In December 2018 interview, Kobe Bryant said he started relying on helicopters to travel around the Los Angeles metropolitan area to have more time with his four daughters.
The basketball player died at the age of 41 in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California, along with eight other people. His 13-year-old daughter, Gianna was also with him and she also passed away during the unfortunate incident.
During his chatting session with Alex Rodriguez for Barstool Sports podcast The Corp with A-Rod and Big Cat, Bryant said, “Traffic started getting really, really bad and I was sitting in traffic and I wound up missing like a school play because I was sitting in traffic.
… I had to figure out a way where I could still train and focus on the craft but still not compromise family time.”
“So that’s when I looked into helicopters, to be able to get down and back in 15 minutes and that’s when it started.”
Bryant said his wife Vanessa Bryant, 37, told him she would pick up their children from school, but he said: “I want to do that.”
He told Rodriguez, “You have like road trips and times where you don’t see your kids. … So every chance I get to see them, to spend time with them, even if it’s 20 minutes in the car.”
After the sad news of Bryant’s death, Rogriguez reflected on their friendship in an Instagram post.
Rodriguez wrote: “My heart hurts so much right now. I still can’t wrap my head around this.” “How can it be?”
“I learned so much from Kobe Bryant.
He was naturally gifted but had a passion for basketball like no one else I’ve ever seen. His work ethic was impeccable and his stress on mastering the fundamentals is what elevated him to the player he was. I’ve never met anyone more focused with a myopic approach.
He didn’t pursue approval, affirmation or adulation. He pursued excellence and process. He followed my career and would often call to help with my health, daily routine … and would even chime in about hitting techniques. He was a role model to me, and millions around the world.
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