi, John Altobelli, Keri Altobelli, Alyssa Altobelli, Sarah Chester, Payton Chester, Ara Zobayan, & Christina Mauser. 

https://twitter.com/PopCrave/status/1354068534280781824?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

A letter from a grieving friend to a grieving mother

The tears immediately start with the screenshots shared by Vanessa Bryant on her Instagram from a letter sent to her by one of her late daughter’s best friends, Aubrey. And it will break your heart.

https://twitter.com/LugoatDort/status/1354063114183061504?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Remembering everyone

In our grief over the loss of Kobe & Gigi, it’s important to remember the others who lost their lives in the helicopter crash, which will surely gut you. 

https://twitter.com/SebastianAvenue/status/1354062974021939202?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Simple but impactful

Another simple photo tribute to Kobe & Gigi Bryant, the Altobelli family, the Chesters, Mauser, and Zobayan. 

https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/1354070458371633152?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Tributes from the places of his youth

Kobe spent several years of his youth living in the Italian city of Reggio Emilia. The city plans on unveiling a plaza named “Largo Kobe & Gianna Bryant”.

https://twitter.com/ValaAfshar/status/1354063325345280000?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Kobe’s rules for life

As we mourn Kobe’s death one year later, it’s important to remember the 10 rules that he created to live by. All, of which, we should incorporate into our own lives.

one of the things i loved ab kobe was how much he wanted to help the next generation of hoopers become better

while other retired legends spend their time living in the past and hating on new players, kobe always showed love

i wish more retired players were like kobe

— ET 🇨🇦 (8-9) (@tWeEnHeSiSpLaSh) January 26, 2021

Always help

Kobe retired from the NBA, but was always focused on supporting & helping the next generation of players rise to greatness. It’s definitely an attitude that everyone should live by: helping the previous generation become better.

https://twitter.com/AROD/status/1354083652163039232?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

A tribute from a friend

Alex Rodriguez shared his own tribute to his deceased friend with a video that shows some of Kobe’s greatest moments intercut with moments of friends & family.

https://twitter.com/TheUndefeated/status/1354081671491047431?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Slam dunk

Back in 1997, Kobe Bryant won the NBA Slam Dunk Contest. And this tribute shows him doing so, reminding of us all of the talents that Bryant had on the court. 

https://twitter.com/MagicJohnson/status/1354065253596712960?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

The tears just don’t stop coming

Magic Johnson’s tribute to Kobe Bryant will make you shed all the tears that haven’t been wrung out of you yet.