Kobe Bryant unfortunately left this earth Sunday and that was way too soon. Kobe had a big impact on so many people, and on the Ohio State football program thanks to coach Urban Meyer.
It’s extremely sad and difficult to write about Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna and seven others losing their lives in a horrific helicopter crash on Sunday. It was also reported by USA Today authorities said the passenger manifest indicated there were nine people on board.
It’s a horrible tragedy that claimed lives way too soon and shocked us all.
Kobe Bryant was not just known as an extraordinary basketball player but also for his extreme dedication, hard work and love for his family. He lived everyday with the intent and purpose of becoming better in every endeavor in his life.
Bryant even had an impact on Urban Meyer’s Ohio State football program. He was known for being an extremely hard worker, even making sure to stay at the gym later than the younger players on his Los Angeles Lakers teams to let them know they would not out work him.
That notorious hard work led Urban Meyer to put up a Kobe Bryant quote in the Woody Hayes Center, via brainyquote.com:
"“I can’t relate to lazy people. We don’t speak the same language. I don’t understand you. I don’t want to understand you.”"
Meyer used that as motivation for his players to let them know that no other team would out work the Buckeyes and that they shouldn’t let any other player out work them individually. Hard work and determination breeds success, laziness breeds failure.
Bryant understood that during his playing career and even after it was over. He successfully built the Mamba Sports Academy for young basketball players and earned an Emmy Award for his 2018 animated short film “Dear Basketball.”
Urban Meyer even put Bryant’s quote in his book on leadership and program building, “Above the line.” Coach Meyer appeared on The Dan Patrick Show in 2015 to promote his book and was asked if he had any Kobe Bryant type leaders on his Ohio State football team:
"“Oh my gosh, yes. I have one right now. Our quarterback (Barrett) is a great leader. I have a bunch of guys like that right now. We have a bunch of great leaders on our team.” – foxsports.com"
High praise from coach Meyer for JT Barrett to be compared to Kobe Bryant as a leader. Something Barrett should treasure and take with him moving forward in life in everything he tries to accomplish.
Kobe Bryant’s influence was felt by many individuals and organizations throughout the world and the Ohio State football program was only one of many. Thank you Kobe, for your examples on the importance of working hard and to live life with intent and purpose.