Seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady shared a heartfelt two-word tribute to Kobe Bryant on the NBA icon’s fifth death anniversary

Tom Brady joined the sports world in honoring NBA legend Kobe Bryant on the fifth anniversary of his tragic death. The seven-time Super Bowl champion shared a heartfelt two-word tribute showing his admiration and respect for the late basketball icon. Several NBA and WNBA athletes alongside veterans of the league and countless fans of the sporting world recalled the huge impact of Bryant’s legacy. It has been five years since the devastating 2020 helicopter crash that claimed the lives of Bryant, and his daughter Gianna.

NFL legend Tom Brady paid homage to Kobe Bryant on his fifth death anniversary

NFL legend Tom Brady shared a touching tribute on Instagram on the occasion of the fifth anniversary of Kobe Bryant's death, his recent story on the platform was captioned with the words "Mamba Forever" and three red hearts as he honored the legendary Laker icon with his well-known nickname.

Brady who has admired Bryant’s astounding legacy in the NBA, was deeply affected by Bryant’s tragic and untimely demise. The five-time Super Bowl MVP has previously mourned the passing of Bryant in a heartfelt post on X. “I have been deeply affected by the passing of Kobe, Gigi, and in that tragic flight weeks ago. Since then I have witnessed the well-deserved outpouring of love and support for the families,” Brady wrote on the platform one month after the Olympic gold medalist’s passing.

“In Kobe, we were able to witness the man in the arena. For many of us, sports show what we are made of, they define our personalities and emotions,” he added.

Five years ago, on January 26, 2020, the sports world mourned the tragic loss of Kobe Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, and seven others in a devastating helicopter crash near Los Angeles. Kobe, who spent his entire 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers, left an enduring legacy both on and off the court.

As an 18-time All-Star, Bryant led the Lakers to five NBA championships in just a decade, earning league MVP honors in 2008.

Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo has also recalled Bryant’s impact on his career. “It just made me believe a guy like him could believe I could compete for MVP,” Antetokounmpo told Yahoo Sports.

“I was amazed. I worked extremely hard, I always worked hard, but it was extra motivation. Because it was somebody I looked up to. I always played with a chip on my shoulder, like the world was against me,” he added.

Also Read: “Rest in peace, my brother”: Scottie Pippen shares heartfelt words for Kobe and Gigi Bryant on their death anniversary

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards said, “He was one of a kind, there was nobody else like him. A lot of guys wanna play like him, but there will never be another Kobe.” Edwards added, “But I’m happy to be in the same position as him, because to me he’s the second-greatest shooting guard of all time, behind Mike. It’s great to be in that quote-unquote tree.”

Gianna was also an aspiring basketball athlete who was following her father's footsteps.