Kobe Bryant was a living legend. In his final hours, he was an ordinary dad and friend
Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, and seven others perished Sunday, January 26, in the distant hills of Calabasas.
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In the vast sanctuary of Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church, a larger-than-life figure mixed with ordinary parishioners in the final hours of his storied life.
Droplets of holy water shone on the forehead of one of the most recognizable faces in sports as he made his way through the chapel before the early Mass last Sunday at the parish in Newport Beach, California.
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Kobe Bryant, 41, an 18-time All Star who won five NBA championships with the Los Angeles Lakers, shook hands with Father Steve Sallot and asked about making his confirmation, a sacrament that would solidify his commitment to the Catholic Church.
It would have been hard to not notice one of the greatest basketball players of all time. But Bryant had always tried to pass as just another one of the faithful, often sitting in a rear pew so he didn't distract from the solemn priority at hand.
That unforgettable day began with Bryant stopping for a moment of prayer and reflection. It would end in a violent crush of metal and flames.
Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, and seven others perished Sunday, January 26, in the distant hills of Calabasas. The high-speed impact unleashed shock waves across the globe.
