When people think about “Stars”(celebrities) they only see what they do on screen, on stage, or on a playing field, but what they don’t see is what happens behind closed doors. Professional athletes, coaches, singers, and actors, and actress have great things to offer other than their job to entertain us. Many people don’t realize this because they choose to only look at what they want to see and not what they should see.
These celebrities that we look at and idolize have had some of the greatest impacts throughout our country. Never give up on your dreams. ” That was one of the first things Kobe Bryant said to me. Many people look at Kobe and say he’s a perfectionist. Yeah, maybe a little bit, but if he weren’t would he have ended up where he is today. The first time I met Kobe Bryant was January 19, 2008 in Los Angles California at the Staples Center. My cousin Shawn Marion was on the opposing team the Phoenix Suns, so it was easy for me to go onto the court and meet Kobe. I remember the energy in the arena was unbelievable.
As the Los Angles Lakers ran onto the court the fans in the arena were standing on their feet, screaming, and yelling it felt like the whole arena was shaking. I had never been in an environment that felt so powerful. It was finally time for tipoff. Sitting courtside watching the way Kobe moved and his outstanding feet work was beautiful, but there was something off about him. Kobe had been missing more shots than he was taking. It was weird because he hadn’t played like this his entire career. All of a sudden, I looked up and Kobe had stopped hooting. He was holding the ball on his hip with one hand, and motioning to the sideline with the other. The whole arena went silent. A crew of maintenance guys showed up from out of nowhere. Kobe was saying something to them and gesturing. But from where I was sitting, I couldn’t understand what they were saying. All of a sudden there was a ladder being set up under the basket. Kobe was pointing up at the rim and the maintenance guys were positioning the ladder. Kobe walks closer to where I was sitting to talk to another player.
I heard number 9 ask Kobe “Something wrong with the rim. ” Kobe replies “Oh yea it’s too low. The rim’s a quarter of an inch too low I was missing shots that I don’t miss. ” Sure enough one of e announcers apologized for the inconvenience and stated that the rim was a quarter of an inch too low. I was marveled by Kobe’s intelligence, and it was at that moment I knew he was one of a kind. Later on that night after the game my cousin took me back into the Lakers locker room. Being in a room field with such inspiring people was a feeling I will never forget.
When I entered the locker room there were tables set up with food so the players could eat after playing hard all night. Since Kobe and my cousin Shawn hadn’t seen each other in a while they decided they would take me out to eat so they could catch up. While we were out at dinner Kobe asked me what I wanted to do with my life. At the time I told him I wanted to be an actress. He told me if that’s what I really wanted to do then I should strive for it with all my heart. But that wasn’t the only thing he said to me. One thing that he said that really touched me was “never forget where you came from. “There are a lot of celebrities now a day who are just focused on the fame and fortune. They forget about their own family that may be struggling or the friend who helped then when they were in need. ” Kobe told me about the foundation him and his wife Vanessa created. “The Kobe & Vanessa Bryant Family Foundation is dedicated to improving the lives of youth and families in need, both domestically and globally.
By providing financial recourses and developing unique programs, the Foundation strives to strengthen communities through educational and cultural enrichment opportunities. He told me about many times that him and Vanessa have gone out and helped families who were struggling, an said that I should help him and Vanessa the next time they have a charity event. So I did. Fast-forward 2 years. In 2010 I was able to help and experience what Kobe felt when he helped those struggling families. On December 24th I helped Kobe Vanessa and my cousin Shawn with a big Christmas dinner at banquet hall they had rented for single mother families that live in poverty. I helped with decorations, music, games, and wrapping presents for the kids to enjoy later on that night.
I wanted to make sure that the children would feel at home have lots of fun. After we were done setting up for the party, the caters arrived with all of the fixings for a Christmas dinner to be remembered. As people started to arrive l help to greet them with a smile and holiday cheer. We escorted each family to their own designated tables that were setup with their names. It brought a smile to my face and filled my heart with joy as I watched the children and moms eat their dinner, laugh and enjoy the evening. While everyone was eating Shawn and Kobe gave speeches. Shawn said,… I am very happy to see all of you here. I know it’s been hard for most of you, and I just want to let all of you know you’re not alone. Their are so many people here today who love and care about you so don’t ever give up or forget these words… You all know me as an NBA player, I’m this so called “celebrity” but what many people don’t realize and see is the struggle it took to get here. I grew up in a poor neighborhood on the south side of Chicago with a single mother who raised four children on her own. She told us everyday to follow our dreams and never give up, so that’s what I did.
The fame and fortune meant very little to me, it was the fact that I had finally accomplished my childhood dream and I could finally give my family a better life. I remember when I was young, and there were times when I felt like I was walking in my last steps, all of the nights I cried thinking that I would never become something. There were many days where I thought, is this going to be my last. I would walk out the house everyday not knowing if I was going to make it back due to the gang violence and area I lived in. But when I put heart and soul into God’s hands he blessed me with the best gift.
He gave me courage, strength, assurance, and the ability to help my family. I know how you may be feeling right now but know that you have a purpose, and know that you are here for a reason. So please never give up on life. You have too much to contribute to this world! I know you may not see it in yourself right now — but we see it. We all have a purpose and your journey is just beginning. ” Kobe said… “I can remember the exact moment I wanted to become an NBA player. My dad received an offer to play overseas in Italy so he packed up our family and moved us to a foreign country (Italy).
Both of my sisters were very athletic growing up and I knew I wanted to follow in my sisters’ footsteps and become the best athlete could possibly be. But that wasn’t they only reason I wanted to be the best. Being an African American the world looks at you and labels you. You’re categorized, as being dumb/stupid and you’ll never make anything of yourself. I thought to myself it’s not fair that I’m being judged by the color of my skin. That’s the day I picked up a ball and said I’m going to change peoples lives with this game. 20 years later and I’m still playing the game I love.
Not just because I’m good at it, but because of everyone here today. It is because of this game that I am able to help and give back to people who are in need. Everyone here today is going through something including myself, but that doesn’t mean you give up. You’re going through a minor set back to prepare you for what God has planned for you. Nothing in life comes easy and everything is sacrificed, so make sure that you never give up because giving up is like letting go of your life, and everyone deserves to live. If I don’t say another word here today I want you to remember this you can do anything you set your mind to.
Never! Never! Give up on your dreams. If you’re having a hard time or you feel like your dream is impossible to reach don’t ask the world why me? Say try me. You may not believe in yourself right now, but I do. I believe every single person in here will make a difference in this world. ” After their speeches there wasn’t a dry eye in the room. Meeting Kobe Bryant really changed my life. I can truly and honestly say, after spending my time with these less fortunate families, it’s made me look at life in a very different way.
You might feel like your life is not worth living because you can’t go somewhere you want to go or you cant buy something you want. But you have to really think is this worth complaining about. While there are children starving and freezing in the cold, your complaining about something you don’t have. One of my favorite quotes is “You never really understand the value of a moment until it becomes a memory” which means don’t take anything for granted because once its gone all you have left are memories. So think about this what if you didn’t have a place to stay, food to eat, or clothes to put on your body…
Would you be acting the same way you are now? The day I found out Kobe was retiring from the NBA made me really take the time to stop and think about the impact he’s had on my life. On November 30th 2015 a press conference was held where Kobe talked about leaving the game of basketball. In his press conference he said, … You know, I have known for a while. I have always said if anything changes, then I will change my mind. But the problem became for me with what does that really mean? A decision like this, you can’t just make that decision based on the circumstance.
It has to be an Internal decision and finally I just had to accept the fact that I don’t want to do this anymore— And I’m ok with that. Once I accepted that, then it became time to just let everybody know. It takes a load off my shoulders and everybody else’s. It’s just the right thing to do. ” After hearing this chills went through my body. I felt so honored knowing that I got to know a legend, someone who has had an impact on millions of lives including mine. Kobe Bryant is a name I’m proud to say and someone I will admire forever.