02-14-2008, 02:12 PM
|
#1 (permalink)
|
|
-PREMIUM MEMBER-
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: 420 Lounge - Pomona, CA
Age: 39
Posts: 6,557
|
Difference Beyond the Court
Quote:
Kobe Bryant was at the Amway Arena in Orlando ready to make his entrance. Waiting patiently in the tunnel, he listened for his introduction. After hearing his name echo throughout the arena, he strutted onto the court and immediately the place went crazy. Nearly everyone got out of their seat and showed their support for the Los Angeles Lakers’ shooting guard, with one girl even shouting, “I love you, Kobe!”
What’s going on? Why are these Magic fans giving an opponent such a warm reception? Because the roaring fans are students from surrounding Orlando middle schools and many of them are meeting their idol for the very first time.
The superstar is not here today to play basketball. He’s not donning a #24 purple and gold jersey, and his right hand is wrapped up after dislocating his pinkie several nights earlier. The reason Kobe is in Orlando is to speak to the boys and girls that are a part of a program called After School All-Stars, an organization that Bryant has paired up with to promote academic success and encourage children to set goals and achieve them.
If you haven’t been living under a rock for the past decade, then you know Kobe Bryant is a remarkable athlete. He is one of the greatest basketball players of all-time and can do some ridiculous things when he laces up his signature Nikes and steps onto the court.
Kobe has embarrassed numerous players – Dwight Howard still has nightmares of Bryant’s brutal throw down – and he has made an entire country fear him after dropping 81 points at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto and then delivering an insane facial to a certain Canuck in Phoenix two years ago in the playoffs.
While Mr. Bryant’s basketball accomplishments have been well documented, he doesn’t receive nearly enough attention for his work in the community and his passion for helping others. His Vivo Foundation, which he started in 2002, promotes education and reaches out to students who seek financial aid as well as helping the families of the men and women serving overseas.
more in link...
|
http://lakers.realgm.com/articles/12...ond_the_court/
__________________
"If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all." – mom, circa 1974
"Either you are still a Laker fan, or you never were." - Guru
|
|
|