Lakers: Philadelphia Eagles add must-see tribute of the late Kobe Bryant

The Philadelphia Eagles are among the latest who did their part to honor the legacy of Los Angeles Lakers icon Kobe Bryant.

A lot has happened in the time since five-time world champion Kobe Bryant and eight others, including his daughter, Gianna, tragically passed away in a helicopter crash. Be that as it may, the Los Angeles Lakers and their fans still dearly miss the man who is arguably the greatest Laker of all-time.

The number of people who have honored Kobe Bryant since his death cannot be calculated. To be honest, the memoirs of Kobe people left outside of Staples Center in the days following his death only scratch the surface. I say that because Bryant’s tremendous impact goes well beyond Los Angeles and the game of basketball alone.

He truly was one of those rare specimens who made a dent in the world. I would argue it would be tough to find a single soul who did not at least recognize the name Kobe. The Lower Merion High School product was that special.

Albeit what the lifetime Laker meant to L.A. is irrefutable, his Philadelphia roots are certainly a major part of who people remember him by. As a matter of fact, the Philadelphia Eagles were the latest group to venerate Bryant and his everlasting legacy.

Per Ron Gutterman of Lakers Nation, the Eagles recently unveiled a mural in recognition of Kobe Bryant. It is located inside of the Eagles’ practice facility and features several snapshots that capture the essence of the Lakers’ icon.

Two of them showcase his Philadelphia side in an Eagles jersey and in his high school garb, whereas the other picture showcases his fiery tenacity while a member of the Lakers.

John Clark of NBCS Philadelphia shared what the mural looks like it all of its glory.

Let alone the few photographs of Kobe, it is difficult to not catch sight of its other crucial feature. The mural also accentuates ten principles the legendary shooting guard lived by.

The mural officially labels them as “Kobe’s 10 Rules,” which are sure to cheer up anyone who comes into the facility. Kobe’s fierce tenacity and dedication to winning were nearly second to none, and it is why so many folks remain attached to remembering the legacy he left behind.

In his professional career, Bryant helped the Lakers win five world championships. Moreover, it is worth noting he also assisted in the U.S. claiming a pair of Olympic gold medals. On that note, Bryant is certainly the type of guy that many people think of when it comes to the definition of a winner.

While that is true, there eventually came a point when Kobe hung up his jersey, so to speak. Twenty years is a long time for anyone to be doing anything, let alone play a professional sport.

Following his playing days, though, Bryant did not just relax and isolate himself like a grumpy old hermit. On the contrary, Kobe began to establish a legacy that was every bit as large as the one he left on the NBA landscape.

One memorable mark he left behind is that he became so focused on helping others. He became as infatuated with it as it did with perfecting his craft during those remarkable twenty seasons donning the royal purple and gold.

Kobe Bryant was invested in his hometown team

According to Bryan DeArdo of CBS Sports, Kobe Bryant actually invested some time with the Eagles in 2017 when they were in the midst of their Super Bowl season. The 6-foot-6 guard gave his favorite football team an inspiring message prior to a game against the Rams. One can contend it may have very well lit a fire of sorts because the Eagles won their first crown that year.

Per ESPN’s Tim McManus (originally via DeArdo), the following was evidently part of Bryant’s message to the Eagles.

"“There will be a lot of hype, a lot of talk, especially going into the postseason,” Bryant told the team, via ESPN’s Tim McManus. “You can’t let that emotional roller coaster distract you.”"

Without a doubt, Kobe was a part of many postseason runs during his illustrious career so he understands that emotions are higher when the stakes are elevated. He knew how to channel his energy, though, and never seemed to be focused on anything other than the primary task at hand. It sheds light on what made him a sports legend.

Furthermore, it likewise sheds light on why the Eagles likely went to the extend of honoring the late great. For a figure of his stature to go out of his way and do something like that is a moment everyone on that Eagles team will never forget. I have zero doubt it played a role in motivating them to reach new heights during that magical season.

According to People’s Jason Duaine Hahn, a former NFL great also recalls the famous pep talk Bryant gave. That man is former quarterback Peyton Manning, who also knows a thing or two about winning.

While both Manning and Bryant are both decorated athletes, the former took the time back in February to share what made the basketball legend stand out from the crowd.

"“Kobe understood the importance of cultivating the future of sports and more than that, of sharing the valuable lessons sports teach about life,” Manning said at the time."

Manning could not have worded it any better about the impact Kobe Bryant behind. Once he retired in 2016, No. 8/24 grew so fixated on passing along his knowledge to others whether it was through pep talks like this, private workouts with others, and even through the written word.

No matter what way one looks at it, Bryant was one who appealed to various audiences of all ages. He had a gift of connecting with others on a different level, and it one of the innumerable reasons his legacy will forevermore stand the test of time.

The Lakers’ all-time leading scorer was truly one of a kind and players to this day are doing their own personal tributes to him as well. In fact, one of the Eagles’ new acquisitions, Darius Slay, will intentionally don No. 24 in Philly, per DeArdo.

Slay had the following to say when asked about Bryant and his decision to switch his number.

"“He’s a true competitor,” Slay said of Bryant, the fourth-leading scorer in NBA history. “He worked on his craft, and I believe that the work you put in is what you get out of it.”"

Slay made an excellent point regarding the 18-time All-Star. Kobe fit the mold of someone who was relentless with respect to perfecting every facet of his game. In tune with rule number one, Bryant certainly “[got] better every single day” and was noteworthy for possessing that first guy in, last guy out of the gym mentality.

Although Kobe Bryant’s life is more than instructive from a sports perspective, he really aimed to help folks on a grander scale. He knew the aura he carried, and the fact he was willing to help others in their quest to achieve their hopes and dreams is perhaps the biggest fragment of his enormous legacy.